Best Strat for about $700,-?

Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

9unslin9er said:
I'm not really big into onboard modelling. The Roadhouse seems like a lower feature VG strat to me, which is good for some people, but I like my instruments bare bones, and for my amps/interfaces do the tone sculpting.

They are an incredible bang for the buck, especially if you consider their used prices. I personally think it's just a more robust (and attractive) instrument, and is a definite upgrade over the American standards. As I mentioned, I really dig the Twin Head humbucker. Fender seems to have developed it for splitting, so it sounds VERY close to a real single coil.

The Yamaha Pacifica is a more refined version of the stratocaster. It has a faster neck. The tremolo system is more stable. They actually deck the tremolo out of the factory, so beginners don't have to deal with tuning stability. The fretboard radius is super flat. You can still chicken pick on it, but you can perform amazing vibrato on it. I love the factory pickups that come in it. It's lighter and more ergonomic.

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The on-board modeling doesn't really bother me so much. I know Traditionalists will probably bark at it but to me, it seems like a cool subtle feature. I think as far as Mexican Strats go, it seems like about the best you can get without going into American Territory.

As far as the Yamaha's go, I can't say I've ever played one, but have heard good things.
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

The best sub $700 Stratocaster I've ever played was a used Fender Classic 50's Stratocaster. Its tone blew away any Stratocaster I've ever used (Tex-Mex Strat, American Standard, American Deluxe, MIM Deluxe, MIM Standard, Classic Players 60's Strat). While the 7.25" radius is a little different at first, it was still a fine instrument all on its one. The ONLY Stratocaster out of the bunch I listed I ever regret selling. You can find them used for under $500 every day.
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

Played a Roadhouse Strat today, only it was with a Rosewood Fingerboard with the 3 tone sunburst. Definitely quality and felt better than the American Standard that I tried before it. Just needed a bit of a clean up and a new set of strings, but that's to be expected when you grab one off the wall at a music store.

Overall, great value, sounded fantastic, and the thickening pre-amp in it is a super cool feature. I found myself liking it on full blast to get that smooth, rich, and fat sound while still having that single coil cut. I also found myself playing lightning fast on it. SUPER easy to play on and I didn't feel like I had to fight it. Although, I could tell it hadn't been played on in a while, so me shredding on it broke it in a little bit.

Definitely a Strat worth checking out.
 
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Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

Mad-Max said:
I also found myself playing lightning fast on it. SUPER easy to play on and I didn't feel like I had to fight it. Although, I could tell it hadn't been played on in a while, so me shredding on it broke it in a little bit.

Definitely a Strat checking out.
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Dose medium-jumbo frets bro. Love 'em.

That is so amazingly Malmsteen. <heart palpitations>
MX14491201-front-large.jpg
 
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Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

That preamp circuit REALLY reminds me of Blues Saraceno's Tweak Fuzz.

You better buy this thing before I do!
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

9unslin9er said:
I never had both side by side to do a comparison as they were released at different times.

IME, across the board, Mexi strats just have more poly on them.

They feel newer, less broken in. American strats have that extra bit of warmth in palm of your hand.

As far as tone goes though, they have the same Texas Specials. I personally hate the Pearly Gates so I much prefer the Twin Head humbucker in the Mexi version. It sounds more balanced when split.

Plus I loved that ocean turqoise color. I

View attachment 55772

So sexy. Still stand by the Yamaha though. Much better overall guitar.
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I have this guitar. I ended up playing it more then my American strats most of the time cuz the strat tones are so good. You can get one for $600 U.S. and for that price it's almost unbeatable as it plays and sounds sweet.
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

9unslin9er said:
IMO the AVRI Fender's are the finest guitars the company makes. Just as good, if not better than their Custom Shop work.

There's just something about the nitro finishes, the vintage style hardware. The smell.

I only have two guitars I ever regretted selling. One was a VOS TV Model Les Paul. The other, my '62 Surf Green Stratocaster. Best strat I ever played.

So, while G&L makes a darn fine instrument, I don't think it matches that particular series. Just me.
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I own and regularly play two '62 Fender reissue strats. They are favorites of other band members who play and jam with me. Unfortunately brand new they go for about 1500...... The Classic Series Strats ('50s, '60's and '70's) are supposed to be good to play for their price (about 700). Don't confuse with the lower level "Classic Player"...........all 3 above are Fender. Maybe not what you want to read, but noticed you said you wanted one to play for a very long time and not to sell. That being the case, you might want to do what it takes to earn/save some extra money and get a better Fender that you might not be able to afford right now but once it arrives you will never put it down because it's everything and more than you expected. Good luck!
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

If you were in the US then I would say get on Craigslist and search for US Fender Strats. There are usually several that you could talk down to the $700 range and even lower if it is a motivated seller.

I do not know how much shipping to the Netherlands would be for you...have you ever tried some of the 80's Japanese Charvels? Those usually go around $300-$500 on eBay so with Shipping it might be the price range you need. I personally would take the Japanese Strats over the Mexican Strats...just a thought.
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

I really don't think that a random AmStd for $700 is such a hot buy. It really has some hardware and routing oddities over the years and some pickups stink, and I want a 6-point trem. Neck profile of today's AmStd doesn't work for me either.

There is a reason for AmStd being the only American made instruments that have the same used price as some MIJ.
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

Thanks everybody for thinking with me and giving me some advice, I thought I'd share a pic with you guys what I ended up with, which is this badboy:
Strat.jpg
Beautiful 1989 Japanese Fender Strat, it sounds sick and plays even better :)
Thanks again!
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

In the US you can get a Highway 1 Fender Strat for around the $500-$700 range used–I believe they come with hotter pickups than the American Standard. I had an early one and it was a great value American made guitar. Being in the Netherlands I do not know how the used markets there work...I'm thinking Japanese Strat of some kind would be the best bet. Best of luck!
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

Bartdef said:
Thanks everybody for thinking with me and giving me some advice, I thought I'd share a pic with you guys what I ended up with, which is this badboy:
View attachment 60024
Beautiful 1989 Japanese Fender Strat, it sounds sick and plays even better :)
Thanks again!
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That wasn't $700 was it? You can get a new MIJ for less than $500 + $100 shipping thanks to the weaker Yen. I'm not sure if the 80's MIJs are better than the current ones, but it's damn hard to imagine how they could be better than they are at the present.
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

Beautiful guitar you got there! I'd probably go for something like this:
8e276fa4f82d337118c223dddb1fc51e.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Best Strat for about $700,-?

[
Nice! I have a USA Lonestar back from when they first came out. It is a nice guitar but my favorite strat is my Hamer Daytona. You can sometimes get them on ebay pretty reasonably priced. Custom quality.



QUOTE=Van Noord;3758830]Deluxe Lonestar series...

This is the Strat I went with...

[/QUOTE]
 
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