Calling all you strat guys - need some advice!

[Lu_B]

Well its that time of year again when I start looking for a christmas pressie for my other half.

He said the other day that his 80'sTokai strat was still his fav guitar (he has a few you see Gibson LP, Washburn J6, Yamaha DW-6, Yamaha Nylon, Fender Bass, Epi Twin neck) but he's never owned a proper Fender Strat.

The budget is not going to stretch to an American one, not even a Highway as I'm in England and everthing is so expensive!

I've seen some Jap Squires (normally would steer clear of anything that says Squire but I am led to beleive jap ones are alright), Korean Protones and MIM Strats that all seem quite reasonable secondhand.

Can anyone give a gal a bit of guidance?

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Calling all you strat guys - need some advice!

hmmm those mim 60's reissue strats look pretty good for the money so do the mim 50's. I figure they're the cream of the mexican crop of fenders, i'd grab one myself if i didnt own my american deluxe 50th ann. strat with surfers... :32:

 

[big_black]

Re: Calling all you strat guys - need some advice!

It sounds like the guy needs Tele!! A good strat is a good strat, do you really need more than one?

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Calling all you strat guys - need some advice!

MIJ Fender strats are usually up to par with the Am Std.'s as far as tone, quality, and looks go. They are much less expensive as well.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Calling all you strat guys - need some advice!

I'd say either one of the MIM Reissues or like Benjy said, the MIJ's (or CIJ for crafted in Japan, to be politically correct) are often on par or better with USA standards.

 

[Norman_T]

Re: Calling all you strat guys - need some advice!

It is probably unlikely that you will be able to get a good MIJ/CIJ unless you are willing to pay a lot of money for it. These guitars are great guitars and are usually worth their weight in gold - my one is an '82 JV (Japanese Vintage) of a '57 strat with Fralin pups and it has stood me in good stead for some time - if I was to sell it god forbid - I think your hubbie would be all over it in a rash!! (see the link in my picture). A lot of the Fender Squers are now being made in Korea and although they are fine you will probably need to go through a number of them to get a good one. The pups will definitely need changing and also the tuners.

I agree with you that prices in the UK are very expensive and that is why I never buy guitars here. However I do think that you seriously ought to consider getting another Tokai - have a look at this one on e-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=2384&item=3748669884&rd=1

Failing that I do recommend you getting hubbie a US Highway1 strat as they are very good and will certainnly be up to a Tokai.

Perhaps someone on this board may have a strat for sale and you can do some negotiating on the price - believe me it is cheaper to buy them from the US and have it sent to the UK. I can tell you how to get around the customs problems as well. Just send me a PM and Ill telll you how to do it.