Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

KoreanGuitarMan said:
Go to a guitar shop and play guitars. Buy the one that speaks to you.
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Yup. Guitars are individuals, not just SKUs in a catalog. Some will be better instruments than others, even though on paper they may differ by just the serial number.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

KoreanGuitarMan said:
Go to a guitar shop and play guitars. Buy the one that speaks to you.
Click to expand...

Yup. Never buy a guitar you haven't played. I've broken this rule a couple times and got lucky. I've seen guys that threw down a couple grand and couldn't bond with the guitar no matter how hard they tried.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

Yes. I owned a FSR and it was a decent guitar. Don't worry about playing a bunch of them. Might be true for a high end Paul, but those Strats are cookie cutter guitars. You are already paying the money for Fender quality control and that will usually ensure you get a basic quality Standard, no different than any other. I think maybe the set up is better on some than others and that makes a big difference, so people figure that one guitar sounds better than the other, but its only true insofar as youre likely to have a pretty good sounding guitar after a good set up, which you should always plan on doing , and that sounds ands plays just like all the others after a good set up.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

You get what you pay for. That spelled.... I agree with most of what's been said here. Go play a bunch and see what you like.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

my favourite Strat model is the American Standard and Deluxe lines... i'm more a modern strat guy... but i do use a lot of MIM Standards... 3 strats and one tele... in fact i use my MIM stuff much more then my Custom Shop strat...
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

Those fender MIM stds and FSR types are certainly "real" strats. A pickup swap and maybe a new bridge block are about the only things they need to sound good.

In my experience, out of all the MIM strats I've played, I'd say 60% of them are pretty good, maybe needing work here or there on the frets or the nut, but there are no serious resonance issues. 20% are great all around and just need pickups. 20% just don't have the right neck matched to the right body or something... those may always be dogs.

Ordering online isn't exactly a death sentence, I'd say if you play a few MIMs in a store, you can get enough of a feel for MIM stds to know if the one GC sends you is a dud or not. Just switch it out if it is.

also, You'll have to play a AM Std to know if it's worth it to you, though. I dunno, I LOVE the rolled fretboard edges, but if I just use my ears, no way do I hear a $500 difference.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

I would recommend a used MIA. Try to find a good one, and bargain for the price. :) Ofcourse you'd need more than 350. But yeah - i would recommend a MIA fender, or a highway one.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

For the money, a MIM Strat is the best value for the dollar. They work right out of the box and you can modify them the way you want. That said, I agree with everyone else here: Don't buy a guitar without playing it. Go check 'em out.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

I would definately hold out for a Classic Series, Classic Player or a Roadworn over the "Standard" MIM - unless you're desperate for one.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

For $350.00 you can't beat a (Fender) Squire Classic Vibe '50 or '60's Strat.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

Svs696 said:
My birthday is coming up and mom's giving me $350. Should I buy this FSR Standard?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-FSR-Standard-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar-H64303-i1559901.gc
or should I save up for a 'real' strat?
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I went to a local store with my mind set on a used ESP EC1000 for $900. It played pretty good but I saw a cheap LTD model sitting right next to so I played it. It played AWESOME! Less than half the price and ALL it needs is some Duncan's in it. Play it and see what you like...now days it doesn't seem you have to spend a ton of cash to get something good.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

yea
I agree
Play one

I went into GC to get an Epi ultra for $700
but fell in love with the RG2EX1 it was so light compared to the Epi
and felt resonate in my hands
loved the feel of the neck

play a few
one will call out to ya
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

I've owned an American Strat, and it slaughtered the MIM Strats I've played. I had basically the same Mexican Standard Strat twice (c. 1995), and I ended up not liking either one. It was like Fender was punishing you for not going MIA.

I've heard they're better now; I haven't played one in a few years.
 
Re: Cheap strats vs Expensive strats

I've bought plenty of guitars without playing them. It seems you can find better deals online than you can locally...at least consistently, in my experience. Very few of the one's I've bought have been dogs. If you do your research about models and options you want you can order online just fine.

The most important thing is to get what you want and get the most for your money. There are some great MIM's out there, but the MIA's are better IMO. The Hwy 1 series especially. I like the smaller pre-CBS headstocks the older Hwy 1's had, but that's just cosmetics.
 
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