So, I love my LP but sometimes I really love that strat style sound so I'm thinking about getting something inexpensive but I'm not sure where to start. I've checked out the Squier Classic Vibe which seem to be pretty decent...anyone have any experience with these or something in a similar price range? $350 or so is the price range and I'm simply looking for the best value.
Cheap Strats?
- Thread starter greatbob6
- Start date
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: Cheap Strats?
Same experience here. They're great for the price, and the pickups aren't too shabby. The bridges are meh, they're not the best in the world but I've seen worse.
Same experience here. They're great for the price, and the pickups aren't too shabby. The bridges are meh, they're not the best in the world but I've seen worse.
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: Cheap Strats?
I have no idea. If you don't mind redrilling some holes, an aftermarket bridge meant for Mexi strats will work.
There's a few other brands you might want to consider as well, that are great for what they are. Budget instruments.
Jay Turser
S101
Yamaha Pacifica
J. Reynolds
Arbor
SX
Agile
Dillion
The last three can be had from rondomusic.com. I've had great experiences with the SX series. Pickups weren't too shabby for cheap ass ceramics. Fret work was great, fit and finish left nothing to be desired, and for 109 bucks, that's plenty of change left over for some heavy modding to get a great guitar.
I have no idea. If you don't mind redrilling some holes, an aftermarket bridge meant for Mexi strats will work.
There's a few other brands you might want to consider as well, that are great for what they are. Budget instruments.
Jay Turser
S101
Yamaha Pacifica
J. Reynolds
Arbor
SX
Agile
Dillion
The last three can be had from rondomusic.com. I've had great experiences with the SX series. Pickups weren't too shabby for cheap ass ceramics. Fret work was great, fit and finish left nothing to be desired, and for 109 bucks, that's plenty of change left over for some heavy modding to get a great guitar.
Mark Cearlock
New member
Re: Cheap Strats?
You could look around and find a used mim fender, for around 300 bucks, but really, the classic series squiers are very nice. I have a 95 mim and a squier standard, and both are nice at what they do. Best advice: go play a handfull, in your price range, and don't mind what the headstock says. Get what sounds best to you.
You could look around and find a used mim fender, for around 300 bucks, but really, the classic series squiers are very nice. I have a 95 mim and a squier standard, and both are nice at what they do. Best advice: go play a handfull, in your price range, and don't mind what the headstock says. Get what sounds best to you.
Re: Cheap Strats?
You guys are awesome, just so you know!
Thanks for the advice. I've heard people talking about the SX and Agile guitars so I'm curious about them but it just doesn't feel right to get a guitar without playing it. 
I think that's why I'm most interested in the Squiers...those are actually carried in stores around here so I can get one in my hands and check it out.
You guys are awesome, just so you know!
Thanks for the advice. I've heard people talking about the SX and Agile guitars so I'm curious about them but it just doesn't feel right to get a guitar without playing it. I think that's why I'm most interested in the Squiers...those are actually carried in stores around here so I can get one in my hands and check it out.
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: Cheap Strats?
or the Roadstar II series. Necks to die for dude. There's an old CAR, SSS, vintage style trem one at my local Music Go Round but they want 4 and some change for it. I've fallen out of my electric thing, but if I were to pick up another it would either be a frankentele or that badass hunk of wood.
or the Roadstar II series. Necks to die for dude. There's an old CAR, SSS, vintage style trem one at my local Music Go Round but they want 4 and some change for it. I've fallen out of my electric thing, but if I were to pick up another it would either be a frankentele or that badass hunk of wood.
Re: Cheap Strats?
local shop has a batch of Vintage Vibe strats in in some finish options i didn't even know Squier offered... White, Black, Candy Red, LPB....
i was thinking about grabing a Squier Vintage Vibe, plugging the bridge holes and adding my Gotoh vintage spec bridge... but it's just a thought... i most likely will not do it
local shop has a batch of Vintage Vibe strats in in some finish options i didn't even know Squier offered... White, Black, Candy Red, LPB....
i was thinking about grabing a Squier Vintage Vibe, plugging the bridge holes and adding my Gotoh vintage spec bridge... but it's just a thought... i most likely will not do it
cvansickle
New member
Re: Cheap Strats?
MIM Strats are better than Squiers, for the most part. You have to try several to find the right one. I have a MIM that I kept over an American Strat, the MIM was just a better guitar.
MIM Strats are better than Squiers, for the most part. You have to try several to find the right one. I have a MIM that I kept over an American Strat, the MIM was just a better guitar.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: Cheap Strats?
MIMs can be had for under $300 regularly, so there's no reason to buy a Squier that you plan on upgrading immediately for way more.
MIMs can be had for under $300 regularly, so there's no reason to buy a Squier that you plan on upgrading immediately for way more.
VACharvel
New member
Re: Cheap Strats?
The Mid-80's import Charvel guitars offer a tremendous bang-for-the-buck and the Model 1 and 1A's both sport the Kahler vintage Tremolo in them...the pickups weren't that bad, but you can always upgrade pups as time/funds permit a little at a time.
The necks were very consistent and IMO are very comfortable and playable.
You can find these on Craigslist and E-Bay fairly often in the range you mentioned, also Pawnshops are a good resource.
The Mid-80's import Charvel guitars offer a tremendous bang-for-the-buck and the Model 1 and 1A's both sport the Kahler vintage Tremolo in them...the pickups weren't that bad, but you can always upgrade pups as time/funds permit a little at a time.
The necks were very consistent and IMO are very comfortable and playable.
You can find these on Craigslist and E-Bay fairly often in the range you mentioned, also Pawnshops are a good resource.
Re: Cheap Strats?
i agree... my 2006 MIM is very nice... it is much nicer then most i pick up so it's a special one... And as odd as it sounds i'm one of the sick people that like stock MIM Ceremic Strat PU's! ha ha ha... for rock tones they have the right output and brightness to them... thru some set ups they can be a little raspy but if you EQ right they work for me...
i agree... my 2006 MIM is very nice... it is much nicer then most i pick up so it's a special one... And as odd as it sounds i'm one of the sick people that like stock MIM Ceremic Strat PU's! ha ha ha... for rock tones they have the right output and brightness to them... thru some set ups they can be a little raspy but if you EQ right they work for me...
jimijames
New member
Re: Cheap Strats?
You can also score some mid-80's MIK squires for pretty cheap. I have one and it's a really quality instrument - enough so that I'm thinking about getting some nice PU's for it... Also, I don't have experience with their guitars but guitarfetish.com has some great deals on what are reviewed (on Harmony central) as really quite good guitars. But MIM strats are also really good - my friend has one that he just got some fretwork done on and the thing plays like buttah now.
Edit: Hell, even before it was still really good, it just plays ridiculously fast now.
You can also score some mid-80's MIK squires for pretty cheap. I have one and it's a really quality instrument - enough so that I'm thinking about getting some nice PU's for it... Also, I don't have experience with their guitars but guitarfetish.com has some great deals on what are reviewed (on Harmony central) as really quite good guitars. But MIM strats are also really good - my friend has one that he just got some fretwork done on and the thing plays like buttah now.
Edit: Hell, even before it was still really good, it just plays ridiculously fast now.
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