Fat strat buying help.....

papersoul

papersoul

New member
Hey guys,

I am struggling a bit. I want a fat strat but am thinking the new thin lacquer bodies may be best? I doin't know but I found what appears to be a nice fat strat on ebay. I have been talking to the guy for sometime now and am considering it.

I know I would replace the bridge with a Wilkenson Vintage trem and locking tuners so I hate to spend for a new one. Although, I am afraid I'd miss the improvements Fender has made. Anyone have an opinion?

I am looking at this one. Thanks!

http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Fender-Strat-FAT-STRAT-w-pearly-gates-pick-up_W0QQitemZ300328874391QQcmdZViewItemQQptZGuitar?hash=item45ecfef197&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A1205%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

it depends on how high this bid may go. the pics are not really detailed, but it seems like this guitar has alot of abuse and it's 12 year old. in your place, if the bid would go for more than 600$ i'd prefer a new Fender Highway 1 HSS (thin lacquer body, large jumbo frets) or a new Fender MIM Lone Star Deluxe strat (thick finish, medium jumbo frets). But if you want a 2-point tremolo, i suggest to save some more money and get a US made strat in a better condition.
I hope this helps, good luck!
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

What is the Highway 1 strat? Basically an American strat?

I have the money now to buy one off the shelf new but I hate spending extra money if it is not necessary. However, it would be nice to walk into a store and leave with one that speaks to me. I know I'd be spending a grand though. Ugh.

The one in this picture has not been abused. I talked for a while with the guy, it has one chip from when it was knocked over at a gig. Other than that he says it has been babied and well taken care of but I still have nothing more concrete to go on other than his word. I have had good luck on ebay in the past. I hate the bridge on American strats other than the new models because they are better designed and smoother....but I was thinking of replacing with a Wilkenson.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

Ayrton posted this in the 'Blade Guitars V's Mexican Strats' thread that is current at the moment.....

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Highway-One-Stratocaster?sku=512768

That's a Highway 1 Stratocaster.

It is basically an American Strat, word seems to be that the body and neck are USA made and the electronics are Mexican. But the pickups are very good and very useable. Thin nitro finish on the body, and available as SSS or HSS, and all of them are routed for a bucker at the bridge. Since 2006, there have been some changes and the newer ones are referred to as 'upgrade' models. (better pickups and large CBS style headstock), the upgrade version is the one to get.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

Thanks, I am going to look at all of these. On that used one, he says the frets are in great shape with lots of meat. However, I could also just go to some stores and find the one that speaks to me! I know I found my LP that way.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

papersoul said:
Hey guys,

I am struggling a bit. I want a fat strat but am thinking the new thin lacquer bodies may be best?
Click to expand...

there is not enough of a difference in the finishes to make that the deciding factor. you don't gain much sustain if any - it's 90% marketing tactics from Fender. How the guitar plays/feels/looks should all be considered before the finish thickness.

Regarding the Highway 1:

I'm building a Strat right now using a 2007 Highway One body. it's well-made and the finish is pretty thin but keep in mind that it's made to age quickly. the satin finish turns shiny very fast with any abrasion and normal bumps and scrapes that would only leave a small dent in the clearcoat of a standard Fender finish will make significant scratches and chips in the HW1 body. some people dig that, others don't.

as far as the trem goes, the HW1 trem is nothing special (about the same as a Mexico Std. trem) but you can replace it with the Gotoh/Wilkinson VSVG trem (the nice made-in-Japan unit) since it has USA string spacing. it's super-smooth and doesn't (to my ears) lose much sustain compared to a hardtail.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

I guess I could also just go around demoing a bunch till I find the one. I did that with my LP. Unless......I decide to go the G&L route! Hehe
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

Guys, do you think a Fat strat can stand well in heavy rock or hard rock? All my guitars are heavier humbucker guitars so I want something different that can still rock.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

fat strat can do rock just fine. heavy or hard.

if you really dig on your neck bucker tones then you might not be as happy. but it can hold its own.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

as for the bodies...it really doesnt matter. play every strat you can buy and pick the one that feels and sounds the best.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

papersoul said:
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Unless......I decide to go the G&L route! Hehe
Click to expand...

Why not go G&L? The USA-made Legacy HB has a 'bucker in the bridge and better quality than the guitars you've been thinking about, and you won't need to replace the bridge, either. The G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato was designed by Leo Fender, and it is his "better mousetrap".

If you want a NY, or Fat Apple version with twin 'buckers try a Legacy 2HB. Or try a Legacy Special with its three narrow Dual Blade pickups by Gotoh. The bridge is hot and rocking; and with Leo's patented PTB (Passive Treble and Bass) tone controls, you can run the gamut of crystal clear alnico single coil tones to PAF fat.

G&L is a great choice.

Bill
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

Boogie Bill said:
Why not go G&L? The USA-made Legacy HB has a 'bucker in the bridge and better quality than the guitars you've been thinking about, and you won't need to replace the bridge, either. The G&L Dual Fulcrum vibrato was designed by Leo Fender, and it is his "better mousetrap".

If you want a NY, or Fat Apple version with twin 'buckers try a Legacy 2HB. Or try a Legacy Special with its three narrow Dual Blade pickups by Gotoh. The bridge is hot and rocking; and with Leo's patented PTB (Passive Treble and Bass) tone controls, you can run the gamut of crystal clear alnico single coil tones to PAF fat.

G&L is a great choice.

Bill
Click to expand...

Maybe If I found a newer model with a fatter neck. I hate thin necks. Plus, I don't know how they feel or if I vibe with one. Heck, I was even thinking of the heck with this and getting another PRS, a CU22. LOL! We'll see.
I think Fenders have a lot of vibe.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

The '97 Fat strat I just bought is almost 12 lbs! Is that odd!? Sounds killer though!!!

Anyone know if a fat strat with a vintage trem needs an F-spaced pickup?
 
Last edited:
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

papersoul said:
The '97 Fat strat I just bought is almost 12 lbs! Is that odd!? Sounds killer though!!!

Anyone know if a fat strat with a vintage trem needs an F-spaced pickup?
Click to expand...

Trem = tremspaced or F spaced. Type of trem does not matter.
 
Re: Fat strat buying help.....

So you got the one off ebay? Nice strat! Good luck with it man, hope it rocks the way you want it to.
 
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