Fender '50s Classic Strat opinions?

[Zeppelinfan8790]

hey,

I'm looking for a new strat and this one is looking like the one at the top of my list. I would go American, but I don't want to buy used off-line and theres no good used guitars in my area. And since the nearest place that MIGHT have this guitar is an hour and a half away, I would like some of your opinions. As far as pickups are concerned, I think that the stock pups in my Squier sound good(cept the bridge which is now a lil 59er), so I'm not considering the price of pickups for a few months. I think that I can attribute that to my tube amp tho...

How does that vintage radius compare to a Squier if anyone knows that?

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Fender '50s Classic Strat opinions?

The Classic Strat series of the MIM's are pretty decent as far as I am concerned. From what I understand the pups are decent, but not extrordinary. The bridge pup is probably the weak link again, it is even on American Strats. The vintage radius and vintage frets bother me, but not everyone. The radius makes it super comfortable for chording, but for soloing I find it a bit limiting. Take that with a grain of salt, because many of the great strat players from the 50's and 60's did dynamite lead work with those radius.

Overall, I think it's a good choice. I know you commented on not wanting to buy online, but I have had really good luck doing that. I've picked up a couple of guitars I just love that way. You can get a Hwy 1 used on line for close to what a new Reissue will cost you, and for just a few hundred more can get a nice used Fender. Just some food for thought.

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Fender '50s Classic Strat opinions?

It's not so much buying online, because I've bought all my guitars except my Squier off of ebay, its just that copying a strat is so easy nowdays that I'm paranoid I won't get my money's worth because I don't know that much about strats---just that I love the way they sound and play.

I have found a place online that has a 2-tone sunburst '50s reissue for $534 w/ gig bag, which doesnt seem too bad considering that all the other sites list that one for around $620-$630.

My price limit on this strat is about $580, I have some more money but I want to save that for emergencies that might come across during the next few months.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Fender '50s Classic Strat opinions?

You can get the Hwy 1 strat new for $599. IMO it's a great combination of modern appointments like the 9.5 radius fretboard, rolled fingerboard edges and 22 frets. It has a more vintage finish, trem, pups, ect.

Either one will be good, depending on your preferences. The Classic will have 21 frets, vintage fretwire, smaller radius and a poly finish (which is more durable). The Hwy 1 will have the 9.5 radius, medium jumbo frets, slightly better stock pups (I actually like the neck and middle a great deal), thin lacquer finish which really allows the guitar to resonate very nicely, and will be a USA made guitar.

Just pointing out some differences really. I prefer the Hwy 1, I own one of them. I've also owned 2 other American Series strats, and prefer the Hwy 1 for playability, tone and value. There are plenty of other strat experts here with more experience than I, so I'll step aside and let them have at it. Good luck.

 

[Zeppelinfan8790]

Re: Fender '50s Classic Strat opinions?

I just saw that I can get a sunburst Hwy 1. I never knew that they made them in this color :smack:

I might have to consider one of these guitars.