G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

nebucanazza

nebucanazza

New member
I am looking to buy a good mid-priced stratocaster.Both the G&L Tribute and the MIM Standard strat are around the $400 mark on stores.I might also consider the Squier Deluxe/Standard strat as a dark horse.

Which one should I go for?I am looking for the basic classic strat , no added frills, Floyd Rose,or super strat type stuff.I am leaning towards the Tribute at this point based on specs, haven't got any first hand experience on either.

Also, I am just visiting the US for two weeks, and will be based at Princeton. I hope to be able to locate some music stores in the area and try out the guitars, failing in which, I have to buy it online.Do these websites like MF ship decent pieces?I dont want any horror stories as I will be taking the guitar back with me to India, so no exchanges/returns are possible.
 
Last edited:
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

Easy answer. Neither. Used Jimmie Vaughan Strat on Ebay. They come up all the time and blow away all other strats for the dough. Search this forum for reviews on the JV. I have one. Mint, that I bought for $375 and I adore it. Never heard of anyone who hasn't. Have fun.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

Both can be great guitars but I will say that in general the G&L Trib's I have played they all seemed pretty heavy which I didn't care for...if you can work up a little more than $400 and don't mind buying used you could snag a Jimmy Vaughan Strat...I have seen them as low as $350 used but usally then go for something closer to $500 or so but those are killer guitars no matter what the price...much better than any other MIM Fender, G&L Trib and IMO better than most MIA Strats as well!
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

thunderlung said:
Easy answer. Neither. Used Jimmie Vaughan Strat on Ebay. They come up all the time and blow away all other strats for the dough. Search this forum for reviews on the JV. I have one. Mint, that I bought for $375 and I adore it. Never heard of anyone who hasn't. Have fun.
Click to expand...

I guess you beat me to the punch!

I paid $350 for mine with all the paper work, tremolo and gig bag...it still had the plastic film on the back plate!

Easily the best Strat on the market today for less than $1200...I actually picked mine over a CS 57 reissue!
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

Great..I'll keep a lookout for this one.Do they turn up used at music stores too?

Problem is I'm in the US for a very short while, and buying stuff on eBay might be risky.I have had bad experience in the past, where sellers don't send items on time.
 
Last edited:
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

The best advice is to play a lot of guitars in your price range and buy the one that your hands and ears like best.

I've only played one Tribute, and it blew away pretty much every Mex Fender (and even some American Fenders) I've touched. That said, there are some great Mex Standards out there. Like I said, play a ton of guitars and pick the best one.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

^Yup..that would be the ideal scenario.In case I'm unable to find a shop nearby, the JV strat does look pretty good.The Tributes are pretty much under the radar I guess, thats what got me interested.Now the JV strat is added to the list:)
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

G&L Tribute of the 2 choices. Never played a JV Strat so wouldn't know.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

Definately JV strat. Hands down. I love mine. 1 piece alder body, fender American vintage trem 6 screw, kluson tuners, etc. etc. etc. Where can you find a one piece alder body guitar for that cheap? Nowhere!

I'm tempted to buy a second, but then I remember I'm poor, so... :laugh2:
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

I want to avoid buying a used guitar on evilBay or even a new one from MF for that matter...buying guitars online just doesnt feel right to me.

And if you think you are poor, think of the exchange rate of USD vs the Indian Rupee. $1 = Rs. 48 (of course you can do much more with a dollar in US than you can do with 1 rupee in India, but still the rate kills ya:laugh2: )

Do the G&L have major quality issues?The reviews I read often mention scratchy pots and large variation amongst pieces.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

The tribute I tried locally had one of the smoothest necks I had ever felt. I wasn't used to the single coil sound so I passed on it, but WOW, what feel. They are supposed to have U.S. made pickups in them.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

the JV strats are good.... but buy a newer one.... 2000-06 if you can as they claim to have alder bodies...

G&L we don't see much of here around the Toronto Canada area.... so i can't say much about the cheaper ones... a guy i used to talk with online had one and loved it!

But i have 3 MIM Strats now... a 99 a 94 and brand new 06.... The 06 is a great guitar for the price range it's in!!!! Much better then the MIM stuff from the 90's... The Pickups are ceremic magnets, and i like them..... they seem to have more output and sparkle to them for me then some alnico's do.. Or it could be i just like cheap pickups! My new one has the H/S/S set up..... but i enjoy the SSS one too
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

I vote G&L Tribute. I greatly prefer the bridge and pickups to the MIM Fenders.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

Great...I am mostly leaning towards the G&L myself, unless I find a swell deal on a used JV/Robert Cray strat (chances of which are very slim)

At $400 with American pickups, great finishes and unique design features,the G&L appears to be the best bang for the buck.Anyone tried the S-500 premium($490)
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

nebucanazza said:
Do the G&L have major quality issues?The reviews I read often mention scratchy pots and large variation amongst pieces.
Click to expand...

Most hiccups I heard of in the Tribute series were the result of new operations where they were coming from. They were the kind of things that happen from just starting doing something. G&L went all out and corrected them and did right by their customers as well.

I've played the JV Strats...they're nice. But I see most folks that recommend them haven't had a G&L in their hands to compare it to.

G&L...both U.S. and import...are perhaps the best bargains on the market today.
 
Re: G&L Tribute or MIM standard strat?

Okie...so G&L Tribute it is:dance:
Now if anybody would be kind enough to recommend some guitar stores stocking G&Ls in and around the Princeton area......:help:
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top