Help buying new Strat and Strap

[michaeldean40505]

Hi, I normally only play hard rock and metal and have two Deans that do just fine. But I am looking for a classic Stratocaster, 3 Single Coil Pickup Guitar to buy to access more tones without buying a Fender. I have three questions. First I was looking at an ESP ST-213 which is their Strat Style with a Swamp Ash body for $399. Does anyone have any experience with these guitars? Second question, I have my mind set on a Swamp Ash Body for my Strat but it's not a deal breaker. I can save some money buying an Alder body model; what do you folks think about the difference between the two tone woods and what other budget minded but quality Strats should I look at? Last question, I have a muscle disease and get horrible muscle pain. I need to buy a new guitar strap that is a little more forgiving on my shoulder than the $10 nylon job I have. What is the most comfortable material or brands of straps? Thanks for the help!!!

 

[TIGEREYELASER]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I have no decent suggestions on the guitar as I would suggest the higher (end) Squier's and those aren't necessarily everyone's cup of tea. There is a guitar strap you may be interested in, it distributes the weight of the guitar over both shoulders. The link to it on MF is here. Or are you more interested in cushioning?

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

Thanks for the link. I was actually looking or more cushioning.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

For sure, but what about the tonal implications?

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

Tonal implications. That was my main question I guess. I have never owned either a Swamp Ash or Alder guitar. I have an all Mahogany body and a Basswood Body with a Flamed Maple Top. Weight is not an issue. I am leaning towards a rosewood fretboard to retain some bottom end. So that would be the tone I am looking for. Classic strat, with bottom end. You can get the ESP ST-213 with a Rosewood fretboard or you can save $50 and get the exact same guitar in an Alder body. I was also looking at Dean Zelinsky Private Label guitars that are the same price but only come in an Alder body with no Ash options.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

Does Neotech make guitar straps? They were comfy for Saxophones.

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

Yep I found those. I also finally found some gel pads you can buy separate, so that solved my strap problem.

 

[Christopher Caruana]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I like alder more than swamp ash myself. I had a swamp ash fender strat once and the mids were really hollow and sucked in sounding; hated it. The mids on the alder is much fuller.

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I like alder more than swamp ash myself. I had a swamp ash fender strat once and the mids were really hollow and sucked in sounding; hated it. The mids on the alder is much fuller.

Thanks for the advice Christopher, that is what I was looking for.

 

[gilaltom3]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I'd go alder for the strat as well. I've got a tele I really love in swamp ash, but all my strats are alder for a reason. I don't know too much about those ESPs, but a higher end Squier like was suggested above or a used MIM strat might fit your bill. Those used MIMs on craigslist can be gotten for a pretty low price and you can mod the hell out of them.

 

[beaubrummels]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

Last question, I have a muscle disease and get horrible muscle pain. I need to buy a new guitar strap that is a little more forgiving on my shoulder than the $10 nylon job I have. What is the most comfortable material or brands of straps? Thanks for the help!!!

You need the widest possible leather strap. Having a wide strap distributes the weight evenly across your shoulder so the it is not centered on certain bones and muscles.

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

For that price range, I strongly suggest the Fender Classic Series or Classic Player series guitars on the used market. By far the best Strats Fender makes outside of the custom shop.

 

[chadd]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I like alder more than swamp ash myself. I had a swamp ash fender strat once and the mids were really hollow and sucked in sounding; hated it. The mids on the alder is much fuller.

I tend to like alder more in strats as well, though I have played some basswood strats that were pretty good as well. As for LTD, I have a ST203 that sounds and plays great.

 

[9unslin9er]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I have three questions. First I was looking at an ESP ST-213 which is their Strat Style with a Swamp Ash body for $399. Does anyone have any experience with these guitars? Second question, I have my mind set on a Swamp Ash Body for my Strat but it's not a deal breaker. I can save some money buying an Alder body model; what do you folks think about the difference between the two tone woods and what other budget minded but quality Strats should I look at? Last question, I have a muscle disease and get horrible muscle pain. I need to buy a new guitar strap that is a little more forgiving on my shoulder than the $10 nylon job I have. What is the most comfortable material or brands of straps?

1) ST-213's rock. They sound great and are affordable. But they are not traditional. They have a different neck profile. So, it depends on how "Stratocaster" TM you want to be.

2) Treewood my friend. It doesn't make a difference. The scale length, pickups, and tremolo are the most important factors in a Strat. Wood is secondary. But if you want Ash, the Korean-made Lite Ash Stratocaster is great and comes stock with Duncans. There are affordable late-90'-early 2000 American Standard Ash Strats on eBay.

3) Franklin straps makes the most comfortable load bearing suede straps I know of. But their length is not ideal. They tend to sit super low for some reason, like they're made for people 6'0" and taller. I've had good luck with Levy's basic leather straps. My Dean Soltero weighs 11 lbs!

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

I'd look for the widest, heavist padded strap you can find. Brand isn't as important as design/functionality.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

IMO, swamp ash can sound fine on a Stratocaster provided that it has a huge neck cross section. Case in point, the Fender AVRI '54.

 

[chadd]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

1) ST-213's rock. They sound great and are affordable. But they are not traditional. They have a different neck profile. So, it depends on how "Stratocaster" TM you want to be.

The frets on the 203 are massive, pretty sure they are the same as the 213. Very unlike any of my other strats. The neck profile is nice, fairly similar to an old MIJ fender that I have.

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

Thanks to all for all the replies. Gives me a lot of good information to use going ahead.

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

For that price range, I strongly suggest the Fender Classic Series or Classic Player series guitars on the used market. By far the best Strats Fender makes outside of the custom shop.

I was actually actually looking at the Classic Player Strat for $649 in Swamp Ash, Trans Blue and noiseless pickups. I'm also looking at Dean Zelinsky Private Label Guitars as well, they are all Alder but all premium components and offer a good military discount.

 

[michaeldean40505]

Re: Help buying new Strat and Strap

1) ST-213's rock. They sound great and are affordable. But they are not traditional. They have a different neck profile. So, it depends on how "Stratocaster" TM you want to be.

2) Treewood my friend. It doesn't make a difference. The scale length, pickups, and tremolo are the most important factors in a Strat. Wood is secondary. But if you want Ash, the Korean-made Lite Ash Stratocaster is great and comes stock with Duncans. There are affordable late-90'-early 2000 American Standard Ash Strats on eBay.

3) Franklin straps makes the most comfortable load bearing suede straps I know of. But their length is not ideal. They tend to sit super low for some reason, like they're made for people 6'0" and taller. I've had good luck with Levy's basic leather straps. My Dean Soltero weighs 11 lbs!

What is the difference on the necks? I know the Fender has a Mondern C and the ESP has a thin U. The two guitars I have now, one has a Slim D Mustaine Profile and the other a Modern C. I like both necks.