I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

[loudriver23]

I'm not sure when I'll be able to pull the trigger on one, but I really need a #1 player of a strat.
I'll probably have $1500 to budget for one with a separate budget for any pickup upgrades that might be necessary.
What should I look into, some of my thoughts are...
1- MIA Standard and save a few $$$
2- Fender Hot Rod Strat
3 - G&L Legacy/S500
4 - Used Tom Anderson
5 - Used Suhr
6 - Put together a USACG axe to my exact specs.
7 - Anything else I might be missing.

Thanks guys!

 

[metlking]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

The MIA strats in my opinion are the best "bang for the buck". I slap a JB or Hotrails in there with a 500k volume pot and it's good to go. For $1500 you could easily buy two! Or one and a MIA Tele.........

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

I'm in the same.
What I want to do is either go for after market Strat parts on ebay or, even better, buy a used Strat and mod the hell out of it.

 

[Jay 77]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

I love the idea of building one to your exact liking, if you have the money. Then again, I'm all for being able to buy two that you really like with that same amount of money, and setting them up to be different players.

 

[tone4days]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

what are you looking for in a strat?

vintage vs. modern fretboard radius?

trem type (hardtail? 2 point trem? 6 point ? floyd?)

S-S-S ? S-S-H?

noiseless?

vintage output? modern output?


my advice is to go play a boatload of em and see what gets you revved ... there are so many strats ... can kinda be like a day in a candy shop ... and if you dont have the cash now, you can use the time to see what you are into ...

i ended up with an EJ strat ... very happy with it ... the mayer strats sounded good too ... so did the MIM jimmy vaughn ... and of coursem the MIM jv strat was way under 1500 ... you coul dupgrade anything you need to on a jv and still be under 1500 ... just get a nice soundin piece of wood and drop upgrades in it as you see fit

good luck
have fun

t4d

 

[JohnnyGuitar]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

Fact is, there are so many Strat copies in the market (with different quality) that ordering reasonably standard Stratocaster from a custom shop is just a waste of money.

 

[loudriver23]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

With a traditional strat I usually only use the neck and neck+mid positions. Therefore I'd love to get an HSS so I could get the bridge tones I hear in my head, you know, a little heavier.
Also I love the 9.5" radius. I don't really care for the 7.25" or the 12" so, maybe the american std is the way to go.

 

[Tor]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

Close to my own situation, although that is still some months ahead...

Have you taken a look at the Suhr Pro Standard? That is one of the most popular specs ordered at Suhr, assembled into a mass produced "budget" guitar.. I have been thinking a bit about them myself..

 

[Oudy]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

what i've always wanted to do was look for older strat parts on ebay and assemble my own strat from that (using only sellers with extremely high feedback) im not sure ify ou woudl want to do that but it would be a unique strat

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

If I had the money, I think I'd look at another G&L, to go with my current one. But, I'd also use your dilemma as an excuse to go and play the hell out of a boatload of Strats!!!

 

[d1dsj]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

Normally I'd say go G&L, but I've heard that the Suhr guitars are pretty much THE best there is! So if you can bag one of those second hand, you'll not lose any money on it either.... wish I could try one. Ultimately I'd agree with some of the guys comments, don't think about the name on the headstock to start with... just try EVERYTHING and then work from your shortlist. Good luck with the search.....

 

[kherman]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

Carvin Bolt T.
You can get the 10" radius fretboard option.

 

[Forbes]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

Warmoth/USACG and make your perfect strat.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

Carvin Bolt T.
You can get the 10" radius fretboard option.

Can you still get the Carvin kits?

 

[WhoFan]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

MIA Fender Strat..... they are a great strat and hold their resale value more so then other brands...

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: I want a new Strat type of guitar... Help choose.

yeah just grab a MIA

they're awesome and extremely consistent

should leave you at least $300 for other things as well, so you can change pickups or pick guards or whatever you think will make you happy

or if you come across a highway 1 you're impressed with i'm pretty sure you could get away from the whole thing, mods included, for about a grand