If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

[FretFire]

What versions would you go to a shop looking to try out? Right now I'm liking the way these look, "most promising" at the top...

Lite Ash
Highway 1
Standard Satin

I'm looking at best value for the money, as I know I'll be changing a few items such as pickups (probably not on the Lite Ash), pickguard (for sure on the Lite and SS), nut/tuners/bridge saddles, etc. I have a Fender dealer a short drive away in a nearby town so I intend to go on a field trip , but I was wondering which ones you guys would recommend taking a good look at. Any other recommendations are welcome, too.

 

[Metalman_666]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

I would look at an American Deluxe with 3 single coils.

 

[XSSIVE]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

if your looking at standards i'd say get a regular painted one not the satin. the satin will drive you nuts if you like to keep your guitars clean and looking good. after a while of playing the satin paint will start to get glossy in areas your hand and arm touches and it starts to look real bad. I have a satin painted ibanez S370 and it started getting glossy in areas, i used automotive rubbing compund on the guitar and got the whole body to a high gloss...looks real cool now but that satin finish can be a pain and i don't know of any way to stop it from getting glossy in areas.

-Mike

 

[mrid]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

MIM Robert Cray

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Is the satin finish on the SS the similar to the finish on the Highway 1 series? If not then a regular standard would be more appealing.

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

MIM Robert Cray

Damn I forgot about those, they are indeed killer. Hopefully the shop will have one to try out.

 

[3Tone]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

I think the best value in a Strat is the Jimmie Vaughan Signature Strat. It has the neck features of the American Series (rolled fretboard edges, medium-jumbo frets, 9.5" fretboard radius) and the same hardware as the top-of-the-line Vintage Reissue Series (vintage style tremolo and tuners). All for around $550.00. I think they're Fender's best Strat "bang for the buck"!

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

I think the best value in a Strat is the Jimmie Vaughan Signature Strat. It has the neck features of the American Series (rolled fretboard edges, medium-jumbo frets, 9.5" fretboard radius) and the same hardware as the top-of-the-line Vintage Reissue Series (vintage style tremolo and tuners). All for around $550.00. I think they're Fender's best Strat "bang for the buck"!

I never considered them, I'll make note of it, thanks .

 

[WITH FULL DISTORTION]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Ed Roman´s Pearlcaster

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Ed Roman´s Pearlcaster

That would probably fall a bit out of my expected price range, and would require me dealing with Ed Roman :smack:.

 

[Kac]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

From the ones you listed I would definetly go with the Highway one.. Gotta love the vintage tremelo bridge, that one of my fav. features on that guitar, I also and very fond of the finish and different paint options they have. you might have to add a pearoid pick-guard or something, but over-all a very awesome gutiar, and If I was gonna get another strat right now, that's what I would go for.
Rock On :smoker:

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

If I wanted a cheap one, the lite ash. Seems to have good pickups straight out of the box, which puts it above the same price range.

If I was rich, a surf green '57 reissue. All around good guitar with vintage style.

I'm not one for compromises, either give me a vintage strat a la '57 RI or a modern superstrat like Jackson. In the between is always, well, in the between.

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Well, I usually prefer to buy a guitar and mod it here and there to mold it to my liking, so usually the middle of the road is the most sensible place for me to shop. Not to mention my collegiate budget . The Highway 1 and Lite Ash are definitely on the top of my list right now...

 

[mrid]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Ed Roman´s Pearlcaster

Are you serious? I hear that's just an overpriced Yamaha Pacifica! :laugh2:

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

I wouldn't get the ones listed, but search the used market for a minty fresh American Standard or American Series at some other guy's loss. $400-$550. Then, throw your favorite Duncans in it.

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

I wouldn't get the ones listed, but search the used market for a minty fresh American Standard or American Series at some other guy's loss. $400-$550. Then, throw your favorite Duncans in it.

Very good point GJ, I was of course only talking about the new market. Going used might just be a better option, of course most likely without the chance to play it first. I'll have to start keeping an eye on Ebay.

What about these MIJ Fenders I keep hearing about, worth a look?

 

[Tweed]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

What about these MIJ Fenders I keep hearing about, worth a look?

The MIJ/CIJ Fenders that stayed in Japan are great guitars. I've played some, and owned a '54 RI strat that I will forever regret selling. That guitar was custom shop quality, as is the '62 custom RI tele that I still own. The Japanese Fenders that were exported to the US are a different animal. Different wood, usually non-Fender pups, lower-grade metals (trem blocks). The domestic MIJ/CIJ are fine guitars, from any year of production. The downside is that you may have a hard time finding one that doesn't have a 7.25" fretboard radius. If that's not an issue for you, they're well worth looking into. No comparison to the MIM Fenders.

 

[FretFire]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Cool, thanks for the info. "No comparison to the MIM Fenders", in the favor of which one?

 

[Alvin Lee Fan]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

I think the best value in a Strat is the Jimmie Vaughan Signature Strat. It has the neck features of the American Series (rolled fretboard edges, medium-jumbo frets, 9.5" fretboard radius) and the same hardware as the top-of-the-line Vintage Reissue Series (vintage style tremolo and tuners). All for around $550.00. I think they're Fender's best Strat "bang for the buck"!

Bingo! Exact reasons why I looked at them. Then when I played, the deal was sealed! Plus, it has one of the best neck shapes of any Strat. It's a soft V up until the 6-7th fret, then transistions to a nice chunky C. Very fine feeling neck. It's one of the only guitars I've ever bought that I didn't feel I needed to mod right out of the box. I got a great deal on one at the local GC, much lower than the price quotes here. Here's mine, still stock except for an aged white accesory kit.

 

[Tweed]

Re: If you were G.A.S.-ing for a Strat...

Cool, thanks for the info. "No comparison to the MIM Fenders", in the favor of which one?

In favor of the Fender Japan guitars. I don't know your budget...a MIJ/CIJ Fender strat will run you $500-$700. Cheaper to go MIM. But you get what you pay for. I think the Fender Japan is the best value out there in a Fender. The G&Ls are great too. Joneser got a great deal on his. I played some USA Legacys the other night, and they were really nice. Great necks. Every so often, a Hamer USA strat shows up on eBay. Good way to go as well.