Looking for Stratocaster advice...

[TripleChillin]

I'm by no means a great player, am not in a band, etc. Just a random dude who likes chilling in his basement playing guitar...

For some reason I can't shake the desire to get a Strat; and can't quite come to grips if I should get an American Standard, MIM, or even hold out and drop serious coin on the new Olive Green Pro Strat though thats a bit outside the budget...

Looking to the more experienced pickers here... Got a few questions for ya!

1.) How bad is the hum? I'm thinking of swapping with a Mojotone loaded pickguard or maybe Dimarzio... (is this worth it)
2.) Seems like if #1 was a go; then the MIM makes more sense, otherwise anyone have a strong opinion on the Standard American stock pickups?
3.) Anyone play a Standard Deluxe Roadhouse (the white one with S1 switch and active pickups...) - seems like this is a halfway point...

Current main fiddle is a C-1 Classic with SD P-Rails - was hoping to get a strat sound out of that + the option for others, but it doesn't deliver that single coil vibe if you know what I'm sayin'

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Look hard, but not long; an American Standard Strat can easily be found for $400 - $500 in most areas. $600 if you need it now. An MiM isn't much cheaper.

I've played single coils for years, almost exclusively at a few points. How much gain do you use? At less than "metal" levels of gain, the hum is something you learn to deal with. At above that, it can be troublesome. Tons of pickup swap options if it bugs you, anyway. American Standard/Deluxe stock pickups aren't THAT great; they're acceptable.

The S1 switch is useful, but from what I hear the stock wiring is undesirable for tone; mine is re-wired to work as a split switch for the humbucker only. To me, a Strat NEEDS pickups with magnet pole pieces (to sound like a Strat.) The pull of the magnets even affects other pickups when left un-selected, and so contributes to 'that' character.

 

[TripleChillin]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Look hard, but not long; an American Standard Strat can easily be found for $400 - $500 in most areas. $600 if you need it now. An MiM isn't much cheaper.

I've played single coils for years, almost exclusively at a few points. How much gain do you use? At less than "metal" levels of gain, the hum is something you learn to deal with. At above that, it can be troublesome. Tons of pickup swap options if it bugs you, anyway. American Standard/Deluxe stock pickups aren't THAT great; they're acceptable.

The S1 switch is useful, but from what I hear the stock wiring is undesirable for tone; mine is re-wired to work as a split switch for the humbucker only. To me, a Strat NEEDS pickups with magnet pole pieces (to sound like a Strat.) The pull of the magnets even affects other pickups when left un-selected, and so contributes to 'that' character.

Thanks for the reply. I'm bent on getting a maple neck and white body; unfortunately I'm in a somewhat rural state and the only used american strats on CL are like a grand... Seems like I'd be better off going to GC and just biting the bullet on a new one. Might look at trading in an amp and a bunch of pedals to help front the cash...

So I guess another way to ask would be what your opinion is on MIM w/ Pickup Swap for noiseless; or just go American Standard... I'm kindof leaning towards American just because I could see myself being frustrated a few years down the road for not dropping the cash in the first place.. Though the info online is conflicting if intermediate (non gigging/pro) players really feel the quality difference between a MIM if you upgrade the electronics... I suppose could start with American and always upgrade the pups later..

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

The Deluxe Roadhouse has changed a lot for the 2016 model year. It has Vintage Noiseless Strat pickups, for one thing, where the previous version had Texas Specials. The pickups aren't active; the onboard preamp is active, and you can switch it out of the circuit with the S-1 switch built into the volume knob.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

If you're patient and flexible on the color, you can get a great deal. Last year I grabbed an '87 American Standard with Texas Specials for $400.

 

[TripleChillin]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

If you're patient and flexible on the color, you can get a great deal. Last year I grabbed an '87 American Standard with Texas Specials for $400.

The closest I'm finding at the moment is a 2015 MIM (Black HSS) which actually looks pretty nice... I'm thinking of offering the seller 300$ since it's been up on CL for over a month... Might swap the pickups and knobs for white down the road for more of a Gilmour feel...

http://siouxfalls.craigslist.org/msg/5856159473.html

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Take a hard look at the USA-made G&L Legacy, Comanche and S-500 models. IMO, much better than what Fender is producing. I owned a vintage 1960 Strat, but sold it. Once I discovered the G&L, I never looked back.

If your budget is tight, the Indonesian-made Tributes offer tremendous value.

Check out G&L.

Bill

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

If you want to customize your Strat's pickups and electronics, there's no reason to sell gear to get an American. You can build whatever you want out of a Squier. I customized 2 Affinities with pickups, electronics, and pickguards, and they came out great, nothing about it is inferior quality: Alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard same as an American, tuners and bridge work perfectly. Not really any objective reasons to sell stuff to obtain more quality when it doesn't get you more quality.

The Affinity for $200 will have a satin finish on the neck I believe:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/squier-affinity-series-stratocaster-electric-guitar

The Deluxe for $300 will have a gloss finish neck like the Gilmour strat you were talking about:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/squier-deluxe-strat-electric-guitar

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Go for the Black MIM Strat. I have a 2013 in flame burst, HSS. Very similar except the finish. Very comfortable to play. I like everything about it except it only has 21 frets.

I don't care about Squier. Regardless of its quality, it's a cheapo brand. I don't know 'bout you but it makes me feel cheap. Get the real thing.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

I get how people without a budget want to pay hundreds extra for some paint on the headstock, but why would the guy spend $2-300 extra for no reason if he is on a budget?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Set your budget, and play many strats within that budget. Don't worry too much about mods until you get really familiar with the voice of your strat. Eventually you can change things you don't like, but take time to decide what that is, or you go down a never-ending rabbit hole. The strat has remained one of the most popular guitars for all styles of music, despite the fact that there is hum.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

...So I like Squiers too. But I wouldn't grab anything less than a VM or CV. Those models are pretty much better than an MiM Fender Standard on any category. Maybe a good Squier Standard/Deluxe but:

I customized 2 Affinities with pickups, electronics, and pickguards, and they came out great, nothing about it is inferior quality: Alder body, maple neck, rosewood fretboard same as an American, tuners and bridge work perfectly.

Sorry, I have to disagree, those are great guitars to mod and play around with but the quality difference is obvious. The fretwork on the Affinities/Bullets out of the box is a lot worse; so factor in the cost of a setup. The body is thinner/lighter. The hardware is zinc/potmetal and not "the same as an American." The neck may be maple/rosewood, but feels less like satin and more like unpainted 2x4 , and is not as carefully shaped. The neck pocket fit, the quality of the routing...

I would not recommend anyone an Affinity/Bullet, especially when the CV/VM are such amazing guitars, not only for the price. To me, it's CV/VM, American, or go home. The Affinities work, but are compromised by design and quality. G&L's import models are also great, as are the Musicman Sterling guitars.

Also: Look at Guitar Center's used site. Not sure how shipping would be, but you can probably pick up an American Standard/Special ~$500 . I really am one of those who thinks the construction quality/care and feel of those guitars makes them worth it. Maybe not new, but the depreciation makes a used purchase worthwhile.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

When I picture a white strat with a maple board
I always picture that Charvel signature Adrian something

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Used Warmoth?

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

When it comes to Strats, I like to buy new. I don't know enough to be sure I'm not buying somebody's water slide decal fraud.

 

[TRex]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

I have an upgraded affinity

I upgraded it because the guitar is sentimental value to me, being my first electric, and to fill my occasional want for a Strat sound.

Stock it was miles behind a MIM or CV. Finish is cheaper, fretwork isn't great, pickups suck, tone knobs bearly had an effect.

The few CV strats i have played were great.

 

[baritone]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

My advice on this topic: Compare specimens from different brands & price ranges. It's worth spending more if you can see/feel/hear a difference. After playing for 20 years, I usually opt for the less expensive option because I really can't tell the difference. Since I'm eventually going to upgrade pickups & other parts, I don't even plug in an electric guitar when trying it out.

 

[TripleChillin]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

When I picture a white strat with a maple board
I always picture that Charvel signature Adrian something

Are you thinking of this one?
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Jackson/Adrian-Smith-San-Dimas-Dinky-Electric-Guitar-Snow-White-Maple-Fingerboard-1333638271007.gc?cntry=us&source=4WWRWXGP&gclid=CjwKEAiA4dPCBRCM4dqhlv2R1R8SJABom9pHztHVs8Kzx-J_z-VbCZMBmG7NTId5p5KT4lP40rn3RxoCq3Tw_wcB&kwid=productads-adid^57619015002-device^c-plaid^143118044682-sku^1333638271007@ADL4GC-adType^PLA

That is the style I'm going for; my very first guitar was a cheapo squire knockoff from Sam's Club... Black with white pick guard. I kinda like the idea of getting a nice guitar with inverse coloring - plus I'd match my VHT amp pretty nicely...

 

[Godin15]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Set your budget, and play many strats within that budget. Don't worry too much about mods until you get really familiar with the voice of your strat. Eventually you can change things you don't like, but take time to decide what that is, or you go down a never-ending rabbit hole. The strat has remained one of the most popular guitars for all styles of music, despite the fact that there is hum.

I agree good advice.

 

[philthis]

Re: Looking for Stratocaster advice...

Set your budget, and play many strats within that budget. Don't worry too much about mods until you get really familiar with the voice of your strat. Eventually you can change things you don't like, but take time to decide what that is, or you go down a never-ending rabbit hole. The strat has remained one of the most popular guitars for all styles of music, despite the fact that there is hum.

Um............this is good advice. The only few decisions to worry about initially should be humbucker in bridge, maple or rosewood neck, mim or USA. Mod slowly, strats reflect subtle changes very easily.