New Strat Question

[PushedCrayon]

Have any of you guys had experience with the satin strats? I have a epi les paul traditional pro with a satin neck on it and I could not be any happier with how it plays and feels! I absolutely love the feel the satin gives. I've been dying to get a strat back in my hands, and was wondering if anyone had any experience with these. I cant find one in a store anywhere near me.. depressing really.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guit...atocaster-satin-electric-guitar#productDetail

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Liko]

Re: New Strat Question

I always considered any clear matte finish to be "satin", especially compared to the inch-thick poly some acoustics and Gibsons seem to have. That's one of the reasons I like modern Fenders; their "normal" neck finish is on the thin side, which feels faster. But, the satin finishes look raw to some, who prefer the glossier look. I would guess this is the point of these Satin models; you get the more vintagey gloss look up front but the faster satin feel in back. Best of both worlds. I haven't played one yet, but I'll keep my eye open at the local GCs and if I see one, I'll let you know what I think.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: New Strat Question

So the necks have a little more gloss on them than an ibanez neck, but less gloss than a standard strat or something like a les paul?

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: New Strat Question

The satin varnish used on the backs of Fender American Standard guitars and basses feels fine and does nothing at all to impede playing.

Being of a certain age, I am a fool for nitro-cellulose - preferably, a little worn down.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: New Strat Question

Do you think those 500$ satin strats are worth it? Or would I be better off going after an American?

 

[DreX]

Re: New Strat Question

Oh yeah, this is real nice "Satin Urethane Finish on Back of Neck, Gloss Finish on the Face of the Headstock" , that's like having your cake and eating it to. Satin feels better on the back of the neck, but gloss looks better on the face of the head stock. I'd pay extra for it. The neck feel is not a trivial aspect of the guitar.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: New Strat Question

A little 0000 steel wool on the back of any poly neck will give a satin feel.

 

[DreX]

Re: New Strat Question

That works, and if you put masking tape on the ends it will have a nice cut off where it transitions from glossy to finely sanded.

 

[PushedCrayon]

Re: New Strat Question

Next step looks like to save up for a satin strat! Thanks everyone!

 

[DreX]

Re: New Strat Question

A little 0000 steel wool on the back of any poly neck will give a satin feel.

I thought about that a little more as an alternative to suggesting OP pay more for it. I do it to Strats whose street value is already ruined for some reason, like a partscaster, but I don't do it to guitars that are still close to mint because sanding the neck definitely counts as a non-stock modification, so if you go that route, either plan on keeping that guitar for the long haul or know that you might have to go at it with a buffer and hope for the best if you want to get full market value out of it. if your ebay listing discloses "has sanded neck", that's going to make your listing less attractive by a few dollars. But if the satin finish is a stock quality, then there's no problem.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: New Strat Question

A little 0000 steel wool on the back of any poly neck will give a satin feel.

Will that turn a "formerly satin/now gloss from playing" neck back to satin?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: New Strat Question

Will that turn a "formerly satin/now gloss from playing" neck back to satin?

Yep...