Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
G&L Tribute Legacy, Comanche or S-500. Grab one of the "Stupid Deals" from MF.
Bill
G&L Tribute Legacy, Comanche or S-500. Grab one of the "Stupid Deals" from MF.
Bill
Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
- Thread starter Aceman
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ItsaBass
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
G&L Tribute Legacy, used. They're good bangs for the buck, even when bought new at full price; used, the bang for the buck almost doubles (About $350 shipped on E-Bay). The older the better: the oldest ones used the same hardware and pickups as U.S.A. G&Ls, and came with a nice gig bag. The newer ones use the same pickups (which are basically an SSL-2-type design). The fretwork is usually OK to go, though most guitars at that price point could benefit from a fret end rounding and a nice polish (probably around $40 to $60 most places, since it's not a full fret leveling and dressing). A Tribute from the early days of the line is basically an American G&L, but with an overseas paint job. The very early ones that were MIJ are pretty much par with U.S.A. models, but everyone knows it, so they often sell for as much, or even more, than a U.S.A. G&L. Find one with an actual G&L embroidered gig bag (large embroidered logo), and you've probably got one of the ones that uses the U.S.A. hardware.
G&L Tribute Legacy, used. They're good bangs for the buck, even when bought new at full price; used, the bang for the buck almost doubles (About $350 shipped on E-Bay). The older the better: the oldest ones used the same hardware and pickups as U.S.A. G&Ls, and came with a nice gig bag. The newer ones use the same pickups (which are basically an SSL-2-type design). The fretwork is usually OK to go, though most guitars at that price point could benefit from a fret end rounding and a nice polish (probably around $40 to $60 most places, since it's not a full fret leveling and dressing). A Tribute from the early days of the line is basically an American G&L, but with an overseas paint job. The very early ones that were MIJ are pretty much par with U.S.A. models, but everyone knows it, so they often sell for as much, or even more, than a U.S.A. G&L. Find one with an actual G&L embroidered gig bag (large embroidered logo), and you've probably got one of the ones that uses the U.S.A. hardware.
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Discharged
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
The best-sounding cheap strat-like guitar is the Yamaha Pacifica 112J, if you ask me.
You can get one in good condition for less than seventy bucks. Then you can change those cheap ceramics with good p'ups, even expensive boutique will sound great, specially if you can get one from the early '90s. The alder used in the body of all I've seen/modded from that era was tonally excelent!
If modding is not part of the equation, then a 2nd-hand Pac 212 is ideal, as those alnico p'ups it comes with are not half bad at all. Component change like switch and pots will ensure the guitar's heavy duty for years to come, but not that much tonally. YMMV.
/Peter
The best-sounding cheap strat-like guitar is the Yamaha Pacifica 112J, if you ask me.
You can get one in good condition for less than seventy bucks. Then you can change those cheap ceramics with good p'ups, even expensive boutique will sound great, specially if you can get one from the early '90s. The alder used in the body of all I've seen/modded from that era was tonally excelent!
If modding is not part of the equation, then a 2nd-hand Pac 212 is ideal, as those alnico p'ups it comes with are not half bad at all. Component change like switch and pots will ensure the guitar's heavy duty for years to come, but not that much tonally. YMMV.
/Peter
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Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
Ohhhh so YOU'RE the guy that keeps outbidding me on their site. Fine I see how you are
I used to use that site until I discovered none of my closet doors would close. I'm currently trying to GET RID of guitars now, but I completely agree for a Fender Squier or a Yamaha acoustic that place can't be beat. Completely reasonable shipping costs too.
Ohhhh so YOU'RE the guy that keeps outbidding me on their site. Fine I see how you are
I used to use that site until I discovered none of my closet doors would close. I'm currently trying to GET RID of guitars now, but I completely agree for a Fender Squier or a Yamaha acoustic that place can't be beat. Completely reasonable shipping costs too.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
Epiphone S-310 (Banana/Hockey stick headstock)...IMO, best Strat for the price (usually find them in the $100-$200s on local craiglists.) Very comfortable necks, decent sounding pickups (a little weak in my experience, but very decent Strat tones.)
Epiphone S-310 (Banana/Hockey stick headstock)...IMO, best Strat for the price (usually find them in the $100-$200s on local craiglists.) Very comfortable necks, decent sounding pickups (a little weak in my experience, but very decent Strat tones.)
Mikesr1963
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
$37 was my limit on that one due to shipping costs. You only had to raise the bid by one dollar. :bigeyes2:
Ohhhh so YOU'RE the guy that keeps outbidding me on their site. Fine I see how you are
$37 was my limit on that one due to shipping costs. You only had to raise the bid by one dollar. :bigeyes2:
Chistopher
malapterurus electricus tonewood instigator
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
^^Hey, I'm on VA's Eastern Shore right now if that's what you mean by East coast.
^^Hey, I'm on VA's Eastern Shore right now if that's what you mean by East coast.
Henrytwang
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
As already suggested the Squier Classic Vibes are amazing guitars for the money. If you’re really looking for something less expensive for modding there are loads of cheap Strat copies including the cheaper Squiers around which can be picked up for peanuts on the used market. Many of these instruments are well made and an electronics upgrade and simple set up will give you a nice guitar for very little money.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
As already suggested the Squier Classic Vibes are amazing guitars for the money. If you’re really looking for something less expensive for modding there are loads of cheap Strat copies including the cheaper Squiers around which can be picked up for peanuts on the used market. Many of these instruments are well made and an electronics upgrade and simple set up will give you a nice guitar for very little money.
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mojosman
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
I would suggest slowly acquiring parts and building one that suits your tastes. You can buy one cheaply as any have suggested, but inevitably things will not be to your liking, and you will be tinkering and upgrading. Build it your way, and you will have the finished product that you can live with.
I would suggest slowly acquiring parts and building one that suits your tastes. You can buy one cheaply as any have suggested, but inevitably things will not be to your liking, and you will be tinkering and upgrading. Build it your way, and you will have the finished product that you can live with.
Diego
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
Really? One of those was my first guitar. Plywood body, and overall a very generic, meh feel, it was very durable though I'll say. But I doubt it was any better than the newer Squier Bullets. I don't know what to say here.
Really? One of those was my first guitar. Plywood body, and overall a very generic, meh feel, it was very durable though I'll say. But I doubt it was any better than the newer Squier Bullets. I don't know what to say here.
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
OK - I'm over this. A very different guitar tripped into my "Must Have" list....
we'll see what happens. Strat on hold., But all the Squire love is very reaffirming that I can just walk into a pawn shop w/ $70 and be ok.
But for a not a ton more I can get a mint green Pacifica!
OK - I'm over this. A very different guitar tripped into my "Must Have" list....
we'll see what happens. Strat on hold., But all the Squire love is very reaffirming that I can just walk into a pawn shop w/ $70 and be ok.
But for a not a ton more I can get a mint green Pacifica!
STLMTLHD79
Active member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
Find an 80s Charvel model 1A. Cant get much better in terms of quality.
Find an 80s Charvel model 1A. Cant get much better in terms of quality.
treyhaislip
Well-known member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
To each his/her own–I think the Banana Headstock necks were very comfortable–more so than the Squiers I've played. I've payed $120 for a Strat and Tele, very nice cheap option that gave me a more classic tone (I was playing Jacksons and Charvels at the time) and they both had very nice action.
To each his/her own–I think the Banana Headstock necks were very comfortable–more so than the Squiers I've played. I've payed $120 for a Strat and Tele, very nice cheap option that gave me a more classic tone (I was playing Jacksons and Charvels at the time) and they both had very nice action.
contiContiCONTI
New member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
Yamaha Pacifica 112s are sensational guitars. I have had a 112XJ for 10 years. First electric guitar. Since then I have had a Gibson and strat. The pacifica is still all completely stock and still my go to. I have no idea how they make a guitar sound that good for 200$
Highly recommend!!!
Yamaha Pacifica 112s are sensational guitars. I have had a 112XJ for 10 years. First electric guitar. Since then I have had a Gibson and strat. The pacifica is still all completely stock and still my go to. I have no idea how they make a guitar sound that good for 200$
Highly recommend!!!
larryguitar
Active member
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
In a similar situation a couple months back, I got one of these for cheap; nice swamp ash body, Wilkinson trem, alnico pickups and locking tuners (which I upgraded to Fender/Schallers)
Larry
In a similar situation a couple months back, I got one of these for cheap; nice swamp ash body, Wilkinson trem, alnico pickups and locking tuners (which I upgraded to Fender/Schallers)
Larry
Re: Recommend a cheap Stratocaster
You can buy them from crackheads and yardsales for $25 - 30 and mod them with stuff in your parts bin.
Also, they NEED work to make em ok-ish, so the needs-a-project crowd has something to look forward to
You can buy them from crackheads and yardsales for $25 - 30 and mod them with stuff in your parts bin.
Also, they NEED work to make em ok-ish, so the needs-a-project crowd has something to look forward to
