Stratocaster Recommendations

Zephyr

Zephyr

New member
Its that time in my life where i'm dying to get a strat!

Trying to find a black, 2/3 tone burst, or an interesting dark color. 9.5 radius and a large headstock.
There is a 70's relic thats expensive and an not so expensive one that seems to need a pickup swap from reviewers.
Looking at the Jim Root but am wondering if Fender would do a requested insertion of dot inlays?? But I don't really want humbuckers and want the single coiles.
Also thinking about getting a decent priced strat and inserting the blackout strat set.

Whats your best experience with a $1000 to $2000 Stratocaster?
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

Zephyr said:
Its that time in my life where i'm dying to get a strat!

Trying to find a black, 2/3 tone burst, or an interesting dark color. 9.5 radius and a large headstock.
There is a 70's relic thats expensive and an not so expensive one that seems to need a pickup swap from reviewers.
Looking at the Jim Root but am wondering if Fender would do a requested insertion of dot inlays?? But I don't really want humbuckers and want the single coiles.
Also thinking about getting a decent priced strat and inserting the blackout strat set.

Whats your best experience with a $1000 to $2000 Stratocaster?
Click to expand...

I personally would say Warmoth or Musikraft is going to the best bet for that price range–you can customize it how you want it (from tone woods to radius to fret size etc.)

I am not a fan of the CBS headstocks but its just an aesthetic thing to me. Best of luck!
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

I picked up a MIM 3 tone burst used
The standard MIM come with 9.5 radius
decent pickups
I added locking tuners Tusq nut and string tree
Black guard

The standard single coils sound fine to me
May swap.the.with the noiseless variety at some point

Got the guitar used and out the door for $300
Then my upgrades maybe $100

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

ehdwuld said:
I picked up a MIM 3 tone burst used
The standard MIM come with 9.5 radius
decent pickups
I added locking tuners Tusq nut and string tree
Black guard

The standard single coils sound fine to me
May swap.the.with the noiseless variety at some point

Got the guitar used and out the door for $300
Then my upgrades maybe $100

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*
Click to expand...

Had a MIM Fender Strat, was a decent instrument for sure–but can't touch my Warmoth and Musikraft builds. If the OP has the budget and wants high quality then I'd say one can do better than a MIM. But to each his/her own. ;)
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

I recently bought an American Standard in 3TS. Definitely digging it so far. It has the radius you want but not the big headstock. The CS Fat 50's pickups are working well for me at this point. Streets for $1,299.

The American Special goes for a little less - $999. It has the big headstock and the 9.5 radius but you can only get a maple fretboard if you want SSS. It comes with Texas Specials.

If neither of these work for you I would definitely look at Warmoth and Musikraft like treyhaslip suggested; that way you can get exactly what you want with no compromise.

Hope this helps and happy hunting!
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

GAS-a-holic said:
I recently bought an American Standard in 3TS. Definitely digging it so far. It has the radius you want but not the big headstock. The CS Fat 50's pickups are working well for me at this point. Streets for $1,299.

The American Special goes for a little less - $999. It has the big headstock and the 9.5 radius but you can only get a maple fretboard if you want SSS. It comes with Texas Specials.

If neither of these work for you I would definitely look at Warmoth and Musikraft like treyhaslip suggested; that way you can get exactly what you want with no compromise.

Hope this helps and happy hunting!
Click to expand...

+1 For Fender Fat 50's pickups! I know the OP mentioned Blackout Strat Sets but the Fender Fat 50's are beyond amazing, IMO.
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

I'm a big fan of the USA G&L strats--the Legacy, S-500, Comanche and Legacy Special models. With all the options available, you're getting a Custom Shop guitar for American Standard prices. Definitely the best value.

And if you are on a budget, the Tribute line is fantastic. Made in Indonesia, they feature the same USA-made pickups and hardware.

If you don't know G&L, do your homework. Leo Fender always said that these were the best guitars he built.

Bill
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

Boogie Bill said:
I'm a big fan of the USA G&L strats--the Legacy, S-500, Comanche and Legacy Special models. With all the options available, you're getting a Custom Shop guitar for American Standard prices. Definitely the best value.

And if you are on a budget, the Tribute line is fantastic. Made in Indonesia, they feature the same USA-made pickups and hardware.

If you don't know G&L, do your homework. Leo Fender always said that these were the best guitars he built.

Bill
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tips, Bill!
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

treyhaislip said:
There is a cool one on my local CL here. I like the ESP/LTD Headstock and like that on the vintage ones they don't have that dumb 12th fret block inlay with the model number.
Click to expand...

wowww only $850 for that conditions??
grab it fast!!..you won't regret it :D
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

jacksen said:
wowww only $850 for that conditions??
grab it fast!!..you won't regret it :D
Click to expand...

Ha! I already got my main Strat plus a Semi-Hollow project and HS San Dimas Strat in the works...need another Strat like a hole in the head ;)
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

Fender Classic 50ies Player with the soft V neck, a Wilkinson trem with a steel block, some locking tuners, a set of boutique pickups (i recommend zhangbucker pickups) and you're done.
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

For 1-2k, I would build it! Why compromise when you know exactly what you want and can get it done while staying in budget?
Warmoth would be where I would go
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

Highway One Strats (post 2007) are great strats, but you can't find a good deal on one in excellent condition very easily. You could pick them up in great condition for 4-500 dollars at one point. The American Special Strats are fantastic, and have the features you want. They are under 1000 new. If you don't like the pickups, you can easily sell them on Ebay to finance whatever pickups you want.
 
Re: Stratocaster Recommendations

If you want the big headplate in a cool Strat look for a Custom shop '69 reissue. They are about the cheapest CS instruments on Ebay.

I might have a pic somewhere.

They also have a 70s AVRI now. The big headplate early Squiers are good, too.
 
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