-
Hi,
I know that this is a jazz guitar forum, but i have a Fender Strat question to ask. Most of you guys are very knowledgeable about guitars and styles that go way beyond jazz so i figured I would see if i could find an answer to my question here:
Im trying to find a quality Fender Stratocaster that has more to offer than just the Fender name. They are making so many new models now days that I have no idea of which ones are truly worth the financial investment. Are the older strats a better choice to shop for than the newere models? Jeff Beck Model? Amderican Standard/Deluxe? Im not interested in the Mexican made strats, only the USA models being that I have never owned one. Thanks in advance.
j30
-
02-13-2013 10:35 PM
-
Just get a USA standard Strat in the color you like and enjoy it. All the rest is fluff.
-
I've owned at least 4 Strats, 2 custom shop and 2 American Standards. The one I really like was one I didn't own and that was the Jeff Beck model because of the thicker neck. I strung the custom shop Strats with .013 flatwounds but the American Standards had to have no more than .012s or else the truss rods were at their max and I couldn't get them straight. The only reason to spend the extra money for a custom shop model is if you want something very specific that you can't get with a Standard like the thicker Jeff Beck model. Otherwise, like Darwin says, get the Standard in your color and enjoy.
-
Agreed, I have an early Jeff Beck for the thick neck but for most the standard neck works fine.
-
Jason, Take care with the older Strats and the reissue models. I believe they have 10 degree radius the newer ones have 12. Depending on the model. Like you say there are many models.
-
It's just too bad that Strats weren't built for my body type. That "contour cut" leans against my stomach in such a way that it makes the guitar lay flatter than I want. I'm constantly fighting the position. Other than that, Strats make great jazz guitars and don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
I'll tell you a funny thing about Strats. We usually think of the Stratocaster as a "screamin' " rock or down low blues guitar. One player I know that helped to popularize the Strat was Buddy Merrill who played a Sonic Blue Strat. He just happened to be the guitarist for the Lawrence Welk Band and we all know that band is not known for its rock or blues "stylings".Last edited by hot ford coupe; 02-14-2013 at 11:13 AM. Reason: Adding some more info.
-
I'd go for a custom shop, possibly relic, so I should not worry about dings and scratches.
I was told that the custom shops have a much better wood selection.
Scofield has played one of them recently.
The best thing would be going to a good music shop and trying a bunch of them.
-
Sorry HFC, I'm not old enough to remember that show,and a one and a two,,,
Originally Posted by hot ford coupe
-
Funny guy. Dat's wunerful, very wunerful. The guy that replaced Buddy, Neil LaVang or however he spelled it played a blonde L5 half the time and what looked like an Epiphone Casino or Sheraton the rest of the time. Hey, what's the difference between a jazz guitar and a rock guitar? The guy who's playing it. Originally Posted by Archtop Guy
-
I find the current Strats and Teles to be remarkably good and consistent in quality.
If it must be USA, then there is the moderate cost American Special with its truly jumbo frets if you like 'em big. The Am. Standards and Deluxes are all equally well made. It is very hard to go wrong these days with Fender guitars. Just read through the arguably absurd number of models and check on neck radius, fret size, etc.
Chris
-
I know you said no Mex but I'm telling you, they are wonderful, especially the classic series ....
-
Lots of good advice here. You don't say what style music you want to play and with the choice of pickups this might matter. For humbuckers the obvious choice would be a blacktop but then that's a MIM. Do you want traditional or a modern take that isn't vintage accurate? Try an Am Deluxe, the compound neck radius is beautiful. I've given up trying to play jazz on mine because I am fortunate to have guitars better suited to jazz. But I have to say if you ever have the intention of owning and playing more than one guitar then a strat is a must have
-
I have a pretty custom shop Strat (black holoflake). It sounds dull compared to my Tokai. Would not be so quick to dismiss guitars other than American Standard.
-
I have 2007 Am Std Strat in sunburst. That's pretty much the ONE for me. I also have a 2003 Am Dlx Strat in black /w SCN noiseless pickups. It's a great guitar if I need noiseless. It doesn't have the "chime" that the Am Std has -- which has a lot to do with the different tremolo systems -- but it's a fine guitar and would probably be better suited to a more standard jazz tone than the Am Std.
-
WOW! Thank you all for the VERy helpful suggestions, That's gives be a lot to consider before purchasing one. If a purchase is made soon, i'll repost and let you all know what i chose. Thanks again for all the great comments, suggestions and awespme pics!
j30
-
IMHO, get a Warmoth strat or tele and it'll be exactly what *you* want - no compromises! These are great quality guitars and they have reasonable prices given the quality - you just have to put parts together.
-
As far as American strats go, if Corona, California were 100 miles south, it would be in Mexico. Would it be hard to believe they have as many Mexicans working in the US factory as they do in the Mexican factory?
Last edited by cosmic gumbo; 02-15-2013 at 03:56 AM.
-
Originally Posted by FrankLearns
It may be a good idea indeed. My american standard strat has neck issues: the truss rod pushes the thin wood piece in the middle of its back (http://www.hoagysguitars.com/images/...eck%20Back.jpg , the concerned wood piece is the brown one in this picure - not actually my guitar but mine is built the same way, as all Fender Stratocasters' necks I suppose).
It consequently needs to be repaired once in a while.
-
+1 on the American Deluxe Strats, those are really sweet guitars. The compound neck radius is silky smooth and personally I really like those noisless N3 single coil pickups. A friend of mine has the EJ model and it plays really nice too, like buttah. Oh so many choices LOL
-
There is a mod to stop all noise issues on single coils. It was in SOS last year, think it was about £80 designed by a Fin
-
Okay my memory is rubbish! Its 270 USD and made by ilitchelectronics.com
-
>>> ilitchelectronics.com
Nice. It looks like a more effective version of the "dummy-coil" solution of yore. A little expensive if you consider what it actually is, but the brains and R&D are what you buy to a great extent I suppose.
Chris
-
Frank, The Warmoth route is a great way to go as long as you are a "keeper" of guitars. If guitars fade in and out of your life you will lose money come time for her to go. The Fenders have some "fair trade value" in them. Your cost to own her will be small compared to the Warmoth. Originally Posted by FrankLearns
-
I'm guessing that the OP will not be choosing a Warmoth, but...
I've been putting together Warmoths periodically for about 16 years; I think I'm on my 10th one. First of all, they make fundamentally excellent products. So let's put that aspect to bed. And they are made domestically within the U.S., if you care about such things.
In my opinion, Warmoths are ideal for two purposes:
1) To experiment with a configuration you can't get off the shelf; and
2) To configure something precisely to meet your known tastes
#1 is great for learning about guitar wiring and components, as I did back in the late 1990s. I no longer have any of my early Warmoths, but I did manage to sell them - either "as is" or parted out - for decent money. The market respects them, especially on Ebay. Also, on the Unofficial Warmoth Forum there is a marketplace.
#2 is perfect for when you know what you're doing, and know what you like. I consider myself in that camp now. It's more likely that such a guitar will be a keeper.
Obviously, Fender style bolt-on guitars are more in sync with the Warmoth value proposition.
-
++1 on everything Roger said! ... presently building my second.
Reply With Quote
Recommandations for Hollowbodies for $600 and under?
Today, 05:20 AM in Guitar, Amps & Gizmos