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Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:38 pm
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pcheng wrote:
...I would be the first to tell you that I have WAY more equipment than talent. But I am also a old fart that is trying to spend every last cent of my two son's inhereitance before they can get it...


Ha! I can relate to both of these (I'd reckon there are quite a few us, actually).

Have 3 American Deluxes; an '07 Strat, just got an '08 Ash Tele, and an '09 P-bass.

Also have 3 Gibsons, 2 Pro line GreTschs, a sweet Taylor and recently sold a pristene Ric 360.

The quality of the build and finish of the Fenders is exceeded by nothing I own.

And these necks...could've been carved by Angels.

I'd love to have a '57 RI, and missed out on a beaut when I was Strat shopping as I was still waffling between it and the one I bought, as the jewel I got was an outstanding bargain, and the '57 was going rate. Times when I regret not buying both, as the other is to this day the prettiest Strat I've seen.

But I'd think being a beginner, if you are willing to spend the $ on either, you may very well get along better, at least initially, with the American Deluxe. My reasoning is regarding the fretboard radius, the tuning machines and the frets. That's one heck of a nice trem on the Deluxes, too. And when you case it it's a joy to simply pop the trem off vice screwing it around.

And again, if you're willing to spend the $, I'd opt for the Deluxe over the Standard for other reasons mentioned, mainly the increased attention to detail on the neck. The guitar is truely exquisite to look at, caress and play.

And regarding an amp...I too would love a Twin...and a Super.

But that'd be a little nuts for starters.

I play through a pair of Deluxe Reverb RI's at home (equivalent sonic output of a Twin Reverb) and drag a Blues Jr NOS around. I think you'd be stoked with a Bj NOS and would spot frequently with a DRRI. The second DRRI I bought was an '08, barely used, speaker still breaking in and it was $650 to get it to my door. DRRI doesn't have the clean headroom of the Twin (few if any amps do) but it's got enough and the breakup when it does come is outstanding to my ear.

Regarding the Bj NOS, it's the same amp as the stock Bj except for the covering (laquered tweed, looks great) and the speaker. Uses the 50w version (C12N) of the ceramic Jensen that's in the DRRI (C12K).

There are many reasons to choose one over the other besides just size (31# vs 42#) and $ ($575 vs $1000).

DRRI's quite a bit more of an amp, but a couple things the Bj has over it in addition to $ and size are a master volume (you can grit it up at lower volumes without a pedal) and a mid tone control (DRRI has only bass and treble).

A few others are the DRRI has a vibrato ckt, another channel, each of which has 2 inputs, and half again the power (this doesn't equate to as much of a volume difference as you might expect, although it is definately more gutsy.

Again, if you can afford to spend the $, I'd suggest you get the DRRI. If not or you think it's more amp than you'll need, which it is, get the Bj.

Regardless, no guitar or amp has to be a permanent fixture.

And if you're a good shopper, there are deals to be had on pre-loved gear.

I'd also suggest a decent tuner...I have several...you don't need my Peterson...I also have a $15, $25 and $40 Seiko, all are great, a decent cable and a good strap.


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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:00 am
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Infa Red wrote:
Hey, one thing you don't know about me yet that may help, is, I got really small hands. They always screw with me when playing the keyboards, but I learned, and can do it. So, I am mentioning this because I am wondering if one guitar is better than the other for guitarists with small hands ? Sounds like maybe the '57 AVRI is better for small hands cause the neck radius is smaller ? Or no, does it actually make it harder because if the neck is skinnier, then the strings seem like they might be too close to each other and a beginner may always get all jumbled up with that ?


I think you're just going to have to play them. I have small to average hands: not Mark Knofler hands. I don't think neck radius makes much different, and both guitars are 25 in scale length. Personally, I think small hands are more affected by Scale Length than thickness or neck radius; you might try a guitar that's 24.75 in scale (i.e. an LP - blastphamy!). This is definitely one of those personal thing.

Dafreeze is right. A good middle of the road amp between the BJ and DRRI is the Princeton Reverb RI. I bought my PRRI new from Musicians Friend for $650. These pop up on CL for a little less every once in a while.

Dafreeze is also right about the DLX (and IMHO AVRI's too) over the Am Standard. The DLX frets and neck is finished much nicer than Am Standards (admittedly, I haven't played the new Am Standards; so you'll have to check those out yourself).


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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:25 am
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pcheng wrote:
I think you're just going to have to play them. I have small to average hands: not Mark Knofler hands. I don't think neck radius makes much different, and both guitars are 25 in scale length. Personally, I think small hands are more affected by Scale Length than thickness or neck radius; you might try a guitar that's 24.75 in scale (i.e. an LP - blastphamy!). This is definitely one of those personal thing.

Dafreeze is right. A good middle of the road amp between the BJ and DRRI is the Princeton Reverb RI. I bought my PRRI new from Musicians Friend for $650. These pop up on CL for a little less every once in a while.

Dafreeze is also right about the DLX (and IMHO AVRI's too) over the Am Standard. The DLX frets and neck is finished much nicer than Am Standards (admittedly, I haven't played the new Am Standards; so you'll have to check those out yourself).

Thanks guys. This has been a wealth of information. This is pretty much all I need from here I should be able to try them out and make my own decision.

I will try to play in a store the '57 AVRI and a DLX. I'll make my decision from there. And keep you guys posted.

Thanks again for all this.


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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:59 am
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If you're worried about having small hands, then you'll have to do some research and try out a lot of different Strat models! Some necks are thicker or thinner than others... sometimes within the same model line. Some models have a soft or hard V-shaped neck, or a D-shaped neck, or a modern C-shaped neck. Also, the nut width varies depending on which model you're trying. I know that the MIM Standard's nut width is approx. 1 5/8" (42 mm), and the MIM Deluxe, American Standards and Deluxes are approx. 1 11/16" (43 mm). Since you want something that will hold its value, I "think" that possibly one of the American Reissue Strats has the narrower nut width, but I'm not sure. Anyway, you'll just have to try a bunch and see which models are the most comfortable for your hand (and your wallet!).


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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:06 am
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Hey, not to get sidetracked here on some weird meaningless stuff, but is it my imagination that when looking at the Maple Fretboard choice on both the Deluxe and '57 AVRI they are a different color maple ? Looks like the Deluxe has a cleaner lighter maple look, and the '57 AVRI is kinda IDK, darker and duller looking maple ? Or something.

Is that my imagination ? Or is it just the way it looks on the computer screen or their photos and in real life they are the same ?

Cause frankly I am liking the way the Deluxe looks (personally). And just the neck I am talking about. The Maple part (if chosen).

Trip on it -


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Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:55 am
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It's not your imagination.

The DLX neck is quite a bit lighter in color. AVRI necks are tinted.

I think my DLX neck has darkened a slight bit and has lost that brand new tennis shoe look. It's either that, or my eyes have adjusted to it.


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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:31 pm
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pcheng wrote:
It's not your imagination.

The DLX neck is quite a bit lighter in color. AVRI necks are tinted.

I think my DLX neck has darkened a slight bit and has lost that brand new tennis shoe look. It's either that, or my eyes have adjusted to it.


pcheng, I just tried to PM you (as to not sidetrack this thread that much and bore people - lol) - But they seem to have PM'ing turned off here. So I tried to email you, but you have no listed email here, which is understandable.

So can you go to my profile, and email me ? (you have to change the AT to "@" and the DOT to ".")

If not I understand. No big deal. Just wanted to ask a couple questions.


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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:35 pm
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Email sent.


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Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:30 pm
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Wow! I would have simply said, if you like Pre-CBS Strat pickups made as close as possible to the original specs with all the bugs out, go with Fralins. Or, if you like Bill Lawrence pickups which are essentially tuned to a late 60s CBS vein with no noise, go with the SCNs. Lastly, if you're not familiar with either's tonality, simply buy the guitar that plays and sounds best to you.

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