My Mexican made stratocaster was stolen a few months ago along with my practice amp and I've been looking for a new guitar to splurge on. Before I blindly go buy another I wanted to ask around to see if I may like something better. I'm just not sure what to buy!

I really liked the sound/feel/and comfort of a strat. I know other fender guitars exist like the jaguar and jazzmaster but I'm not sure if that's my style. I really like the chili peppers, beatles, and hendrix and I usually play on the clean channel (sometimes play with a little distortion). Ive been playing a little over 2 years and I believe I've been pretty dedicated to playing. So which guitars should I try out?

Also, would it be worthwhile to search for a very lightly used guitar? They're usually a little cheaper if not beaten up. What kind of things should I look for?


I also need a amp! I had a crappy 5w practice amp which got the job done so I don't feel the need to spend on anything more than a 15w at MOST. Is it possible to find something that sounds good for under 100 bucks??


I'm trying to spend less than $700. A new/used Mexican Strat and a new practice amp sounds very cheap and appealing, but that's my only option. I would really appreciate some suggestions of guitar/amp so I can go to a guitar center and try them out. Thanks!

If I were you I'd focus on the amp as much or more than the guitar. A lot of people (myself included) tend to overlook in the amp and buy a really nice guitar and a really crappy amp. Your amp has just as much to do with your tone as your guitar does. And $100 for an amp won't get you very far. (If you must get a cheap amp, then I'd recommend a Roland Micro Cube. They're one of the more decent sounding practice amps.)

Used is usually the best way to go. 90% of my gear is used. If it has a big dent somewhere, that's a good thing because all it does is put a nice guitar into a more attainable price range. Plus you'll end up denting it anyway. A pre-dented guitar takes some of the pain out of that first one that you cause. Used MIMs are easy to find in the $300 range, and that would still leave you another $300 for an amp. I'd also recommend you get the amp used if you can. My Peavey 30 watt tube amp was $350, and it sounds a hundred times better than any little $100 practice amp.
You could also look into a used (or new) higher end Squier. They're nothing to sneeze at.

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I appreciate the response. I never considered spending a lot of money on the amp because I only play for myself and for friends. I guess if i settled on a MIM strat that would leave many options open for amps. Which brands should I try out? Marshall? Fender? I like playing lots of different music but I never crank the distortion up all the way and strum power chords


Also, how does John Frusciante get that kind of gritty sound from his guitars?? One song, "Strip my Mind" I guess is an example.

Buy a near-mint used MIM Std for $350 (find one with a case). Then drop some Tex Mex pups into it ($85). That leaves $265 to go get a Fender Frontman 65R. Also -- even though unloved in this forum -- I am also very partial to Line 6, too.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

+1

The other guitarist in my band has a Line 6 amp, and while it's definately no Fender Twin Reverb it doesn't sound very good for what it is. And there are literally hundreds of sounds you can get out of it.
I'd also suggest you look into a Peavey, or browse around musicians friend looking at the various amps in your price range. Youtube is a great place to find demos.
And the Tex-Mex pickups would be a vast improvement (IMO) over the stock pickups.

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I had a 1968 Fender Vibrolux Reverb amp stolen from me... so I know how you feel. Lots of people on here have gotten gear from Craig's List. Some use Ebay... I've never bought used gear, so I couldn't tell you how it works out. I guess it depends.

If you had a MIM Strat and liked it, perhaps you might consider getting another. I noticed that most dealers dropped the price to $499. As for an amp, I bought my daughter a little Fender Frontman 15 when I bought her Gretsch. She likes it.

I use a Vox Valvetronix VT15 for recording. So far, I like it. There are a lot of choices out there, and they're all yours to make. Only you can decide what's good for you and the budget that you have to stick to.

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"...The final truth is, there is no truth..." - (from "Nice n' Neat" by the Boomtown Rats)

Grades. to bad on your misfortune,but you have the right idea with $700 you can get a good combo on ebay. On the amp front you can pick up a crate vintage 50watt amp for 2 and change. This is a killer all tube amp and a lil bit of a well known secret as they are great sounding amps for that classic rock sound .You have to get the white or it looks beige sometime one though not the black one. Just look up the review on this amp on harmony central it is one of the highest rated for sound and the only killer amp crate ever made in my book. The draw back is it ways a ton but I have one in the basement and thats where it stays.Now you have a good $400 to spend on an ax so you are looking for a player so you dont mind a few dings you want something that sounds good and you will find a good MIM for that price on ebay.Just punch in Fender stratocaster MIM and sort through the 1000 listed axes and you will find what your looking for.Now just take my advice and do what I said and in 2 weeks you will be one happy camper .

Thanks for all the suggestions everybody! I wrote down all those amp suggestions and I'll grab a strat and plug them in!

Are there any guitars out there that sound similar to a strat? I've only played a strat, les paul, and telecaster. I really do like the strat...what does a Jaguar sound like?


I've tried a few amps when screwing around at the guitar stores and I definitely noticed that I like tube amps better no matter what the brand. Can I snag one for less than 300 bucks?

Strats have a pretty distinctive sound. There are tons and tons of Strat clones out there, but nothing I've played so far has beaten a Fender.

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I'd also recommend a line6 amp. Their perfectly good amps when your prepared to work with them and not expect to plug in and instantly get magic tone. Sounds to me that where your at as a player you and your friends will get lots of fun from one of them.
Also i'd look to get a used mexican or highway one.

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No no and no

I have to say, go and play as many different guitars, Fender, Gibson/Epiphone, Ibanez, Schecter through a few amps that fit within your budget. Find the ones that feel and sounds best to you. Then hunt them down on Ebay, Craigslist, etc. Nothing wrong with used equipment. Amps especially are sometimes better used because they (speakers) have been broken in and the tone can be that much better than a new amp. There are a lot of good deals for some great guitars and amps out there to take advantage of. I also recommend that you can always upgrade your guitars electronics and pickups. You will spend less money and get the sound you truly want.

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Lite Ash Tele, Partcaster Black Nashville Tele with Jason Lollars, Blues DeVille 410, Lunchbox 200 Watt Amp, Martin RTGE 00016 Acoustic

I'd say check craigslist, i can pick up a newer (2000-2008)MIA strat in great condition for $600-$750. as for an amp, I like the Blues Jr, which i can pick up used at GC or Ebay for about $350.

*if your serious about playing, spend some money. then youll have great equipment that will last

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Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!

Grades, Check this strat on ebay,it is a Deluxe Players strat,ash body,noiseless pups,s1 switching and gold hardware the seller is nsriley,and theres a crate vintage 50 and 30 also on there now total $700 and then your back in buisness.

any more amp suggestions? i'll be heading over to gc this week.