i have 4 grand saved up and i want a new strat. what would be the best one to get? I'm only 16 and my band wants me to get a new one because the one i have sounds like crap. It's a vintage Harmony H802 and it only stays tuned for about an hour and then it sounds horrible again. I need to know ASAP!!!!!!!!!!! the band has a gig in a week and i can't play with my crappy one.

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-I'm always rockin no matter where i am-

Leave the money home, go to the guitar store and play as many strats as they have on display. One of them will call to you.

Happy picking
John.E

Buy a decent MIM and put the rest of that money in an I.R.A. and leave it there. You'll be well rewarded in time.

Don't get a guitar (especially one that expensive) and let what your band likes determine what you get. Get one that you like. If you haven't already been, I'd suggest going to Guitar Center and trying out as many guitars as you can to determine what you like and what you dislike. If someone turned me loose with 4k in Guitar Center I'd be running around like a kid in a candy store.

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Rockinthestrat13,

American Standard would be my choice,
a great workingman's guitar.
You should be able to pick one up for $1000 cash.

Best of luck with your choice.

Remember we all like photos.

Cheers.

Hi Rockinthestrat13: wise words above.

Here's some unwise words. Go here and blow the lot!:

http://www.fender.com/customshop/home/index.php

(Well, we need a range of views on the Forum...)

Cheers - C

Just because you have 4 grand does not mean you have to buy a guitar for that amount. You sound as if you are going to be a player so I would recommend you buy a guitar that is pro level and well built and it should last a lifetime. Check out American standards,deluxes,hot vintage, and a lot of the artist series axes. Now this is as high as you can go before custom shop. You will deffinetly find something you love and have a little less than 2 grand remaining. Remember try as many guitars as you can and make sure you leave with your mind made up. It is not everyday you get fortunate to have that amount to spend so be smart with it.

American standard + Gibson Gary Moore = 2200.00

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Yes we do.

With $4k to throw around you could have 2 really nice guitars and a nice amp with pedals. Take what you have now and compare it to what you and the band thinks you need and determine if it's really worth the extra money. If it isn't worth the extra expence i say treat yourself to something nice and save the rest as mentioned before. What do you have now?

Pictures are always welcome.

What makes your current guitar sound like crap?

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

I know your young but you should become "SALE" consciencious. If you spend 1000 bucks and then realize you could get 20% off then it would only cost 800 bucks, that is a big savings, it's alot of strings and stuff. I saw ThePerfectGuitar.com has a sale now that says "up to 20% off" and you should check it out. Any store will probably negotiate a 10 % off on the spot to make the sale. Just don't give your money away. That is my input. Good luck and we want pics dude.

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Few men have virtue to withstand the highest bidder. George Washington
No picture = No equipment
Fender CD-60
Squier Deluxe Stratocaster
Squier VM Tele Thinline

Hey Bud - here's my 2 cents worth...

First thing - keep your money at home your first trip to the local guitar shop...

Put together in your mind what you want your sound to be now, and where you want to be in a few years and start to research what guitar will do that for you.

Go to the local GC and play everything in the store. Check out the used gear wall as well. Feel for the guitar that calls your name. (And don't let the most expensive guitar in the store call for you the loudest!)

Now - think about it for a day or two. Ask the experts (not me!) here on the boards and get their opinions.

Take all that, digest it for a day or two, head back to GC and narrow your list. (Put 2 grand in your pocket, leave the rest at home.)

Once you're to the point of making a decision, start your negotiation w/ the salesman. Don't let them talk you into anything you don't want and get at least 10% off anything you do want. Remember - you've got the cash in your pocket. You run the deal!

Remember too - you need a case, strings, and all the other cool junk that goes along with a new guitar.

Now, I'm guessing you'd be able to find a good MIM or a used MIA that will fit the bill quite nicely. Don't get suckered into more than you need. (I'll bet a good MIM has way more tunes sitting in it that most of us here can get out of it, so don't be afraid to go that route.)

Now, go back home, take the 2 grand you left there back to the bank and forget about it for about 30 years. Take the grand or so you have left and plan to spend it on the new girlfriend you'll have once your new sound takes off!

Because believe me Bro, buying a new guitar is chump change compared to what a gal is going to cost you!

When you get the new gal, tell us about her too and we'll all be glad to give you our expert opinions about that as well!

Have fun - I wish I was 16 again and had 4 grand in my pocket!

Hey - one other thing - serious. Once you get your new gear, watch it like a hawk. A lot of guys will be jealous of you and what you have and they'll try to sneak off in the night with it. Same advice goes for the new girlfriend too!

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer