I know I'll eventually end up with both in my collection, but I'm not sure which to get first. It will likely be some time before I'm able to get the other.

I'm looking at American Standard Strat and Tele models in particular, though I'm open to alternatives.

I just can't decide - they both have things I love and both seem versatile.

I'm a relatively new guitarist. Right now I've got a lower-end Epi Les Paul that's really begun to bother me as I've improved, and am looking to start to expand my collection with some pieces that I'll be able to love for a long time.

I've played both, like both, and want both, but can only have one... for now.

So, which do you all think I should start with?

I mostly play classic rock, but have recently been gravitating toward blues. It would initially be paired with a Bugera 333xl combo.

you could always opt for a MIM tele and strat. both are very good quality these days and will serve you very well and 1/2 the price of your MIA choices. thus you could almost get both at the same time. but if you continue your route i would go for a tele first.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

Play them both, and the one that feels best is the one to buy.

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Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Just me personally, but I feel that a Stratocaster is overall more versatile. More pickups, more pickup combinations, and a tremolo! Plus, the contoured body snugs right up to your body like a glove. Both guitars have their distinct sounds, but overall, they both sound like a "Fender". Now, let's say you buy a Strat with a humbucker in the bridge position, and that this humbucker has a coil split (coil tap) switch to make it a single coil or humbucker with the flick of a switch......NOW you have the most versatile guitar!

Strat comes before tele in the alphabet so strat it is ^^

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

I`ve had both. Even though the Strat has the 3rd pick up the Tele seems to be my favorite. Its a hard call and depends on the type of sound your looking for and what feels more comfortable for you to play.

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Just buy 'em both and get it over with - it'll save you a lot of time in the long run.

This would be the way to go.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Either choice would naturally serve you well. Try many models of each and decide which is the most comfortable for you.

I actually started out with a tele and later switched to a strat. It's really about discovering your personal preferences.

with his experience and budget, its the only way to fly.
can get two very nice quality guitars that will serve him very well for
the cost of one, for me it would be a no brainer. i would be all over it.
heck a lot of stores would make a discount too if two guitars were bought at the same time. thats more money in the pockets for strings, picks, or whatever.
heck im starting to get jealous lol. i cant go buy anything for a while since ive had to shell out all this cash on the beagles surgery, and he has another coming up in a few weeks. oh well he always has come first and he always will.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

te tele's good for both those styles you stated. judging from experience, the strat cant get the same twang tone as the strat.

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riley