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Post subject: New Strat Advice
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:39 pm
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Hi All,

After years and years of not playing guitar (for many reasons) I have started to get back into playing. I picked up a MIM strat a few years ago and although it has served me well I just feel like 'upgrading' to pick up the excitement a bit and raise the quality of my strat some.

I will be going on a bit of a road trip tomorrow to a guitar store that has quite a few strats in stock - most places around me have a very random selection.

I know that I would like a MIA strat this time. I am hoping to get to actually feel a soft V and U shaped neck for the first time...and, of course, recognize that any preference I might have there is personal.

I was wondering though if anyone might have thoughts on any of the models below that I am potentially interested in and hopefully will be able to try in person. Is there anything I should be on the lookout for when I go tomorrow? Any thoughts on playability or anything else on these models - particularly, if I am not able to find them all in stock?

A big factor I am considering is this will be main and only strat for a while. So, I would be interested in hearing if everyone thinks they are comparably versatile...for example, do some of the models do a better job than others delivering that classic strat sound. I don't need versatility in terms of single coil vs. humbucker (I have a LP, for example) but am more worried about limiting myself within the strat universe. For instance, I like the features of the Clapton but it probably wouldn't be the best choice for me right now if it only did a really good job sounding like Clapton bluesy tone at the expense of other typical strat sounds.

Anyway, thanks for putting up with the long first post and if anyone has any feedback I would be very interested in hearing it.

The models I am hoping to try out in person and considering are:

- American Standard
- '57 reissue
- 70's reissue
- Clapton Artist Series


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 4:57 pm
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The clapton delivers classic strat sounds with the boost on zero and a sound akin to humbuckers with the boost on full and everything inbetween it is a very versatile instrument and its a soft V. As for the 57 vintage reissue i dont know. however i have a 57 vintage hotrod and its soft V is superb as is the fingerboard with its 9.5" modern radius as opposed to the 57 reissue's 7.25" radius. If you get the chance try the hotrod, dont be detered by the dimarzio rails pickup at the bridge. Some very authentic sounds are available they take a bit more work to get out of the guitar but when you get em their hum free.


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:34 pm
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First off, welcome. You'll learn a lot from some very knowledgeable people on this site.

Second, go for the Am Std. I have an '08 Am Std in 3-tone sunburst and it's a GREAT guitar. Fantastic neck, easy player, well-made, beautiful, versatile and sounds great. Having said all of that, someday I'd like to be in a position where I can purchase a Heavy Relic '57 Custom Shop, so the '57 Reissue you mention might be a great choice. The 70's Reissues do nothing for me as I don't like the larger headstock, which I think they all have. Not sure about that, though.

Let us know what you ultimately decide on and happy hunting.


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:43 pm
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Id' go for the american standard or the 70''s :)


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 6:50 pm
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i hasten to add, everyone here will recommend a different guitar to you


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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 7:27 pm
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yes, i figured that much:)

I guess was hoping by limiting it to the models I listed (and with emphasis on attainment of the classic strat sound) I would get some sort of consensus...but maybe all the models I listed can get that sound?

Most of the time, I think that if I want the true strat sound I should just go with the 'stock' amer. std. But I like certain aspects of the clapton - my only real concern there is whether the electronics in it would potentially preclude it from sounding classic. Additionally, if I just leave the boost off I am not sure what I am paying for at the point...the soft V I guess.

So, worrying about the clapton electronics is what led me to the '57 (similar V neck, I am hoping). But here I don't know if it will be too 'classic' if you know what i mean - to the point of being retro and limiting.

The '70s came out of nowhere really. I would like to see what a U shaped neck feels like and I like the headstock on them - superficial, sure but hey:)

Anyway, any other input would be great - thanks for the welcomes and everyone's thoughts so far.


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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:28 pm
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[quote="ufboy73"]Hi All,

Have a look at Alainlafrance's collection and ask that question :?

Problem with shopping is that you have to kiss a lot of frogs. Most vendors hardly stock the range of product you find in the catalog. Auditioning guitars can be difficult depending upon how they are displayed. The headbanger's ball going on at most venues keeps the higher priced product out of the hands of most having to climb a ladder just to have a look. Salespeople are loathe to make this climb unless the prospect of a sale is great.

Fifteen years of swapping up and I am finally sitting with three guitars which are likely to be real keepers, two of them are Stratocasters. an ''88 Clapton and an '08 Gilmour NOS, likely two of the greatest guitars the company has ever built.

My first, a '58, acquired from a bandmate not long after it was purchased new, and now long gone, was where it all began. Over 50 years a Strat player and never satisfied.

You're going to find a lot of that in these pages.

Bottom line...begin somewhere. The road goes ever, ever on.

Keep us posted.

Doc

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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:42 pm
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Hi,
I recommend the Clapton... I think it is one of the most versatile Strats ever made. Do spend some time test driving as many as you want. You'll find the one that fits you best.

Good luck


Bill


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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:09 pm
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zzdoc,

An interesting point of view. Within the context of your point of view, let me ask this: If you were starting the journey, which of the models that I listed would you start with?


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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:23 pm
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ufboy73 wrote:
zzdoc,

An interesting point of view. Within the context of your point of view, let me ask this: If you were starting the journey, which of the models that I listed would you start with?


There's a general feeling that the Clapton is a most versatile and easily played guitar. The Custom Shop Signature Series guitar in particular unless you have Jack Krause do a Masterbuilt verson. However, as you go from Artist, to Custom Shop to Masterbuilt, your costs are increasing, but so is quality.

I would also endorse the '57 Hotrod. Niki took my advice during his search, auditioned the guitar and owned it. I have expressed the feeling that this is a spinoff of EC's '57 Blackie. Something about that neck gives me that idea.

Doc

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:37 pm
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Hey, welcome to the forum

Again, congratulations of even having the money to SPEND on these guitars.

I would probably go with the '57, since you want really classic strat tone. My second choice would be the clapton strat, for you at least. I don't see anything wrong with the clapton strat. Just don't use the active midboost and enjoy the hum free pickups. Some say the vintage noiseless preserve that vintage tone, others disagree. It all comes down to you.

However, a note to you as well, try not to be so vintage. You may be pleasantly surprised with what modern refinements can do. I was skeptical of this squier guitar (the deluxe) with its seymour duncan pickups, since it wasn't a classic setup. It could not have been farther from the truth. The guitar was wonderful.

All in all, with what you have said, i would take the vintage '57.


-The Screamin' J

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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:55 pm
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thanks a lot guys...i appreciate the words of wisdom from those that are obviously much more knowledgeable than me. I know the shop that I am going to tomorrow has several artist claptons in stock and a few custom shop reissues. I am not sure if they have 57's or not - that seems to be a little harder to find in stock around me.

Assuming I am not able to feel the 57 in my own hands how would you compare the neck to the clapton? Am I correct in thinking the V will be a bit more pronounced on the 57 than the Clapton?

One other thing I forgot to ask about. I obviously have experience with urethane finish but not the nitro that seems to be on the 57's. How quickly/badly will the body be wearing with the nitro. I am not really interested in accelerating a guitar's migration to looking vintage. I did not really like the finish on a 2 year old highway 1 that I saw in the shop the other day - is this the same finish? It could just be that this particular used guitar was in bad shape but I did not like that finish at all.

I had not really seriously considered the hot rod, though I suppose I might have to since based on a lot of my research on here zzdoc is quite highly respected. I had thought the more modern pickups might preclude those vintage sounds I was after but perhaps not?

Thanks again all


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Post subject: Re: New Strat Advice
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 9:52 am
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[quote="ufboy73"] I spent some additional time on your question this morning. First, I would suggest you go to the post ...'help with my 2008 Clapton" in the Custom Shop Forum and read it in its entirety. It summarizes a great deal of discussion which has been entertained about this guitar over the past 10 months easily, with new contribution about 'the triplets' which are of great interest. It should round out your question about v-necks. They are not all the same. Were I going for another Clapton, THAT would be the one, and I kind of regret not having had that information in 2003, but we were not a group at the time.

As I see it, as close to a '57 dimed guitar as you can possibly get would be the 'Fullerton' Limited Edition which is presently available through the Custom Shop. In fact, niki has been querying us about a 'strat-strat' and in reconsideration of my recommendation to him, this would be the one.

If your budget is not that stratospheric presently then you best find, off the wall, representative examples of what you seek, play them and choose. Also decided whether you would prefer to purchase one of those 'pre-played" guitars off the wall, or have one ordered and received unopened.

Arguements have been presented pro and con regarding this, to numerous to review at this writing.

Keep us posted.


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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:18 pm
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funny i was considering the fullerton earlier. A second home is on the cards now so any custom shop or motorbike has to wait until the current world crisis is over. The fullerton is beautifull i just wish it was Taos green and NOS.


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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 3:38 pm
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nikininja wrote:
funny i was considering the fullerton earlier. A second home is on the cards now so any custom shop or motorbike has to wait until the current world crisis is over. The fullerton is beautifull i just wish it was Taos green and NOS.


There were a few colors back then but nothing like now. In my memory, the sunbursts, white, and perhaps the fiesta red were the most common in that time frame.

I've not been able to find a price on that amp/guitar combo. Do you happen to have it? It's not on the price list.

Doc :?:

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