Hey man, don't ever worry about guys at the guitar shop. We have a guitar shop around where they don't like anything, even if it was bought at his store. I once bought a SRV SIGNATURE STRAT from him and then he cut on me afew weeks later for leaving the SRV pickguard on. According to him, if you have a;
SQUIRE-you should have a FENDER
a FENDER - then you should a vintage FENDER
an EPIPHONE LES PAUL- then it should be a GIBSON
and so on.
I don't much like that store, it took me along time to realize that I need to play what I like.
The best advice I can give you is to play what you like.

_________________
2008 FENDER STRATOCASTER USA HIGHWAY ONE HSS.
2004 FENDER SQUIRE CYCLONE
2009 OVATION CELEBRITY DELUXE BLUE BURST QUILTED MAPLE
2008 PEAVEY VALVEKING VK112
"IT'S NOT ABOUT LOVING WHAT YOU WANT, IT'S ABOUT LOVING WHAT YOU'VE GOT."= SHERYL CROW

did you ever notice that most of the sales people in
guitar shops dont know a damm thing i wonder how they
got there job in the first place. anyways i also agree play
what you like.

Have you ever noticed that most guitar shop people " used to play " or just happen to " have one of them at home " of whatever you are looking at.
I would much rather talk with someone who STILL plays or { GASP } still ENJOYS playing or maybe someone who IS IN A band.

_________________
2008 FENDER STRATOCASTER USA HIGHWAY ONE HSS.
2004 FENDER SQUIRE CYCLONE
2009 OVATION CELEBRITY DELUXE BLUE BURST QUILTED MAPLE
2008 PEAVEY VALVEKING VK112
"IT'S NOT ABOUT LOVING WHAT YOU WANT, IT'S ABOUT LOVING WHAT YOU'VE GOT."= SHERYL CROW

I'm looking to do some modifications with my Starcaster Strat beginner guitar but dont know where to go for resources. Yes I know the starcaster is a poopy guitar to upgrade but I got a lot of free time on my hands and want to explore and search for the tone I want. I cant find any type of wiring schematic or any diagrams for this generic guitar. Also how do I know if the parts are interchangable? I dont know much but I know that some pickups wont fit or the same for tuners. I know its considered a strat but its made in China. Here's what I want to do. I want to convert this single coil to humbuckers to get that more metal tone. I play a lot of Metallica, Tool, Sabbath, Slipknot. Does anyone know if I'm just stuck with a HSS configuration or can I Humbuck the whole thing? If anyone could give me direction on this I would greatly appreciate it.

eh man good questons... i know i have thought about the same thing.. but i already put some money down on a real strat.. . proly going to take me 20yrs to pay it off but thats okay.. any way im interested in what some of the experts say abouit upgrading the starcaster...

Don't feel bad about this. Unfortunately, many sales people at music stores work on commission and if you're not willing to fork out some big bucks...many times they just can't be bothered. Don't take it personally, it's just how some of those folks make their money. As with all things though, do shop around...sooner or later you will find a place that does realize that everyone has to start somewhere and a good sales person will know that sooner or later, if they treat you right that you will come back to them for bigger and better purchases! Unless you are a touring professional, most folks don't go out and dump five grand at a pop...the "acquisition of gear" is a progressive thing and those sales build up over years .




As other's have pretty much said, "Stratocaster" is as much a style as it is a model. More over, there are many "strat clones" out there, both from Fender and Squire as well as a great many other companies that are decent guitars. Don't let yourself get hung up on "brand names"...if you like the instrument, as monty said, "that's the important thing".

As far as mod's go...as far as I'm concerned, that's a very personal and subjective thing. You're going to get a lot of folks that will say "don't sink a lot of money into a cheap guitar" and that it's "not worth it" but remember that a lot of these folks also look at guitar's as investments as well. I'm going to be the odd guy out here...I say if you like the instrument, regardless of how much you paid for it then do whatever you want to it! Stuff like pickups for a strat, in my humble opinion at least are always a great upgrade...even on a cheap instrument. Some folks would never put $200 pickups on a $100 guitar, but hey...if it makes that guitar sound better, then go for it! More over, you can always put those really awesome pickups in the next Strat you buy when you upgrade to a better model . Just hang on to your old pickups so you can put them back in later!

Dude...I've been playing for over 25 years now and I own many "cheap" guitars as well as some very nice ones and I gotta tell ya, I love 'em all. I've known guys in my time who have owned the rattiest guitars you ever seen (along with horrible amps) that can make those pieces of crap just sit back and sing...and I've known guys with top of the line gear who can't play a freakin' note who just sound terrible despite their sizable checking accounts. As you learn, develop and and grow as a guitar player and a musician always remember that the "right" guitar and the "best" guitar (or amp) is simply the one that -you- love playing....regardless of brand, how much if costs or what others think of it.

Peace,
Jim