Iv allways wanted to own a Strat but have never had the funds as i live in New Zealand and everything cost just over double as guitars in th good old USA. But iv just worked full time and lost my summer holi Iv nailed it down to 3 choices but cant choose so i need tips ov value for money and tone. Im looking for a Live in Hyde park 1997 clapton tone or a Riding with the king eric clapton tone.

My choices are


Fender standard Stratocaster $1000 + gold lace sensor pickups 350ish + clapton mid boost $300ish

OR

Fender Highway One Stratocaster $1700

OR

Fender American Standard Stratocaster

Please help me make up my mind iv never owned a Strat and keep in mind im a lefty(south paw =P)


Thanks, Mitch

American standard I d say

I'd go with the Standard w/ mods or the American Standard. IMO the American Standard has a more comfortable neck, however the MIM Standard with mods would probably sound better.

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Did i remeber to say the american standard is $2300 here in NEw zealand

My exoerience tells me, just go play all three as often as you can, your ears will decide in a short period of time. just take note of the one you start wanting to play first.

For that kind of money, I think you would be better off flying to the US and buying your guitar. If you must stay there, I would have to go with the standard and do the mods as you go. That is a lot $$ for a strat.

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

ooh are you ordering it? I was under the impression you were buying locally. I would imagine after shipping and duty , you wouldn't save much if anything.

If he's buying locally, just keep playing em til one picks you, like a puppy.

Ask Bret or Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords to bring one down to you when they get back.

Another problem is the fact that all my local fender dealers dont have any left hand fenders in imediate stock and dont have any hwy ones either . But getting brett and jermaine to help could work

I grew up in europe and in the early 90's the MIJ were so much cheaper than the MIM and MIJ were regarded as inferior to MIM.

Look at the MIJ prices now. Just weird how the prices are set in other countries...

Nothing wrong withthe MIJ Strats Mitch. I would think they would be an option in New Zealand... One more option... is it possible to learn to play right handed?

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I'm not slow... and I'm not fast... just sort of halffast...

+1

American Standards are nice but if the MiM cost $1,000 there, then....

i went to mainline music today (one of the 2 main music stores in new zealand the other being the rockshop) and tried a mij strat i bileve it was a reissue because it had vintage tunners 21 small frets and a very yellow maple neck it felt nice but the pickups sounded weak and diddnt have that strat vibe which i love the feel of. The price was good thou $1200

I also realised altough the prices in New Zealand are horrific when you include taxes, shipping, commision, wages, rent, security, insurance and the exchange rate (60 US cents-1 new zealnd dollar) its not to bad..... ish

thanks for all the comments
mitch

Oh if you have easy access to MIJ's, see if anyone has a Mickey Mouse Strat!!

Mickey Mouse strat sounds tempting

Any pics????