Okay. I'll start by saying I'm brand new to this forum. And I'm having a bit of a problem. I'm fairly new to playing guitar and only own an Epiphone acoustic. I'm dying to buy my first Strat but I'm not sure which one. I've been playing in the local shop for a few weeks and can't decide. I'm into playing the blues and some classic rock. So I'm down to my last few choices. I love the look of the relic guitars but can't afford one, saw the Road Worn series and loved the look. Went to the shop and played the 50's and 60's. Personally I liked the 50's maple neck. But I'm told by a lot of people for the blues, you want rosewood. My other option is a MIA Standard. I love the sound of the Mayer Big Dipper pups and am thinking of immediately gettin on ebay and switching out the pups in either guitar. What are your thoughts??? Any are helpful.

Thanks.

You done the right thing, you went and played a bunch of guitars. You also were lucky that you found one that you preferred above all others.

Thats the one for you. Some folks will tell you get rosewood, some will tell you you must have maple. others will give you better advice that is to just go with what feels right for you.

there is no right or wrong guitar. get the one thats comfortable, and you know you will play.

Welcome I play blues and all my gutiars have rosewood necks. I recently bought the 50s roadworn and I have a hard time putting it down. Its a great blues gutiar and the Tex Mex P/Us sound great. You can get some great blues sounds out of it and neck feels great. The soft V neck is very comfortable. Buy whichever you enjoy playin the most thats all that really matters.

Welcome!

The best advice has already been offered: Find a Strat that YOU really like, period. Don't concern yourself with rosewood vs. maple, 'this' pickup over 'that' one, which famous player plays what, etc, etc. You will know which one is for you upon playing it. Once that's settled, you can play whatever style(s) you want on it. I've been a Blues player for over 40 years and frankly, it is all irrelevant to me where the aforementioned features are concerned. Sure, some features are better than others TO ME but that has absolutely no bearing ON YOU as they may have the opposite effect.

Just as you have your own personality, your guitar should be a part of it. In other words, don't go after someone else's personality. Once you've bonded with a certain guitar, simply take it from there.

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You dig?

Yeah I agree with what everyone else has said so far. Just play as many guitars as you can and get the one you love the most, by feel and by sound.
Welcome to the forum.

Agree with everyone else. If it was me I would get the American Standard in Sienna Sunburst because I love that color. Post some pics when you get it!

Welcome to the Forum. I think you already found your answer. The most important thing to buying a guitar is finding one that feels and plays the best in your price range. Go with your instincts and gut. Let us know what you ultimately decide.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Alright guys well thanks a lot you were a big help. I think I'll be heading up to the guitar shop tomorrow after work for (hopefully) one last test run with each to make my decision. I'll post pics a.s.a.p!

Thanks again everyone!

P.S. Any help on a nice bluesy amp that is high in quality and versitality, but not extremely complicated would be helpful also

Hi ADMann2007: that's the Fender Blues Junior you are talking about. No need to look further...

Cheers - C

[quote="ADMann2007"]Okay. I'll start by saying I'm brand new to this forum. And I'm having a bit of a problem. I'm fairly new to playing guitar and only own an Epiphone acoustic.

Your 'newness' begs some caution. I would stay away from Ebay until you've become a bit more sophisticated as to what to look for. There's enough world-wide experience to drawn upon hererin to enable you to continue to choose and spend wisely.

Enjoy.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

if you buy a made in Mexico, have them remove the tremolo cover on the back and check for damage. I had to return my MIM today because it was defective. it had screws forced through from the pickup cavity and the wood was split. the other MIM they had at GC had the same problem although not as bad.


I exchanged it for the MIA and I couldnt be happier beautiful sound and high quality construction !

the squire deluxe looks really good too, might be worth looking at if you can find one at a guitar center or sam ash, it lists for $249 and comes in pewter or daphne blue

try out what you like before you buy and don't be afraid to ask for advice, the people here in the fender community are awesome and very kind to newbies (I still consider myself a newbie too )

Just for fun, I checked the two 2006 MIM bodies I have. They are both fine; none of that Trem-Screws-Into-The-Trem-Cavity syndrome.

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Member #26797
My other guitar is a Strat.

both of the ones I looked at today were the "upgraded" MIM so they were new stock I still love the feel of the neck on the MIM so I'm going to keep my eyes open for a dark wine MIM for the next few months

To ALL newbies:

We were ALL newbies at one time or the other. Stick around, you'll be an old pro in no time!

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You dig?

just to prove its the player and not the guitar that makes the sound, i have a shred machine, an ibanez rgt42, with a blocked off floyd rose so i can downtune, and upgraded SB4 and SB2 seymour duncan pickups and the neck pickup has the sweetest round warm blues tone...from a shred machine!