Hey guys,

Some of you may know this already but Guitar Center and Musicians Friend are selling their VG Strats for $999.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-VG-S ... 1173002.gc

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=512881

Typically I'm not interested in modeling guitars especially when they originally sell for $1750 new but it's pretty tempting at $999 when you consider that American Standards are sold now for about $1250.

What do you guys think? Should I pull the trigger? [/b]

I think it would be worth it! Not only are you getting a nice basic strat you have the option of the different modes. You don't have to use them and just stay in basic mode. Plus it has the potential of being somewhat of a collectors item one day. I've never talked to anyone that has one that does not like it! My opinion only!

definately get it, if that is the guitar you are looking for. The only reason for the price reduction is that the guitars are being discontinued. You're not gonna be getting a defective guitar or anything like that.

If you want to get a modeling guitar, then this is definately the time to get one. In a few years, they may become a collectors guitar, and then the price will shoot back up.

If I hadn't won the one I have, I would seriously think about getting one.

After having it since July, I've come to really love it. Besides being a very well made American Series Strat circa 2007, it has some really neat features - some of the modeled guitars sound very nice (at least to me). The neck is just great - it feels just right - rolled edges really make a difference.

It does have it's down sides:

Only 1 tone knob - works in all positions - very different than most Strats.
Eats batteries - you must have rechargeable ones - I use Kodak 2500 mAh ones.
The acoustic models don't sound all that good to me.

If you can try one at a store - do it. You may fall in love.

And it's now discontinued which is why the price drop.

Gil

_________________
Where ever you go, there you are

1998 Ovation 1861 Standard Balladeer Natural
Taka - 2005 Squier '51 Black
Yume - 2006 Squier Strat Cherryburst
Houbi - 2008 Fender VG Strat Blizzard Pearl - won here
Fender Super Champ XD; Vox DA-5

WOW guys!

Thanks for the speedy replies! Your input is really appreciated!

The biggest down side to me is that -- for all intents and purposes -- the VG can not be modded. So if there is something you don't like, tough. At least for me, I'd be scared to make any changes because it has so much going on in it ... nothing that is in or touches the body, anyway.

Any one considering it should swoop one up immediately. What an amazing bargain!!!

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

Just bought one! 3 tone sunburst with a rosewood neck. Anyone want to buy an Epi SG? (just kidding I know you can't sell on these boards).

Congratulations, you can't beat that price for such a nice guitar!

It was smart to pick one up, for sure. But your finish choice makes your decision even smarter. Nice.

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Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...

[quote="fenderzig]

Interesting! Wonder what's coming down the pike, if anything, since the introduction of the new Gibson?

Having this guitar in the stable, at that price, will give you some versatility, for sure.

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"Another day in paradise!"

Well, I didn't know you couldn't mod one of these. I thought that because the Roland section was completely bypassable, it was possible to pull out the pickups and put some better ones in but I can also see how that might void warranty, etc.

Can anyone confirm?

BTW, thanks for all the advice!

There is A TON of wiring in the VG so I wouldn't recommend a p'up change. Believe me, I've been wanting to change them in the worst way, but there is another problem aside from bad tone. The bypassed "normal" pickups are a lot lower than the virtual pickups. This was designed as a primarily virtual guitar, making the virtual pickup as loud as the regular pickups would usually be. This makes the regular pickup secondary and you really need to crank the amp. It's so bad that I just use the virtual pickups all the time. The regular pickups are just weighing the guitar down. I'm sure no matter what p'ups you drop in they won't be as loud as they should and they will be a bit noisier too (the regular pups are affected by the battery pack's power).

I would still get it. It is a really great guitar based on the modeling p'up features alone. Plus it will be a bit uncommon to have down the line since it is being discontinued. I purposely got mine when it first came out because I knew it wasn't gonna last. This is the first news I heard about its discontinuation and I'm surprised it took this long.

So far I'm 2 for 3 with my predictions (waiting on another), and didn't see the discontinuation of two other things I got... I'm starting to think I have a curse or something since everything I have is less than 6 years old. On the other hand, the predictions were pretty obvious.

WWWWWWWWWWWOOOWW
like it was said already If I didnt have my 3 strats right now I would click the buy button faster than when soloing on a guitar seriously!!! that guitar is a masterpiece ..... im so anxious right now!! I cant stop looking at it!!!

I guess I'm just an odd ball because I've never bought a new guitar that I wanted to immediately start changing pickups. I think you should buy a guitar with the right voice for your liking and style to begin with. Playing over 30 years and owned numerous guitars and never changed pickups. Now if something goes wrong with a pickup I would take it to an authorized dealer and have it repaired like original! I know I'm a minority here and everyone should do what they want. OK, my 2 cents are spent. Have a good one all!

Guys,

Thanks for all the help. I'm leaving in about 1 hour to go to my local guitar center and pick up a VG. They have a blizzard pearl/maple. black/rosewood, and sunburst/maple in stock. I'm gonna play 'em all!!

I'll let you know what I get!