Hi guys, a newbie here so be gentle....

I'm after my first Fender Strat, and need pointing in the right direction.

I'm after a good strat... period.

I want a rosewood board, and a reasonably glassy tone.
I prefer a slimmer neck in my hands.

I'm open to MIM, MIA and CS, but would prefer not to pay through the nose for it.

I'm not a fan of relics, but will consider it if the tone is good.

Help!!!!

If youa re looking for a guitar with "good tone," then there is no worthwhile guidance to be had here. Any Strat of any country of origin might sound awesome. You'll have to go out and play them.

The used market has some real bargains right now, as people need the money.

I gotta be honest, I'm looking for a shortlist of must tries, cos the Fender Catalog is a complete minefield.

I have a Cutom 24 PRS, and the choices there are much easier.

try a used custom classic. Hell of a lot of guitar for not much money used now. Picked mine up for £1k. Other than that all i can suggest you try for a traditional rosewood strat is a 62 reissue or a classic 60's depending on how much you want to spend. If money is no object then the only route to the ultimate strat is to go masterbuilt, but be prepared for a wait.

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No no and no

Try an American Deluxe. Mike

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

My personal suggestion is to find several Music Stores that are Authorized Fender Dealers and go play everything that looks good to you and let the MOJO work.

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Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I gotta be honest, I don't want to spend Custom Shop money.

I have played a custom classic, which was fairly good (but the shop sold all the colours I like!).

I was hoping peoples could tell me what was worth an audition from MIM and MIA range, and ONLY IF they were really worth ic, Custom Shop models.

So far my list is:

Fender Road Worn... opinions (if it doesn't sound great, I don't like relics!!!...?)
Fender Classic Player 60's
Fender CS Custom Classic
Fender CS Custom Deluxe

Anything else you'd like to suggest?

The 60s classic player is a great strat that won,t break the bank. Its CS designed and has fantastic pickups. You can,t go wrong. Am Delux are also very nice. Standard Am are very good also.

I bow to your superior knowledge, but...

http://www.coda-music.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_34_145_160&products_id=4716

Good replies, especially Chet's.

In this opinion, a Cliffs Notes on a few Fender Strats:

Standard (MIM) fine guitar for the buck, a put-and-keep a smile on your face axe once it's set up and broken in

American Standard (MIA) excellent guitar, period, literally what its name says, the standard for the Fender Stratocaster nameplate

American Deluxe (MIA) only a step away from the Custom Shop, a truly amazing instrument, especially with S-1 switching

But really, go hold and play as many as you can. Do not rush this. Feel for the vibe. Best of fortune.

I've been a strat player for 4 decades now and the sweetest rosewood board and neck i've ever played is the '62. I've owned a real one and a reissue but I let all my vintage gear go. I've got a '57 anniversary that's my main axe and an american standard as my backup but both have maple boards which I am a big fan of. Best of luck in getting your first strat but be careful of the side affects of wanting all of them. MWH

You no I think half the 1962 Stratocasters made with rosewood were veneer rosewood fingerboards. Thats the years I think they changed from the slab fingerboards.

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Thomas Jefferson