I realize you guys/gals may not necessarily be objective but here goes.

Been playing for 5 months after a 40 year lay off. Love it. Spend to many work hours on this site. Anyway, I've got my eye on a Fender Custom Shop for an unbelievable price. I bought a decent "starter" guitar (Schecter ATX) and a Super Champ XD. I REALLY want this CS Strat. I was going to wait until the end of the year to make sure I'm going to stick with it before I drop $2k. But I'd hate to let this deal slip away.

Should I snap it up before its to late? Do I get a nice MIM to satisfy my Strat lust? Or just hold out until Xmas and indulge myself.

Talk amongst yourselves.

Hello Jmr986,

Many variations there are of Custom shop Stratocasters
Some you can buy new for around 2k, some cost considerably more.
Do your homework to avoid a blunder.

My vote pass on it

Buy a highway one and get a hardshell case for it, or
buy an American Standard{ includes hardshell case.}

Cheers.

Thats the other thing that's keeping me from pulling the trigger. They are selling it $1500 less than anyone else. This is a very reputable dealer.

Get the CS.

Even if you hate it (as unlikely as that sounds), the git will hold its value smartly. Life is short. Enjoy it now. Also, keep all of the case candy, documents, receipt, etc ... it helps on the resale side.

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Hello Jmr986,

Here is one example of what I'm speaking.
Don't get me wrong I don't want to come off
as a wet blanket, simply the voice of caution.
There are other deals out there too.

But it may be your "must have" if so,
congrats and play the heck out of it.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=580421

Cheers.

Actually it's a Clapton Custom Shop

Go for it. got mine on a whim also. 2k, used, mint, with a Gator Flight Case. best buy ever.

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If you truly do want it, and are sure you'll put it to good use - absolutely go for it. It's important to treat yourself to something nice once in a while

Also if it really is $1500 off, if for whatever reason you considered selling it in the future you could probably get back at least what you paid on it.

What I'm saying is it sound like you've got nothing to lose, but the chance at a great guitar

If you decide to pass let me know where it is ill take it. Nothing to even think about go get that Clapton custom,if that dont rekindle the fire nothing will.And if it dont work out you sell it and make a few bucks.

At that price its a hard deal to miss, BUT

The clapton circuit is very unlike a traditional strat. Also CS guitars sell pretty much consistently. A lot of buyers aren't worried about financing them (cant wait to be a member of that crowd ). Why is it so cheap? Whats wrong? A custom shop clapton for around £900 is far too low a price, there must be something up with it.
If its all ok and hunky dory, and you get used to the circuit, its a hell of a guitar. They take a bit of time to appreciate. It took me a couple of months to really see the difference with my custom classic. Then you notice that the little things you usually compensate for without thinking about aren't present. Subtle but definately there.

Your choice, i'd be asking a lot of questions of the seller and spending a few days going and playing it before buying.

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No no and no

By standards, it is a great buy. However, that's still an awful lot of money for something which you are just getting back into. I'd go the MIM route where naturally, you should play it first before you buy it.

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You dig?

That's part of the problem I can't play it. Tonight I'l go up to Ash and GC and play whats available. They have an Artist version. I do remember playing that one a few weeks back and enjoyed that Fender sound. If it wasn't such a good deal I would be looking at a MIM or the Highway Ones which are at good prices. Plus I like the blocked tremelo. Is it more guitar than I have ability? You bet!

And the to good to be true price has me concerned also. But again it is a very reputable dealer.

If you like the way those guitars sound ( I do though I dont think they sound like a strat). Played the artist model and got on with it. Had the cash lying around to pay for it. Yep i'd buy it and ability be damned, you can always improve. You'll have a guitar for life to do it on.
Anyone can cut a tremelo block out of some wood. I use 2 bits of doweling on clapton modded guitar and a block of pine on my deluxe. Blocking doesnt alter tone or sustain in anyway i can hear. I'm quite attentive to that kind of stuff.

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No no and no

'Suggest you try an American Deluxe with S-1.

It's less than a Custom Shop and a truly, truly amazing guitar. 'Would not have believed it without playing one. Like wowsers!

Quality, looks, sound, flexibility, way way cool.

Hate to ask a dumb question - but what is GAS? I have seen this on here several times, wasnt sure what it meant

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