I went into this mom and pop store today to see what they had. They had some nice stuff, but I have never heard of any of the brands except for the Orange Amps. They were small practice amps, 10 and 15 watts.

In the corner was a black Fender Stratocaster with a white pickguard SSS configuration. It looks to be in good condition. I looked at the SN # and it is a '96 MIM Standard. Looked at the price tag and $300. I have not seen a used Fender Stratocaster in my area that looked this good for that price in a long time. Still did not really want it just yet, but getting interested.

I wanted to check out a Delay pedal (again a brand I never heard of before). The guy says to go into the practice room and check out the pedal. I grab the Fender (the one guitar most like mine in the place) and play on the 10 watt Orange amp they had in there. Delay pedal is decent, set up much like the MXR Carbon Copy for controls.

So I tune this Fender and start playing. I have never been much for maple neck guitars (asthetically speaking), but this guitar played great. I was blown away by the tones from all the positions.

The guy is trying to sell me the guitar (and if I had $300 on me I'd walked out with that thing). The guy tells me 20% down and I can make payments on it (lay away) for 2 months.

So:

$60 down and $120 a month for the next 2 months. It's not a bad deal...but some of you know that I am also wanting a new amp that is in the $300 - $500 price range. I am on a limited budget right now (Christmas, Anneversary, and 2 birthdays are coming up) and need to watch what I buy for myself right now. I can swing one or the other but not both and still swing good presents for the family.

G.A.S. has hold of me and I am about to go out of control. I am still leaning towards buying the amp. So what would you do?

RK

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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

Well, since you have a Hwy 1 and a CV 60, you don't really need this guitar, strictly speaking. However, it also sounds like this particular instrument really sings to you. That's a pretty big deal. I don't know, man, but $300 sounds like a sweetheart deal that may not come around again. If it were me, I think I'd jump on the guitar. But you're the one who has to live with the decision. I know this doesn't help.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

You've got some nice strats so if it were me I'd get the amp. JMHO! It's too bad you can't get both.

Check craigslist lol.
I bought 2 MIM strats in the last few weeks for $120 and $125. One was a 2006 and the other was a 2001.

I'm always tempted when I find guitars that I like that are in my price range. I have enough to cover the cost of the Squier Duo-Sonic they have at my local guitar store, and I really like that guitar, but I really don't need it. And I'd also really like to take that money and save it towards getting a nice Fender in the $1000-$2000 range. Something that would last a long, long time. The nicest guitar I can buy before I have to start paying for things like college, and a car, and responsible nonsense like that.

But, even with all that said if you really like the way it feels than go for it because you may not find another you like as much. I got both my Strats because I couldn't put them down and couldn't stop thinking about them. In the case of my Fender, I had enough money at the time to pay for half of it and my Dad pitched in the other half probably because we had been at the guitar store for an hour and the only thing I wanted to do was play that guitar. I didn't play any of the other guitars, even after my Dad let me know that he'd help me get it or one of the other Strats that had the same price.

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Yeah...I do have 2 guitars already, and both are really awesome guitars. This guitar would just be a 3rd in the mix. I am really wanting a tube amp more than another guitar right now. My decision is pretty much made, just wondering what th rest of you would do.

RK

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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

If you like the Black Strat better than the guitars you already own, I would get the guitar. If you like your current guitars better, than the amp might be a better choice.

Hello Rkreisher,

Make shure those anniversary, birthday, & Christmas presents
are doled out, otherwise you may have greater problems than
a GAS attack.

Cheers.

+1 to that. Have to take care of the family first.

RK

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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

Unless when you played it, it was just the best guitar ever, at $300 I'd pass. That's not really a good deal, just how much they go for. As posted a few above me, if it were $120 or $150 I'd do it, but not $300. If you keep your eyes open for good deals you'll find them. Do you check musicians friends stupid deal of the day daily? do you brouse GC's used gear online for ALL of their stores? Do you use Craigslist?

I'm sure if you know where to look, you can find the exact same guitar in the next 2 weeks for under $200.

I think when you are trying to build a signature sound , the minimum requirements are a descent guitar and a descent amp.After you get that then you can add other things in the mix.You can have a great guitar , but if you play it thru a so , so amp you are gonna be dissapointed.I would get the quest for a good amp taken care of .That way you can really see how the guitars really sound and do some tweaking .

Not every day, but I do check them regularly. Around here $350 for a used Fender is the going rate around here, for guitars in this good of condition. Agrees, I am going to pass on this one...I want a new amp more than another guitar.

rk

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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

I have 2 awesome guitars and a decent amp. It's not good for jam sessions with other louder instruments (drums, bass, another guitar with a louder amp), but good for practice sessions alone. I forsee a new amp in my near future.

RK

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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

Yep, you will see why many of us have several.I have 4 right now.I like to cover alot of territory.One thing I learned is , having the right tools for the job.I used to play in a band where the drummer had a light touch.Most of the time my small Blues jr was plenty loud.He quit and our next drummer was pretty heavy footed and my amp wouldnt cut thru the mix well at all.To make a long story short , i now have a blues jr,blues deluxe , 59 bassman ri and a silverface super reverb.One can never be too prepared.

RK
Welcome to the world of the 95/96 MIM. I can honestly tell you that my favourite guitar was my cheapest. A mere £200 13/14 years ago (foggy memory). Of all my guitars (customshop included) that neck is favoured above all else. Its got new tuning machines, body, bridge, nut, pickups attatched. As you know though its still the same guitar (kinda) .
A highly addictive guitar that I'll happily die defending then be buried with. (In truth their a hit or miss affair. The good ones were jaw dropping the bad ones were awful at best. My singers one is a very mediocre instrument).

What i'd do is have a chat to the store owners, you are obviously a recognised face to them. Ask about buying your amp through them too and see if you can work a bit of a deal that suits yours and their budgets. They will undoubtedly be happy that your buying through them (turnover is everything at the moment to stop the banks forclosing) even if you order a brand they dont usualy carry.

As Stephen Hawking said communication is the key to life. We'll be ok as long as we keep talking (british telecom advert )

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No no and no