So I am pretty sure that this question has been asked like a million times so bear with me. So I really want a stratocaster. But I cant really find one that i am excited about for a price I want. Ive been told that some CIJ strats are good and i could simply build my own for cheaper. All i want to know is are CIJ strats better? and is it really cheaper or worth it to build my won?

G'day.
By the time you buy a good quality neck, body, and pickups, you'll probably already be close to what you'd pay for an MIM strat. Add on the other bits and pieces like tuners, controls, bridge etc and you'd want to be pretty confident in your assembly / setup skills.

Is CIJ better? Maybe. Better than what? What is your budget?

Cheers.

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!

Go for a MIM, there are plenty of cool models for the right price.

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SG.
"Walls" video from Zero in the Sun by Villains of Yesterday

. decided not to comment after all.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

Hi dustyn808: really, you need to tell us what excites you and what you have to spend.

Where I am CIJ/MIJs are priced between MIM and MIA. I bought one recently and can't fault the quality. I think it compares in every respect with my MIA - though it's a different model so it ain't a precise comparison.

Though I am in no way in an anit-MIM camp I did check out several MIM versions of the ('57 RI) model I was after and found things I didn't quite care for in all of them. Tiny finish flaws, slightly imperfect fret ends - minor stuff like that. I ordered the CIJ sight-unseen from Japan and got away with it: all of those things are perfect on it.

That's just one isolated experience though. Probably doesn't prove much.

Oh, I also have a CIJ '75 J-bass. At half the price of the MIA version that one was a no-brainer...

Cheers - C

Well as far as what gets me going...lol I really dig playing rock/blues stuff...but at the same time I like to be able to play some good rock you know? I really LOVE the sonic/daphne blue finish. I like maple fret board's. I don't really have a preference towards the body wood on strats.
I think I can spend about $850 or so...give or take.


Thanks everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dusty.

If i were you mate I'd consider a Japanese instrument, or maybe shop around for a used American standard. The american standard is pretty much a cover all bases guitar. You could look for a 54/57 reissue too, but thats a very particular couple of guitars.

You need to look around mate. When find something, post a link to the advert. Theres a tonne of people here willing to look at it and offer an opinion.

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No no and no

Where are you? $850 can buy different stuff depending on where you are.

Some areas have really good used markets, and if you are willing to put in a bit of time and effort, you may get a real bargain.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

12B is right. I've seen a couple of MIA Deluxe Strats for sale from $800 to $900 on craigslist in my area.

I live I Reding CA...not to much here to get on craigslist.... =/

I picked up a black 2001 MIM for $225 with a hard case off craigslist that is pristine. At that price there is a LOT of room for mods.

I went with a new pickguard - $20, EMG SA pickups were $208 and a callaham trem block ($60) to replace the thin zinc one from that year.

I love this axe and I think it kicks $@! for less than the price of a new standard and the hard case was a bonus. Oh yeah, it looks cool as hell too.

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MF had the American Deluxe ASH in tobacco burst with a maple fretboard for 899 a couple of weeks ago. A pretty good price for a top of the line strat. Check out the Friday specials, there have been some great deals.

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