Hi guys

I'm SERIOUSLY thinking of buying a Fender Stratocaster. My first guitar (4 years ago) was a Squier Fat Strat, which was very cool, but just wasn't suited to my taste in music. I have since expanded my musical tastes, and would really like a Fender Stratocaster.
I do have a major dilemma though, could you help me out?

Should i buy a Mexican Strat, and upgrade the pickups, tuners and nut and OR buy a Lonestar or Highway 1?

My choice at the moment is heavily clouded, as there is a brand new MIM Strat with a Seymour Duncan Hotrail in bridge for only $500 NZD (which is a HUGE BARGAIN) AND 60th Anniversary MIM Strat with a flamed maple top or a Highway One Strat for $1000...

What should i do?? I'll try them out, but in terms of upgrades/value for money/quality etc which would be the better choice?
I know its bad to mention this, but i need to decide by wendesday :S

Thanks in advance

For what it's worth, I've owned Fender guitars from pretty much all corners of the globe. I've got a few Masterbuilt Strats, right down to a POS Korean Fat Squire that I loan out to friends. I can honestly say that my MIM Classic 60's Strat is one of my all-time favorite strats. The original pickups sounded pretty good, but I threw a set of 69CS pickups in it, and it just really plays.

I really love my American series Strats, and my Japanese Strats, but I'd go ahead and get the bargain guitar and play your heart out.

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Some Guitars played through an amp...

Hi mate-

Good to see a fellow Kiwi on board

Now as per your dilema-

If money wasnt the issue- what one takes your fancy? I suggest you play some and then base your desicion from there.
However, if money wasnt an issue- my personal tastes sway towards a lonestar. By the way, Trademe is your friend. You will find 2 american lonestars on there, and they are the ones that sought after more than the mim which is just a re-issue of that guitar:

Shoreline Gold NZ $1500- good price but not perfect condition wise :
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instrume ... 544358.htm

Black- better condition than above:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instrume ... 705903.htm

Also, American Standard in Sonic Blue buy now $1500NZD :
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Music-instrume ... 878112.htm

Now that guitar seems like a good deal- I dont really think the seller knows its worth- he could get more for it if he wanted- my money would also be on that one, or the black lonestar.


Also, the mentioned MIM with the flamed top looks good

I hope the rest of the gang will put their input in too Stay in touch with us and stick around mate... If you do make a purchase, it is customary on this forum to show us photos we love photos!!!

Welcome to the forum

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Did you mention the type of music you are playing? I once had a squier standard strat with an SD hot rails at the bridge and that pickup is pretty hot. I loved it. Actually, I'm looking to swap out the bridge humbucker in my MIM with a ceramic magnet PAF soon to get a nice hot searing sound.

In your case, if you can afford which ever you want, I'd get the strat that would give you the sound you are looking for without modding. Good luck.

You are upgrading and have two fine choices but because of the pup change it is going to have a big tone difference. Now I have two guitars that I changed pups on to have a different sound than the others. The whole thing boils down to what sonically suites the music you are playing.If you are playing hard rock or rock blues I personally would go for the MIM with the SD in the bridge.

I've enjoyed my share of MIM strats, and highway one guitars. They have all played well. I would play them til you find a bond with the one that feels right, and has the tone your lookin' for. I'm constantly tryin' strats and teles that first catch my eye, but don't consider buyin' unless they play, feel, and sound good to me. Those are the ones, I can't walk away from. Good luck with your choice, I'm sure it will feel right, when you do choose.

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2012 American Vintage Telecaster 1958
09 Fender american deluxe strat.
97 Gibson les paul special P90's double-cut
65 Princeton reverb re-issue
2010 Guild Gad-F40e

I would never buy a guitar without playing it first. I played a whole bunch of guitars a while back when I was looking to buy. I came across a 2006 Hwy One and when I played it, there was no doubt it was THE ONE for me. Since then, we have a very deep bond. So, I too must suggest you go out and play 'em until you find the one you want. If that's not possible, I guess I'd go with the Hwy One, since I've enjoyed mine so very much. Hope this helps.

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2010 American Deluxe Strat Sunset Metallic - Lindy Fralin Blues Specials in the neck and middle, Dimarzio AT-1 humbucker in the bridge.
PRS Custom 22 with solid rosewood neck
Mesa/Boogie Electra Dyne 1x12 combo
DRRI

The MIM with the Seymore Duncan is a good deal. I also love my Highway 1 Stratocaster. The Lonestar Strats I have played are awesome guitars too. Play all three and see which one talks to you.

If you like the MIM with the SD PU, go for it. IMO it may be the best bang for the buck and you can upgrade anything else you do not like about it. Of course this is based on what is on it. The deciding factor for me is always made after playing.

RK

Thanks guys for your input! haha glad that there's someone here who lives in auckland.
Well ive thought long and hard, and have decided to save up a little while (january) so i can get alteast a Highway 1 or Lonestar. I went and tried out the MIM with SD, unfortunately it didn't give me that fuzzy feeling inside you get when you know its the "one"
So plan is i go on holiday, come back and buy myself something nice

I'll be back

Good for you mate- if you can be paitent with looking for the right one on trademe, there are good deals to be had. Try the Rockshop after xmas- they will no-doubt want to get rid of some stock as all retailers do.

let us know what you do get eventually- and as above show us your new strat when you do with photos. It would be awesome to hear back from you mate

Also, have a Merry Christmas, and play it safe in the silly season

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This a hard one to answer..For the basic fact i'n not sure what the exchange rate is between NZD and USD ..Were is MZD used and what does it stand for..My bets guess is New Zealand dollars?
If money isn't a issue one of my all time favorite production guitars is the lonestar Strat..The combination of the Pearly gate in the bridge and the Texas specials in the neck and mid is an excellent combination ..This will more than likely be the next Strat i buy..
But the best bang for your buck guitar on the market in my opinion is the MIM Standard..The stock pickups in the MIM for the money are excellent pickups but if the bridge already has S.D hot rail this is just and added bonus..One of my bandmates has a MIM with a hotrail in it and it is a screamer..
I don't think the hotrail is as good as the Pearly gate in the Lonestar but with that said it is still an excellent pickup..
The other bonus with the cheaper MIM is if you have any mods in mind these guitars are great platforms for custom guitars..Where i don't like the idea of getting a lonestar and the taking it apart..
Bottom line is play all of them ..Then make up your mind with what your cash allows and what you feel is the best guitar and what your feature plans are for the guitar..
The main thing is all the guitars you mentioned are great guitars so none will leave you disappointed.