At last after about 50 years of thinking about it. I took the plunge and bought my first Fender guitar, probably my last guitar purchase.
I bought an American Standard, Sunburst. Alder with Maple Fret Board. Very nice!
Go to this link for a pic.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34876275@N ... 8180619685
I owe most of my decision to buy, to the comments and info I have read on these forums. All good stuff.
The new Strat came with the Fender Super Bullet strings installed. My other guitar 73 SG. has for many years been strung with Light Gage Flat Wound strings. (D'Addario ECG23 at this time). Any opinions on the Bullet strings and the use of Flat wound on the Strat.
A Twangy new Year to all.

what a great looking strat.
i also love your Gibson SG. what model is it?

Thanks Tanner.
The Gibson is an SG from 1973 or 74. I have owned it since 1975. There is also a 100watt SG System amp which came with it. i shall post some pics of that amp in the near future as there is not a lot of info available for it.

Sweet score tubes. You'll enjoy that guitar for many moons......... Mike

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

Classic setup. Excellente.

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10-4 good buddy, over and out!

Bet she sounds as good as she looks!

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http://www.youtube.com/guitarmike26

Free & Easy Down the Road I Go

Man, I have ALWAYS had a thing for Sunburst Strats with a maple neck. That is gorgeous!!

-Mike

You've made a fine choice!

Being an older player myself, I can tell you that I've heard many a Strat with flatwounds over the years. Indeed, they do sound very, very nice. However, they are not as versatile as round wounds, but I'm sure you're aware of that.

If you decide to put the flat wounds on your Strat, you will need the guitar to be resetup to accommodate them though.

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weanedontubes,

Nice addition. Love both of your guitars.

RK

Again thanks for all your interest.
Martian..I was pleased to read your comments on string types.
I was not aware that the flats were less versatile than the rounds.(could it be that the flats of an equivalent gage are somewhat stiffer therefore requiring more pressure to push them down?)
What I liked about the flats was the ability to run up and down the fret board with no scraping or squealing sounds. I also thought that the flats might be easier on the frets ie wear.
If guitar set up is required for a change to flats I think I will stick with the bullets and get used to them. For now that is, as the guitar seems to have been beautifuly set up right from the box. The fit and finish of the guitar is very impressive and seems to ooze quality. I was a bit worried after reading the other posting discussing Fender quality. I see no evidence of that on mine.
I would be interested in further comments regarding string types.
Regards.

I thank you for your complement!

Yes to the flats being more stiff, even within the same gauge. However, this was not my only reason. The plain truth is, flatwound strings sound like well used round wounds. By comparison, the flats are mellower, have much less high end and string separation is not as good. On the other hand, flats are superior in the bass department. As you are surely well aware, flats are more for Jazz and Orchestral Rhythm type stylings where bass and tight chording is part and parcel, along with the absence of the 'shrieking', etc. as you pointed out when moving among chord changes. Are flats inferior? No, as both flats and rounds have their place in the industry and many an individual player's stylings.

Ironically, flats are harder on frets. This is due to the fact that they are in essence, one 'solid' piece being depressed across the fret rather than merely the ridge tips like that of the rounds. Of note is the fact that the ridges don't necessarily hammer away at the frets in the exact same place over the totality of the given fret every time like the flats do. See, whenever the round wound string has to be retuned or as different angular pressure is put on it, the ridges will tend to microscopically shift from here to there instantaneously before settling down. Consequently, there is a bit of diverse distribution; again, unlike the flats which keep pounding away at for the majority, the exact same spot.

Reinforcing your point, I'd say at least 50% of web posters who carry on about today's Fender instruments at large being of dubious quality are NOT drawing from any first hand experience. I won't waste either of our time delving into what I feel their motivations are. Rather, speaking as a qualified professional with over 40 years experience (and being a QC Manager at that), I can state with absolute professional certainty that the present day Fender instrument is among the best, if not THE best in terms of overall quality as far as assembly line instruments are concerned. Sure, every so often a perceived 'dud' may squeak out as standard QC sampling practices only cover a percentage of any given run. Notwithstanding, even the vast majority of these far and between 'duds' can usually be brought right up to snuff, right quick.

No, I don't, nor have ever worked for Fender. I'm just give credit where credit is clearly due.

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You dig?

Martian.
Thanks for the comprehensive string analysis, very informative.
Regards.

You're welcome!

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I don't regret buying mine!!!!!





Rock On.....I love your silver face amp...I could of purchased one for $1500 AUD but never had the finances at the time...Spewing heaps now...

tubes,
Sweet guitar my friend. I hope that you enjoy her and that she treats you right with many years of sweet tones!!!
ABS