I am thinking about picking up a Stratocaster. I would like to keep the price under $1,200.00. I would like one that has a more mellow sound to it, if that is possible. I know nothing about Strat's and tonight I am off to Sam Ash to play as many different Strat models within my price range that my local store has on hand. I have only played one Strat for about 10 minutes about a month ago and I really liked the feel of the guitar. The amp I was playing through had a high pitch noise sound the sound of the guitar was not too clear. I am just curious what all the Strat guys and gals opinion is on which Strat(s) I should be looking at. I may end up waiting to find a higher end used one. I received a 20% off coupon from Sam Ash for this Thursday. Thanks,
Kenny V

It strikes me that the Highway One series and American Special series provide the most value per dollar spent. Perhaps most importantly, they retain the "Made in U.S.A." moniker, which will prevent resale value from diminishing wildly seconds after you buy it.

They're also great-sounding, great-playing guitars. I won't argue that the American Standard and American Deluxe aren't better -- they probably are -- but there is nothing wrong with the tones or feel that can be coaxed from their cheaper counterparts. In my humblest of opinions, the greatest leap in terms of quality, both of manufacture and of tone, is between the better MIM guitars and the cheaper MIA instruments. I believe its a simple question of components, although I've played some exceptions to this rule.

Other opinions, perhaps?

I own both and could not agree more about the American Special and Highway 1 guitars. Definately the best bang for the buck. If I had $1200 I think I would also have to consider the American Standard. Play all three models and a few other models/brands. See what you like. Good luck on the hunt.

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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'd go with the MIA Standard. At least it's a great platform to start from if you want to mod later. You can always put it back to original spec and it will hold value better. IMO!!

One thing though you don't want to go cheap on an amp so you have that to consider.

I made it to Sam Ash but had only 15 minutes to look around. Talked to a sales guy who was most helpful. I am going back tomorrow to play several Strats, both of which are American Standards. Candy Cola and Charcoal Frost Metallic. I am kinda leaning toward the red one. I do not believe Fender offers this in a Sea Green color which is one of the two colors I was first interested in. I agree with the American made aspect which makes a lot of sense. I like the fact that the American Standard comes with a hard shell case. They are asking $999.00 for either one and with 20% off it will cost me around $800 plus tax. I believe that is a fair price, do you agree? Do a lot of you buy a new guitar and then immediately modify it? I have always tried to keep my more expensive guitars stock for resale value. I still own my 1967 Telecaster that I special ordered back in 1967 and that is completely stock. It makes a lot of sense to keep the original parts and then put the guitar back to stock if you decide to sell it. What modifications are you all doing and at what cost? I will also stop at Guitar Center to see what they have hanging on their wall. I still have a couple of days to decide. This is my first post question on this form and I have not spent much time here due to the fact as of yet I don't own a Strat so I really appreciate everyone's input and opinions. As far as amps are concerned I have that covered. I recently bought a Fender 1965 Deluxe Reverb Reissue amp and a Fender Deluxe 1x12 celestial speaker cabinet. I also own a Line 6 Spider IV 150 watt half stack and a spider jam combo amp. I don't see any amps in my near future unless a used Twin, Blues Deluxe, or other equally neat Fender tube amp comes on the used amp market at a crazy low price.
Thanks again,
Kenny V

If you are getting an American Standard for $800 including hard case i would say go for it..I paid $824 out the door 6 years ago for my American standard...So in essence if you count inflation your guitar is alot cheaper than mine was ...I would consider $800 a real good price on a new Standard..

I agree with your earlier statements i do not model my expensive guitars and i do consider an American standard an expensive guitar...When i get close to that thousand dollar mark or more the guitar i'm buying is going to have to play and sound the way i want it to our i'm going to be looking for a different model...

For an American Standard that sounds remarkably good. Twenty percent off is a great deal, and I think you should probably take it -- assuming, of course, that you're pleased with the guitar. Don't let a great price lure you into a guitar you don't love.



Some do, and some don't. It's a matter of preference, really. It strikes me that immediate modification is a strange notion. I wouldn't buy a guitar I didn't love, and while the avenue of modification remains open in the future, I don't really see the point in investing some serious money in aftermarket parts. Furthermore, it's probably a good idea to leave it stock for awhile on the off chance that you'll fall deeper in love with the thing. Only if I was getting a magnificent deal on a damaged or broken instrument would I consider immediate repairs or modifications.



Again, a matter of preference. If I spend serious money on a guitar, I'm going to be serious about that instrument: trades or sales won't loom in the future, and I see no real need to worry about resale value.

American Standards are good for the money,I played them for years but I did change the pickups,which in the case of value I would think that someone who is familiar with Fralin pickups it would be a plus.
Now the AS Strats have body routings that are more similar to the original Strats,not the "swimming pool" routs that mine have,I would think that would add to the tone and sound some better,at least that's what people say....I feel it does sound better in the traditional type Reissues that I have.

Kenny I do not know what Sam Ash you went to but I know it is not the one in Brooklyn NY as they have the worst display of guitars I know for a store that size, just horrible. I would say go with a Standard or American Special though I never played one the reviews have been great and I do not mean just magazine reviews but users. As far as an amp if you are looking for something you are not going to be moving allover the place a Crate Vintage series amp not the black which is a hybrid but the beige one is one of the best sounding amps for blues or classic rock I have ever heard. I own a Vintage 50 that is in the basement and just blows away my other 2 amps. In fact look up on Harmony Centrals user reviews and for sound they rate higher than amps 5X the price, the drawback is they way a ton and the tubes were not put in the best place. A shame they did not correct this as they hit the jackpot with this model and never came close with anything else. The great part is you can find a used one on ebay for $300-$350.

I would say at that price ,its a great deal.Not many people mod those particular guitars, although some do.I have one and find the pickups fairly mellow against my texas specials.The bridge pickups are pretty hot, but you can adjust the height to make them more mellow.Great guitar out of the box.I checked the intonation on mine and it was spot on.

I know I modified my Highway 1 as soon as I got it. I do not plan on doing any modifications on my American Special SSS. It depends on what I'm planning on doing with my guitar, or how it sounds to me before I modify it. If I has bought an American Standard I would have replaced at least one pickup, if not all three

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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

The strat market (like many other markets) is really depressed right now. GC had brand new discontinued (last years) models american deluxe strats for $1199. However, the best deal IMO are USED once you know what your looking for.

I just purchased my 2nd strat and my budget was 1k. Was going down the american standard path till I found this near brand new 2007 beauty at a local shop:

http://www.drumcityguitarland.com/drumc ... 569C5.aspx

Seems like you could hook up with something similar where you are at if you take your time and do it right.

Good luck -

American Deluxe models are going for $1500 so 20% off would put it right at your price point. Also, as others have said, $800 for the Standard is a great deal.

Highway 1 and American Special have stronger pickups. I'd suggest American Standard for your price range.

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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I had a sratocaster years ago and thought that it was a great guitar.

I would go with that.


Rick