Unless you have children, then nobody did it.....

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Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

I say get the Am. deluxe.

It's a great guitar, feels wonderful to hold, and I have one on the way.

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Support your local guitar shop.

American Deluxe gets my vote. I have never played a guitar that felt as good in my hands. I've had it for almost a year and I'm still experimenting with new tone combinations and I have no intention of changing anything about it. I'm just sayin'.

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Donnmac

'09 American Deluxe Strat Sunburst Rosewood
'63 Les Paul Jr SG body
'80's Fender F 15 Acoustic
'09 Larrivee D 03RE
'09 Squier Affinity J Bass
'10 Martin D12X1AE
'66 Traynor YGM1 (tube)
'08 Traynor TRM30
'11 G-DEC 30 Blues
'09 Fender Rumble 15

Shelf......

Depends on what you want in tone, neck, etc. I have played my buddy's amber deluxe with a C neck, and it is a really great guitar. You can spend more money, I would go to the custom shop, but I think the deluxe is the best bang for your buck at the price points. My deluxe is coming tomm., a sunburst with a Maple V neck; the problem is that the deluxe is sold out in many markets, including guitar center. I called the factory, and they said that the Corona factory cut back last year due to the economy, and I know for a fact that guitar center is not going to get any more prior to late July. You can can get a 2009 for around 1350 if you can find one on ebay. Vintage guitars have vintage pots, pickups, etc. that are good points; but, they also have worn frets, bad pots, banged up paint, etc. I would buy based on how you want to craft your tone....a new deluxe with a v neck and noiseless pickups cannot be beat! Good luck on your choice.

OK, you asked so I will kindly reply. I have a 2000 Strat MIM black HSS configuration, picked it up used locally for $175, a Squier Strat(it was my first, not sure what yr it is) that has been upgraded with a standard strat loaded pickguard plus when I got it it was in really bad shape (who ever had it must have dragged it around the house or bounced it down the steps a few times, plus he or she spray painted graffiti all over it) so I stripped it down to bare wood and refinished it, considering I only had $35 in it I figured I couldn't hurt it but so bad. I ended up finishing it in a Lake Placid blue with the new loaded pickguard. It really sounds good, and it has turned out to be one that I'll probly hang onto for awhile, and the 3rd is an Epiphone Les Paul.
Thanks,
Lile

I would post a picture but not sure how to do it.

I would recommend trying the Dlx, and A/B it with a Am Standard...atleast...I have tried both and to me the standard sounds much better. And for $350 less coinage it is a great buy.

If you can afford a new one, buy a new one. Vintage stuff can be cool but run you as much or more. I found 1998 62' reissue and the guy wanted $1350 for it. No case, no back plate, not tremolo bar and rusted connections. You can get a new one with all the trimmings delivered to you for $1600 with a warranty. Vintage (to me) is for collectors.

Very true. Always lock up your guitars out of their reach. Thankfully, mine listen. It helps when I buy them their own guitars...

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


facebook.com/313DBC

Thats the color..Sunset Metalic...very sharp color, the lights play off of it like you wouldn't believe. Since I posted this I have looked at several others, and I really like the vintage 57 and 62 guitars. I also played a Classic Player 50's strat that really sounded good. So I am finding that you have to play them side by side to compare them. I guess I'll figure out which one I like best when I can play all the ones I like side by side.
Lile

Just saw a '95 Strat Plus Deluxe in great shape with a unique finish for $850. That's what I'd get, pocket the savings and pickup an AD down the road.

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

get the deluxe,
i have an 09 v neck, 2tone sunburst. is surely becoming my favorite.
in position 4 with s1 switch gives me a humbucker rocking tone i cant describe.
put in neck position, tone rolled down to 3 or 4, with same settings. gives a creamy tone.
postion 2/4 without s1. quacky enough for me.

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"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

This one can go on all day. First for a 70s Strat in pretty good shape expect to spend between 3 to 5K. I dont know where you are going to find one for $1,500 unless it is a real beater. Second yes there are some great 70s Strats but for the most part they were not the best of times for Fender as CBS figured they would cut corners to push out more guitars and the quality really suffered. They enlarged the body holes for for the neck fixing screws and tons of them have problems, with there necks moving about in its mooring. Forget 3 screws sometimes you cant fit enough in to stop it. Then talking 60s Strats you are going to pay big bucks even for a refin which would be the best way to go for a decent sounding guitar. Everyone thinks just because a guitar is vintage it is a keeper-WRONG! Read enough interviews with top players who will say they have to go through a bunch to find a keeper. Unless you are really cashed up and know what you are doing, as every part that is not original will kill the value and a refin will cut it in half, I would wisely advise you to buy new. Fender is probably making guitars as good if not better than ever today. If you have the scratch then go Custom Shop. But you will certainly get a pro level ax in the $1,500- $2,000 range from the factory besides sleeping comfortable with a warranty.

I want to thank you all for steering me in the right direction, I'm finding more and more people saying buy new. I guess cause I'm new at this it was kind of like buying a vintage car....you have to buy old to get what you want. I haven't made up my mind as to which guitar I will buy, but I have narrowed it down to the American Deluxe, American Vintage 57 or 62, or a custom Shop.
Thanks,
Lile

Sorry for the pic quality, took it with my phone. This one was just taken in on a trade, it's listed for $1499 at the local GC and looks to be in great shape, better than my 79! They're out there if you look...

I still say go for the Deluxe tho, I'm really loving mine more and more everyday! But the Fralins have a lot to do with it I think.