here's the deal... I'm european, I have about 1100 +- and I'm loving the strat sound right now!

This is my first "real guitar" so I wanna make sure I spend the money in the right guitar...

I know most of you will direct me to fenders but I'm opened to other brands... and models

Also best strat for the money??? Am. Special? Am. Std? I played them both and felt the special had a cleaner sound and the std a dirtier sound. liked the std better but can I change the "dirtiness" of a pup? or is it limited to a specific Hz frequece? (sorry if it's has a lot of nonsense in here fellas)

Thanks in advance

HustlePT

Hustle,

You could play 100 different American Standards, Deluxes and Specials and they all will have a different tone. It really gets down to finding a particular one that you just love more than the rest. The quality is all the same.

Lets say you play 100 different Sunburst/maple standards, one or two are just going to wrap themselves around you in a special way. You will not want to put it down. That is the ONE to buy! You will know it when happens.

It's like falling in love, it just happens.

That's my take.

Don't be in a hurry!
OL

_________________
I remember when we were free!

Hustle,
Here is the advice I will give you. Play as many different Strats as you can. Don't go by what this person or that person says. If it feels right and speaks to you get it and enjoy! My newest Strat is an Standard Strat. I could have gone with a more expensive one my budget was way more than what I paid for it, but it spoke to me and felt like it was made for me. I hope that this helps and if I can help in any way please let me know.
ABS

Also, moneywise. 1100 what? Euro, pounds etc?

If it's your first "real guitar" I really hope you go out and play as many different brands and models as you can. Play 2 or 3 of each if you can. And don't limit yourself to what looks good to you initially. Play a couple that don't look good either. If you can, try the same models at different stores too.

Don't even worry about what people post. Just play anything and everything. (Try and test them through the same amp too. Make the playing field even.)

Good luck and enjoy the experience. You may be surprised with what you walk away with.

Go play some guitars, pick the one that feels like the one to you.


Make sure it is properly set-up- I cannot stress that enough. Most retailers will take the Fender from the box, tune it- then put it on the shelf after cleaning it up. Its YOUR money- 1100 euros is a lot of money and I expect for that amount a store will give you a properly set-up guitar.

Good luck.

B

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thanks for the advices I got the answer I was hoping to get...

I have 1100 euros to answer martynrss2...

also I need PUP knowledge and I think you could help me with it... best fender pup and best pup you've ever tried... difference texas special and tex mex...

Is the MIM road worn good... is the players strat good besides the look? (I loove the look of that grain through the red color...)

thanks again

HustlePT

My personal opinion is that there are NO bad Stratocasters out there. You just have to find the ONE that is right for you. I personally play a Standard Strat and love her to death.

For me buying a guitar is like finding a wife. The first thing that draws you near is the look (like the look of the grain through the red color). Once you see what you like then you have to pick her up and play her and see if you like her sound. You have to be careful not to fall in love with the first hot looking thing that let's you play her. Date her a bit. Pick her up and play her, put her back on the rack and go home and watch a soccer game or something. Go out and have a beer with the boys. If you find you would rather run back to the store and play with her, then it is time to pop the question (how much and what kind of discount can you give me) and take her home where you will be able to enjoy playing her all the time. Also, since Strat playing is by its nature a naughty threesome, make sure you take YOUR amp with you on your dates. Nothing is gonna piss your new Strat off more than to play with her on a DRRI at the store only to take her home and try and get her to play nice with something else. If you don't currently have an amp, then your job gets a little more difficult. You have to find both a hot looking and sounding guitar and pair it with a hot looking and hot sounding amp. Then once you get this little menage a troi going, both of them will start screaming for play toys like effects pedals and other assorted battery powered accesories.

Man, I didn't realize just how much shopping for, buying, and owning a guitar was like real life.

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/UCtheband
2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam

People I heard and agree with your comments on buying what feel right...

BUT I need some models that you know that are good... not only fender but everything that is into my budget (just got a raise to 1150 euros... 50 extra are always good )


Thanks in advace


HustlePT

I agree...play as many guitars (all models and brands) in your price range and the "one" will be apparent. I have done that with my past three purchases, which by the way all three were Stratocasters. A Fender Highway 1, a Squier Classic Vibe 60, and a Fender American Special.

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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

HustlePT, do you have guitar centers near you where you can try all these Strats that you want us to lead you to? Playing guitars is a life long, learn as you play process. It is like driving cars, do you enjoy the car, or the ride, or both? A Ford Focus will carry you to the same place as a Mercedes Benz, but...money, availability, taste and sometimes the wife will help you pinpoint exactly what you need. From a Starcaster to a Custom Shop, there is surely many guitars that will fit the bill for you. But even if you find the gem, you can enter a guitar store and find a better one two months later. Not to mention modding, customizing and relicing. Target something like a Standard Stratocaster (MIM), an American Standard Stratocaster (USA), and a Deluxe Stratocaster. Try out as many as you can and you'll find one with your name on it sooner or later. Go to a guitar center, plug a Strat into a good tube amp, close your eyes and play. If you like what you hear, look at the guitar, and if you don't like the color, try another one. Don't let the price tag fool you, some Mexican Stratocasters are really good for the money, while some Deluxe might not be the guitar of your choice for whatever reasons that you might come up with. The only fool proof plan is to get out there and try as many guitar as you can. You'll learn something in the process and it will help you along the way to choose with a better understanding of what a good guitar is, for you. Good luck.
Claude.

Yeah I have some guitar centers (here in europe some independent guitar shops since there are no big chains of stores)

I try to go there as often as possible but my friends their offer is SMALL. and I mean it!

I mean, I go in there I see about 2 to 3 strats 1 or 2 gibbsons and that's it!

Goddamn I've never even seen a grescth live!

So that try it out filosophy is a pain in arse

In this case I would almost recommend getting a Standard Strat. It is a very good quality instrument and would be a great platform to modify if you felt the need too with the extra money you would save.

This is my guitar and I have only recently feld the need to make to mods. One, I blocked the trem. Not really a mod though as this could be something someone would want to do to any Strat. Two, I am getting a new set of pickups. That will be it. It plays like a dream and sounds great in either my Line 6 Spider Jam or my Blues Junior.

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/UCtheband
2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam

As all of the rest have said, try out many different guitars. Personally, I have a Lyon by Washburn, a Hohner acoustic/electric, and a SquierStrat by Fender and I love each one of them. I didn't play many different kinds until I found the right one...well except for my Fender, I played alot of fenders until I found the starter pack that I got mine in. Anyways I didn't do that and was lucky enough to actually fall in love with my instruments. Go to your local guitar store and try out a bunch of their guitars. They usually let you. If you do go for the AM Special or AM Std, try a bunch out. Each guitar has it's unique tone. Good luck!

For that kinda money let me just recommend you this:

Fender American Vintage LTD 57 Thin Skin Nitro Stratocaster Electric Guitar
http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-American-Vintage-LTD-57-Thin-Skin-Nitro-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar-520156-i1435180.gc


It´s just awesome!