Hello everybody!
I need someone to help me decide which strat to buy (it's my first one)..I've read good reviews on the Classic Player's 50s strat, my other options are the American Special or the American Standard Strat, but the American Standard is a little higher priced than I planned to spend. Are these MIM higher end strats are comparable to the lower end Americans?...I'm really not interested on resale value because I plan to keep the strat I buy. Your advice is really appreciated!

Yes, I think so. In this case especially, I think that the CP 50s compares very favorably even to an Amer Std, as far as fit and finish. I have an 06 CP 50s and an 08 Amer Std. The CP 50s has locking tuners, 57/62 RI pickups, a "Super-Switch" with special wiring, and a soft V neck, all a plus! The tremolo is 2-point on the CP 50s and Amer Std. The only other consideration between the CP 50s and the Amer Std would be which neck feels better to you. Of course the Amer Spcl has Texas Special pickups, which are great. Although all three guitars are great, and any one would be a great choice, I would choose the CP 50s over the Amer Spcl or the Amer Std, for the pickups, locking tuners and V neck. Just my thoughts, hopefully others will post their experiences.

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Thanks shimmilou, I can`t find the CP in my country, so I cannot test the guitar.

I agree with Shimmilou, I'd go with the classic players. I was very close to buying one before I got my Highway One Strat, but I think it is every bit as good as the Highway One or the American Special. I like the sound of the 57/62 pups and it is a very high quality built guitar. I still don't think the Am Special is anything special, it have texas special pups and that is the only real perk to buying it in my opinion as opposed to the 50's classic players, that if if you like those pups.

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My Cp 50 is just right for me, I can't find any issues with it at all. My only comparison is with my Artist series Clapton. Both are different from one another, but I like them both equaly

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

CP '50 is a great guitar good pickups and good suond for me.
I don't like the auto-lock machine head and I'm change it, but it' personal opinion most of people like it.
Unique thing cons is that is made in Mexico and for someone this is the reason to undervalue it if you plan to sell it in the future.
BYE

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Fender Stratocaster Classic PLayer '50 2 color sunburst;Digitech GSP-1101;AKG-PG58;AKG-240MKII,Cakewalk/Edirol UA25EX,ProjectHeadBoxII; no amp directly to PC.

+1 for the CP50
You wont regret it.

I own a CP72 RI Deluxe Thinline Tele and an American Special Strat. I always heard how elite the American built Fenders were and that MIM's were an inferior product. I had to have both guitars ordered since I couldn't find them around where I live. The 72 RI came in perfect condition. I had the intonation set and the action lowered to my preference but beyond that, there was nothing that needed changed. Neck was fretted perfectly, no sharp edges, no finish flaws...absolutely perfect. The American Special Strat that I ordered arrived in what seemed to be perfect condition but after one week of playing, the strings started to cut the fretwire. I sent it back to the retailer and they sent me another guitar, straight from Fender's factory, which had a big ding in the side. Thankfully I ended up paying about $500 for the dinged guitar but needless to say, my picture perfect image of American made Fenders is gone.

Having played a few Classic Player Strats and Tele's I would have to say that if you didn't know that they weren't made in America...you wouldn't know.

I also have a CP50's. Really nice guitars. Fit and finish are great. I guess I would recommend that you actually play both of them before you make a decision. You may prefer the American Special. I've played the Special before. Also a great guitar but, I like the neck profile of my CP better.

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Hi I don't own either on of those models (I have MIA Std). Played them both in bunch of occasions and like CP50s better than special. It just had a better feel on the neck and I prefer those pickups to TX specials. It actually sounded better than my MIA std. I have MIM standard as well with CS 69 pickups and this thing sounds better than MIA Std too.

I have a Classic Player '50s Stratocaster in 2TSB (for sale, ironically) that has just an amazing neck action. Lots of great upgrades to this including the two-point vintage trem (they are now putting these into the 2010 Am Std Strats), soft v-neck, and Gotoh vintage-type locking tuners. The neck plate says "Custom Shop Designed" and I believe it; probably the best MIM Strat I've ever played. It'd be a keeper if I could just bond with that 303 color...

i'd go for the CP50.....

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***God made men and men made guitar***

I do not have a CP 50s, but I have played one and I REALLY like that guitar - pups, soft-V...awesome IMO. The MIM tag doesn't mean a thing to me. I have two MIMs and a HW1 and I wouldn't trade my MIMs for anything. I say go CP 50s! Good luck!