Howdy!

Last week I snatched a real bargain. A Classic Player 60's Stratocaster in 3 Colour Sunburst complete with gig bag and case candy. The first owner bought it new in July 2010 and barely touched it as far as i can tell. The plastic covers are still on the pickguard and backplate and its still got the original strings that feel brand new!

Here's a few pics....



















Its got that Classic Strat look. The minty guard and aged knobs, tips and pickup covers tick all the right boxes for me.

It was totally playable straight out of the box and pretty much in tune too, which is a first for me! Overall I'm very impressed. There's a real feel of quality with this model. The trem is smooth and works a treat though there is a bit of play in the arm. The nut is well cut and shaped. The neck is a nice and chunky C shape and the 12" radius fret board feels good. The rosewood used is particularly nice on this one. The Custom 69 pickups are better than I expected and offer a very clear, clean and bright tone. For the price I paid its pretty hard to fault it really.

That said there are a few improvements I will be making. Although the neck is lovely, the fret board edges need rolling and the fret ends require some minor attention as they're not quite as comfy as they could be. The 69's aren't really my cup 'o' tea as I usually like pups with a bit more body and I don't see the point in staggered pole pieces if you don't have a wound G string. Still, I have to say, I'm quite enjoying them at the mo. I have a set of Hot Noiseless waiting if i fancy a change. Also there's no tone control for the bridge which for me is a must.

Once I've played the crap out of the strings i'll update this thread with any changes/mods I make before I slap a nice set of D'addario 10's on.

Anyhoo, Its a nice addition to my humble collection....



Enjoy!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

how much did you pay for her? shes a beauty.

wow what kind of strat is that on the lower left? that is a neckthru right?

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I like my tone like my women. Full round bottom, sweet and clean but can get as dirty as I desire.

Thanks littleguitars.

I paid £370. Not bad for a 4 month old Custom Shop designed Mexi Strat! A CP60's in Sunburst usually retails at around £500 new.


Ah, that would be the Big Hairy Tone-Caster.



Nope, its not a thru neck....



Everything you'd ever need to know about that particular Strat (and my Cat) is documented here...

Andybighair's Big Hairy Strat Build

If your not up for reading all 40 pages, there's a quick break down and the final pics half way down page 33. Pickup switching and combinations are listed on page 35.

Enjoy!

Andy

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Pending Greatness

i saw one on sale yesterday for $545.
i think thats in the nieghborhood as 370 euro, pounds, whatever there called.

Hey Andy, congratulations, you finally did it! And no need to haggle with the folks at the guit store... another plus if you ask me!

don't have much time at the moment but will follow this promising thread from the sidelines.

How's Randel?

-Nutter

Now that looks familiar - I pulled the trigger on mine 9 months ago; no regrets. The 3-tone sunburst is a classic look, and the build quality is excellent. I must've picked a good one because I have absolutely no complaints (except I wish I made it sound better when I play, but that's my problem). Nice score, Andy - I'm sure you're going to love her.

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'10 Gibson LP Studio Faded
'09 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
'08 Fender Classic Player 60s Stratocaster
'07 Fender Classic Player Baja Telecaster
'05 Breedlove AC 25 SR Plus

A bargain! I have no idea what they go for over in the U.S. But in the UK the cheapest I saw new was £475 and the body grain wasn't very nice. The Sonic Blue ones were going for £320-£350 but they were second hand and a few years old.

Andy

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Pending Greatness

Cheers strattastic12,

I was nit picking really, it plays absolutely fine as it is. I just need to tweak it a tiny bit to my own personal spec.


Hi Nutter!

Yeah, I'm pretty chuffed with it and its a good £120 cheaper than buying one from GAK. The neck is pretty chunky mate, might be worth having a go on one if you get a chance. Though I'm like Ceri and have no problem with swapping between different necks profiles and fret board radii.

Randel is fine and thanks for asking! We're currently working on the details for a hybrid Strat. Should be interesting.

I hope the new jobs working out OK and have fun in the Big Smoke while your there.

Andy

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Pending Greatness

i have a 2009 sonic blue 60 classic player and it came with the zinc tremelo block, bought a new steel block from gfs for $19, and omg its like i got new pickups or something, way , way better!! i Suggest it if u have the zinc block in yours. Way more sustain and chime and articulation, i would of never thought a block change would make such an improvment!

Hi Andy

I got myself a one of those a couple of weeeks back, although it's the sonic blue with mint green pickguard and rosewood neck one.

It's quite heavy compared to my Am Std and not quite as well finished ( like yours fretboard needs rolling and the fret -ends ARE a bit spikey), that said it's excellent value or money- although I paid the full wack!

I LOVE the chunky 12" radius 'C' neck, 42mm wide at the nut end. I also like the PUs, although I might drop a Texas Special in the bridge position.

The tone controls arn't linear in action as the Am Std, but hey, it's much cheaper! Overall good value for money!

Two things I never noticed before. The neck pocket of MIM strats is shallower than MIA, so the neck sits a little higher in its pocket, not sure I like that. It is also Sonic Blue, but a much paler blue that my MIA YJM sonic Blue Strat!

Also one of screws in the pickguard is in the 'wrong' place, just like the MIJs, but form what I can see the 60 classic player is the only MIM to have it like this! Why I've not idea!

I like the neck varnish used, polyester maybe? not as tacky feeling as my 1984 MIJ, which is polyurethane- funny how it still feels like that even though it's now quite elderly! No as nice as nitro of course, but built to a price,

All in all I think it was a good buy, sustains nicely too!

Congrats anywasy!

She is a beauty Andy!! Love the mint/aged/3 tone combination!! Enjoy my friend!!

hey andy, i have its twin.
if your not doing anything with the 69s once you take em out, ill buy them off of you.
i love those pickups.

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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

im not kidding guys replace that cheapo block in there, unbewievable!

very nice andy , i've been gassing for a burst lately , i'll probably pick one up in the new year

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