Hi; I just found this forum a couple of days ago and I must say the depth of knowledge and helpfulness is impressive. I've done several searches and read lots of threads trying to answer some of my questions. I've never owned a Strat and the number of variations and models is a bit daunting. I intend to keep the guitar for a long time and don't want to make a mistake on this first one if I can help it. I've been playing a '67 Guild Starfire that I bought new. It's the only electric guitar I've ever owned. I've been playing a long time but had several long intervals where I didn't touch my guitar so my abilities are not that great. I plan on jamming with some friends soon but for the time being I'm just practicing into headphones. So my main concern is the playability of the guitar more than the sound of the pups. I know I need to spend more time in GC, playing a bunch of different guitars to see what I like but finding a V neck to play isn't easy and having a salesman standing by isn't a great way to get focused on the guitar at hand.
After much obsessing I'm thinking an American Deluxe or AD HSS may be the one.
I'm wondering if the compound radius neck is going to be too different from my Guild.
I'm thinking the modern C neck will be similar to what I'm used to but am wondering how a V neck would feel.
I want to become more proficient on lead and am hoping a maple fretboard may help in that regard.
I guess I'm just thinking out loud here. I think I'll park myself at GC tomorrow and hopefully I'll get to play a few of the guitars I'm interested in. Unfortunately they keep the nice ones way up high.
Here's a pic of my 44 year old baby:

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

I've never subscribed to the notion that maple is faster playing than rosewood. In fact I find the opposite to be true. Maple can feel sticky at times with that slick surface. Beyond that I think you answered most of your own questions. Spend some time playing a few.

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Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.

You have a nice Guild. You might check out a Classic Player 50s Strat. It seems nice, with a soft v neck. $800 online. The Jimmy Vaughan Strat might suit you, too.

Welcome Drew365..
In your quest and if at all possible I would suggest a more intimate guitar shop instead of a GC.
One where the salesman is not solely reliant on making the sale versus the potential customers satisfaction in deciding which guitar is the one. So that if you wish you can spend as much time as neede without feeling pressured.
And if so, politely tell the salesman that you would like to be left alone and to be patient.
If He/she doesn't like that request, than I say vote with your feet and go elsewhere.

As far as feel, a strat is going to feel strange compared to your Guild, but that is just an adjustment to playing a differently designed guitar. I switch between 2 strats, an acoustic Larrivee, and a classical guitar. slight adjustment each time for only a minute or two.

Coming from a Les Paul Custom prior to my 1st Strat, it was a change, but getting a rosewood fretboard strat made the switch much more familiar.
As far as ease of speed, maple versus rosewood, I don't buy it. It's in the set up.
My 56 Nos is a V neck but my MIM Deluxe is much more like a C shape.
It will be your preference, whichever feels more familiar will be the choice.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

i have a 62 reissue strat its a C neck, rosewood fingerboard and plays great

57 reissues have v necks and are maples

Hey, I am just a beginner in the field and learning the new guitar stuff . I am really into learning this instrument so want to take all the information on this . Hope you will help me.

Welcome to the forums Drew!



That's what we're all here for, man. There's always someone around who can answer your questions and help you solve your problems.

If you are in need of any specific help though; a tip is to create a new topic and write down what you might need help with.

And btw, welcome to the forums!

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2010 American Special HSS 3TSB
Marshall MG15FX

OK; I went to my local GC and got put in a room with about 30 guitars and left on my own. I spent over 2 hours playing. I started with an American V neck with maple board. I didn't like it. Not only didn't I like the neck but the body of the Strat was so different from my Guild, I kept hitting the controls with the edge of my hand. I tried several LP's and an SG. Then an Ibenez and a couple of others. Then I went back to the Stats. I tried a vintage '79 and liked it. I then played several different Strats over and over again. Bottom line is I don't like the V neck or maple board. I had no preference between a modern C with compound radius or a straight modern C with 9.5" radius.
Very bottom line: I fell in love and I don't know her name. So I need help because I can't find this guitar on the Fender site and I'd like to see what colors it comes in because I wasn't wild about the wine color this one had. It's an American Special Mahogony HSS with jumbo frets, 2 Tex Mex single coils and one HB and has the LSR roller nut. The serial number is DZ8245553. Is this a discontinued model? I'm hoping not because I really like everything about it except the color combo. The price was pretty decent too. Does anyone know about this guitar?

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Drew welcome aboard. The Strat in question is an American Select and unfortunately the red is the only color available. This is a great guitar if its with in your means get it.

I found it on the GC site. They call it an American Select and yes it only comes in the wine color. It felt so good that I could probably live with the color.
Here's a newby question. What is the difference between medium jumbo and jumbo frets?
This guitar felt so right to me and I'm not sure how much of it was the different frets. To tell the truth I couldn't see what the difference was between the jumbo and medium. I just know it felt good.

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Good on Ya..

That is the way to try out guitars, alone with a room full with all the time that you need.
There isn't a lot of difference between Jumbo and medium frets, a slight wider and a bit higher crown.

As for the V neck I'm not surprised, however once you become comfortable withe strat setup versus the Guild or Gibson style, I suggest going back and trying a V neck.
I have both, a CS 56 NOS (V neck ) and a MIM Deluxe more of a C profile.
I prefer the V for blues and R & B but for say UFO, Van Halen, styles the C neck is a bit easier to play 16th notes run. It's just that the V neck requires a more technical approach, have to keep your eyes on the road sort of speak.
Now this is a contradiction but Had I to choose only One guitar, then it would be the 56 NOS.

In addition I really would advise plugging into a Tube amp for the strat.
Have you tried a Champ 600 very inexpensive and for the price ( under $150 ) it allows you to hear what a strat is like with a tube set up...

When do you pick it up

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

I'm going to go back and try it again later in the week to be sure, but I played it 4 times today and it was my favorite in the room. I have a big (60) birthday coming up in about 10 weeks, so I can just about get away with asking for anything and this guitar will probably be it. I'm just not sure I can wait that long. Anticipaaaaation!

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Hi Drew,Welcome to the forum I love your Guild-if you're looking for a new home for her I have a Guild S-100 that's looking for a room mate lol.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Thanks, but this is a keeper. When I was younger and dumber I hocked it while on a trip and out of money. My dad without saying anything flew and got it out of hock, without having the ticket, and brought it back. Keeper!

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'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

Hey drew I hope you find what your looking for. I'm a tone junkie my self and will purchase a guitar if it sounds good, I would prefer to get comfortable with it. I know that you really want playability but dont sacrifice Tone. There should be a happy medium(idealy).
My first guitar was a Vintage Ibanez Pf300, Its a post lawsuit Les Paul Copy. I got it years ago! In searching for perfect tone I recently purchased a Fender Hot Rod deluxe. I played my Ibanez out of it at it sounded nice! but I wasnt too happy over-all. So I decided to purchase a fender stratocaster. and WOW! Comming from years of playing a Les Paul copy that really rivals thousand dollar Les paul's. The tone was so inspiring that I just dealt with the playability difference one that evened out after a professional set up.
Any how thats just my 2 cents or more like 5 cents. so Happy hunting!