Hi all,

I've been looking to buy a Classic series 50s strat, and have been pretty happy with models I've demoed in stores. The only thing is, $700 is a bit more than I could comfortably spend right now. I found a 2001 model on craigslist for less, with upgraded locking tuners and a bone nut. My question is, I know around 2006 Fender stepped up the quality of the standard MIM strats--does anyone know if similar upgrades were made on the classic series models, like the 50s strat? I'm just wondering if the 50s strats that are being put out today would be head and shoulders above a 2001 50s strat. Thanks!

I don't believe there are any differences - I think the MIM Classics are still the same as when they were introduced.

FMIC switched from using Gotoh tuners to Pings -- not sure precisely when the changeover occurred though.

The Gotohs shared their dimensions with the vintage and repro Kluson types. The Pings do not.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

There are no differences in the specs. Only the differences you would normally find between each individual guitar (feel, tone, fit and finish). All MIM Fender's are high quality and built well, some just sound better than others. Buying a Classic Series 50's used would be the best bet anyway, due to $700 for a MIM is getting too close to USA made prices.....and I recently found a Classic Player 50's in my local pawn shop (daphne blue) for $250 so it does pay off to shop around in the used market! Good luck to you !

Ahh - I forgot about the tuners changing on the Classics.

Welcome dakur001...

10 years does lead to some improvements, but we are talking about a Classic series 50's Strat so a 2001 and a 2011 are going to be similar.
I just looked up the Classic series 50's in a 2002, 2009, 2010 and 2011 catalog.
02 and 11 have the same specs so my guess would be that improvements are in tolerances as the CAD equipment used at Fender has tech improvs.

However the Craig'slist you mentioned has had upgrades so if you wanted stock it would not be the same. Plus I would want to see and play the upgraded guitar to see in what shape it's in as well as to how well the upgrades were performed.

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"C'est parti mon Kiki "

It's a small difference and of no import unless upgrading to real Klusons is anticipated. In that instance, the holes in the peghead need only to be shimmed with strips of copper or brass shimstock -- a minor affair at best.

Another slight deviancy -- the first MIM Classics do not have the shallow CAD/CAM holes in the body beneath the pickguard on the lower bout. Apparently these first guitars were more "hand-made" than later editions.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

Thanks guys, that helps a lot! And yeah, I did have some reservations, seeing as how the price for a new one is definitely approaching the sort of money I'd have to drop for something American. Think I'll most likely be going the used route. Thanks again for all the replies.

I've seen many nice ones on Ebay for five to six hundred, sometimes with extras like a HSC or upgraded pickups.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

You sure it's a Classic Player? They don't come in Daphne Blue. They might have a few years ago or something but for the last couple years anyway, they've only come in Shoreline Gold and Sunburst. The Classic '50's Strat does come in Daphne Blue though. If it's a Classic Player '50's, it should say "Custom Shop Design" on the back neck plate.

I found one in my local guitar shop that was labled a Classic Player but was really a Classic '50's. It's Daphne Blue.

On the subject of a Classic '50's Strat, I would probably try to go with a used one if I could. I've considered buying one for modding purposes as I think the pickups used in the Classic Series leave a bit to be desired. I would get something cheaper but I want a V-shaped neck and this is the cheapest V-neck Strat that Fender makes.

What mod's does the Craigslist Strat have?

Classic Player did come in Sonic Blue in 09. a similar color which could be mistaken for Daphne Blue.

Classic Player 50's features a reverse wound/reverse polarity mid pup, 2 point vintage-style trem and custom pickup switching and locking tuners, 5 way switch.

Classic Series 50's is a standard 3 single coils, 6 point trem bridge, vintage tuners, 5 way switch.

On comparison, the pup configuration and switching seems to be the only real difference apart from the colors.
I would pick the Classic Player if a choice had to be made, mostly because the reverse wound/reverse polarity will give you a quiet humbucker like noise reduction.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

The mods were just vintage style locking tuners and a bone nut--nothing huge but the guy was only asking $390, so I figured it would be a good project guitar; as you mention, I wanted something with a V-neck, and I probably would have ended up swapping out at least the bridge pickup. Unfortunately, looks like I was too slow, someone already got it, so it's back to the drawing board. Eh, all part of the hunt I guess.

I'm definitely going to keep looking for used models, and honestly I was a little put off that his starting asking price was as low as it was. Of course, I never got a chance to even pick up the guitar, but if it were me selling a purportedly mint condition guitar of this model I probably would have tried to start a little higher if there was honestly nothing wrong with any of the components (he had a tweed hsc as part of the package, too). Wow, looks like I'm just typing out my rambling thoughts now...anyway, I'd really like to pick one of these up used, but seems like it'd be worth putting some more time into the search.

Yeah I already have a Classic Player actually. Besides those things you mention, the Classic Player has a modern 9.5 radius while the Classic '50's has the vintage 7.25 radius. I chose the CP over the Classic '50's because it comes with the '57/'62 pickups. But I don't like the switching. I took it to a luthier to have the switch rewired to the standard 5 way but he couldn't figure out how to do it. Said I'd need a new switch which I'm not so sure about.


I already have 3 '50's style Strats and was looking for a 4th one for modding purposes.

Are you looking specifically for a Classic Player '50's or a Classic '50's Strat? And does the color matter? I have a sunburst one that I'd like to keep but might have to part with in order to afford a Custom Shop Strat I've got my eye on.