I am lookng to buy a new strat and would like to buy used. I have narrowed it down to two and wonder if any one who has played both the fender standard strat and the 50's classic series would give me their opinion about the guitars and wether the latter is worth the extra money.
Thanks.

Hi C welcome to the forum. The first difference that jumps out at me is the radius of the neck. The Standard Strat will have a 9.5" radius and the classic will have a 7.25" radius. the classic 50 series is offered in colors not available on the Standard. The pickups on the Standard may be wound a little hotter than the Classic but other than that they are essentially the same guitar. You may find the classic series easier to chord but if you do alot of leads and bends it is a little harder to master without choking out the bending string. The flatter radius helps prevent that on the Standard. either guitar would be appropriate depending on your skill level and what you intend to use it for. As far as cost goes you are the only one who can make that decision. If possible play both guitars and buy the one you are most comfortable with.

The classic 60's series has the 7.5' radius. The 50's had a much flatter radius, 9.5. The American standard has a better quality, but the classic series is better than a standard Mexican strat. The MIA Standard strat has a wider nut, two point tremolo, and hardshell case. The classic player has custom shop pickups voiced to be like the late 50's single coils. Plus it has a soft V profile (which many find more comfortable as does Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughn, etc). The MIA standard has 22 frets and a modern C, which some consider a slimmer neck profile. The Mexican made standard strat is similiar to the american except for cheaper electronics, narrower nut, and 21 frets with a gig bag.

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No it does not.

The OP has specified that he's looking at a Classic '50s Series guitar -- not a Classic Players '50's model. The former uses the same 7.25" radius on the fretboard as the Classic '60s Series. It also shares the same vintage hardware and pickups. And nowhere in his post is the phrase "American Standard" mentioned.

Arjay

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Yep I was thinking of the other guitar, either way, a very hard radius to get a good bend it without having really high action. The classic player is more of modern appointments mixed with that of the vintage design. Maybe that's why the call the 9.5 radius a version "players" since its actually playable...

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