Hey guys,

I am currently considering selling my Ibanez RG and getting a Fender Artist Strat and was just looking for some opinions....

I am considering either a Jeff Beck, Yngwie Malmsteen or a Ritchie Blackmore model Strat.

Anyone here owned any of these instruments and would like to give some input on them?

With regards to the Blackmore Strat I had read somewhere, years ago, that the pickups were noisy on it. I tried searching for this again but nothing came up so either this was my imagination or Fender have sorted the issue.

I have always fancied the Malmsteen Strat but the low output pickups have put me off somewhere. I did own a Fender 2010 Telecaster earlier last year and hated the weak S1 pickups on it - would the Yngwie pickups be of a similar output to these does anyone know?

The Blackmore Strat is a nice guitar but, unfortunately, it's similarity to a genuine Blackmore Strat is little more than cosmetic. It is basically a '70s reissue with the mid pickup removed and a high output one at the neck and bridge. It has two SD SSL4 pickups which is incorrect, to come close to the Schecter F500T fitted Strat it is trying to replicate they would need to be SSL-4Ts (even better a SSL-7T for the bridge). The neck scalloping has been "sanitised" to make it easier to live with and it contains none of the extensive electronics modifications Blackmore's Strats did.

It's a nice tribute and show of respect to the players who have made Fender their choice of instrument.
But......to add a thousand or more to a Stratocaster's price merely for the pleasure of having said person's name on the headstock, and a few individualized appointments is waaaay to frivilous for me!!
I am a HUGE Robin Trower.....I almost fell into that trap and ALMOST bought his signature Stratocaster. But then common sense (and an empty wallet) took hold of my senses.....
I can get fantastic Trower-like tones out of my Highway One Stratocasters.....and who in the audience would be any wiser!!

The only signature model I WOULD like to get.....and NOT because it has the artist's name on it ....is an early 90's Jeff Beck Stratocaster.....only for the fact that it has a BASEBALL BAT of a neck that I have not seen on any Strat since!!

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I refuse to have a battle of the wits with an unarmed man!

I am a proud owner of the Blackmore (MiM) and here´s why the Blackmore is pure genius:

1. American hardware.
2. pickups, the Duncan SSL4s are perfect for the guitar, they have a high output, fat single coil sound (yes, they have that single coil hum). They sound amazing and cut through a recording like no others.
3. scalloped fretboard, perfect and better than the Malmsteen (IMO). The scalloped board is very close to the original (good enough for Ritchie-Fender had the original).
4. alder body, lighter weight than the classic 70s ash.

It´s the cheapest way to get a scalloped Fender guitar today and it is a fat sounding and highly playable guitar (if you are going for a scalloped fretboard).
.......and it´s olympic white with a big headstock
I really can´t recommend the Blackmore high enough, buying used it is a no-brainer.

Cheers,
Robin

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http://www.youtube.com/robinstrower
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I sware by my 2001 Clapton Strat. The very best, most versitile guitar I own.

I wouldn't trade the Ibanez. I'd come up with the money. Take it from someone who has done and kicked myself in the morning.

Only trade-in, better yet sell (you'll get more money) guitars you don't care about. If the guitar is a beloved favorate, then hang on to it.

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1975 Sunburst Stratocaster rosewood finger board
1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus

The new American Deluxe models with staggered locking tuners, beveled heal access, compound radius fretboard, massive switching options etc etc are some of the best strats going.

If your set on one of those 3, I would take the Beck model.
Better yet an American Deluxe at the same price the HSS model with LSR.
Either will serve you as your main guitar for a lifetime.

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https://www.facebook.com/groups/fenderguitarandamp/

I've had several Malmsteen Strats. Their unique. No other Strat is fully scalloped and comes in that vintage white. But realize that the only advantage scalloping gives you is it facilitates vibrato. There are absolutely no other advantages to playing a scalloped neck. In fact, there are a couple of disadvantages.

But the Malmsteen Strat sounds great. You can always put in other pickups if you don't like the stock ones.

I did go with the Jeff Beck model! It is fantastic and I am very pleased with it.

Getting the cash together for a Jeff Beck at the moment. Can`t wait to order it.

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You won't be disappointed, JPD. It's a fantastic guitar. Very, very comfortable to play and sounds great.

I got the malmsteen strat last xmas, I have to say , I fell in love with it. ive always been a malmsteen fan but honestly this guitar is amazing. my version comes with the the yjm fury pick ups which are way hotter than the DiMarizio ones.

I do have a question. I find it that sometimes my high e string slips when im im playing. its not a big deal just not sure if maybe i have a defective model or thats just the way they are because of the fretboard. anyone else experience this?

You problem sounds a lot like when I first got my EC Strat. The high E string was very close to the edge and kept slipping off. At first I thought there was a phiscal problem with the neck. I was pretty upset. I just pulled it out of the box. I mean I was the first person to touch the thing after it left the factory and it's got a problem!

It turned out that the neck was put on crucked and had to be readjusted. It wasn't difficult to fix. I just loosened the neck and straitened it. In about a minute I was playing an amazing guitar.

I hope this helps. Let me know if this is the problem.

I love my 2005 Jeff Beck Strat, simply the best Guitar I've ever played.

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2012 Fender American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Fender Pure Vintage 65 Stratocaster
2003 Gibson ES-355
2015 Gibson Les Paul Traditional
2002 Gretsch Duo Jet
1980 Rickenbacker 360/12 Fireglo
2014 Martin 000X1AE
2014 Fender Blues Junior III

Artist models... With SRV i can't vote seriously against them, but...

There is always a but, isnt there?

For SRV my excuse is the neck. It is somewhat unique. Also neck is unique in factory scalloped Malmsteen one.

However there are many Artist models with standard bodies and necks with slightly customized electronics (or even standard ones, but The Signature is there). Some have just a paintjob to make the difference and as said in here earlier, the same sounds can be provided with way cheaper guitars.

So generally if you need just the sound, check the everyday strats first. You'll be surprised.

But (again) generally, if you want to save yourself from electronics job or you want to tribute the artist, go for it. The artist models at least are not worse than common ones, that i can assure.

..and curses to all Brits for inventing such horrifying sight to eyes as the colour Pelham Blue. There is no punishment hard enough to correct this crime...

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SRV should really be sold under "drums, hammers and explosives" cathegory