Hi. I'm looking to buy my only (at least for a while) Stratocaster. I'm not gigging with it, just playing for myself.

I'm focusing on the AVRI 57 and the Hot Rod 57. I'm not asking for opinions between the two of them - There are plenty of discussions here, comparing them. And, I love them both (just deciding on my personal preference).

My question is this. If I choose either of these as my only Strat, will I end up feeling limited by what they can do? Will the 'novelty' wear off? There's no question that the AVRI is a great guitar. But, Strats have evolved over the past 50 years (presumably to make them better). So, would I be better off getting a current standard or Deluxe Strat, if I'm going to just have one?

I guess I'm wondering if getting an AVRI 57 or HR57 is kind of like buying a two seat, convertible sports car. A blast to drive. But, after a few months of it as a daily drive, it starts to get a bit tiring.

Thanks for your opinions!

hey you might disagree but i personally prefer the mexican standards. they feel nicer to me than usa made strats but if you dont care about putting the extra money in for little difference besides the place it was made then go for a usa, usa's also sound slightly better. mexicans have a warmer tone that appealed to me. but i would go for a standard simply because they are the original. i think the 70s classic player would be worth it cause its got the nice big headstock and cool logo. go to a guitar store and play every stratocaster you see until you are sure about what one.

Welcome, Ralph!

I've been playing Strats since 1968 and I am most comfortable with several of their models, both old (now vintage designs) and new. Surely, none of them present any 'limitations' to me whatsoever, one over the other. Further, adapting to one over the other is pretty much, instantaneous. As I'm sure you're aware of, you'll know when you play it, which model has 'your name on it'. Wouldn't it be great if all of life's problems were like this?

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You dig?

I think you will find the Stratocaster to be anything but limiting.

Finding one you enjoy playing is a nice problem to work through...

I may be in the minority here, having only Strat, but going on 36 years now, i have never been bored with it!

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1967 Epiphone Madrid EC-30
1975 Fender Stratocaster
1981 Rickenbacker 360
2002 BC Rich Bich
2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


"Make every song you sing your favorite tune."

The only thing that turns me off about the 57's is the shallow pick up cavities. It very much limits modifying without routing. I also like the micro-tilt feature and headstock truss adjuster which the '57 lacks.

As the owner of a 2 seat, convertible sports car, I'd say that if the guitar has door locks, a top, air conditioning and is fairly reliable, what else could you ask for?

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2002 mim Telecaster
Jimmie Vaughan Stratocaster
Mexican HSS Stratocaster
6 non-fender guitars
2 kids (not for sale)
1 wife (uh....no comment)

Just by its nature, any standard Strat is going to be versatile. Doesn't matter whether it's an old one or a new one. Obviously there are all kinds of nuances and differences, both subtle and readily-apparent, but to a certain extent a Strat is a Strat. They haven't really changed that much in the grand scheme of things. The Hot Rod '57 is more of a modern Strat in a Vintage Strat's skin, so it'll give you some different options with the Humbucker in the bridge position, but you'll still be able to do a ton of stuff with the '57 Reissue.

just about any strat has the potential to be versatile. Most important thing on a strat is that you like the neck - not just how it feels in your hand, but also things like the location of the truss rod adjusment, with or without micro-tilt.

anything else can be modified to suit your tastes, but where possible I recommend finding as many of those features as stock features as possible. It might not save you any money, but it's a lot less hassle. At the same time, it may not be any cheaper to buy a guitar just for the neck and upgrade all the hardware and electronics either.

MIA or MIM they are both made by Mexicans.
So really the big difference to me is the neck,
and the only way you will find something you like is to
go to a few different music stores in your area, if you have more than 1.
and try them all until you find something you like.
you are the one that has to live with it, play as many as you can,
you will feel a small difference in each one.
plus i'm sure the guitars are not setup perfectly the way you like them,
so take that in consideration also.

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1986 Kramer Baretta
1989 Samick "The Samick" Les Paul
2007 Fender Strat MIM Deluxe / 1985 MIJ neck
1990 Epiphone Strat
Marshall JCM 2000 DLS 50 watt / Marshall 1960a 4x12

https://soundcloud.com/jim-slimjim-cassi

That is where compromises are made. choose what has the most of the desirable features, and the least of the undesirable.
Or have the Custom shop make one up.

I agree... what a great problem to have! I'm finding that I pick up my Strat more than any other guitar I have now. I played a MIM a few days ago and it sounded every bit as good as my '97 USA California Series. I think I may buy it 'cause it fit my hands so freakin' well! Go for it... test them all until you find "THE ONE"....

Well, Strats are very limited!!!

You can't change the color by using a push button!

The trem is not automatically converting into a Floyd Rose when starting to play Eruption by Eddy Van Halen!

The neck has no turnable fretboard, so you can't simply change from Rosewood to maple look.

Single coils don't marry which would convert them into double coils (= humbuckers)

Humor aside, I'm making a joke here

Honestly, the Strat is one of the most versatile guitars. What makes it "limited" is your GAS (guitar aquiring syndrome). Strats are so fantastic guitars that you will end up with wanting more!! Different color, different pickups, different trem ......

It needs a VERY STRONG character to withstand the urge to get a second one, a third one ....... I bet you won't make it, ha ha ha

You know, your musical taste might change. There's a perfect setup for Blues but all of a sudden you might wanna play hard rock or metal .....

You can get so many tones out of the Strats you've mentioned but there will be the day when you notice that they can't do what you want to do in that moment.

That will lead to either modding the guitar and probably "killing" something it can do now but not anymore after modding or you will end up buying another one to match your wishes at that moment.

One day GAS will hit you!!!

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!