Hello.
I'm planning to buy a new guitar. I own Epiphone G 310, but it doesn't suit my music style at all. I was going to buy American Vintage '62 Stratocaster as I absolutely love its sound, but...
Would it be a better decision to take a MIM Strat (f.e. Classic Player) + a better, valve amp (I currently have Fender Mustang I) or just a good Strat (AVRI '62)? I can spend around $1700 and I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to tell the difference between CP and AVRI on my amp.

You'll spend less on the Classic Player and have a guitar that is better in feel and construction from the AVRI Strats. And if you're used to the Epiphone G310, you'll also like the Classic Player because it also has a 12" radius, unlike the AVRI that have the more rounded 7.25". Get a Blues Jr. Nos to go with it and you're all set! Plus you might get lucky like I did and find a Classic Player mislabled as a MIM Standard and get it for $300!

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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how about a barely used American Deluxe HSS and find a nice used Fender Twin amp--same $$$$ but a great guitar and a awesome amp with enough punch for anything--

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

This is a good way to go. The Twin (original Siverface) will probably hold its value pretty well, and american made guitars generally do the same. I see Twins selling for
$500 to $800 used in the Nashville area. The Twin amp will handle any job you give it.

You were kind of comparing two guitars that are different by a quite a bit. I would think you would be comparing the AVRI 62 to say a MIM Classic Series 60s Stratocaster...and by the way the Classics Series 60's are great guitars and in feel they are very close to the AVRI...of course without the Nitro Finish. I have a CAR one and it is a great guitar. As a plus this would give you a pretty close approximation and still leave you money for another amp!

FWIW

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Oh yeah , thats great advice .Going from a Mustang 1 practice amp to the loudest , heaviest amp in the Fender collection . It doesnt appear that he even gigs yet.Looks like he needs a better rig all around .Personally a decent MIM strat (or a used MIA Standard and a decent tube amp would be the way to go.Definately not a twin.Very few people can actually use a twin.It depends on what you need the amp for .I would look at something in the 15-20 watt range with a master volume and keep the mustang 1 for practicing at home. I would be inclined to look at a MIM strat and a nice quality tube amp. A used higher end MIM strat and a used Deluxe reverb would be in your budget , but even a blues jr would be in your price range.

might be loud and heavy but it would be the only amp he would ever need--why buy another tube amp and a year from now buy something bigger---i buy the amp that will do any job and be done with it instaed of 2 or 3 upgrades--JMO oh and the Twin reverb is about the best tube amp for the price IMO

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Well if he lives in an apartment it would surely get him evicted. Gigging in small clubs could be problematic As would be taking it to rehearsals and open jams.The twin is a great amp , but needs to be opened up to sound good.Its all about the right tool for the right job.Very few people I know have just 1 amp .If he gigs for sure would need a backup anyways.

a better amp will be more practical than a better guitar. if you go with a decent valve amp it will make a bigger difference than buying a better guitar (which doesn't necessarily mean a Twin - a small valve amp will do if you aren't playing medium to large size venues).

as for switching to a strat from the Epi SG, that's just a matter of personal taste and will make a difference in your sound; but I think you'd get the best bang for your buck with the MIM strat and a tube amp than just buying a 60's RI strat.

Well, first of all- thank you!
I've made up my mind and... I'll buy a good guitar.
Why?
I'm going to purchase a new amp next year. As I don't gig yet (but I'm planning to start, of course), I'll put some more money by and choose something better and maybe more expensive. Now, my Mustang is really versatile and it's ok, when I take it to the rehearsals or just practise at home.

thats what the volume knob is for --i can play in my bedroom or my 5600 sq. foot shop

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2011 PRS 25th SAS
2008 Eric Clapton Custom Antigua Strat
2012 PRS Artist Package Studio Special Order

Oh man, thanks for the laugh.

MIM Sratocaster $500. Blues Junior $500. You save $700.

I play in a church with another guitarist, bassist, drummer, orchestra, three individually miked singers, and a choir in a 400 seat auditorium. It's a very busy stage.

I use a Mustang I on a tilt back stand and point the amp directly at me. I use a sennhieser e609 mike on the amp. I don't even need a mike stand. I run the mike cable through the amp handle and the flat e609 just hangs over the top of the amp directly in front of the amp speaker.

The setup works great and I have no problems hearing myself and the amp is not turned up very loud. I don't need my own PA monitor nor do I need to be piped into the stage monitor mix to hear myself. The guitar amp is my monitor and I let the board operator decide on the PA mix.

Not only does this work well for me it works well for everyone else. When the guitars are not coming through cranked amps and/or dominating the monitor mix it makes for a much better sound overall onstage and in the audience.

The tone of a cool tube amp is missed but nobody notices except me and it is actually a small price when all the other advantages are considered. Besides, that cool tone never made me a better player anyway. And some decent tones can be had with the Mustang I.

My advice, get a cool guitar, buy a mic, and keep the Mustang. Most of the stuff we hear about tube amps is myth anyway. It's also a myth that you need a powerful amp.

Cheers,

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In my opinion Leo Fender had essentially perfected the guitar amplifier by 1964.

Hundreds of thousands of working professionals vehemently disagree.

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