My son is in the market for a Fender Strat. We've been looking and could really use some assistance understanding the different types of strats. Here's what we've seen and I'd really like to know what the differences are.

Deluxe Player's Strat
American Standard Strat HSS
Standard Strat HSS
Modern Player Strat HSS
Blacktop Strat HH
Classic Player '50s Strat

Thanks in advance.
Jim

Jim,

Welcome to the forum. However, you're really asking a very open-ended question, and a lot of the differences are found in the model specs under the "Products" tab at the top of this page.

A big difference in the models (and their cost) is the country of origina. From your list the American Standard is of course made in Fender's USA plant in Corona California; the Modern Player series is made for Fender by a supplier in China; and the other models on that list are made in Fender's plant in Mexico.

They are all good guitars at their price points - of course guitars are made of wood and you'll find some variance between the individual instruments. However - we need to know more before we can give you advice. Answering these questions will help:

1. How long has your son been playing? Is he a raw beginner or has been at it a while and is looking to upgrade?
2. What kind of music is he into playing and/or listening to?
3. Have to ask it - what is your budget for this purchase?

Answering those questions could help us give you some insight into which model would work the best for your son.

Thanks so much for the reply...to answer your questions...

1. My son has a Takamine acoustic and a Les Paul electric and is looking to add the Fender Strat.
2. He currently plays rock and blues mainly...big Gilmore and SRV fan.
3. Budget is of course not unlimited but I want him to buy something that he can keep and enjoy for 20 years if he want.

With that said, I've done a bit of reading on my own and have found the differences in manufacturing that you mentioned. I've also found that there are alot of differences in the pickups used...hence the SSS, HSS, HH, etc.

I think we've actually decided on the American Standard Strat with SSS pickups. Gonna cost him a grand or so but it's an investment in his future guitar playing.

This is a very good choice. My choice , I have 3 of them . A good investment.

This is *the* classic Stratocaster. A good choice, because the instrument will never be the limiting factor.

Play several, or let somebody experienced play them for him. Play clean, on a clean (Fender) amp. Buy what sounds, feels, smells, looks best. Don't buy online.

Cheers

David

_________________
"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

That's really good advice. I would add one, buy a HSC, never a gig bag for a guitar like that!

I would suggest the opposite. If he has to take it to guitar lessons, a HSC (hard shell case) is too heavy and bulky.

I use a standard gig bag for my CS strat. Anyway, I think American Strats come with molded (hard shell) cases. But don't take it for granted.

http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/1601 ... lded-Case/

Cheers

David

_________________
"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."

Well I'm chiming in kind of late; sorry that I didn't get back to you last night.

Like the others have said, the American Standard is an excellent choice for those more pure Strat tones that doesn't break the bank. There was some discussion of cases - the American Standards do come with a nice molded hardshell case.

If he's got some more cash to spend and he's looking for Gilmour and SRV tones then he could always look at the American Vintage series - at least the pre-August 2012 models; the new models had a significant price increase that makes them almost double the price of an American Standard. Since there is a new series you might be able to negotiate a good deal on one of the older ones (the AV '57, AV '62, or AV '70s depending upon what he likes best). There is also the American Deluxe series - depending on the color you can they have a MAP price of about $1,600 (and you should be able to negotiate something off of the MAP price at a local dealer).

All the guitars listed are good instruments. And with proper care and maintenance they will all last for many years. If you can pull off buying the American Standard, get the new 2012 model. The pickups in there are voiced very well for his musical taste. It does come with a hard shell case. I always use a hard shell case when I take my guitars out, but I keep my instruments in as pristine state as I can, and soft cases for me are not conducive for my travel needs.

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RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I too would suggest veering from the soft shell. I get the advantage of it, but I don't think the advantage of weight and size outweigh the possibility of the disadvantage (damaging a guitar from carelessness or accident....you'd be surprised how easily the latter can occur even with something you are extremely (like a grand worth) protective with. One of my favorite Axes of all time (My EVH Music Man) took neck damage that was basically irreversible because the one time i left that thing out of it's case and on a guitar stand during a 15 minute break at a show in Hays Kansas some waitress walked across the stage, got tangled in my instrument cord and brought the base down on the ground, the headstock first over onto the stage, proceeded by her other foot stepping right on top of the back of the neck. It was never quite straight again, and I was lucky to be able to sell it off to someone who wanted to replace the neck (for next to nothing).

Go with the SSS American and put that son of a gun in a hard shell case and leave it there, haha.

I too would recommend the American Standard for over all fit, finish, quality, sound, and playability. As mentioned by others here, they do come standard with an SKB hardshell case, and assorted case candy. The only hard choices your boy will have to make are....what color, and maple or rosewood on the neck.....

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American Standard Strat
American Standard Tele
Custom Vibrolux Reverb
Fulltone RTO
Boss TU-3

+1 TonyMig

Given his current inventory (Tak, LP) and your budget, I can't see recommending a starter/import model. The American Standard SSS is the way to go. Unless you like some of the VR/CS options that you might also find used...for perhaps a wee bit more...

Fender Stratocaster 57 Reissue usa - $1100
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/msg/3317607765.html

I'm still not sure about guitars as investments, but with proper care, a Strat should last decades...



Can't emphasize this enough. He's got to like it. Color/Finish is important, but he has to enjoy playing it. Ask to see several choices of the same year/model as they may feel/sound slightly different to him. And, if you have the option to bring an expert (his teacher, perhaps?) to really give it a good workout...but in the end, he should get the one that makes him smile the most.

_________________
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."

Just want to say "Thanks!" for all the help and suggestions. The purchase has been made and he ended up getting the 2012 American Standard. He liked the sound of the 2012 just a bit more than the American Standard. Color is charcoal frost metallic with maple fingerboard. As mentioned above...this one comes with the hardshell case, cable and strap.

Now he just has to enjoy it

Thanks again...
Jim

Hi Jim

We have a saying here: "pics, or it didn't happen"

Charcoal frost / Maple ... your son has some taste!

Cheers

David

_________________
"Humans think they are smarter than dolphins because we build cars and buildings and start wars etc...and all that dolphins do is swim in the water, eat fish and play around. Dolphins believe that they are smarter for exactly the same reasons."