Hello,

first post in the forum. I'm from Portugal.

Love Fender guitars, always had but I've been away from Fender guitars for a few years now. But that's about to change and I want to re-discover my love for Fender gear.

So I'm buying a Strat.

I can't decide between two models: Classic Series 50's vs Classic Players 50's.

I know that the CP is regarded as a better guitar overall with Custom Shop input, better hardware and better pickups. It's also more expensive than the CS 50's (110 EURO - 143 USD more).

My question is: would the CS 50's be a great guitar already or will I regret not getting the CP 50's? I really like the 7.25'' radius but I'm afraid that, because of wanting that neck so badly, I would buy a much inferior guitar...

Or do you know an even better option on this same price range?

Thoughts/experiences please?

Thanks in advance!

Hello, I have a friend European classic 50 and I love it, the differences are the pickups 57/62 on the PC, and the 2 point bridge (modern), but it depends on what you sound research.
I have no problem tuning, I play a lot of vibrato and she did not disappoint.

_________________
Sorry for my english, not good, i am of the country of Molière, Hugo, Zola ...

Thanks isdi for the advice.

I'm looking for a more Gilmour type sound. I read on Gilmourish that the 57/62 pickups are not ideal for this tone but I guess that I would have to change pickups anyway.

Besides pickups, is there anything major like building quality that I would led me to choose the CP? How is the fret edge on both models? Rolled, flat?

There's nothing "inferior" about the Classic Series '50s Strat......



I own several of them.

Arjay

_________________
"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

jeez only now the portuguese guys are coming???? bem vindo amigo!!!!

btw i'm not into the classic line i like more modern looking fenders but i say get the classic player

Boas ralfcaetano!!! Tudo bem??

Arjay how's the fretboard edges? Comfortable?

oh darn i thought the classic player was the "inferior" one with the 7.5" radius... get the classic series strat

Today at lunch I decided I cannot wait more to decide which Strat to get. So I phoned a couple of stores in downtown Porto and luckly, on what we here call "the music stores street" where almost all music stores here are located, there weres a CP50 on one and a CS50 on another.

So I went there to try them both. First I entered both stores just to look around before even stating I wanted anything just to check the amps available and see if the same amp existed on both stores. Again luck: they both had an VOX AC30 C2X. I have a VOX AC30 CC2X (which is basicly the "old" C2X model) so I could try both guitars not only in same amp but also almost the same as my main amp.

Here my impressions:
Finish Quality: two black guitars (fortunate again). Didn't noticed any difference in finishing quality but the CP finish seemed "thinner" to me (maybe impression). The necks were finished similar.
Sound: the CP sounded a bit too muddy to my personal taste. THE CS50 sounded perfect TO ME. Classic Strat tone, beautiful piano-voiced and great "strat-quack". Remember both guitars were tried on SAME AMP MODEL in NORMAL CHANNEL no EQ added, nothing. I was surprised as both guitars had great sustain.
Playability: For me the 7.25'' radius made a difference. I'm so used to play with this that with the CS50's I felt already at home. I'm not saying the CP50 was not great to play, it was indeed but the CS50's neck felt so so so familiar like I was playing that guitar all my life. Action was very good on both models. In terms of tremolo usage, both guitars held tuning perfectly but I did prefer the 2-point on the CP50. But not that much more that would be a decising point.

Overall, the CS50 was "my guitar" definately. But just because all MY OWN CRITERIA was matched by the CS50. For others the CP50 might be much better. For me it is the CS50.

As soon as I get my new camera (my current one broke) I will take some pictures for you. In terms of looks I will convert it on a Black Strat fitting it a 1-ply black perspex custom made pickguard. But just that. For now I'm happy the way it sounds... it can get great DG tones no doubt!!!

And... thanks for all your invaluable help!!

Eminently so.

I played the guitar dead stock for a number of years then finally turned it over to a luthier to do a complete pro set-up and tune-up. He removed the neck then performed a complete level/crown/polish job on the fretboard, optimized the trem for maximum tuning stability, then added a few of his own signature twists in the interests of playability. I own ten Strats but this one continues to be my "go-to guitar" for both rehearsal and stage use.



HTH

Arjay

_________________
"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

nothing like trying my friend hope you enjoy!!!

Hello, I knew you would like the Classic 50s, and the price may have to improve as much as you want. Happy for you friend!

_________________
Sorry for my english, not good, i am of the country of Molière, Hugo, Zola ...

sorry for the offtopic retroverbial... your bass player has a wicked blackbird!!!!! i tried those babies out they're amazing!!!

He also has a Musicman Stingray which he played for about half the evening.

Arjay

_________________
"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

nice i played one they're so worth it