If im lucky I could probadly fit up to about £500 in them XD

The best Strat is the one you like most, can afford and play often. All others may as well be pieces of junk.

_________________
http://www.facebook.com/UCtheband
2012 American Standard Strat Charcoal Froast
2009 Standard Strat Sunburst Brown
Blues Junior Tweed NOS
2007 Line6 Spider Jam

In my opinion the Classic 50s or 60s is a good choice if you're looking for vintage play abilty and tone. The pickups are wound to the same specs as the 57/62 pickups at 5.6k on the ones I've owned. The classic 60s has a 3 ply pick guard which is better then the thin single ply on the classic 50s. Choose wisely eg. not excessively heavy and you may never part with it.

How ever if you're concidering upgrading the pickups and buying a hardshell case this would put you close to the cost of a American Standard which comes with these things. Plus the American Standard has several other up grades like medium jumble frets, better quality bridge, 9.5 radious fret board, neck adjustment at the head stock which I really like because I live in a place with cold dry winters and hot humid summers. This model needs no upgrades. The CS Fat 50s pickups were a nice addition to this Strat.

Go for the classic player '50s !

_________________
Philippe

That model has received a great deal of attention in the Forums recently and is
a favorite of many members. I would be hard put not to recommend it. Audition that one against the new American Standard with a maple neck and see which suits you. That would be a good benchmark comparison.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

I would vote Roadworn for a worry free college life.

Just wana say thanks for all the replies, they are really helping!!

I didnt realise the classic player came in sunburst so im considering it but, I dont like the bigger fretboard. I can't begin to explain how comfortable the 7.5 radius felt! But, I do like the sound of a 2 point trem and locking tuners. It's really tough!!! I should get a chance to play both the classics and the road worn this week so, I'll soon find out.

I'll let you know how it goes

Take a look at the Select Strat. It has a compound radius neck and locking tuners (like the deluxe), but doesn't have the noiseless pickups or S1 Switching of the deluxe. Also, the flame maple finish is stunning (I know, as I've recently bought one).

My only piece of advice is to first decide which model speaks to you. Then, if they have more than one of that model, play each and everyone of them. One will stand out as being "it"! That is the one you buy right then and there, don't wait and come back later as "it" may be gone.

So today I played the classic, classic player and the road worn (all 50s). I ruled out the classic player pretty quickly because of the thicker neck. Although the trem felt better the neck was too much of an issue for me. I found that a riff which required my thumb to be over the neck was instantly playable on the classic and road worn because of the smaller necks. I also loved the 'soft v shape'. I was then torn between the road wrong and classic. I preferred the sound of the classic but the road worn neck felt so much better! Then again, although I originally loved the look of the road worn, it wasn't working for me but that could of been because it was black and not Sun burst. Eventually, I had to put it down to the sound and so in the end, it had to be the classic. It's such a shame I had to compromise on the neck, bridge and tuners for the sound but I suppose that's the most important factor.

Thanks for all the help, it really helped me pinpoint what I wanted, again though, shame I had to compromise. Oh well :')

For what you really want, you might need to buy the parts from several guitars. Might be more expensive, but you could piece together your perfect guitar. Check eBay, and for example, get a CP 50s loaded body, a 50s Classic neck without tuners, and add locking tuners. Going the used route would bring the price down too.

_________________
---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

It's not a compromise when you have guitar that plays for you the way you want. Look at the gear Clapton, Vaughan, and Malmsteen made famous, and so many collectors wanted replicas of at outrageous cost. The guitars look like they'd been dragged behind a truck. Play the guitar, become a rock stara legend, and I'll pay $35K for a copy of your dollar/three-eighty guitar.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"

You should really play as many guitars that are in your price range. Depending on your taste, there are too many variables to account for.

Out of all the Fender guitars I own, my American Standard is the one with the fewest modifications. All I have changed on it is the Pick guard and added strap locks to it. Other than that, it is all stock.

I love the way my Highway 1 plays, because of the jumbo frets. But I have invested a lot of money into that guitar to make it perfect.

My Blacktop with the Floyd Rose started out decent, but again I have ionvested a lot of money into it to make it the perfect Rock/Metal guitar it is.

Back in the day when I owned a Squire Classic Vibe 60's the only modifications done to it was the Pick guard and added Locking strap buttons to it.

I did not like the American Special I bought. It sounded great in the store, but through my amp at home it was too shrilly. That guitar needs a good tube amp behind it.

Again the best advise I can give is to play as many models in your price range and go for the best one that feels right for you.

_________________
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'll stick with the Strat that Leo gave us......



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

Eric Johnson strats are nice, so is the American Deluxe V-Neck ( so long as you rip out the S1/N3 pickups).