Hi everyone,
If you had to pick one Stratocaster for an all-around, work horse guitar, which one would you pick and why?

Thanks in advance.

That's a wide open question because by its very design, the Stratocaster is an extremely versatile guitar. There really isn't one single answer to this query, but I would go with the American Standard HSS Strat. Why? Well, IMO, with any American Standard you are getting a rock-solid instrument that is a continuation of a legend born in 1954. I really like the Fat-50's and the humbucker further adds to the versatile nature of the Strat. It's a great guitar at a fair price so for me, it's a go!

If you are really going to use it as a "workhorse," I'd say pick up a MIM Standard. They are fine guitars, and, if you need to replace it, at around $500 they won't break the bank, plus you can find them just about anywhere.

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1963 Princeton
1965 Twin Reverb
1968 Bandmaster
1970 Champ
1983 (?) Musicmaster
2012 Mustang III
West Grande (x2)
Acoustic G60-T
Marshall JTM 60

mim strat for the price and the possibility to upgrade as much as you want. if your pocketbook is big enough then get a higher quality but for the price it is hard to beat. i have one i upgraded to my satasfaction and couldn't be happier.

A good American Strat, new or used will last a lifetime. No upgrades required. Plug-N-Play.

If it were me, I would go with the 60's Classic Series (MIM). Great quality, relatively low price and good sounding Alnico pickups. Great platform for modding with new pickups if the tone doesn't work for you, but everything else is there. They do have the vintage neck radius of 7.25, which might be for everyone, but sure worked for Leo for many years!

HTH

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

Any of them that don't have a hum....

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The one which speaks to you once you pick it up and play it...

No point having a 'Workhorse' that doesn't feel good, sound good, or look good in your eyes...

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele

If you are playing bars and clubs I would suggest a MIM with what ever setup you prefer. If it gets lost, stolen, or abused you aren't out the price of an American Strat. A MIM Strat is a real workhorse and a good bang for the buck, I have two of them, one heavily modded and one waiting patiently for mods.

If you are playing a more "controlled" venue, look at an American Deluxe. Very good in my humble opinion. I don't "baby" my instruments by excessive cleaning and polishing, but I do keep them in good working condition. The great thing about Fender guitars is that they are easy to mod to what ever you want without breaking the bank.

And lest we forget the Squiers, also great bang for the buck.

the strat you most like is your workhorse, isn't it? for me my lone star hss.

cheers

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It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting - paulo coelho

+1000

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"Where would rock and roll be without feedback?"

My '62 American Vintage is a very stout workhorse.

By the time you've paid for the MIM upgrades you'd need to make, you'd be in the range of an Am. Std. The pups sound great and are ready to roll. The MIMs are great guitars. I used to own one, but I a/b'd it with my Am. Std., and the pups didn't have quite the claiity of the ones in the Am. Std.

It depends on what you want. I personally liked the Highway 1 for its playability; however, I did have to change the electronics on it. After much tone alterations on my Highway 1, I am finally satisfied with it's tone after dropping Fat 50's in it. My Highway 1 has always been my #1 guitar in my collection since I purchased it.

For a guitar straight out of the box with no upgrades, the American Standard is very hard to beat, especially the 2012 model. They sport the fat 50's in them as well...probably why I love it just the way it is.

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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 don't like taking anything out of the house that cost me more than $500, especially if it's a guitar that could not be readily replaced - as many of mine cannot. My "workhorse" was a mid-90s MIM that I originally used with SSS configuration and later changed to HSS.

The last incarnation of this guitar was switching it to a Mighty Mite black pickguard loaded with Mighty Mite split rails. This guitar has been with me through thick and thin and has held up beautifully through the years.



I could convert it back to it's previous self in about 15 minutes, tops, if I so desired.

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Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963