What is your opinion for the best eras or years for Fender Strats?

We all know that some nice 80s Japan models were cool and the most recent have been very nice, but what other years would you consider to be the "best" years for production models?

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

So you mean besides the 1954 - 1965 era right? If so, I think it depends on which location of manufacture you are talking about.

MIM = 2003 - 2009 The Classic Series Models during this time were just fantastic quality, often high end figuring (flamed, birdseye, lots of grain on thier necks) on those production model Strats.

MIA = 1982 - 1985 The very first Vintage Reissue Series during this time were very reminiscent of the early days of Fender...even though the specs were not dead on, these guitars ring like a bell, the nitro finishes were very close to the originals, and the pickups and quality were never surpassed.

MIJ = 1990 - 2000 The Strats during this time, especially the reissues, were simply just as good as American quality at the time...and too be honest the Strats from Japan intended for thier domestic market, have almost always been on par quality wise with MIA.

Of course this is just my opinion...and YMMV

T2

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What time is it? It's Fender Time.

What year is it now. These are the best they have put out ever.

I mean *all* Fender Strats.

Interesting info on the JV Strats :
http://www.21frets.com/

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

The JV's are really cool guitars. The nicer ones from '82/83 can command around $1800.

Yes, I'm helping with an estate sale of a collector. We sold a pink paisley '82 for $1600. a few days ago.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

the now discontinued '57 '62 reissues are as good as you need, I just wish they made them with bone nuts, improved pickups and white knobs instead of aged white, other than that, what more do you need? I think this new Vintage series is gonna be great though, besides the price. Just needs some more custom colors though too.

Found another good link on the Fender Japan models :

http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/history.htm

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

I think Fender is making some of the best guitars they have ever made now

My 1992 Tele is fantastic. My 2004 Strat is immaculate. So the current era is best IMO. I also liked 70's Fenders, the lacquer on the necks, heavier bodies, etc. but the attention to detail these days is spot on.

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Fender American Series Stratocaster
Marshall JTM612
Marshall JTMC12
Gibson Vintage Reissue strings
DiMarzio pickups
Souldier guitar strap
Spectraflex cables

I'm wondering if some of you have had the opportunity to play and compare some of the earlier models to the more recent Strats.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!

no guitar has ever made me spontaneously smile everytime i pick it up like my 1985 MIJ '62 custom tele.

I have owned several from the 60,s and 70,s. Some were good some not so good . I feel the guitars made today are more consistant and are fine instruments for the price. Now the Custom Shop guitars are wonderful

I like the quality of my ultra and plus, and the frequency of how often they changed out colours in the early 90's too. Lots of people don't like swimming pool routs but personally I don't mind them at all. Also mim guitars of that era too, I'm talking about build quality was good- not so much for pickups.

It was a good time for amps too.

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The 'golden age' Stratocasters lack a level of quality control and uniformity now found in the contemporary guitars. I would also be looking with a questioning eye at the CBS-Fender era. There is general agreement that the current period is enjoying a crop of extremely well constructed instruments. I don't know that it speaks to your need but I believe it addresses the question.

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"Another day in paradise!"