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Post subject: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:22 am
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I hope anyone can help me with this...

My problem:
- I'm looking for a new Setup since my newbie guitar is not up for the job. My Amp is lower - price segment too...
- I fell in love with the SRV Stratocaster.
- I'm a huge fan of Stevie Ray Vaughan obviously.
- I have no proper clue about guitars.
- I aim to play lots of texas blues, blues some funk
- I'm not very experienced

My Ressources:
3k Bucks (i'm coming from switzerland where everything is 50% more expensive ack)



My base problem given the mentioned situation is basically that i don't have a real clue about guitars when it comes to details. My current guitar served me well in the past 7 weeks after gathering dust for 3 years, i restringed it, played 72 hours with Rocksmiht, a Guitar Teacher, in and out of the game and got alot better... but not nearly good enough to really know what i need next.

My question is basically, is an SRV wasted on me ? Is the guitar simply to expensive for how good (or bad) i am or is it actually a good idea to get a proper guitar so i don't get stuck on $@!&#* ones like the one i have right now ? I really would like to have a guitar with Jumbo Pickups, i feel like bending on them is just above awesome... Texas pickups for the blues sound and a fender for the quality. The SRV would have all that...(plus the fat neck and a lefthanded tremolo) as i understand it the Guitar is also played better with fatter strings (11 upwards ?). Am i completely on the wrong boat here ? How would you guys approach that ? My problem is that i obviously could hold an SRV in my hand and play a little but i fear that my skill is just not high enough to proper understand wether that is in fact a really good guitar for what i'm planning to do.

And then there is the question about the amp, i got a pretty standard 40w Laney Amp which is just not up for the job. I don't need anything loud, just quality would be good so i can practice at home without having to ramp it up to 7 before the amp starts to work proper. What works good with the SRV (if it would be that one) ?

tl;dr: HELP!


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:40 am
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You must play the guitar first. If it is comfortable to you and you enjoy playing it then its no waisted on you. This is the general rule for any guitar. You also must be able to afford it.


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 12:21 pm
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I`m not much to help,,as I have 9 Guitars and am still learning.

In my experience,,yours is a hard call,,as you may get a "Beginners guitar,,but when it is in your hands,,it`s not the "SRV" that you really want,,and subconsciously,,it might affect you.

I was the same way,,always wanted a Hamer Standard guitar as I`m a big Rick Nielsen fan.Now I have 3,one signaturs and 2 standards,albe-it imports,,but I`ve modded them with better pickups and I love them.

I got into a Fender craze after watching some Ventures videos,,(And got hooked on Kelly Rosenthal covers),,and now I have 3 good quality ones,2 strats and One Tele.

My opinion,,I`d get the one you really want,,and then you would be content with that guitar,,cutting down one expense.

Rt4957
Phil


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 1:27 pm
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Professional Musician
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Never having seriously picked up a guitar of any kind before, my 1st guitar is a FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. '57 Stratocaster, which is another of the upper line Fenders.

Some will think this is waay over the top for a new player...

But, my view... I want a Guitar I can grow into instead of grow out of ...

It just feels go good and really motivates me to become worthy of such a fine instrument. And I believe that the better the instrument, the better and faster you learn to play, though others opinions may differ.

I came by a Telecaster the easy way... a friend gave it to me. It's an MIM and while it started life as a Deluxe Series, it had been reverted back to a standard one. I love it, but it doesn't feel or play anywhere near as well as the Strat.

With your type of Budget, I would even consider a Custom Shop Guitar. But if you like the SRV, than I personally wouldn't hesitate for a moment.

BTW, I spent my 1st 15 years in Switzerland - Lausanne (Pully to be exact)... fabulous Country !!

Good Luck !

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
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'10 Heritage H-535
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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:00 pm
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Thank you so much guys. All of you.

"But, my view... I want a Guitar I can grow into instead of grow out of ..."

I see it the same way but i'm just not sure wether i'm right, but seeing you agreeing.. well that makes it easier to throw my money out :P

The thing with the money is.. in switzerland the SVR will cost me 2200.-- which leaves me a couple hundred for the amp... so a custom built is out of question.


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:19 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Since you mentioned that you have a sort of crappy amp, I would look to get a decent amp as well and don't put all of your money into an expensive guitar. Unless you just have to have the SRV, I'd look at an American Standard/Special new or used and then look to put the rest in a nice amp. Just my 2 cents


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:54 pm
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I'm in agreement with Lightnin MN and Rt4957. I've been playing for just over a year now and I have put together a fairly nice collection, including a some Stratocasters, a Tele, an SG, and a Les Paul. As was raised by many replies on another thread about regrets, my regret when it comes to guitar is that I didn't start until I was soundly in midlife! Well, one advantage to that is that I've developed an eye for beauty, an appreciation for fine craftsmanship, and the ability to buy a nice guitar. I started with an inexpensive acoustic guitar for the first 4 - 5 months, was self-taught for the first month, then started professional weekly lessons that continue today. My wife bought me my first Stratocaster as a gift and it was (and still is) way above my playing skill - a '62 Vintage Reissue Hot Rod (three-color burst). I play it regularly and love how it feels - it's just such a nice quality instrument. She said that she went back-and-forth with the guys at the local store where she ordered it between the SRV signature edition and this one, especially since I'm such a SRV fan, but she ultimately went with the '62RI because she knew I wanted to build an SRV replica someday.

You may progress beyond the capabilities of an inexpensive guitar, but a high-quality instrument will never punish you for not being good enough.

As for pricing, if you travel to the US, would it be advantageous for you to buy the SRV strat new (or maybe even a very nice lightly used one) and bring it back home with you? Or, alternatively, maybe have someone who is traveling to your country buy it here and bring it there with them? You may be able to save some of that budget for a really nice amp, then.


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 2:56 pm
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Midlife wrote:
As for pricing, if you travel to the US, would it be advantageous for you to buy the SRV strat new (or maybe even a very nice lightly used one) and bring it back home with you? Or, alternatively, maybe have someone who is traveling to your country buy it here and bring it there with them? You may be able to save some of that budget for a really nice amp, then.


Unfortunately i don't know anyone who would do that for me and i'm not planning any trips to the states at the moment, but maybe maybe... i dont know.


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 3:26 pm
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If you haven't tried out a few guitars I would do that first,different neck profiles. You may not like the SRV in your hands,I haven't played one but hear they have fat chunky necks which is not my thing...

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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 4:39 pm
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tbazzone wrote:
You must play the guitar first. If it is comfortable to you and you enjoy playing it then its no waisted on you. This is the general rule for any guitar. You also must be able to afford it.
+1 tbazzone

twisty571 wrote:
If you haven't tried out a few guitars I would do that first,different neck profiles. You may not like the SRV in your hands,I haven't played one but hear they have fat chunky necks which is not my thing...
+1 twisty571 I've played the SRV Strat. Love the sound. Don't like the neck. YMMV.

Yogi wrote:
Since you mentioned that you have a sort of crappy amp, I would look to get a decent amp as well and don't put all of your money into an expensive guitar. Unless you just have to have the SRV, I'd look at an American Standard/Special new or used and then look to put the rest in a nice amp. Just my 2 cents
+1 Yogi The electric guitar is only half of the instrument. The other half is the amp.

HTH

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 1:59 am
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little update:

i found actually someone who will probably bring me the guitar from the states. Which leaves me with the question, where is the best price available in the states for a new SRV Strato ?

And noone yet suggested an AMP, what am i looking for here to start with ?


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 3:14 am
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Maybe look at an american std or special. the special comes standard with texas specials just so you know. the play rather well...not as nice as the standard but you get the pickups you want without having to customize a new guitar. plus it wont break the bank which will leave you enough dough for a nice fender tube amp combo (try a blues jr III) not overly expensive and give you a cracking blues tone. consider a ts808 as well... ive run that exact signal chain before and gets me as close as i feel ill get considering im definately NOT SRV!!!

good luck!


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 6:56 am
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The price shouldn't keep you from buying a guitar you like - if you can afford it. The quality of a guitar just means you can play with the same instrument all your life, so there is no "too good for a noob".

Regarding the SRV model, a couple of things come to mind. The neck profile (thick oval) just isn't for everybody. Same with the reverse tremolo (left handed trem on a right handed Strat). And pau ferro fretboard - some just prefer maple. So really: go play the thing before you buy it.

And the amp: get a Fender Greta or Excelsior. Low watt, plenty of sound and noise.


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 8:04 am
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Does this look like a good offer ?

http://www.ebay.ch/itm/FENDER-ARTIST-SE ... 527wt_1110

i asked the seller to take a picture of the serial number though, he didnt answer yet.


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Post subject: Re: SRV Stratocaster and a guitar noob a good combination ?
Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2012 10:25 am
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Is your Laney a tube amp?
Perhaps you need a lower watt tube amp with a lower break-up point.
Laney tube amps are popular in Europe, and quite pricey here.
Mark Knopfler has one listed among his equipment.

The unique feature of the SRV strat is the beefy neck (baseball bat).
I would also consider the fact that you may outgrow your SRV phase, and don't rule out an American Standard Strat.


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