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Post subject: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Halp!
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:31 am
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:D :D So i would like to purchase my first Fender strat. My budget is fairly high considering an American Deluxe is what I'm aiming for earlier, but lately I've wondered wether getting such an expensive guitar kills the "Fender spirit" (whatever that is, you get the idea :D )

I play a lot of power pop, rock, hard rock, contemporary gospel, ballad, with a bit of blues and country thrown in. Basically my main Multi-FX settings incorporate reverb-drenched cleans, a warm overdrive, a biting lead distortion, and a funky rhythm tone. Think Nigel Hendroff(Hillsong), The Edge, and Eric Clapton(on the blues and heavy tones). This is where the AmDlx's S1 switch really caught my attention, since i loved the way it could churn out some really warm humbuckers. This is also where i question my unlikely liking towards jangly strat-tones, something i really rarely use.

So, what strat purchase would you folks recommend? As a side note i would try to possibly stay away from used guitars or guitars that require a mod/good setup, since I live in a place that doesn't really motivate such motives. Any advice would be appreciated :)


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:46 am
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Sorry your the only one that can help yourself.

Play a lot of different Strats until you find one you like. There are no shortcuts here.


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 10:58 am
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Can you at least list some options to the models i should start trying out, referring to the details in my post? In where i live shops are dominated by pointy ibanez guitar and strats are a bit of a rarity, with the cheap MIM ones covered in dust with rusted out strings. I managed to get a fairly large store bring out a 2012 AM standard a few months ago, but it took them like, 20 minutes to get the guitar out of their storage, and the people there are giving me the nerves seeing me have a good time. Makes me feel bad to even enjoy playing it at that time.

But the store DOES support buyers when they are specific. I could say "I'd like to buy a .. Jimmie Vaughan sig" and if they think I'm serious, they'll ship it in.


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 4:44 pm
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American Standard is the one I like. The "original" Fender IMO

But try some different model if you have chance. They are so nice and good guitar made by Fender.


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:28 pm
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Well this might seem a bit obvious, but based on your moniker here...how about an EC Model Strat? They are quite versital and can go from Jangley cleans to a nice thick lead tones! I have one and if I could only keep one Strat (that ol lost on a desert island) it would be my EC Model Strat.

FWIW

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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:32 pm
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I'd go for an American Standard. Can't beat that any day of the week. I don't see any purpose of spending anymore $$$ than that, unless you like sig models.


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 5:42 pm
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cripps78 wrote:
I'd go for an American Standard. Can't beat that any day of the week. I don't see any purpose of spending anymore $$$ than that, unless you like sig models.


And your point?...how does this guitar that was already suggested by another forum member, and how does this guitar meet his requirements? The OP asked specifically to relay your recommendation to his playing requirements.

Come on Man :!: :roll:

T2

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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:11 pm
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Maybe get a American Special and replace the pickups. I hear the Deluxe is a little too clean and wimpy for hard rock -- all hear say -- I dont own one.

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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 6:58 pm
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Started with Les Pauls and then I found the greatest guitar ever built original design Fender Stratocaster american built, it for me is the most versitile guitar ever built. That is why the likes of Eric, SRV, Rory Gallagher to name a few used them to death. :arrow: 8)
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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:28 pm
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Hmmm... maybe an HSS Standard so you have the fat sound? The John Mayer sig has the scooped mid-range "Big Dipper" pups for a full sound. The American Specials, SRV sig, Mark Knopfler sig all have the Texas Specials.

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2013 7:58 pm
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I play a lot of different types of Christian music for my church and find that my Eric Clapton Strat does a very good job of covering all the bases. Our band does: Hill Song, Chris Tomlin and most other modern Christian rock.

When I play in church I'm using: a Line 6 Echco Park, Zack Wylde Over Drive, Boss D-1, and an Ibanez Chorus pedal and not much else.

For my own personal style I came from the following schools:
Andy Summers
Eric Clapton
SRV
and most post war blues players.

I do use all of my guitars in church (listed below), but if I needed 1 all-purpose guitar, it would be my Clapton Strat. Keep in mind that my Clapton Strat has the older Gold Lace Sensors and not the latest Fender pickups.

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1979 Stratocaster with roseowood finder board
2001 Candy Green Clapton Stratocaster
2007 Andy Summers Inspired Telecaster
2007 '51 P-Bass
2012 Taylor 110
2015 Mystic Ice Blue Deluxe Stratocaster Plus


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 1:40 am
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ECREAMAYALLAYLA wrote:
considering an American Deluxe is what I'm aiming for

So, what strat purchase would you folks recommend?


Well, difficult question, everybody thinks different about this or that model.

All I can do is talk about my experience regarding my PERSONAL(!!) taste and opinion.

I bought an American Deluxe a couple of months ago.
Awesome guitar regarding quality and playability but I didn't like the sound compared to my other American Standards.

Those SCN (somarium cobalt noiseless) pickups sounded dull when played with the same amp settings I use for ALL(!!) my other guitars.
Engaging the S1 switch made it even worse!

I didn't bother to change pickups, I simply sold the guitar because I don't want to fiddle around with my amp settings whenever I change guitars. Getting a more brilliant sound could not be achieved by the guitar's controls, they were "full open" already, all tone controls at ten!

I'd say that if you want to have the very traditional Fender sound (which AGAIN is a matter of personal taste), then I'd go for a more traditional model, say: an American Standard.

Those SCN pickups don't do the job and if you buy another strat later again, you might have the same problem with the duller sound because when your Deluxe sounds "brilliant", the American Standard might sound too bright an gritty with the same settings.

The "dull effect" get's less when approaching "stage volume" but unless you live in a wooden hut in the Canadian forests, you might wanna play at "house levels" rather than gigging volume, I suppose? :wink:

The Deluxe neither worked for me, nore did it sound "traditional Fender" to me, even though there's a very clear stratocaster character still present.

Dunno if this helps you? After all, it's your(!) taste that counts.

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STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 3:50 am
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Thanks very much guys. Every feedback was appreciated.
Regarding the Amdlxs, I was referring to the new ones with N3 pups and improved S1, so does anybody have a say in this? Iven watched countless youtube videos on them and was impressed by the tones.

Regarding the AMstandards, as before, have you folks been able to geat a meaty lead sound out of it? To note is also my unusual pet peeve regarding humbuckers on a strat. So a HSS could be crossed off ;)

Regarding the EC sig, I was tied between that and the deluxe, for the same mainstay reason: its versatility in making a single coil sound fat. But reagarding the price though, that's where it starts to rub off in me. Doesn't seem like an ideal move to spend more than 1000bucks on a working man's fender.

Can you guys perhaps change my mind?


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 4:18 am
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I've also read a lot on how the TexSpecial pups have "snarl". Would any of you folks recommend me an AmSpcial, say compared to the new Amstandard?

But unlike the other gear I've mentioned in this thread, the texas pickups have a lot of mixed reviews ..
As well as the Amspcial, with a lot of people claiming it to be low in quality control, even on par with MIMs.

If that is true I might en up going for a jimmy vaughan sig! Haha. Amazing price on that one. If only it came in red..


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Post subject: Re: Stuck in a rut between first Strat purchase choices. Hal
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 5:36 am
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ECREAMAYALLAYLA wrote:
Regarding the AMstandards, as before, have you folks been able to geat a meaty lead sound out of it?


Depends on the amp! And I take your question regarding distortion lead sounds?

Some Ashdown tube amp I had: no!
Fender Blues Deluxe: yes, but low gain only.
Line6 Spider: no! High gain heavy but not "meaty" (Artificial digital metal sound).
Vox Valvestate: acceptable for at home
Fender G-Dec: no!!!
Fender Frontman: no!!!

Vox Night Train: fairly good!
Fender Cyber Twin: fairly good!
Orange Rockerverb: awesome! Yesss!
Hughes & Kettner Tubemeister18: pretty good!!
Hughes & Kettner Statesman: very good!
Hughes & Kettner Triamp: awesome! Yesss!

That's all I tried my American Standards with.
Everything above without pedals involved! Just guitar & amp!

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Kindest regards from Germany, Dee
My recordings --> http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_mu ... dID=564337
STRATS ROCK!!! but Teles and Firebirds, too!


Last edited by Smokin' Frets on Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:45 am, edited 1 time in total.

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