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Post subject: I think I need a Strat (long post)
Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 8:57 am
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(This is a repost from Harmony-Central, if you go there, you've probably seen this already. I wanted an opinion from the Fender-specific crowd too)

This is going to be PRETTY long. A LOT of rambling and whatnot.

Basically, I feel that in order to progress as a musician, to write music and generally learn more about guitar playing and improving my skills: I need to buy a Stratocaster. Why do I believe that I need to buy one? Well, I feel that a Stratocaster would better suit my changing tastes as a musician.

My current setup is a Randall RG75 combo amp (solid state), a Gibson Faded Flying V (stock) and an ESP LTD MH-400NT (stock). I also have a Line6 Toneport that is linked up to copies of Amplitube 2 and Guitar Rig 3. This setup would be okay, but my musical tastes are currently shifting. I’ve moved from listening to almost only hard rock and metal to more softer rock/alternative (think Weezer, Radiohead, John Mayer, the Pillows).

That being said, I am not feeling the connection with my current guitars for my current taste in music. I love my V, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, as it was a gift to me and very sentimental. I bought the LTD almost a year ago because the V was too bulky to have in a dorm room. I like the LTD, but I dunno..I guess I’ll keep it around. Not positive yet.

At the moment, I’m pretty broke. I just got some money back from taxes, but it wasn’t a lot. I’m basically a broke college kid on break. I’ve got a job starting up in a week or so. I’m currently selling off my World of Warcraft account, that should net me around $300. So I’ll have about $400 when it sells. On top of that, I’ll have my job to give me a bit of money every other week.

I was originally planning on buying a 2x12 avatar cabinet, and saving up for an Orange Tiny Terror head, but with my current amp (although the distortion channels are lacking, the clean channel is actually pretty good, and using my DS-1 gives me a nice light rock/alternative tone) and Amplitube 2/Guitar Rig 3, I don’t feel a new amp is the most necessary upgrade at this point. I only practice/record/write at the moment, no gigging, so a new amp doesn’t have as high of a priority.

Anyway, since my musical interests are changing to lighter, alternative rock and punk rock, I think a Stratocaster would be the most beneficial guitar to pick up next. Also, for some reason, I have this vision in my head of me really connecting with a strat’s personality and uniqueness. I have this belief that playing a strat will help me improve my skills as a player and inspire me to write more songs, and better songs. Maybe it’s just some crazy mental thing, but I feel that a Stratocaster might be the key to unlocking my potential as a player.

Maybe that advertisement on the Fender’s new American Standard series just REALLY got to me.
Actually, I KNOW it did. It’s easily the most inspiring, motivational, and effective advertisement I’ve ever seen. It’s definitely had a part in my development of the belief that a Stratocaster is the key to unlocking my potential and creativity. Good work Fender, you’ve earned yourself a customer with that one!

Anyway, now that my background is out of the way, here is what my current thoughts are. After looking over everything that Fender offers in the Stratocaster line, I narrowed it down to three things. New Highway One strat, Deluxe Player’s strat, and Deluxe Powerhouse strat. The new Highway One strats look pretty cool, but they’re kinda pricey, and I’m not sure that’s how much I want to spend at the moment. I know they’re American made, and I know they’re quality. I haven’t ruled them out completely, but they’re the last pick on my list.

Then I considered the Player’s strat. Very blingy, but I’m not sold on the ash body, or the actual aesthetics of the guitar. The blue is a nice color, but the tortoise pickguard and rosewood-only neck throw me off.

All of that being said, I think I’ve finally chosen to go with the cheaper of the three, the Powerhouse. Why? Well, I like the control scheme. I like the mid boost idea, I like how the first tone knob bypasses the circuit or whatever when it’s cranked. I think that this guitar would be PERFECT for my light/alternative rock style. The pickups aren’t vintage, but that’s kind of the idea I think. I like the dummy pickup under the pickguard that cancels hum. I like the aesthetics of the guitar a LOT.

All of that being said, I'm not ruling out anything, I'd definitely like to hear some suggestions.

For some examples of the tones I am going for, here are some YouTube videos. Please forgive me for the fact that some of the people in these videos are very strange looking – it’s a Japanese thing.

Sugar – Blossom (they have a HUGE Stratocaster sound that I LOVE)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yL9ve4VcioE

The Pillows – Little Busters (ditto on the HUGE sound)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=SbvSLvn2cOg

The Pillows – Ride on Shooting Star
http://youtube.com/watch?v=j9rrVZIlpJA

There are some other bands that I don’t have videos for (weezer, abandoned pools, radiohead, the weepies, etc.) but you get the general idea of what I’m looking for. Thanks!


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:35 am
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Amps are vital. Dump that solid state thing. Don't rule out the Tiny Terror: Orange just came out with a combo version, so you wouldn't need a seperate cab.

Then. Work every hour you can wangle, cut out the drinking (college boy) and eat grass if you need to: save every penny and buy yourself an American Standard Strat with no fancy switching, wiring or other bling. All the guitar you will ever need.

Hope this post was long enough for you.

Good luck.


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 9:55 am
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Hello Radiopools,

Take some time play em all.
Get your favorite.

I like the pillows band.

Cheers.


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 10:11 am
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I picked up my used Highway One (2006 Upgrade) for $375. I wasn't in love with the tone so I added a loaded Custom Shop '54 pickguard for another $125. Now I have an American Strat with jumbo frets (what I prefer) and vintage pickups for $500 (less if I finally get off my rump and eBay the original Highway One loaded pickguard). Deals can be had, you just have to look around.

Used American Std. can be found on eBay and CraigsList for around $400- 500 all the time. I bought a 1981 (or '82) American Std. for $375...

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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:22 am
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I'm currently looking at some of the Jacksons... especially EMG equipped. I'd classify them as Fenders on steroids!


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:17 pm
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My personal opinion, over 20+ yrs of professional playing.

1) ditch the SS, get a good all tube amp (even a peavey classic 30 or 50 is cool)
2) if you like strats, get an MIA
3) sell (unless you can afford to keep it) any processors or additional junk that you don't need, and just play with that strat straight into the amp.

You'll get a much purer, great tube tone, with no effects to hide or mask any little mistakes you might NEED to hear to progress. In fact, once you get used to a good, pure tube tone, you might not ever want to having any effect at all on it.

Just my opinion.


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:20 pm
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It doesn't absolutely have to be new, I just have a thing for warranties. Buying a nice used american does sound like a solid plan.

And I've had a few people tell me to upgrade amps first. I'm not convinced. I know this amp is lacking, but I'm not sure I need a really nice tube amp for doing what I'm doing.

The Valveking Combos do look pretty nice though!


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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:28 pm
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Radiopools wrote:
It doesn't absolutely have to be new, I just have a thing for warranties. Buying a nice used american does sound like a solid plan.

And I've had a few people tell me to upgrade amps first. I'm not convinced. I know this amp is lacking, but I'm not sure I need a really nice tube amp for doing what I'm doing.

The Valveking Combos do look pretty nice though!


I wouldn't worry yourself - even though it's used, it won't break on you - they are built with quality. It's not like you're getting a used pair of shoes that'll break on you. Having said that it depends on the previous owner. Always try the guitar before you buy it. You'll know if she likes you then :P

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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:33 pm
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I got a Highway One ('06 upgrade) made in the U.S.A. Stratocaster for about 350 last year and a hardshell case for about another 150 for a whole package at right around $500. The pickups on the Highway are not vintage but they are hot. They are good with high gain and can get a great Blues tone going, but played clean I was dodging a metallic clankiness. I wanted more and so recently I went with Custom Shop pickups - CS Tx Specials (after I got a dud Fat 50 and went with the very popular TX Spc instead). The CS TX Spc are less hot than the Highway One oem, but are a vintage style pickup and are just incredibly good. The cleans through the neck have almost a built-in chorus that's amazing the way the notes blossom, and clean bridge and bridge-mid are vintage sounding, complex, detailed, with all the Strat beauty. Now, turn the gain up on my Blues Junior tube amp, this Strat is a monster with just an incredible glassy liquid tone out of the neck and also a powerhouse Blues tone out of the bridge. I prefer the wicked, liquid neck tone but that bridge is awesome also. This is all for about $520, plus the case. Look for a sale and GC and you can get some outrageous deals, and also with the CS TX Spc pickups the local GC price-matched an internet site. This Highway One Strat with the CS TX Spc is the Strat I had in my head made real.

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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:53 pm
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Short post: EVERYONE needs a Strat!

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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 9:27 am
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I have a Peavey Classic 30 that sounds superb with any thing I plug into it. My MIM standard strat,plugged in and tweaked with the knobs on both the amp and axe, makes for unlimited tonal options. Nice overdrive, excellant cleans. My Strat is SSS configuation. I play with 10`s. and swap out the 10 for an 11


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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 10:56 am
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Look, do yourself a favor and go out and find the guitar you love. Forget about the advertising BS and start playing. I know, I spend hours LOOKING at pictures of guitars and comparing specs and blah, blah, blah. You will be surprised at what you think may be a great spec and the reality once you've played it.

Also, I would seriously consider lightening your load and just go with a great guitar and small tube amp. Keep the V since it has sentimental value. However, I have to disagree with you that you don't think amps are not that important. It's an electric guitar.... the guitar is half the equation. Guess what the other half is? You will be much more of a guitarist if you learn the nuances of tone rather than selecting the setting for Hendrix '69 on your keyboard. As soon as your playing improves, so will your writing.

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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:28 am
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Blackie Fan wrote:
Look, do yourself a favor and go out and find the guitar you love. Forget about the advertising BS and start playing. I know, I spend hours LOOKING at pictures of guitars and comparing specs and blah, blah, blah. You will be surprised at what you think may be a great spec and the reality once you've played it.

Also, I would seriously consider lightening your load and just go with a great guitar and small tube amp. Keep the V since it has sentimental value. However, I have to disagree with you that you don't think amps are not that important. It's an electric guitar.... the guitar is half the equation. Guess what the other half is? You will be much more of a guitarist if you learn the nuances of tone rather than selecting the setting for Hendrix '69 on your keyboard. As soon as your playing improves, so will your writing.


I appreciate tone, a lot. That's why I've been checking out demos for the Peavey ValveKing for about three days now. I have played it once before and I liked it. I agree with you that an amp is important, and after sitting down and logically evaluating what I'm doing, I believe that the ValveKing will be my next purchase.

I'm going to be keeping all of the guitars I have for the moment. Even the LTD. It's really versatile, and it has a nice sound to it even if it's not a single coil. I think I will be going out looking for the "one" guitar after I am able to buy my new amp.


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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 11:32 am
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Radiopools wrote:
I appreciate tone, a lot. That's why I've been checking out demos for the Peavey ValveKing for about three days now. I have played it once before and I liked it. I agree with you that an amp is important, and after sitting down and logically evaluating what I'm doing, I believe that the ValveKing will be my next purchase.

I'm going to be keeping all of the guitars I have for the moment. Even the LTD. It's really versatile, and it has a nice sound to it even if it's not a single coil. I think I will be going out looking for the "one" guitar after I am able to buy my new amp.


Way to go.

And since you titled this thread "I think I need a Strat"; I think you need one, too. Get the best one you can possibly afford, look after that guitar and it will look after you.

Good luck!


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Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 12:02 pm
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Ceri wrote:

Way to go.

And since you titled this thread "I think I need a Strat"; I think you need one, too. Get the best one you can possibly afford, look after that guitar and it will look after you.

Good luck!


A Strat or Tele is definitely in my future!


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