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Post subject: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Strat…
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:00 am
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Hi guys.

This is my first post on the forum and I’d like to ask for some advice. About six years ago, at the age of 24, I got into wanting to learn to play the guitar. I unfortunately didn’t get very far because of different factors, the primary one being my lack of patience and determination. I learned some chords and scales and that was pretty much it. I eventually sold most of the gear I had and put this dream out of my head. Lately though, it’s been coming back to me.
Now I’d like to buy a Strat and start learning again, just at home, with the help of some DVDs I have (Fender - Getting started on electric guitar and Learn and master guitar with Steve Krenz).

I still have a Line6 Pod 2.0 and a Squier Classic Vibe ‘50s Tele, but I let a friend borrow it and it’s been with him for about a year now and it’s not coming back anytime soon, but I’d like to have a Strat anyway so I’m looking at a new purchase. Here are the ones I’ve owned previously:

1. MIK Lite Ash Strat
2. MIM Standard Strat
3. MIA Eric Johnson Strat

Here are my own personal observations about the guitars I’ve owned:

I really liked the great playability of the neck on the MIM Std., so smooth, pickups sounded “meatier” than the EJ. It was however very very heavy. The EJ Strat was light and I loved that, it had great tone, I needed some time to adapt to the much thicker neck profile, the back of the neck was also very sticky (I’m guessing, because of the nitro finish), I also found the maple fretboard less pleasing than the rosewood.

Out of all guitars I’ve ever tried in stores, these two were my absolute favorites: an American Vintage ’52 Tele and an American Vintage ’62 Strat. Didn’t buy any of them, to my regret.

I’ve been out of the loop regarding gear for many years and I’m doing some much needed catching-up now, but would still really appreciate some input…

In the $400 to $1000 price range, which Strat would you recommend for me?

I of course realize it’s all a matter of taste, but would still really appreciate your opinion, especially as I don’t live near well-stocked music stores, so there’s a big chance I’ll have to order one without being able to try it before.

Thanks in advance for any help and have a nice Easter. :)

Best,
David

P.S.: If you have any DVDs or websites for learning guitar on your own to recommend, please do.


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:19 am
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The Learn and Master Guitar DVDs are great learning tools. I can't think of a better one.

I played a bunch of Strats before I picked my 2012 American Standard, it just sounded incredible. The Custom Shop Fat 50's pickups is the best improvement Fender could have made on the Strat.


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:36 am
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Location: Oregon, USA
Your best bet is to head on down to your local music store and just start trying them all. You will find one that floats your boat for sure.


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:52 am
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I would say based on your preferences for rosewood and the EJ neck being too big, an American Special series might be an option. Only drawback according to Fender.com is it seems rosewood is only available on the fat strat configuration (HSS). If you don't mind a humbucker in the bridge that might work.

There's also the Classic Player 60's strat - I'm not sure how the neck feels compared to an EJ strat or the MIM Standard, but since you mentioned liking the '62, that might work for you.

I usually don't recommend specific guitars to someone with the intention of ordering them before trying because everyone's preference is different and what might work well for me is not necessarily going to work for you - especially with the size and shape of the neck.

If you can, I urge you to try before ordering if possible.

Given that I largely made suggestions based of the spec sheets on Fender.com and your preference for rosewood and the EJ neck being too thick there may be something I didn't suggest because I looked at neck shape/nut width/fingerboard radius measurements and made suggestions on the smaller end of the scale.

The tricky part here is that any strat based on a vintage strat is going to have that big thick neck - the question you need to narrow down the answer to is how thick is too thick for you. I'm afraid you're the only one that can do that.

I own an American Deluxe strat which has a modern C shape with a compound radius neck. I didn't know any of this when I first bought the guitar, I just happened to be somewhere that had a HUGE selection of strats and I played them all until I narrowed it down. I have small hands so the vintage style strats got ruled out very quickly. The American Deluxe series runs from $1400 to $1600 on MusiciansFriend depending on the specifics of the guitar (body wood, Fender Special Run, etc). They are basically Fender's top production model strat aside from some of the more expensive Artist Series models and are probably the closest thing to the Custom Shop without actually ordering a Custom Shop strat.


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 6:55 am
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Ignore cost and where it was made, and just go on sound and feel. Any opinions are all going to be clouded by personal biases and favourites.

As in, if it were me, I'd go and get my CV 50 Tele back... and then probably get a MIM Strat anyway.


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 7:27 am
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Welcome to the Forums.

Good advice all around. I usually respond to these in kind with the added observation that one might as well ask what to look for in a wife. Bottom line is, you've gotta play 'em first, then choose. :oops:

Good luck and keep us posted.

Doc :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:59 pm
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You say you don't live near a well stocked music store, but unless you play before buy, your taking a chance of not getting what you expected or want based solely on others recommendation. If your planning on investing more than a couple $$'s on something that only you will know if it's the one. Driving a distance to a store that has the inventory to try and compare, should not be out of the question. Last year when I bought my first strat in many years, after playing a number of them, it wasn't the most expensive that I chose. Not because of price, but how it felt to play. ZZDoc said it in fewer words....you gotta play it... :idea:


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:13 am
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Lenny1716 wrote:
ZZDoc said it in fewer words....... :idea:

Yes....and that was a rare occurrence. :wink: Also bear in mind, in terms of what Lenny has said, that once you're out the door, the 'used'[trade-in]value of your guitar plummets, easily by 50% of the street price. [These guys, the big box stores in particular, are basically carpetbaggers by trade.] So be particular about your first choice. Keep us posted.

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 4:24 am
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Location: Perth, Western Aus.
There's too much focus on forums about how much a guitar loses/is worth after you buy it.

We're not talking cars here, which people taking bigger hits on and never expect to break even on resale. You lose money on everything you buy. Everyone who's bought way too many guitars will tell the story of the odd one or two they got some money back on, but will keep a lot quieter about all the ones they got caned with.

If you take your time and choose well, you'll pick up something you enjoy - the rest is inconsequential. Here in Oz we pay double the prices charged in US and Eur, so a 'bargain' is entirely relative.


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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:08 am
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Drubbing wrote:
There's too much focus on forums about how much a guitar loses/is worth after you buy it......Here in Oz we pay double the prices charged in US and Eur, so a 'bargain' is entirely relative.


Of course. Your 'sales' are proportional to the CMV[current market value] or street price in your community. IMHO both cars and guitars share the same experience in the 'used' catagory for resale. I know, from personal experience, that an outfit like Guitar Center will give you $750 for a used instrument they are selling *'new' for $1500, and then hang it for resale at $1100. They have an inside list of what their going rate for each model is. The OP should have that as a perspective going forward.

[*sold off the wall as new yet well played by headbangers on weekends. If and when I purchase a guitar off the wall, I ask for a discount off the ticket price on the grounds that I consider it a 'used' instrument.]

BTW: A small favor :?: Next time you see the Wizard, remember me to him. Thanks...and stay safe. We're concerned for ya'll down under everytime we learn that the ground has moved or there's a fire on the run.:wink:

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 5:30 am
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I think drubbing may have been referring to the cost of new Fender prices in Australia, taken into consideration the stronger Aussie dollar against the U.S dollar are almost twice the new price of what you guys pay in the USA... correct me if I'm wrong Drubbing :D

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 6:07 am
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Blertles wrote:
I think drubbing may have been referring to the cost of new Fender prices in Australia, taken into consideration the stronger Aussie dollar against the U.S dollar are almost twice the new price of what you guys pay in the USA... correct me if I'm wrong Drubbing :D

Thanks. That was quite clear to me. Hence, my reference to the CMV/aka 'street price' there, which would be as you suggested.

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:10 pm
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Buy a MIM Classic Series 60's Strat!

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 12:15 pm
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DetroitBlues wrote:
Buy a MIM Classic Series 60's Strat!


+1

That, or a Squier JV model.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Coming back to guitar playing and choosing the right Str
Posted: Mon Apr 01, 2013 3:04 pm
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I own 3 Strats:

a Squier Affinity- a "cheapie" I got used to take with me on the road. Well built, and it plays well. The pickups aren't that great, but what do you expect for $80? It IS a lot better than I expected it would be.

A 2011 American Standard. I love this guitar, and would quickly recommend it to anyone looking for a Strat. Great playability, great tone, and it just feels RIGHT.

A 2012 ( I think) MIM Blacktop series HH Strat. This is also a very, very nice guitar, and it just screams "Play Me!!!" whenever I see it. Comes loaded with vintage alnico humbuckers, and a 5 way switch. GREAT sounding pickups- esp the bridge, which really sings! The 5 way gives you the option of having the neck pickup split ( front coil only), or of getting the outside coils of both humbuckers . They manage to give you that fat. LP-ish vintage humbucker sound, yet still retaining that Strattyness. It, also, is very well built and highly recommended.

Agreed on all comments to try as many as you can and pick whatever you like best- regardless of price. That's how I got the 3 I have.


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