It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 3:19 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 22 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Author Message
Post subject: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:30 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:46 pm
Posts: 3
As the topic states, I don't play guitar, (or any instrument for that matter), so I've come here, hopefully to get some advice.

My 19 yr old son is an avid guitar player. He also plays drums & keyboards but the guitar is his main instrument of choice. He's been playing guitar for over 10 years now, and is quite accomplished. For the past couple of years he's been dreaming about owning his first Fender Stratocaster, and I've now decided that the time is right, and want to surprise him with one for Christmas. Problem is, I know nothing about guitars and there seems to be a gazillion different types of Stratocasters out there. I was hoping to get some recommendations from some forum members.

He currently has an Ibanez (don't know which model but it was his first electric guitar and an entry level model), an Epiphone Les Paul and a Martin Acoustic/Electric. His 'go to' guitar has always been his Ibanez, and he's been spending his money changing out the pick ups etc. to try and get a Fender sound. I've been telling him that it's pointless exercise putting money into it, as it's not a quality guitar to start with.

He doesn't play in a band, but does jam with his friends a lot, and also dabbles in recording. He has quite a varied taste in music - primarily rock, but also jazz, blues & reggae (he was born in the Caribbean). He listens to modern & classic rock, but not too heavy. He likes John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Hendrix, Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Muse, Elbow, Doves, BB King, Marley etc.

Hopefully with that info, I can get some recommendations. I know choice is somewhat subjective and personal, so I'm not looking for a consensus on one particular type of Stratocaster. Just some suggestions.

Budget would be $600 max, but would prefer to spend less.

Thanks in advance

Alan


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:46 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 2:14 pm
Posts: 2561
Nice Gift !

But really difficult to buy someone else a guitar.

Since your son is already playing for some time, it is important that he pick the instrument. Every individual guitar is different. Two of the same model can be so different that one he'll want and the other he won't.

You will get the most value for money in a used instrument of course.

But, there are several Stratocasters w/i your budget - Roadhouse, Modern Player, Standard, Standard HSS, Classic Series, etc.

I would suggest giving him a card in a box stating that you two have a man-date to go out and look for a Stratocaster (limited to $600).

Then spend a day browsing local music shops and let him decide. He may go new, or find a quality used instrument that he bonds with. Either way, you get a nice day out with your son !

Good Luck !

cheers!

_________________
Image

'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:13 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
Lightnin MN wrote:
I would suggest giving him a card in a box stating that you two have a man-date to go out and look for a Stratocaster (limited to $600).

Then spend a day browsing local music shops and let him decide. He may go new, or find a quality used instrument that he bonds with. Either way, you get a nice day out with your son!


+1

But I'd up that ceiling to $800.

Arjay

_________________
"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:14 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed Dec 14, 2011 10:18 am
Posts: 1530
Location: The Frozen Tundra of MN
That is a excellent suggestion Lightnin MN. :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:24 pm
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Sun Aug 26, 2012 4:10 pm
Posts: 282
+1 on the gift card idea

_________________
R/Jim
2016 Gibson SG Standard T
2014 Fender American Deluxe Telecaster
2013 Fender Dlx Players Stratocaster
2013 Fender FSR American Standard Stratocaster
2013 Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro II
2012 Ibanez AR 325
Super-Sonic 112
GDEC 3 Thirty
Champion 600


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Thu Oct 31, 2013 7:25 pm
Offline
Amateur
Amateur

Joined: Mon Mar 11, 2013 12:41 pm
Posts: 105
Another way to go...

Go on Craigslist and look for Highway One Fender Strats. They're U.S. made and good quality. Find three or so in your area and go look. Preferably take your son so he can check them out too. Pick one you like, and don't pay over $600.00. It can definitely be done. Start the search now though...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:02 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 5:46 pm
Posts: 3
Thanks for the tips guys. I like the card in the box approach, even though it's not quite the same as opening a box on Christmas day and finding the one thing you've always wanted staring straight back at you. But, I understand the logic behind 'test driving' a guitar, so I think that's probably what we'll do.

Thanks again


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 8:50 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2012 10:16 pm
Posts: 209
biobaggie wrote:
Thanks for the tips guys. I like the card in the box approach, even though it's not quite the same as opening a box on Christmas day and finding the one thing you've always wanted staring straight back at you. But, I understand the logic behind 'test driving' a guitar, so I think that's probably what we'll do.

Good suggestions all. Here's an alternative, but it depends on your retail environment:

If there is a fairly big music store in your vicinity having a large selection of guitars, talk to them and ask if you can buy your son a Stratocaster for Christmas, with the understanding that it can be exchanged for one of his own choosing with the full amount of credit you have. Most stores of size will certainly allow this. Then, you can actually put the guitar under the tree (in a Fender hardshell case, natch) and watch his reaction, which should be priceless. (And, he will have a real guitar to play on Christmas Day, when the stores are all closed anyway.) Who knows, after trying out a few others he may even decide that the one you gave him was his favorite after all!

Tell him not to remove any stickers, save all tags, and avoid scratching the finish!

Your son is what, nineteen? Two observations I would make--one, that even though the possibility of finding a higher-quality used instrument exists, without having expert guidance you might make a mistake and pay too much for what you get or wind up with something having a not-too-obvious defect. Since this will be his first quality guitar, get him something brand new, not something somebody has owned previously. Second, don't discount (pun intended) the Fender Standard Strats which are made in Mexico--at this point in time 90% of them are very fine instruments, well worth the cost. You'll stay within your budget, and your son is not going to be able to tell the practical difference between one of those and an American Deluxe. Plus, he will feel freer to modify it to his liking once he gets used to it.

Just my two cents, of course. You sound like a thoughtful, supportive, and loving Dad!

_________________
Most profound blues lyric, from Robert Johnson's Hell Hound On My Trail:

"If today was Christmas Eve, if today was Christmas Eve,
Tomorrow would be Christmas Day..."


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:09 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Aug 14, 2012 2:47 pm
Posts: 22
Here is another idea. This is what I did with my son, I told him before Christmas that I was going to give him a guitar, we went together to music stores so he could find the one he liked.
I bought it with the condition that he could not touch it before Christmas, of course the surprise factor wasn't there, but the anticipation more than made up for it.

It was so enjoyable to watch him tear up the gift wrap and hold his new guitar for the first time!!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:19 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:44 pm
Posts: 366
rudorama wrote:
biobaggie wrote:
Thanks for the tips guys. I like the card in the box approach, even though it's not quite the same as opening a box on Christmas day and finding the one thing you've always wanted staring straight back at you. But, I understand the logic behind 'test driving' a guitar, so I think that's probably what we'll do.

Good suggestions all. Here's an alternative, but it depends on your retail environment:

If there is a fairly big music store in your vicinity having a large selection of guitars, talk to them and ask if you can buy your son a Stratocaster for Christmas, with the understanding that it can be exchanged for one of his own choosing with the full amount of credit you have. Most stores of size will certainly allow this. Then, you can actually put the guitar under the tree (in a Fender hardshell case, natch) and watch his reaction, which should be priceless. (And, he will have a real guitar to play on Christmas Day, when the stores are all closed anyway.) Who knows, after trying out a few others he may even decide that the one you gave him was his favorite after all!

Tell him not to remove any stickers, save all tags, and avoid scratching the finish!

Your son is what, nineteen? Two observations I would make--one, that even though the possibility of finding a higher-quality used instrument exists, without having expert guidance you might make a mistake and pay too much for what you get or wind up with something having a not-too-obvious defect. Since this will be his first quality guitar, get him something brand new, not something somebody has owned previously. Second, don't discount (pun intended) the Fender Standard Strats which are made in Mexico--at this point in time 90% of them are very fine instruments, well worth the cost. You'll stay within your budget, and your son is not going to be able to tell the practical difference between one of those and an American Deluxe. Plus, he will feel freer to modify it to his liking once he gets used to it.

Just my two cents, of course. You sound like a thoughtful, supportive, and loving Dad!


The gift card idea is fine,...but I feel your idea and suggestion is best and it's the direction I would go if it was me buying my son a guitar. I don't have a son,...but just saying that if I did,...again,..this is the route I would go! It's best to have him try a few guitars and let him decide. That dad and son date is a good idea,too! Speaking of trying out guitars,...I'm making a trip up to Sweetwater Sound in Ft. Wayne,IN. this afternoon to try out an Epiphone Dot(similar to an ES-335 Gibson). Forget everything I said previously about staying with only one brand of instrument,...I like the sound of those Gibsons/Epiphones through a Fender amp. Anyway,...best of luck on your guitar search,...I'm sure you will find one your kid will just LOVE! Let us know how it turns out! :)

_________________
If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:26 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 2:49 am
Posts: 560
Location: Perth, Australia
+ 1 on getting him an actual guitar for Christmas Day that can be easily returned for another one of his liking, but if you really want the biggest surprised, get him the "made in USA" strat, as I am certain he understands about the USA Strat hype. Then if he decides to exchange he can choose what ever he feels he prefers, USA - Mexico - $@! and so forth. At least the USA name tag will add to the bang when surprised.

_________________
GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:56 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:25 am
Posts: 268
I recommend a Highway One or some other strat like that, I love the strats with the big headstocks they just look so Jimi ! If he is left handed get him an olympic white big headstock strat turn it upside down and voila Hendrix style :D

_________________
My Gretsch is cool
Try these guitars out man!


Nathan from Oz


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:14 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 3:44 pm
Posts: 366
Nathan Brown wrote:
I recommend a Highway One or some other strat like that, I love the strats with the big headstocks they just look so Jimi ! If he is left handed get him an olympic white big headstock strat turn it upside down and voila Hendrix style :D


Question is this though,Nathan,...how much is that Highway One Strat going to cost? The dad said he wants to stay within $600.00 and I have a feeling the Highway One model you are suggesting is going to be out of that range,...but I may be wrong on that,...I don't know. Getting the kid an Olympic White Strat and flipping it upside down to be played left handed is the silliest idea I have ever heard :roll: :roll: ,...how do you know the kid is left handed? :?

_________________
If it aint' broke,...don't fix it! I like to keep my amps and guitars factory original,...no mods necessary,...don't want them,...don't need them!

My gear as of now;
Standard Strat
Hot Rod Deluxe III amp
Champion 20 amp
'59 Bassman LTD Reissue


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 10:23 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:51 pm
Posts: 25353
Location: Witness Protection Program
Quote:
Budget would be $600 max, but would prefer to spend less.


Standard Stratocaster, like this:
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/StratSTMBSB/

You mentioned that he already changes pickups and this
can easily be upgraded, but it's within your budget and it's
new.

If you don't mind preowned, check around for an American
Series Strat. There's currently one at a local shop with a few
nicks and some wear going for $500.

Good luck!

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

Don't leave home without it!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Help needed from a non-guitar playing dad
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:32 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Feb 27, 2010 8:53 pm
Posts: 24
Great topic ! ! ! ! !

Sounds like a great Dad encouraging his son! Rock on!

Get him a strat. It will mean the world to him!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 22 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next
Go to page 1, 2  Next

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: