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Post subject: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:49 pm
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I recently purchased a 2012 MIM standard Stratocaster, for which I paid around $500USD retail. This is my first real guitar purchase and I wonder if I've selected the right one. If I were to exchange it for a more expensive model (for example, in the $700 - $800 range),
what improvements could I expect to see?

Would it have a better bridge? Better pickups, better tuning machines, etc.? I'm not sure I want to use the tremolo, so a locking version might be nice? I'm not sure any of these things would mean much to me today, but in a year or two? I hope so :)

I fully expect that I'll keep this guitar for a very long time, and I don't want to wind up wishing I selected the next higher model. I purchased without doing a lot of research first, which is new for me. I hope I've explained my question.

Thanks,


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Fri Nov 22, 2013 10:56 pm
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Location: In the Land of "Stratocaster"
You do get better everything with the American models (pickups, hardware, build quality etc...) however, the higher end MIM's are decent. Have played many nice ones.
Down the line you may want to go w/ an American Standard or Deluxe.
Keep this in mind, the MIM's can easily be upgraded. If you don't like using the trem you can always go with a Hard Tail model in the future ;)

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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 12:11 am
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To quote Stephen Stills: " Love the one you're with..." !! :wink:

Play the cr*p out of this one until you find yourself wanting more... and you will want more.

It's just a tool which requires that you work it.

If you become disastisfied, be certain that it's the guitar, and not your playing, your disatisfied with.

The MIM instruments are in general, very good instruments.

The best players don't worry so much about the instrument as they do their own abilities.

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
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 8:22 am
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Thanks for that. To be honest, this is really how I feed - The guitar I have is beautiful. I've heard of Stratocasters, but always thought it was not practical for me to actually own one (I imagined they were multi-thousand USD guitars owned only by professionals).

With my limited knowledge I can't see anything in this guitar that I don't like.


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:01 am
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In the $700-$800 range you are still going to be looking at MIM Fenders if you are looking at new ones... the American Specials are the lowest priced US models and they dial in at $900.

Upgrading to American gets you better wiring and some upgraded parts, better neck with the rolled edges, an extra fret... although many of the newer MIMs are 22 frets now also, gloss urethane finishes instead of polyester, and Custom Shop US pickups. But I honestly believe the price bump mostly has to do with US labor vs Mexican labor.

There are very few choices nowadays for a stoptail Strat... MIM Strats have the Robert Cray signature and a Pawn Shop stoptail Strat that is basically a Tele in a Strat body. The only American stoptail I am aware of is the US-made Robert Cray since the Billy Corgan Strat is discontinued.

You will probably be fine with your MIM for awhile unless you suffer from chronic GAS! I would suggest you plan to hold on to your MIM as a backup even when you do step up to a US Fender rather than trading or selling your MIM at a loss. Everyone can use an extra Fender!

Also, as many will say on this forum... you can upgrade your guitar til the cows come home but if you don't upgrade from that starter amp you won't hear it!

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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: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 9:46 am
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I seriously doubt I will ever sell my first Stratocaster. Even if one day I buy a better one, I expect I'll be hanging on to this one until I die :)

I know I can't expect a lot from my beginner amp. I actually have a really old Fender tube amplifier (that was owned by my dad from waaay back). It just has a single volume control, but otherwise still works. The only reason I bought the new one was to get a little distortion, etc. - and to not break what I feel is an antique and family memento :)

Thanks again to all. This is a great site!


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:17 am
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Pics or it didn't happen!

:P

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:48 am
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Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:25 am
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The single volume Fender tube amp is called a Champ, Play that sucker it was meant to be played, If you turn the volume up that is called tube distortion, It is well used by good guitar players such as Jimi Hendrix etc, So play that sucker! give us a sound sample or you don't own it :P

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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 6:58 pm
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It's perfectly to upgrade to a newer/better guitar several times over, but never trade-in your first. That's always a keeper.


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 6:33 am
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Hi Mark!

We've been around the block with you on this guitar for sure. This is the first toe in the water for you. Most players do not begin with a Masterbuild guitar. Stick with what you've chosen, and the Forums. Read as many of the posts as you can which deal with questions regarding guitar specs, i.e, woods, neck shapes, pickups, circuitry etc, as well as the 'can anybody tell me what guitar this is?' posts. Therein, you'll have your history lessons and learn how the product evolved. Spend time pooring through the Fender products section reading the specs on the different guitars, so that you develop an intrinsic feel for what's out there and how, where, why and when it is used. There'll be a lot of talk about after-market swapping out of stock parts as well. Develop your chops and your style. We have a saying here, that you can never have enough guitars. You'll come to know the collections that many of us have and understand the myriad reasons why we own what we own. :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:20 am
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Thanks, ZZDoc. I'm right with you. Like a said earlier, I never thought I would be able to own a new Stratocaster, so when this one was shown to me at a price I could easily afford, I got a little starry-eyed :)
I'm very happy with the guitar and plan to keep it for a long, long time.

I love to research and learn and with my limited time on this forum I've found it to have lots of knowledgeable folks willing to participate and help. What a great resource!

By the way (to Nathan Brown) - my father's amp is a Fender Champion 600, serial number 4721 (although I don't see a date stamped anywhere). I tried it and even though the tubes heat up, it doesn't produce any sound. I know he's had it since the early 60s or earlier. I'll need to see if I can find someplace willing to fix it.

Thanks again to all.


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sun Nov 24, 2013 8:33 am
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Joined: Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:25 am
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Bad caps probably, Get your local music store to repair it, It is a beautiful old amp, They have the greatest sound ever, Look at sound clips on Youtube :D

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Try these guitars out man!


Nathan from Oz


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 9:09 pm
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Love the mim strats, they do a great job in Mexico
Go for the mim and don't worry


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 3:28 pm
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I agree with whoever said, "Play the crap out of it." Get to know the guitar and make it your own. MIM are some really good instruments. Once you've played it a bit, find out what you want from the guitar. Can modify it to suite your needs or upgrade to a new one, but whatever you do: DO NOT PART WITH YOUR FIRST LOVE!

If however you feel that this is not the guitar for you, then sell.

I speak from porson experience. I have owned and sold so many guitars that I've forgot just how many there are. But one thing that I do remember are the guitars I foolishly parted with for one reason or other.

Here are the ones I miss:
'87 Strat Plus
'62 Tele Custom (MIJ)
Muddy Waters Tele

By the way, I found the best way to get to know aguitar is to play it, and only it. I had a '06 Hwy one that I never played and then when I traveled and it was the only one I had on hand, I learned that I loved it.

Good luck!


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Post subject: Re: Is this the best Stratocaster for me?
Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2014 7:30 pm
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I too bought a MIM Standard Stratocaster. I changed the pickups and installed locking tuners. I was going to block the tremolo but I must have got lucky because my MIM Strat Stays in tune even when I just the tremolo bar so I left it aloan.. If the Strat feels good in your hands it's a keeper. I like my four MIA strats just as much as my MIM.
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