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Post subject: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 7:32 pm
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Ok, what is the "standard" "workhorse" strat these days?

The last strats I bought were 15 yrs ago, and at that time, the American Standard was considered the top of the line "best" model excepting the customs, signatures and reissue models which were "deluxe" types.

The Mexican and foreign models were considered cheaper, starter types that were under the American Standard in quality.

I am in the market again after many long years and there are so many different models to choose from. I love my Am Standard strat, what should I know about the different models these days. I feel like there are so many models its a bit convoluted.


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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 8:39 pm
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Spend some time at the Musician's Friend or American Musical Supply websites.
Look at the specs and the prices.

You'll learn what you want to learn.

I'm wondering if you want something higher than the Am Std you already have, like a Vintage Reissue or a Custom Shop?

Of course if the budget is a concern, the American Special is the way to get a second USA Strat for cheap. Or go used.

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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 3:14 am
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amra99 wrote:
Ok, what is the "standard" "workhorse" strat these days?

The last strats I bought were 15 yrs ago, and at that time, the American Standard was considered the top of the line "best" model excepting the customs, signatures and reissue models which were "deluxe" types.

The Mexican and foreign models were considered cheaper, starter types that were under the American Standard in quality.

I am in the market again after many long years and there are so many different models to choose from. I love my Am Standard strat, what should I know about the different models these days. I feel like there are so many models its a bit convoluted.

Hello and welcome to the Forums. The Strat market does seem a bit fragmented doesn't it?

orvilleowner is right, you should decide on a budget and start looking for something that catches your eye, go to a large guitar shop and play a few.

Basically, the Am Std is still the workhorse, with a 9.5 radius fretboard and Fat 50s Pickups that get a lot of appreciation.

The basic USA alternatives are the Reissue types with a 7.25 radius fretboard and vintage appointments like a 6 screw tremolo...

...OR a Deluxe with compound radius fretboards (9.5-14), N3 Noiseless Pickups and S-1 Switching. Fancier stuff, and more expensive.

The used market is REALLY fragmented, with some of what's been available for the past 60 years.

The 60th Anniversary Commemorative Standard Strat is the hot new limited edition guitar. It's so pretty that I hate to mention it to someone who is honestly searching but here's a thread about it: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=93116

Hope that helps some and when you make your decision send us some pictures!

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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 6:37 am
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Go down the shop, and play a load of guitars while trying not to see the price or country of origin.

You might surprise yourself.

Or even better get a telecaster ;-)


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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 8:35 am
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orvilleowner wrote:
Spend some time at the Musician's Friend or American Musical Supply websites. Look at the specs and the prices.

Do the same with the Products Section herein. Bear in mind that you'll not likely find an example of everything at one vendor. You'll have to 'kiss' a lot of frogs to find the right princess. Every journey begins with the first step. After you've narrowed it down, and are interested in additional opinions, come on back. We'll be happy to supply you with a least enough preferences to totally add to your confusion. At the end of the journey, the final decision will be yours, whether or not to jump. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 9:37 am
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ZZDoc wrote:
Do the same with the Products Section herein. Bear in mind that you'll not likely find an example of everything at one vendor.


Of course, if a model you like is not at the vendors, you may have to wait.

The longest waits are for special order (have it your way) Custom Shop guitars.

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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 6:43 pm
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Wow, thank you for such friendly and helpful replies :)

I agree with you all. Man! there are so many to choose from.

I have a 96 Am stand strat that I really love and a 97 Am Stand tele that is also fantastic. I had a Mexican strat at one point that I really felt was not up to snuff, felt like a "beginner" guitar. The sound and craftsmanship was lacking.

At one point, where it was made and the series it was had a lot to do with the quality expected (both sound and feel). You folks make it sound like that is not so much the case anymore, good to know.

I will have to look into this ;)


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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:42 pm
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moochy13 wrote:
Go down the shop, and play a load of guitars while trying not to see the price or country of origin.

You might surprise yourself.

Or even better get a telecaster ;-)


I completely agree. I love both, Teles and Strats, and flucuate between the two. Over 20 guitars in 30years and it always seems to come down to Strats and Teles


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Post subject: Re: Help! Noob question, strat models
Posted: Fri Apr 11, 2014 10:41 am
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amra99 wrote:
Wow, thank you for such friendly and helpful replies :)

I agree with you all. Man! there are so many to choose from.

I have a 96 Am stand strat that I really love and a 97 Am Stand tele that is also fantastic. I had a Mexican strat at one point that I really felt was not up to snuff, felt like a "beginner" guitar. The sound and craftsmanship was lacking.

At one point, where it was made and the series it was had a lot to do with the quality expected (both sound and feel). You folks make it sound like that is not so much the case anymore, good to know.

I will have to look into this ;)


the quality of the instrument does not differ much between Mexican and US made strats, while the price tag does. I love my Standard Strat from 2011, made in Mexico - great sound, which I updated with Custom Shop pickups.
But to get an idea you should really go into the shop and test different models and then decide for the one you like the most and is within your financial range :)


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