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Post subject: Beginner's Help
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 8:22 am
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I am looking to buy a new guitar and looks like the fender strat hss is where i'm heading. but i can't find anything on the internet that talks about all the differences. even something as simple as MIM or MIJ and MIA, etc., took a while to discover. but now it's about standard or modern, + or - of a strat vs squire, etc. Does anyone remember how perplexing it is to make a choice?

So if you know a site where the guitars are compared and where all the abbreviations are explained, i'd love to check it out.

thanks.

andy


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Post subject: Re: Beginner's Help
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 9:00 am
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Some of the differences are subtle, and some are not; however, you are the only person who can decide what you like, how something feels, etc. Instead of worrying about the differences, I would start out with a nice used MIM Strat. As you play more you will discover what you like and what you don't like - you may find the one you have is perfect for you, or you may go and try out a few different guitars to find that perfect one for you.


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Post subject: Re: Beginner's Help
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 9:54 am
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Right. maybe i am doing this backwards. maybe i should just commit to a guitar and then see what i like/don't like about it. the problem is where to start. probably can't go wrong with the strat hss like this: http://www.fender.com/guitars/stratocas ... ue-no-bag/

sam ash let's you try it out for 45 days with a no-hassle return policy so i'll give that a shot.


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Post subject: Re: Beginner's Help
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 12:08 pm
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Skip the internet jive and hype.

Go to a well-stocked guitar shop and personally try out a number of different Strats. "Hands-on" is the best method for you to determine which specs are most significant to you and how you interface with the various available models.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Beginner's Help
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 12:59 pm
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Okay, here are some considerations:

1) Guitar Center's website is pretty good for lining up all the guitars you want. Put "Stratocaster HSS" in the search criterion. Then you can rule out which ones you don't want by various features in the menu selections on the left.
2) The only Squier worth considering is the VM (vintage modified). The VMs are quite good. But if the budget allows, definitely buy a Fender. I would totally rule out Squier Affinity.
3) Next you should be thinking country of origin. "Can I afford MIA?" If so, I would go MIA all the way. You can squeak into MIA at around $900 w/ an American Special. The Am Special would be the one I would get FOR SURE -- it has lots of great features and VERY good pickups. But, definitely go American Standard for around $1200 if it is in the budget. IMO, it is always worth the money to go MIA if you can make it work.
4) If you have (unfortunately) ruled out MIA due to cost, you really have only three options, but all of which are VERY good guitars: (a) Squier VM, (b) Fender Modern Player, and (c) Fender Standard. Of these three, I would get the Modern Player as it (a) is a true Fender, (b) has 22 frets, and (c) can be bought new for less than $400.
5) Buying used -- the used market has been flooded with tons of counterfeit guitars from China of all different makes. Some of these are very good counterfeits, too. If going used, do your homework on what to look for and try to trace the the guitar back to the initial reputable vendor (preferably with a receipt that you can go back to that vendor to have them verify its legitimacy). If you don't know for sure and "the person seems trustworthy", then -- by all means -- just walk away. Keep in mind the person selling it might not know it is a counterfeit.

Knock 'em dead, kid...

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Post subject: Re: Beginner's Help
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2014 3:08 pm
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THAT is what i was looking for. and it will give me a great starting point. i've read about used guitars and counterfeit and had no idea that happened. but also Standard vs. Modern was not clear when i looked around. at this point in my "evolution" i will definitely follow your advice.

thanks to all!!!

andy


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