It is currently Tue Mar 17, 2020 12:46 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: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:17 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:53 am
Posts: 4
Hey Guys,

I'm new here, thought I would introduce myself. I've been playing for a few years now, with a Squier and a little Frontman 15 i got from a buddy on the cheap. Works fine for just messing around but i'm hoping to upgrade soon. I'm finally out of school and have a little cash to spend on the fun stuff!! Anyway, I recently upgraded the amp to a 90s Ultimate Chorus, nothing crazy but will suit my changing needs. I'm also looking to upgrade the guitar soon. I know some of the differences and options in Fender models, but I'm looking for a better understanding. Right now I'm leaning toward the American Standard.

My question to you guys is what do like and what do you recommend, and what are some of the "bells and whistles" to consider?

Appreciate it!


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:45 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 4:50 pm
Posts: 7998
Location: ʎɹʇunoɔ ǝsoɹ pןıʍ
My preferences:
Rosewood boards
2-point trems
Transparent or translucent finishes other than bursts (unless there is nice wood, then I'll live with a burst)
Sealed and/or locking tuners
MediumJumbo frets

Basically I want the main "improvements" to the original design.
Outside of those things I will be happy with almost anything.
Humbuckers, singles and silent singles are all good in my book.
Whatever floats your boat.

Three things I believe have no rightful place on a Stratocaster:
Gold hardware
3 position switches
Mint green pick guards

Each of those things is a deal breaker for me. OK, well maybe not the guard.


(I put the word improvements in quotes because some will insist there have never been any improvements in the entire history of the guitar)

_________________
Image
Just think of how awesome a guitar player you could have been by now if you had only spent the last 10 years practicing instead of obsessing over pickups and roasted maple necks.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:59 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:32 pm
Posts: 235
Location: Rossendale, UK
The American Standard is a fine instrument.

The American Deluxe has a few parts that are in my opinion better.
1 - The tremolo arm is a pop in arm, and adjustable for play (looseness/tightness) by use of a grub screw.

2 - The tuners are locking tuners - it makes restringing a breeze, and by nature of the way locking tuners work there is less string wrapped around the tuner post.

3 - The guitar is fitted with Schaller Straplocks - these are the best on the market IMO, and your guitar ain't gonna be taking no nose dive.

4 - The fretboard has a compound radius - the radius is 9.5" at the nut and 14" at the 22nd fret, which means easy bending with no fretting out at the dusty end of the neck, and comfortable chording at the other end. I certainly love the feel of my Am Deluxe. The action is low and fast, and very comfortable.

For me those 4 points make it worth paying a little extra.
There is also the S1 switching to consider - I don't use it, but others do, and it makes the tonal palette available from the guitar immense.

_________________
Chris


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:47 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:06 am
Posts: 1662
Welcome to the forum
I bought an American standard in 2012 and I am a very happy player, I do like the fat 50s pu
mud


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:14 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:52 am
Posts: 3840
Location: Colorado Springs
22 frets, for sure ...

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 8:39 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
BMW-KTM wrote:
Three things I believe have no rightful place on a Stratocaster:
Gold hardware
3 position switches
Mint green pick guards

Each of those things is a deal breaker for me. OK, well maybe not the guard.


And to think I once intended to bequeath this to you in my will......

Image

A pity.

:wink:

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: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 9:01 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 4:55 pm
Posts: 723
bequeath that thing to me Retro ;) Gold hardware for DAYS

_________________
My Rig: Guitar into Pedals then into Amps and out into Speakers.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2014 10:06 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 9:25 pm
Posts: 1162
Location: In a house....unless I'm at work....then I'm in a shop.
oconnellt7 wrote:
Hey Guys,

I'm new here, thought I would introduce myself. I've been playing for a few years now, with a Squier and a little Frontman 15 i got from a buddy on the cheap. Works fine for just messing around but i'm hoping to upgrade soon. I'm finally out of school and have a little cash to spend on the fun stuff!! Anyway, I recently upgraded the amp to a 90s Ultimate Chorus, nothing crazy but will suit my changing needs. I'm also looking to upgrade the guitar soon. I know some of the differences and options in Fender models, but I'm looking for a better understanding. Right now I'm leaning toward the American Standard.

My question to you guys is what do like and what do you recommend, and what are some of the "bells and whistles" to consider?

Appreciate it!



Hi there.

Okay, always remember and never forget that Opinions are like a noise....
1) Everyone has one.
2) They all smell to some degree.
3) It is up to you to pick it.

(And never let your friends pick it for you!) :mrgreen:

Okay, yes an American model is a good idea, but many of the MIM's are fine playing guitars as well. (Try to find one with upgraded pick ups, like the Jimmy Vaughan).
As to the board, rosewood is usually more newbie friendly, but don't turn your noise up at a maple if the price is right, but the medium jumbo is more important then the board material.
The classic 6 screw tremolo is very serviceable, and IMHO much easier to deal with for a new player, as they don't jump out the first time you go to change your strings.

Good luck in your search, and please, buy your guitar from a store, it nice to have a group of people willing to help you with set up and problems that arise as you learn.
And there is less of a chance of getting taken in by a fake guitar.

_________________
Marriage is like playing cards...

At first all you want are Hearts and Diamonds.

But in the end, all you really want is a Club and a Spade.

Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 5:36 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:53 am
Posts: 4
Okay, yes an American model is a good idea, but many of the MIM's are fine playing guitars as well. (Try to find one with upgraded pick ups, like the Jimmy Vaughan).
As to the board, rosewood is usually more newbie friendly, but don't turn your noise up at a maple if the price is right, but the medium jumbo is more important then the board material.


Thanks for the advice! I've looked at some of the non-American made strats before. Besides pickups, why are these guitars a lot cheaper? Just general construction? Also why the medium jumbos? Just curious.

Thanks for the advice guys!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:01 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Wed Apr 13, 2011 6:54 pm
Posts: 1175
Retroverbial wrote:
BMW-KTM wrote:
Three things I believe have no rightful place on a Stratocaster:
Gold hardware
3 position switches
Mint green pick guards

Each of those things is a deal breaker for me. OK, well maybe not the guard.


And to think I once intended to bequeath this to you in my will......

Image

A pity.

:wink:

Arjay

Quite Righteous Arjay. The "ThePhantomMan/Guitars/62_strat-blond" is not to be trifled with.

Buddy, Jimi or Keef would come back for an encore to hold such a treasure. I gotta be careful, Keef might come back anyway!!

Image

_________________
Took me a long time to learn that a Good Set-Up is the best Parts money can buy


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Sun Jul 20, 2014 5:26 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
Welcome to the Forums. Beware of G.A.S.[Guitar Acquisiton Syndrome]. Resistance is futile. :wink:

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 9:38 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:52 am
Posts: 3840
Location: Colorado Springs
danagos wrote:
... I gotta be careful, Keef might come back anyway ...
Image

Some think he is already back.

_________________
Laughing out loud with fear and hope, I have a desperate plan ...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 10:47 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Jul 13, 2007 1:10 pm
Posts: 13467
Location: Palm Beach County FL
01GT eibach wrote:
danagos wrote:
... I gotta be careful, Keef might come back anyway ...
Image

Some think he is already back.

Pity. He WAS a decent looking young man some 50 years ago.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Introduction
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:15 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2010 12:48 am
Posts: 26417
Location: Tombstone Territory
ZZDoc wrote:
Pity. He WAS a decent looking young man some 50 years ago.


It's not the years, it's the "mileage".

:mrgreen:

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: Introduction
Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 11:28 am
Offline
Roadie
Roadie

Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:32 pm
Posts: 235
Location: Rossendale, UK
BMW-KTM wrote:
Three things I believe have no rightful place on a Stratocaster:
Gold hardware
3 position switches
Mint green pick guards



Ordinarily I'd agree that Gold is out of place on a Stratocaster, but this is an exception ...

Image

_________________
Chris


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 1 guest


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: