Classic players 60s strat - used, what to look at

Hi.

I'm thinking about getting this lovely guitar. I've found one guy locally who is seling his in good price and in lake placid finish. Seller looks honest, but as I've never owned mexican strat before I would like to ask: what to look at to be sure it is Classic players series, what are the differences between standard mex strat and cp.series? I know that neck profile is different, but would like to know few more details as I don't want to get wrong one (scratchplate screws, different logo, etc) Can I check it by serial number or it will just tell me year of production? Wanted to buy a new one but I'm on the budget at the moment, and i'm always scared that seller will try to sell a faulty copy. There are 3 photos of this guitar, seller changed scratchplate to custom pearl.

http://i45.tinypic.com/n9vr5.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/o04j1d.jpg
http://i46.tinypic.com/124va81.jpg

Thanks for any tips,

Kris.

The neck plate should say "custom shop designed". If you open it, the bottom of the pickups are grey. The bridge has only two screws, not six, and the fretboard is flatter than most fenders.
Great guitars, I can only recommend them!

Bournemouth, eh? My mum's from Swanage, I go there every year, and usually to Bournemouth as well.

Thanks for quick reply. It looks like 6 screws on the bridge on that guitar, also can't see anything on neck plate.

Yes, Bournemouth... It's very nice in here, but the weather at the moment is pretty ugly :)

Looks like a classic series 60s strat .

If you add the serial number here http://www.guitardaterproject.org/fender.aspx

you'll know if it is a mexican made classic series strat .

Looks like it is. There's also quite a difference between classic series and classic player's series. In You opinion, is it worth extra bucks? I've searched the forum and both series are know as better than standard MIM but CP's seem to be better quality, is that right?

Thank You for this link, will check it.

The CP 60's strat is definitely worth the extra money, custom shop designed bridge and more importantly custom shop pups are awesome.

Also you can get them in sonic blue with a mint green pick guard and they look sensational IMO.

This is what a Classic Player 60's Strat looks like:-



130370

I couldn't see the photos before, but now I see it's definitely not a classic player strat, the colour is wrong.
One of the main differences if it's classic series is the vintage radius and small frets.

Looks like it is. There's also quite a difference between classic series and classic player's series. In You opinion, is it worth extra bucks? I've searched the forum and both series are know as better than standard MIM but CP's seem to be better quality, is that right?

Thank You for this link, will check it.

There is not much difference between Classic series - and Classic player strats .
Classic series came first and have more vintage specs like 7,5" fretboard and vintage 6 screw bridge .

Classic player have some more modern modifications , like 12" fretboard ( the 60s strat ) and 2 point bridge and cool pickups ( CS 69 ) which you'd have to pay for separately .

The Classic series 50s Strat with maple board and all the 50s specs comes in lots of cool colours and is the best " bang for the buck " , especially if you can get a used one .

There's one thing i don't understand . Why has the seller changed the pickguard on a 60s strat to a 50s strat pickguard ?
This means drilling new holes at least for the screw arrangement between 50s / 60s pickguards is different .

Let him take off the pg and if you'll go for it try to get a price reduction for this reason .

That is a good idea, but if it's a classic series not a CP I think I'll pass on that one as I prefer bigger frets and radius. I tried CP 50s in a store last month and really liked it, even with soft v shaped neck. You're saying that they come with better money/quality ratio?

I'd say fit and finish are the same . Both , CP and Classic series are great production line guitars .
If you prefer bigger V shape necks also try a Jimmy Vaughan sig ( MIM ) or the Classic Player Baja telecaster .

I'd say fit and finish are the same . Both , CP and Classic series are great production line guitars .
If you prefer bigger V shape necks also try a Jimmy Vaughan sig ( MIM ) or the Classic Player Baja telecaster .

Yeah they are -exactly- the same.

Except for a different bridge... Oh and different pickups... Oh yeah and a different pick guard/paint... oh and different frets... and fretboard radius.

The Classic Player was designed by a master builder then the workers in the Mexico factory put it together. Custom Shop design, MIM price tag.

So not the same at all then.

" You're saying that they come with better money/quality ratio? "

That's what i was talking about . No they don't .

I have two CP guitars but i wouldn't say they are any better in workmanship or finish than the Classic series 50s strats i've played .
Again it's different when it comes to the specs .

That is a good idea, but if it's a classic series not a CP I think I'll pass on that one as I prefer bigger frets and radius. I tried CP 50s in a store last month and really liked it, even with soft v shaped neck. You're saying that they come with better money/quality ratio?

Yes definitely. You get far better pups and bridge, better frets for a measly £70-£100 extra.

I sort of agree with both Omiewise65 and Skintight here. The fit and finish between the two is comparable IMO, but the parts on the CP60 are much better, especially the pickups. My CP60 has pretty much extinguished my wanting a MIA Strat - I love the thing, and it was a bargain. Probably the best money/quality guitar I have.

However, I think the most important thing is finding a neck that works for you. It took me a while to get used to the 12 inch radius, and I could see where some might not take to it at all. These are all good guitars - get the one that feels right to you.

[QUOTE

The Classic Player was designed by a master builder then the workers in the Mexico factory put it together. Custom Shop design, MIM price tag.

[/QUOTE]

Always good to see if sales promotion and slogans work out successfully .
You forgot to mention the Abigail Ybarra handwound pickups :grin:

[QUOTE

The Classic Player was designed by a master builder then the workers in the Mexico factory put it together. Custom Shop design, MIM price tag.



Always good to see if sales promotion and slogans work out successfully .
You forgot to mention the Abigail Ybarra handwound pickups :grin:[/QUOTE]

No I mentioned them. Yep sales and promotion and the fact that better hardware and pups lead to a better guitar.

agreed ..:wink:
Yes , indeed , it certainly was a better guitar after i have added Callaham saddles and a milled steal trem block .:wink:

agreed ..:wink:
Yes , indeed , it certainly was a better guitar after i have added Callaham saddles and a milled steal trem block .:wink:

Oh sorry I must have given you the impression I cared about your mods.

Back to the original discussion. The CP is better than the Classic Series as it has better hardware leading to better tone and is totally worth the few $ extra. However I also agree with the poster who mentioned neck profiles, play it for yourself dude because if you don't get along with a neck it doesn't matter what hardware you have.

Yes definitely. You get far better pups and bridge, better frets for a measly £70-£100 extra.

1) Both guitars feature mexican vintage wind pickups with alnico 5 mags and no RWRP middle. It is a matter of taste, but neither one is "far better"- if you think you are getting USA custom shop pickups with the CP, you are mistaken.

2) The Classic series bridge is superior to the CP bridge IMO. Both have equivalent quality same saddles and steel plates. Both have full size zinc blocks. One has a 6 screw mount and vintage string spread, one has 2 point mount and modern string spacing.

3) Frets and radius are a matter of taste.

So thats that. You are throwing out a subjective opinion like there is some clear quality differential, when there just is not. I prefer the vintage frets, radius, and bridge. Even fully stock I will buy a Classic series over a CP. I do prefer the sonic blue finish on the CP, but the CS strats have some very nice options too.

1) Both guitars feature mexican vintage wind pickups with alnico 5 mags and no RWRP middle. It is a matter of taste, but neither one is "far better"- if you think you are getting USA custom shop pickups with the CP, you are mistaken.

2) The Classic series bridge is superior to the CP bridge IMO. Both have equivalent quality same saddles and steel plates. Both have full size zinc blocks. One has a 6 screw mount and vintage string spread, one has 2 point mount and modern string spacing.

3) Frets and radius are a matter of taste.

So thats that. You are throwing out a subjective opinion like there is some clear quality differential, when there just is not. I prefer the vintage frets, radius, and bridge. Even fully stock I will buy a Classic series over a CP. I do prefer the sonic blue finish on the CP, but the CS strats have some very nice options too.

I'd ignore most of the keyboard warriors on here mate and just go to Fender and look at the specs.

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/search.php/?partno=0141100372

http://www.fender.com/en-GB/products/search.php/?prodNo=013100

You do get CS pups on the CP, but what does Fenders own website know?

I owned a C.Series for a few years and I can honestly say the pups on the CP blows it out the water.

Just go to your local Muso shop and do and A/B comparison and go for the one that you like the most.

there has been extensive discussion about the "Custom 69" pickup used in the CP 60's on here, with photographic evidence of the changes in the pickup throughout era's. I know you are a new member, but you could search for it and learn the history of this specific pickup in this specific guitar.

Note that the specs say "Custom 69 pickup", not "Custom Shop 69'". This is intentional. The "Custom 69" pickup is wound in mexico to Custom Shop 69 specs. There is a ton of evidence on this board to back this up. The Classic series 60's and 50's pickups are also wound to custom shop pickup specs, they just are not marketed as such.

there has been extensive discussion about the "Custom 69" pickup used in the CP 60's on here, with photographic evidence of the changes in the pickup throughout era's. I know you are a new member, but you could search for it and learn the history of this specific pickup in this specific guitar.

Note that the specs say "Custom 69 pickup", not "Custom Shop 69'". This is intentional. The "Custom 69" pickup is wound in mexico to Custom Shop 69 specs. There is a ton of evidence on this board to back this up. The Classic series 60's and 50's pickups are also wound to custom shop pickup specs, they just are not marketed as such.

As I mentioned ignore the keyboard warriors on here.

Ive been on here for a while I just don't post all day everyday like a lot of people as I prefer to play guitar rather than spout on about it over the internet like Jmail or whatever his name is.

Anyway as I said just go and do an A/B comparison for yourself and buy the one you prefer.

Thanks to all of You for replies. I've been to tge shop today and 12inch radius doesn't work too well for me. I've already got a decent dean with rather flat fingerboard and I'm definately more of a classic fender-neck lover (not the vintage ones, but 9,5 seems to be most comfy for me - I can play more tunes with ease). I really liked the baja, even though the neck is bit chunky, still comfortable (but it's really difficult to say after couple of hours in shop - once you get the guitar home You know if it's that you're looking for). From strats I must say the classic players 50s worked better than 60s for me, but I really liked the american special strat. It's 200£ more than mim classic player, but my hands were playing faster, easier, it was just easy and very nice to play. I don't like the big headstock though and it has texas special pickups which I like, but prefer baja sound ( I know that comparing strat and tele is pointless sometimes, but eventually I will buy tele and strat, so I consider any of them at the moment, just need to play something else than heavy mahogany double humbucker dean :). I heard though that am.specials are not worth money, even though they're mia the quality is comperable to mim classic player series.

Thanks to all of You for replies. I've been to tge shop today and 12inch radius doesn't work too well for me. I've already got a decent dean with rather flat fingerboard and I'm definately more of a classic fender-neck lover (not the vintage ones, but 9,5 seems to be most comfy for me - I can play more tunes with ease). I really liked the baja, even though the neck is bit chunky, still comfortable (but it's really difficult to say after couple of hours in shop - once you get the guitar home You know if it's that you're looking for). From strats I must say the classic players 50s worked better than 60s for me, but I really liked the american special strat. It's 200£ more than mim classic player, but my hands were playing faster, easier, it was just easy and very nice to play. I don't like the big headstock though and it has texas special pickups which I like, but prefer baja sound ( I know that comparing strat and tele is pointless sometimes, but eventually I will buy tele and strat, so I consider any of them at the moment, just need to play something else than heavy mahogany double humbucker dean :). I heard though that am.specials are not worth money, even though they're mia the quality is comperable to mim classic player series.

+1 for the Baja. Very nice!

Ive been on here for a while I just don't post all day everyday like a lot of people as I prefer to play guitar rather than spout on about it over the internet like Jmail or whatever his name is.

Anyway as I said just go and do an A/B comparison for yourself and buy the one you prefer.

I already bought the one I prefer, and I'm not sure your ad hominem attack is warranted- you appear to be the only keyboard warrior in here. I have not approached you with attitude nor accusations. I'm trying to spread some correct information, to combat the incorrect information you are using to keep arguing on the internet.

I'm assuming you are here to learn more about guitars, that is the point, no?

Here is the thread you should read:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/85089-classic-player-series-does-fender-lie.html

I already bought the one I prefer, and I'm not sure your ad hominem attack is warranted- you appear to be the only keyboard warrior in here. I have not approached you with attitude nor accusations. I'm trying to spread some correct information, to combat the incorrect information you are using to keep arguing on the internet.

I'm assuming you are here to learn more about guitars, that is the point, no?

Here is the thread you should read:
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/stratocaster-discussion-forum/85089-classic-player-series-does-fender-lie.html

And I could point you to a thread on strat-talk where it is agreed -after e-mailing Fender- that they are the same pups just not signed by Abigail anymore (unlike my 2006 CP)-

As I said I -could- point you to that thread, but I'm not as condescending as your good-self.

When I want to learn more about guitars I research them through the proper channels.

Also when I said "go compare A/B" it was aimed at the original poster.

Nice tele you've got there , Skintight .

Would you be so kind to post a little guitar p... ?

Why worry about guitars as long as there are enough of them around .
peace

Why worry about guitars as long as there are enough of them around .
peace

+100

Post a little p...? Sorry if I'm being dense but I don't know what that means. Lulz!

Some cool shots of your Old Growth Redwood Tele , of course :wink:
Great guitars ...

130460

This is my actual guitar lol. I managed to buy the marketing model.

This is a dream guitar , really ! Congrats on a great buy .
Thanks for posting .

Yes, it's a beautiful tele.

I've decided to give a pass on all classic series strats and will go for baja next month, as there is no used one for sale in my area. Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated!

Kris

Yes, it's a beautiful tele.

I've decided to give a pass on all classic series strats and will go for baja next month, as there is no used one for sale in my area. Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated!

Kris

My mate has a Baja. It's all kinds of awesome!