Strat advice... I thought I'd never ask this question :rolleyes:

SO.... I'm a pretty diehard Telecaster Guy (although my taste runs towards the "that's not really a Telecaster" end as I'm in love with the 72 Tele Deluxe so...) But, I'm finally admitting that as a huge SRV and Jimmi fan I find myself wanting to have a Strat in the "quiver" aye. My band-mate/2nd guitarist plays a Strat and I have on occasion played it and enjoyed it. I'll say this, for a MIA Strat, it's build quality is absolute CRAP compared to my MIM 72 Tele DLX. RI... the tuners are garbage, and the frets feel rough and like the have sharp-ish edges to me. I've tried to get him to address these things but he just says "I have no idea how to deal with any of that stuff (he's a pro poker player who on a bad year makes a small fortune and he buys random gear constantly but he just WILL NOT get his rig set-up...). I finally did the intonation and he can't believe what it did to the overall tuning accuracy but that's a whole other issue and I'm getting off topic. Now I will say that when I get my Tele Deluxe back on I feel like I'm coming home after cheating on the missus aye :wink: Clearly I'm not looking to replace my Tele, just augment it and give myself something different in my arsenal aye.

So I've been searching for Strats on my local CL. I really don't want to spend more then $3-400 on one, and what I'm seeing is that I seem to be able to find all kinds of MIM Strats for anywhere from 250-400 SO...
-are there any years/series etc. to stay away from???
-What will the pups be like in these??? Can I expect that nice Strat pop and chime (SRV on a clean lite attack) or am I gonna have to do a pup swap to get "true Strat tones" out of them???

What I want:
-Maple fretboard
-White, yellow, seafoam, Red-redish or blue body color (I may even just refinish it so that may be a moot point, but I DON'T like Black Strats typically although I'm seeing a gold hardware mint guarded... I'm sorry Mr. Gilmour, I love you, but I still don't like Black Strats
-3-single coil lay-out. (I already have a dual HB guitar and frankly anything but WRHB's just don't do it for me, so I want single coils...)

that's really it.

SO I came across these: Any thoughts on the asking prices??? I have NO idea about Strats and the specs of each model like I do with Telecasters. I DEFINITELY don't know the price market well so I'd rather not pay 300-400 for a guitar that runs 250 used out of ignorance aye :wink: So I need ya help mates.

Which one would you pick, and "NONE OF THEM" can certainly be the answer aye :wink: I'm not in need of a Strat, just thought I'd like one...

this one I'm drooling over just for the color combo alone, and for my $400 total budget I'd gladly take a little Peavey SS amp that I could have to loan out and teach with etc (I've already got a little decade, but frankly, can you ever have too much gear???) So yeah, the color alone has me wanting this one. But I realize that's a horrible way to pick a guitar aye :wink: but still, I want a color scheme I like and this is a solid YES in that category...
http://salem.craigslist.org/msg/3145758630.html

This one is a "will get refinnished" color for me, but it looks to be in nice shape, hell, maybe a mint PG and gold hardware would change my opinion. I know there aren't many/any detailed pics, but dies anything jump out as a no-no or a "stay away from me sign"???
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/msg/3144270231.html

Fretboard's not what I want, but it sure is a 'Purdy' geetar isn't it aye (any reason to steer away from a Squier Strat???)... I'm not usually into Sunburst's but this one just struck me as really nice looking and for 275 I thought it might be worth it and I could even use the neck on a build I'm doing from scratch (always thought I wanted a rosewood fretboard on my tele Deluxe so I'm gonna build one myself, Ron Kirn style)
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/3146196008.html

Again, black, but it's maple necked and almost seems to be unbelievable at 275 for a non Squier. But you tell me.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/msg/3141873808.html

Lovin' the color of this one and the swapped Tortoise PG and trem. cover I think would look great plus it comes with the white's so I could try those too...
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/msg/3121434126.html

I'm liking the Red color in this one, but I don't know about the "story" behind it.
http://salem.craigslist.org/msg/3118299428.html

Pretty smitten with the body on this one color wise
http://salem.craigslist.org/msg/3131459028.html

Cheers

Dave

I dont mind MIM Strats, some people hate them, some people like them. I had one that played good and sound good. It had a few extra's like locking tuners and active pups which were nice bonus's.

I wouldnt pay more then $250 for a MIM standard strat unless it came with a nice Fender hard case, then I would go up to $300.00. They are just sooo common, I see 20 for every 1 tele in my area.

Mid to late 90's would be the vintage I would be looking for but imo as long as it feels good, then it is good. I am not really aware of any bad years.

There is a mid to late 90s model to look out for (it looks like you listed one, that was 275 - now its 200) with the fender logo being all black, I believe these had "squier series" on the corner of the headstock (often sanded off) and go for 175-200 (I believe they're mim bodies with cheap asian hardware).

In this market id just hold out for the color I wanted and prob pay around 250 for a mim, classic vibe squiers would prob also be pretty good

some interesting choices on your local craigslist.

i've got an '02 MIM in sage green metallic. love it...my number one. originally was looking for a sunburst, but when i picked this one up in the store, it was over. when you're shopping for a strat, you'll know it when you play it that it's "the one".

Offer $340 on the top one.

Aging white body with white guard and maple.....that's a classic. I have a MIM Strat and HWY-1 Strat. I love them both. The MIM pickups are hotter. You'll get all the cluck and pop out of the Mexi that you could ever want.

The seller mentions slight dings. If it really has a ding or two offer $250 on the guitar and $50 on the amp. $300 cash?

Stick with SSS.....not HSS. I had an HSS HWY-1 and I never bonded with the Frankenstien pickup layout.

White Strat. Nice.

http://resources3.deepdiscount.com/resources/deepdiscount/images/products/processed/157/9781423494447.zoom.1.jpg

I couldn´t help but notice you said you would be willing to do a refin.
I did the 2000 Squier Standard in this thread and I have since sold all of my teles. The only other electric I have now is a 1974 Ovation Viper.
This strat covers too many bases for me to consider bringing anything else to a gig.
Good guitar. Fantastic modding platform.
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/finely-finished/325851-two-refinished-squiers-before-after-pics.html

Offer $340 on the top one.

Aging white body with white guard and maple.....that's a classic. I have a MIM Strat and HWY-1 Strat. I love them both. The MIM pickups are hotter. You'll get all the cluck and pop out of the Mexi that you could ever want.

The seller mentions slight dings. If it really has a ding or two offer $250 on the guitar and $50 on the amp. $300 cash?

Stick with SSS.....not HSS. I had an HSS HWY-1 and I never bonded with the Frankenstien pickup layout.

White Strat. Nice.


+1

Also that CV 60's Strat has one of the nicest rosewood fretboards that I've ever seen on a budget guitar.

Yes, I have a MIM HSS of my brothers in the closet. The volume diff. between the bridge and the rest of the positions bugs the heck out of me.

I like the top one, that white finish is just too classy. Besides it comes with an amp and a grunge pedal. OK the pedal's not a big selling point but you can never have too much gear.

You might want to consider a Peavey Patriot, Predator or whatever it's called. Say what you will, but PV is well built and less expensive than almost anything with Fender on the headstock. I just bought a PV Fury(P-Bass) for less than $200 and love it. Just a thought.

The last one is an HSS Strat, which, to my ears, doesn't have the classic "Strat" sound. You wouldn't want a Tele without twang, and you wouldn't want a Strat without...whatever the Strat sound is called.

Beyond CL, you can usually find an HSS and an MIM in every pawn shop on McLoughlin Boulevard.

Have you played the strats with the tiny vintage frets? You might want to stick to newer ones with medium jumbos if you're not comfortable with vintage frets. And I think fret wear is an issue too... my '99 MIM tele had some pretty good fretwear on it after 10+ years.

I think the story on the red one checks out... American body and neck, asian parts, assembled in Mexico, 1-ply pickguard. http://www.tdpri.com/forum/telecaster-discussion-forum/117547-90%92s-fener-mexico-w-black-decal-mystery-uncovered.html

About the midnight wine one that you are smitten with the color of ... you can always get a SSS pickguard and undo the fat-ness... especially if you're planning to change pickups down the road.

$400 is way too much for that white strat and amp. I wouldn't pay more than $300 and probably less. IMHOs etc.

I like the Classic Vibe SB. I was blown away by both the 50s and 60s type of these Squier Strats unplugged,very resonant,vith great set up and feel to the neck
I have played a few MIM over the years and I like some of these too. I would play as many as you can because like all guitars,they vary alot in feel and sound.
Last year I traded my new Classic Vibe Tele for a 80s E Series Squier Strat.Got the 50s type in red,with maple board.These can been found for cheap and the neck on mine is as good as any Fender neck I have ever played.Seen these strats for as little as 200 bucks. Happy hunting!

You'll find about the same quality and consistancy with MIM Strats as you will with your MIM. Most are pretty good, a few dogs, and a few gems.

The red one with the 'story'... There are 'Squier Series' guitars that were assembled in Mexico, and common wisdom is that they were made largely of American parts (I believe that they started mixing in Mexican parts as they became available). They can be great guitars at good prices. There are, however 'Squire Series' guitars that were made in the far east, the one I'm familiar with came from Indonesia. If it's one of those, it's worth $100.00, tops. Be sure to look closely at the headstock, and if it looks like a label has been scraped off or altered, be very suspicious.

You'll find about the same quality and consistancy with MIM Strats as you will with your MIM. Most are pretty good, a few dogs, and a few gems.

The red one with the 'story'... There are 'Squier Series' guitars that were assembled in Mexico, and common wisdom is that they were made largely of American parts (I believe that they started mixing in Mexican parts as they became available). They can be great guitars at good prices. There are, however 'Squire Series' guitars that were made in the far east, the one I'm familiar with came from Indonesia. If it's one of those, it's worth $100.00, tops. Be sure to look closely at the headstock, and if it looks like a label has been scraped off or altered, be very suspicious.

The 2nd pic of the headstock has Squier series, black Fender, made in mexico, and an MN5 serial number. That's the one that jumps out at me :wink:

I have a Squier dbl fat strat from '99 with those type of saddles, and a MIM standard from '96 with the Fender type bent steel.. I'd rather have NICE bent steel on both but by now the MIM '96 have nasty burrs and are generally worn out and need to be replaced, the Squier's still work just fine.

Wow... thanks for the advice guys.

The White on White one really grabs me so I'll take the advice and offer him 250 and 300 all in with the amp. I really like the color scheme and it's maple necked so I'm already intrigued. I have ZERO qualms with MIM's as I have an MIM Tele Deluxe and it's built amazingly.

I'm a big Peavey proponent aye, I play a Classic 50-212 and I won't trade it for anything so... The Pedal would get sold on cause I don't need one.

Fingers crossed, I will see what I can work out with the guy if he's still got it aye.

Cheers

Dave

Offer $340 on the top one.

Aging white body with white guard and maple.....that's a classic. I have a MIM Strat and HWY-1 Strat. I love them both. The MIM pickups are hotter. You'll get all the cluck and pop out of the Mexi that you could ever want.

The seller mentions slight dings. If it really has a ding or two offer $250 on the guitar and $50 on the amp. $300 cash?

Stick with SSS.....not HSS. I had an HSS HWY-1 and I never bonded with the Frankenstien pickup layout.

White Strat. Nice.

http://resources3.deepdiscount.com/resources/deepdiscount/images/products/processed/157/9781423494447.zoom.1.jpg

I'm with you on everything you said aye... I'm NOT interested in an HSS Strat at all, my friend has a really nice MIA HSS Strat and I just don't get on with the HB at all. I feel like it's mising one of the key tones I want out of a Strat so that's a no go for me too :wink: And like I said, I'm on the Peavey bandwagon with the C50-212 already so another little Peavey wouldn't be a bad thing in my books aye.

How'd you know that Jeff Beck would be a great motivator and inspiration for me mate :mrgreen: "Since we've ended as lovers" has been on heavy rotation in my playlists for a long time (others too, but I love that song aye).

Every time I look at that white on white one you're talking about i just want it... I'll keep my fingers crossed that it plays as well as it looks. I sent the guy an email and left him a message so we shall see aye.

Cheers

Dave

I was in same boat a while ago. I ended up getting a Peavey Predator for cheap enough that I was able to put in some great sounding GFS pups and tuning machines onto an still be under $175.

It took to setup really well, and has turned out to be a great guitar. I've played it a a couple of gigs, and been impressed by it so far.

Just suggesting another option.

YLlYQQrHmh8

i met these guys outside of tipatina's down in new orleans and the strat he plays is a MIM and the guy in the center is playing a early 90's tallman. completely opened my eyes to the myth that its gotta be usa to sound good. these are super nice guys. so i went home to my MIM 72 custom and though i did change the pickups to some that i love, pearly gates and a fred stuart lap wrap, great!!!! single coil, but other than that these guitars play real, real nice.

Agreed, I'm a big fan of Fender's MIM guitars (the amps I don't care for). Even bigger fan of Explosions in the Sky!!!!!!!!! "Birth and Death of The Day" is a staple on my "riding mix" (DH/FR mountain bikes) :mrgreen: . I keep hoping they'll come to The Gorge in Washington because a show of theirs there would be pretty much the most epic show possible. maybe if they played Pompeii like Floyd it could compare but otherwise, EITS @ The Gorge would just blow my mind.

I went and checked out the Squire CV and it didn't really do it for me. Didn't care for the neck and the overall feel of the guitar just didn't strike me as "what I'm looking for". It looked awesome, but it just felt all kinds-a wrong in my hands... Maybe it's just because I'm so used to how solid my Tele Deluxe feels, but the Squire just felt like a toy sort of... To be fair, I find the Strat I noodle around on of my bandmates a bit Toy feeling too cause it's just SO much lighter and "different" feeling to my #1 guitar.

I still have not heard back from the guy on the White one... and I went out and bought a few Pedals yesterday so we shall see what comes, but I've learned a bit more about Strats for sure... Now to find one at a good price that i actually want to play.

Cheers

Dave

MOST of the actual Mexican made "Squier series" ones are just as good as a "real" MIM strat. I have one (a 95) that once the cheezy covered tuners got replaced, it was fine. The headstock logo would look like this
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/5-2-10039.jpg
someone before me sanded off the "Squier series" part of the logo but the rest of it would look like this.
Also if they let you dissasemble the guitar (not likely, but in case they did..) they should have a "SQUIER" stamp in the neck pocket like this
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/5-2-10069.jpg
These were cheaper than other MIMs because of the tuners and the electronics. The pickups are ceramic ones but I think they sound fine, unless you're used to $$$$ botique ones. Plus those are easy enough to change. Oh yeah, pics
http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/5-2-10075.jpg
So, good neck and body, cheap hardware but it's all just screwed together and there's 654326546 companies making parts for Strat types.
PPS, the one mod I've done to my Strat types that I think actually does some good (instead of just being modding for modding's sake) is a high-mass bridge. A friend coughed up the $$$$ for a Callaham one, and it made his import sound loads better. I paid way less for the GFS one, but I think it improves the sound just as much as the more expensive one.
So, you'll find these out there and it seems half of them get sold for $99 "cause it's just a squier, man" and half of them are way overpriced because "It's a MIM dude" so they get listed for the same as a new one from GC. There's no reason to avoid one, though. Other than that 75% of them seem to be black ones... I love mine and won't ever sell it though. My daughter "adopted" it at an early age and gets pissed when it's not out for her to play. http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp360/dannew2008/h2/7-29-08075.jpg
Good luck with your search.