What Model is considered a Real Strat? Just too many models.

Hi,

I don't want to sound too ignorant about Strats. I do know what a 50's and 60's Strat feels and sounds like. Of course I don't own one. I was one of those folks who at one time did have the real thing. I had a 63 Strat
and had sold it at the time. Who knew that today they would be worth a fortune. Well aside from that, what I really want to know from you folks is other than the expensive so called vintage Strats, where can I get a good sounding Strat that is at least as close to the real thing as possible. There are too many models of Strats out there and some seem really bad. What are the good models? I just want a Stratocaster. Not one with someones name on it. I want the guitar that Leo wanted us all to have. There just seems to be too many different models of Stratocasters out there and one gets the feeling that a Strat is just not a Strat anymore unless you spend a lot of money. It could drive you nuts.
Anyone feel the way I do? Thanks for all your opinions.

Some people think the Strats with only vintage specs are the real strats others like a flatter fretboard radius and bigger frets for easy playing.

If you want one with the specs Leo used a 50's or 60's Classic MIM a 57/62 USA ri or a Custom Shop Time Machine will fit the bill.

Price wise your looking at roughly $600 $1300 $2200.

Based on your statement that you previously owned a '63, I would follow the part of Mark's advice where he suggested a US '62 reissue. A great strat, vintage style, at a decent price. Of course, if you can swing the cash, get a Custom Shop Time Machine strat. They are great guitars. Bang for the buck though, I'd go for the US reissue.


Jake

I think the MIM Classic series takes some beating for the price. Good honest guitars with a bit of class. They sound and play really well. The 'Reissue' series are in my mind neither here nor there. They are expensive for a Strat, and not accurate enough for a repro. The Custom Shop Time Machines are accurate repro's in any of their guises, Relic, Closet Classic, or NOS, and give far more bang for buck, despite their very high price, than a 'Reissue' IMO. The sound and playability are second to none, the construction second to none, and you can live in comfort knowing you have the best Fender can offer. And a second hand TM is about the same price as a new 'Reissue' (at least in the UK). So I would go with either extreme, the cheaper (but not 'cheap') MIM Classic, or the expensive Time Machine.

I think the MIM Classic series takes some beating for the price. Good honest guitars with a bit of class. They sound and play really well. The 'Reissue' series are in my mind neither here nor there. They are expensive for a Strat, and not accurate enough for a repro. The Custom Shop Time Machines are accurate repro's in any of their guises, Relic, Closet Classic, or NOS, and give far more bang for buck, despite their very high price, than a 'Reissue' IMO. The sound and playability are second to none, the construction second to none, and you can live in comfort knowing you have the best Fender can offer. And a second hand TM is about the same price as a new 'Reissue' (at least in the UK). So I would go with either extreme, the cheaper (but not 'cheap') MIM Classic, or the expensive Time Machine.

Prices in the UK must be off the wall. I feel for you guys having to hand out so much dough for a decent guitar. I don't know where the originator of this post is from, but here in the US, a reissue series is about $1300.00 street price, with a tweed case. Second hand, $800-$1000. The Time Machines are about $2700.00-$2800.00 street price. Second hand, $1700-$1900. I'll agree totally that the Time machines are better guitars, but not THAT much better.

Jake

Roughly think of it this way. We pay in the UK in pounds what you do in the US in dollars.

I think if it's made by Fender and it quacks, it's a 'real Strat'.

The Time Machines are about $2700.00-$2800.00 street price

I sort of said in a roundabout, but a very specifically accurate and vaguely incisive way, that a second hand TM is about the same price as a new Reissue. Like Essex Boy rightly says, the prices may be the same in $ in the USA as they are in £ in the UK, but the second hand values are in proportion. So while a new MIM Classic may be £450, a second hand (I won't labour the point) CS can be had for around £1300. Which is a bargain, particularly if you like the Relic finish (which doesn't show up the previous owners wear), compared to a 'so so' new Reissue at about £1200. The point is though, an MIM Classic is a closer guitar in quality to the 'Reissue' series, than a CS Time Machine is to the Reissue.

The Time Machines are about $2700.00-$2800.00 street price

I sort of said in a roundabout, but a very specifically accurate and vaguely incisive way, that a second hand TM is about the same price as a new Reissue. Like Essex Boy rightly says, the prices may be the same in $ in the USA as they are in £ in the UK, but the second hand values are in proportion. So while a new MIM Classic may be £450, a second hand (I won't labour the point) CS can be had for around £1300. Which is a bargain, particularly if you like the Relic finish (which doesn't show up the previous owners wear), compared to a 'so so' new Reissue at about £1200. The point is though, an MIM Classic is a closer guitar in quality to the 'Reissue' series, than a CS Time Machine is to the Reissue.

I agree.

it's the *** version of the 62 re-issue. With a little hot rodding it's everything I've always wanted in a guitar. It's taken decades of experimentation, but I've finally found the guitar that I'm very content with. The Strat Plus comes in second, I don't know why but there is just something about them Plus's.

This is my Rant-of-the-Day :P

Well, I suspect that "Leo" did not intend for us to have a Japanese/Mexican/Asian anything. That's all I have to say about that.

I've never picked up ANY Mex/*** Fender that I really liked. They always feel/play like what they are... cheap. Not that ALL American ones are great by any means. I actually don't love the current american ones either. I however AM in live with my 1982 '62' Strat Reissue.

I agree; there are too many models... of EVERYTHING. Strats, Les Pauls, Coca-Cola's, Chevy trucks, etc. Yes, I know there are marketing/price-point reasons for it all. See if you agree with me on this: If you would just make the damn guitar RIGHT(Like Leo intended) in the first place, you wouldn't need 78 different models of the same guitar. Yes, it used to be that you either had a strat or you didn't. The end. If you wanted a Strat, you definitely did'nt want it with a humbucker(or two) in it. Strats did one thing, Les Pauls did another. Tele's still another. Deal with it. If you couldn't afford it, there was always Epiphones, Ibanez, etc. Oh, well. That, in my opinion, was part of becoming a seasoned player. All the lines are blurred now.

I'm so old and set in my ways. I accept change with a lot of kicking and screaming. :lol:

Yea, Leo gave us the BASIC Strat and Tele and Ford gave us the basic car. Some of us like to experiment and push the envelope a little farther. Stacked Singles 500K pots, RMC Piezzo's, different trems all enhance what Leo started. Ain't nuthin' wrong with that. It still comes down to what we like in guitars and are willing to do to get the tones we like. I enjoy HB's, coil taps and like to experiment, but I also enjoy the basic's. Get out of the time warp and enjoy all thats out there now days. It's a guitar players paridise. My #1 Strat is a MIJ Hotroded and my #1 tele is a Levinson Thinline with all the bells and whistles, though I still have the "basic" strat and tele when needed. I think that the bottom line is....just have fun and make the music you enjoy!