Fender Baja / G&L s-500 strat

Hi.

I've looked through the forum, I've found some information that were useful, bit still cannot make up my mind.

I'm looking for a new guitar, as I need some single coil sounds and I'm fed up with my uncomfortable dean. Eventually I will get both, strat and tele, but at the moment I can afford only one of them. My choices are - baja mim for tele and L&G tribute s-500. I played both in local stores (one of them got bajas, the other shop got g&l's so couldn't compere them head-to-head). Both are different, but nice guitars. The thing is I want to buy new one from thomann (good prices for uk at the moment) and baja is still over 100 pounds more. Is it worth it? I mean - I've read opinions about tribute s500 that they feel cheap and the neck doesn't feel like fender strat (it's 12inch radius, they felt ok with me in the shop, but it's always different when I play in shop ;), finish looks v.good, but when buying online can I count on consistency in quality? I had few mim fender strats and every one was very different - lottery indeed. How's the thing with bajas? Apart from the fact some of them are heavy I don'tthink I've read any negative comment about those. On the other hand though - it's still mim fender, and quite expensive. 2nd hand market is lacki.g in bajas, and I rather pay bit more, but get myself a new one. Just need a little help and advice from You guys. Any pros and cons, experience with those two guitars?
Hope this doesn't sound too desperate, but i'm struggling for over a month and want finally just order a guitar :)

Many thanks,

Kris.

Personally, I had both the Baja and an American re-issue '57 strat for a couple of years. I ended up selling the Strat because I preferred the feel of the Baja's neck and it's versatile sound options. As far as getting the quality that you want on-line, no matter what you end up getting, it's still pot-luck.

I have one of each: a baja and a deluxe fat strat. I definitely find myself playing the baja a lot more often, but I am glad to pull out "the quacker" (position 4 on the Strat) once in a while. Both guitars do wonderful things. If you want the more versitile, go with the Baja for sure. Having both will be a good problem.

I have the Baja but not the strat, so I cannot help with the comparison. However, I got it from Thomann. The thing is they have a 30-day return policy. So, if you're not happy (for whatever reason) you can always return it. I know it can be annoying, but I took the risk and it paid off.

Thanks for replies guys. Yes, I am getting more convinced about going for baja tele, all reviews are great. I wanted toget sunburst one, as thomann doesn't ofeer desert sand any more. Sunburst is tad more expensive though, I am bit concerned if it won't be much heavier because of wood selection (weight doesn't bother me, but resonance). I think I'll go to my local store again tomorrow and play few bajas so I can finally make my choice.
Any experience with black finish ones? I just though that if butterscotch ones are most popular the overall quality of that particular ones may be lower. Am I wrong?

Not sure how the blondes compare to others. However, I would guess that overall variability in quality is greater than any systematic differences between the colours.

By the way, I believe the Bajas are not 'butterscotch' but 'vintage blonde'. I think there is a slight (?) difference.

Bajas are great!
(And hi from someone whose family is from Swanage!)

Hi :)

Yes, that's what I've heard. I'm just worried as that's quite a lot of money to spend. I'm sure that I won't get a really bad guitar going for one of baja series. I woyld be really unlucky.