Best American Strat for $1500

[dkbemb10]

My buddy wants to buy a new guitar but with so many different choices he doesn't know where to start. He knows he wants a stratocaster and he has $1500 to spend so I figured I would ask the opinions of my fellow musicians. I'm more of a tele guy so I don't know much about strats, however my friend has a couple of requirements...

* has to be an American made strat

* Neck scale has to be 9.5 or 12 (NO VINTAGE 7.5 NECK SCALE)

* preferably medium jumbo frets


So if you guys could give me a couple different strat models that you guys feel are the best for what money he has to spend. It would be greatly appreciated. I know ultimately you have to sit down and try them out but we're just looking for a place to start instead of trying every single strat out there.

Oh and in case it matters... his style of playing is blues (SRV) or classic rock (rolling stones or hendrix).

[Alex W]

If your friend can look under the couch cushions and scrounge up another $100 he might consider the Eric Clapton Stratocaster. It's got 9.5" fingerboard radius. The downside per your requirements is it has vintage frets. It's good enough for Pete Townshend, at least.

[beep.click]

Play a bunch of American standards and pick out a good one.

[Jakedog]

my choices- New american standard. Under budget, amazing guitar. But for that price, a used Eric Johnson could be found. A really clean, like new one. Fabulous guitar, whether you like ej or not. Could also get a used srv, or mayer. Both are amazing, and would meet all requirements. Outside of sig. models, I would hit www.davesguitar.com and check out the current crop of thin skins. Awesome vintage reissues with full nitro thin skin finishes, and the required fret size and radius. A little over budget, but not much, and theres nothing Id rather have for that price.

[Maxwell Street]

Vintage Hot Rod 62...GC price $1699.00 and you can get 10% off or better depending on your haggling skills. Nitro, med jumbo frets, 9.5 radius, vintage case etc.

[jjkrause84]

Buy used and you can get more or less any USA Fender you want, period. MYy Am Std Tele was 700 so think....you could probably get an Am Std Tele AND an Am Std Strat for $1,500!

[brookdalebill]

You can get used first version (maple neck) Eric Johnson Strats for about $1500.
They get my vote for the best "thought out" non Custom Shop models.
I'd like to find a used blue (either color) RW EJ model.

[Maxwell Street]

Originally Posted by brookdalebill

You can get used first version (maple neck) Eric Johnson Strats for about $1500.
They get my vote for the best "thought out" non Custom Shop models.
I'd like to find a used blue (either color) RW EJ model.

I thought the nitro on the EJ's was always sticky on the neck...too much neck drag...?

[Alex W]

Originally Posted by Maxwell Street

Vintage Hot Rod 62...GC price $1699.00 and you can get 10% off or better depending on your haggling skills. Nitro, med jumbo frets, 9.5 radius, vintage case etc.

Come to think of it, this is a better choice than the Clapton strat I mentioned.

Most of the higher-end non-custom shop models like the AVRI and the vintage hot rod models seem to sell used for about $1100 or so.

[Wailin' Tele]

Originally Posted by Maxwell Street

Vintage Hot Rod 62...GC price $1699.00 and you can get 10% off or better depending on your haggling skills. Nitro, med jumbo frets, 9.5 radius, vintage case etc.

Used one of these would be my choice.

[KevinB]

Like Dave's, Wildwood also carries special run thinskins with 9.5" boards for $1600. They have some nice ones...

[Telarkaster]

I shopped for quite a while for my Strat. I tried low priced imports and high priced custom US models. The one that did it for me was a 2005 American Series. Now they are calling them American Standard again.

I can only suggest that you take your time and try as many as possible. Spending more does not mean you will get a better Strat. There are a lot of components in a Strat that have to come together just right and each one is different. Along the way I found a few US made Highway Ones that played and sounded really nice. If you like the finish you could pick one up for much less than you would think. The new Standards are really nice too. I think you can find the perfect Strat for you for less than $1500 and save some $$$ for a nice amp.

[pjholland]

+1 on the Vintage Hotrod-have one and love it. You can probably find a used one within your budget. Good Luck!

[Mekhem]

I played an American Deluxe v neck at GC today and that was pretty nice. 1499...

[J. Hayes]

2000 Clapton "Blackie" Strat and wouldn't even think about another, this one does it all..........JH in Va.

[stantheman]

I try never to buy "new".
Anyways I'd take My Time...
And look for a Used American Standard Late 80's Early 90's with a Rosewood Board in "Midnight Blue".

Of course I'd NEVER actually do it because I have reached the conclusion that I look Like a Total Dork with everything except Single Cutaways.

[dkbemb10]

Thanks for the info guys...

Alex W.... Thanks for the heads up on the Eric Clapton strat but we already tried that prior to me posting and he just can't go for the vintage frets. Thats how he got the dough to look for a new guitar because he sold his old tele with vintage frets because he just couldn't handle the vintage frets. I dont blame him either though cause they just feel really weird to me.

well we tried some of the guitars you guys suggested... personally I liked the American Deluxe strat with the S-1 switching (I hate the S-1 switching but I love how the guitar sounds and plays minus the S-1) but my buddy likes the 62 Hot Rod the best so far...

Thanks for all the advice and help guys...

[Sarge]

If your looking for some sweet Custom Shop Fenders give me a holler!

[LarryM]

'62 AVRI Hotrod

[Zillinois]

$1500 will get your freind into the used Fender Custom Shop market on Ebay , CL and elsewhere. Heck, you might be able to two nice used MIAs if you dig around a little..