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Johnny Morales · September 2nd, 2008, 10:52 PM

I have an am std with tex specials, looking for a backup - was gonna get a PRS or Gibson but just can't get into them as much as fenders.

Looking for something good as a second guitar. Thinking about the Classic Player 60's or similar guitar - don't want to get an american std because its too similar to my current strat.

LFB1988 · September 2nd, 2008, 11:02 PM

The Classic Player 60's is a great choice. Definitely the best Strat I've played, and looks fantastic in that Sonic Blue color.

ajgus · September 3rd, 2008, 11:17 AM

Played a CP 60s over the weekend at GC. Wonderful guitar. Love that pale Sonic. Didn't have the scratch on me so I opted for a Squier Vintage Modified S/S/S. Great little guitar for like $300. If your looking for a player that you don't have to baby...its definitely a way to go. I also hear great things about the Classic Vibe series. Just thought I'd throw out some cheaper alternatives...

refin · September 3rd, 2008, 11:24 AM

For that $, I would cherry pick parts and build one.That way I could have everything I wanted in pups,radius,color,weight,ect.
The Classic Players are very nice.

ajgus · September 3rd, 2008, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refin

For that $, I would cherry pick parts and build one.That way I could have everything I wanted in pups,radius,color,weight,ect.
The Classic Players are very nice.

Good call.

Mark Davis · September 3rd, 2008, 12:41 PM

50's Classic
60's Classic
Jimmie Vaughan
Robert Cray

All good choices for $700 or less new save the rest for mods or a better amp.

Doug Ferguson · September 4th, 2008, 10:49 AM

Played a Buddy Guy Standard last week that felt and sounded great; $675 ticket. If you can live with those white polka dots, it's a good little axe.

Rob DiStefano · September 5th, 2008, 08:21 AM

Asking for a "best" anything - particularly with such subjective stuff as guitars - is just gonna get ya the likes and dislikes of others, such as ...

My fave "Strat" is a Bullet (actually, three of them as of right now), each with appropriate mods. Far less than $1200, and perfectly "pro" in every way - for me.

I rate electric guitars in this prioritized order - playability, sound, aesthetics, cost. YMMV - get out and see what's best for you.

Mike Tank · September 15th, 2008, 08:23 PM

The correct answer is: any Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster!!! (my personal favorite being the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster 'V'-Neck in Candy Apple Red with 1-Ply Beveled Gold Vinyl pickguard).

Yes, these have typical asking prices of $1225 ($1350 for the Ash series), but (in both cases) you can easily talk the dealer down to $1200, if not well below that.

JimiBryant · September 15th, 2008, 09:07 PM

the Jimmie Vaughan is the best cheap Strat, period.

just IMHO of course.

maestrovert · September 15th, 2008, 10:49 PM

Either the '50s Classic or the Jimmie Vaughn Strats will fill your needs quite nicely....
BUT jes' like any guitar make/model, you're gonna hafta sift through the mediocre guitars as you seek out the great ones....

tazzboy · September 15th, 2008, 10:59 PM

The American series and Highway would get my vote.

dogletnoir · September 15th, 2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by refin

For that $, I would cherry pick parts and build one.That way I could have everything I wanted in pups,radius,color,weight,ect.
The Classic Players are very nice.

my opinion also...
Vintage classic player neck in rosewood is my current fave strat neck,
Robert Cray neck is a very close second...

superchicken_VI · September 17th, 2008, 09:40 AM

I love my Highway One. Absolutely love it. I wouldn't trade it for another Strat. The other guitarist in my band has a sonic blue CP60s, which is very nice, too, but I'd rather have the Highway One.

ROADMAN · September 17th, 2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimiBryant

the Jimmie Vaughan is the best cheap Strat, period.

just IMHO of course.

what he said.....

DavidP · September 17th, 2008, 05:59 PM

I always come back to this one (and I have a few strats to choose from)--the neck is to die for! At that price you can afford to upgrade the Tex-Mex pups if you don't like them, as well as a Callaham block/trem arm ($$ well spenty IMHO). Everything else stock is fine.

beep.click · September 17th, 2008, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Tank

The correct answer is: any Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster!!! (my personal favorite being the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster 'V'-Neck in Candy Apple Red with 1-Ply Beveled Gold Vinyl pickguard).

Yes, these have typical asking prices of $1225 ($1350 for the Ash series), but (in both cases) you can easily talk the dealer down to $1200, if not well below that.

+1

They had a sunburst V neck one at Guitar Center over Labor Day, for a grand.

jclark · September 17th, 2008, 11:28 PM

Not sure it's been announced yet, but I'm anxious to see the price on the Gilmour strat - might be a real winner.

Mike Tank · September 18th, 2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jclark

Not sure it's been announced yet, but I'm anxious to see the price on the Gilmour strat - might be a real winner.

2008 Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Stratocaster NOS: $3,999.99 MSRP

2008 Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Stratocaster Relic: $4,799.99 MSRP

jclark · September 18th, 2008, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Tank

2008 Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Stratocaster NOS: $3,999.99 MSRP

2008 Fender Custom Shop David Gilmour Stratocaster Relic: $4,799.99 MSRP

Aw nuts. I was hoping it would be less than that.

September 2nd, 2008, 10:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Johnny Morales Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Jersey Posts: 230	Best Strat Under $1200 (new) I have an am std with tex specials, looking for a backup - was gonna get a PRS or Gibson but just can't get into them as much as fenders. Looking for something good as a second guitar. Thinking about the Classic Player 60's or similar guitar - don't want to get an american std because its too similar to my current strat.

September 3rd, 2008, 11:17 AM	#3 (permalink)
ajgus Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: chicago Posts: 3,018	Played a CP 60s over the weekend at GC. Wonderful guitar. Love that pale Sonic. Didn't have the scratch on me so I opted for a Squier Vintage Modified S/S/S. Great little guitar for like $300. If your looking for a player that you don't have to baby...its definitely a way to go. I also hear great things about the Classic Vibe series. Just thought I'd throw out some cheaper alternatives... __________________ "...it's just a wonderful sound..."- GE Smith

September 3rd, 2008, 11:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
refin Friend of Leo's Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida Panhandle Age: 57 Posts: 3,890	For that $, I would cherry pick parts and build one.That way I could have everything I wanted in pups,radius,color,weight,ect. The Classic Players are very nice. __________________ "For You,Lord,are good,and ready to forgive,and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You." Ps. 86:5 http://www.soundclick.com/bands/0/refin_music.htm MASTER VOLUME? WHAT'S A MASTER VOLUME?

September 3rd, 2008, 12:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mark Davis Telefied Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Bakersfield Ca. Age: 62 Posts: 31,267	50's Classic 60's Classic Jimmie Vaughan Robert Cray All good choices for $700 or less new save the rest for mods or a better amp. __________________ I'm so blind my seeing eye dog needs glasses.

September 4th, 2008, 10:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Doug Ferguson Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Indianapolis, IN Age: 60 Posts: 2,213	Played a Buddy Guy Standard last week that felt and sounded great; $675 ticket. If you can live with those white polka dots, it's a good little axe. __________________ "If I don't like the way the times are moving I shall refuse to accompany them." -Horace Rumpole

Sponsored Ads	#
Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

September 2nd, 2008, 11:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
LFB1988 TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: St. Louis Age: 24 Posts: 69	The Classic Player 60's is a great choice. Definitely the best Strat I've played, and looks fantastic in that Sonic Blue color.

September 5th, 2008, 08:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
Rob DiStefano Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Park Ridge, NJ Age: 67 Posts: 7,721	Asking for a "best" anything - particularly with such subjective stuff as guitars - is just gonna get ya the likes and dislikes of others, such as ... My fave "Strat" is a Bullet (actually, three of them as of right now), each with appropriate mods. Far less than $1200, and perfectly "pro" in every way - for me. I rate electric guitars in this prioritized order - playability, sound, aesthetics, cost. YMMV - get out and see what's best for you.

September 15th, 2008, 08:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Mike Tank Banned TDPRI Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 80	The correct answer is: any Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster!!! (my personal favorite being the Fender American Deluxe Stratocaster 'V'-Neck in Candy Apple Red with 1-Ply Beveled Gold Vinyl pickguard). Yes, these have typical asking prices of $1225 ($1350 for the Ash series), but (in both cases) you can easily talk the dealer down to $1200, if not well below that.

September 15th, 2008, 09:07 PM	#10 (permalink)
JimiBryant Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Chicago Chicago that toddlin' town Age: 51 Posts: 1,844	the Jimmie Vaughan is the best cheap Strat, period. just IMHO of course. __________________ *we all shine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun.*

September 15th, 2008, 10:49 PM	#11 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Somewhere over the rainbow Posts: 8,023	Either the '50s Classic or the Jimmie Vaughn Strats will fill your needs quite nicely.... BUT jes' like any guitar make/model, you're gonna hafta sift through the mediocre guitars as you seek out the great ones....

September 15th, 2008, 10:59 PM	#12 (permalink)
tazzboy Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: May 2005 Location: Oregon Age: 36 Posts: 8,714 6 Photos	The American series and Highway would get my vote. __________________

September 17th, 2008, 09:40 AM	#14 (permalink)
superchicken_VI Friend of Leo's Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Monroe, NC Age: 40 Posts: 2,919	I love my Highway One. Absolutely love it. I wouldn't trade it for another Strat. The other guitarist in my band has a sonic blue CP60s, which is very nice, too, but I'd rather have the Highway One.

September 17th, 2008, 05:59 PM	#16 (permalink)
DavidP Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,326	+1 on the JV... I always come back to this one (and I have a few strats to choose from)--the neck is to die for! At that price you can afford to upgrade the Tex-Mex pups if you don't like them, as well as a Callaham block/trem arm ($$ well spenty IMHO). Everything else stock is fine. __________________ barely in tune and teetering on the brink of oblivion...

September 17th, 2008, 11:28 PM	#18 (permalink)
jclark Tele-Meister Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: new jersey Age: 48 Posts: 340	Not sure it's been announced yet, but I'm anxious to see the price on the Gilmour strat - might be a real winner.

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