Acoustic player needs help with selecting Strat???

[bluefish]

Hi!

I've been lurking on the Strat forum for a while and have decided to purchase my first electric guitar. I'm a long time classical and acoustic player (12+ years).

Anyways, I'd like to buy local and I'd like to buy used since my finances are tight. I finally have enough saved up for what I think should be a good Strat at around $800 to spend. What I've played locally are the following:

Choice #1 - 1998 Fender American Strat (black with rosewood neck) - mint condition with stock hardshell case, $750. This guitar seems heavy at about 9 pounds.

Choice #2 - 2006 Fender Classic Player 50s (silvery gold color with maple neck) - mint condition with Fender plastic hardshell case, $650, about 7.5 pounds

Choice #3 - 1997 Fender Tex Mex Strat, Jimmie Vaughan Signature (black with maple neck) - mint condition with gig bag, $600, about 7.5 pounds

Choice #4 - 2008 Fender Classic Series 50's (black with maple neck) - mint condition with gig bag, $500, about 8 pounds

I've played them all but don't know enough about Strats to decide which is good. The salesperson said the American is best out of the bunch since, "Look, it's an American Series. Enuf said." How about the cheaper Classic Series? Is it still a good guitar at only $500?

I'm wondering if the American would be the best choice? I tend to keep my equipment for a long time so I don't mind spending the extra $100 over the other choices if it's the best guitar out of the bunch. But if the Classic Series 50s for $500 is still a good guitar, then I'll go for that, but I don't want to sacrifice anything by going cheap and then upgrading down the road.

Or should I keep looking? Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

Danielle

[Stuco]

First of all, welcome to the best forum on the internet!

The 2008 classic 50's is the only good deal in the list in my opinion. It's not a super bargain either. Those 50s and 60s classics are more enjoyable to me personally than the american standards. I like the vintage jangely lower output pickups myself. The Jimmie Vaughan's are supposed to be really nice guitars for the money. They can be had for half the price of the one you're looking at on ebay. You will have to be a little patient to get one that cheap though.

That american standard would have sold for less new than they are asking now. It's the fender price hikes that are bringing the used prices up. It's just annoying to me to pay more for a guitar than it was purchased for new when it has no added collectablilty. The squier classic vibe is supposed to be the absolute best guitar for the price these days. Don't pay attention to the name on the headstock or where it's made as much as how much you like it.

[qblue]

Originally Posted by bluefish

Hi!

I've been lurking on the Strat forum for a while and have decided to purchase my first electric guitar. I'm a long time classical and acoustic player (12+ years).

Anyways, I'd like to buy local and I'd like to buy used since my finances are tight. I finally have enough saved up for what I think should be a good Strat at around $800 to spend. What I've played locally are the following:

Choice #1 - 1998 Fender American Strat (black with rosewood neck) - mint condition with stock hardshell case, $750. This guitar seems heavy at about 9 pounds.

Choice #2 - 2006 Fender Classic Player 50s (silvery gold color with maple neck) - mint condition with Fender plastic hardshell case, $650, about 7.5 pounds

Choice #3 - 1997 Fender Tex Mex Strat, Jimmie Vaughan Signature (black with maple neck) - mint condition with gig bag, $600, about 7.5 pounds

Choice #4 - 2008 Fender Classic Series 50's (black with maple neck) - mint condition with gig bag, $500, about 8 pounds

I've played them all but don't know enough about Strats to decide which is good. The salesperson said the American is best out of the bunch since, "Look, it's an American Series. Enuf said." How about the cheaper Classic Series? Is it still a good guitar at only $500?

I'm wondering if the American would be the best choice? I tend to keep my equipment for a long time so I don't mind spending the extra $100 over the other choices if it's the best guitar out of the bunch. But if the Classic Series 50s for $500 is still a good guitar, then I'll go for that, but I don't want to sacrifice anything by going cheap and then upgrading down the road.

Or should I keep looking? Thanks for any help anyone can provide!

Danielle

The problem is that the guitar you are considering is a Stratocaster. I think a Tele would satisfy you, and you would be able to assess a Tele better, coming from an acoustic experience.

But I have a American Strat, and of the choices this is the best. But after playing a Jimmie Vaughn, I feel it is the best of the rest. It is sleeper in its quality and sound. I believe it has Tex-Mex pickups. I would get a hardshell case, though.

Personally, I hate the tint of the maple neck 2008 classic series. It is so pale.

[still_fiddlin]

You're gonna need an amp to go with that electric, so make sure that's in your budget if you don't already have one.

None of those jump out at me as steals, but if you're looking in a shop, and really in "smalltown" your options are probably limited. I actually wouldn't recommend eBay for a first guitar. Too easy to end up with something that you don't like or needs enough work to make it disappointing. Support your local business if you can.

Maybe get someone who plays electric well to help pick out one? You could just listen to them and then weigh their opinion along with what you hear and how the guitars feel to you. Then, put on your best poker face and start negotiating.

And, you really should include a Tele in your trials, if they have some.

[Stuco]

Originally Posted by qblue

Personally, I hate the tint of the maple neck 2008 classic series. It is so pale.

If you don't like pale necks, I'm surprised you like the american standard.

[qblue]

That's a 1998 Am. standard with a rosewood fingerboard, well before they changed the tint of the maple portion of the necks.

But I think only MIA guitars are coming out with the pale necks. Three of the models selected are MIM, and so no pale tinted necks. My Bad.

[bluefish]

Thanks for the suggestions!

The reason I'm thinking Strat is because I like the light body weight, balance, and looks. That and I love the sounds of SRV, Johnson, Clapton, Mayer, Knopfler, Beck - the list is endless!

I have an amp. It's a tiny cute Super Champ XD that I picked up for cheap used. I think it sounds sweet.

I'm not thinking eBay since I don't want to go through the hassle of shipping, bidding, waiting, etc. Also eBay is really frustrating since many sellers end up delisting or selling the guitar before the end of the auction to anyone they feel like. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching what seems like a really nice guitar and then the seller sells the guitar for a ridiculously low price to someone that messages the seller to set up a special BIN price! I mean my bid would've been a lot higher had the seller waited the auction out like he should've!

So I'm willing to pay a bit more to go local. One thing I noticed is that the neck on the Jimmie is really quite nice. I noticed the prices for a new Classic Player or Jimmie Vaughan isn't that much more new, so maybe I should go for one of these new instead? It seems a lot of people are always recommending Jimmies based on previous posts. But I'm still thinking an American may have better resale value and it's nice to buy a product made in your own country, especially if it's a great instrument. Perhaps, I should just save up a bit longer and get a "New American Standard?"

Danielle

[Stuco]

Originally Posted by qblue

That's a 1998 Am. standard with a rosewood fingerboard, well before they changed the tint of the maple portion of the necks.

Behind the rosewood is pale maple though. Unless it's darkened with age (which it probably has). I don't know anything about fender changing the tint on the american standard or am series maple of the necks, I think they have always been natural, or untinted.

[Stuco]

Originally Posted by bluefish

Thanks for the suggestions!

The reason I'm thinking Strat is because I like the light body weight, balance, and looks. That and I love the sounds of SRV, Johnson, Clapton, Mayer, Knopfler, Beck - the list is endless!

I have an amp. It's a tiny cute Super Champ XD that I picked up for cheap used. I think it sounds sweet.

I'm not thinking eBay since I don't want to go through the hassle of shipping, bidding, waiting, etc. Also eBay is really frustrating since many sellers end up delisting or selling the guitar before the end of the auction to anyone they feel like. I can't tell you how many times I've been watching what seems like a really nice guitar and then the seller sells the guitar for a ridiculously low price to someone that messages the seller to set up a special BIN price! I mean my bid would've been a lot higher had the seller waited the auction out like he should've!

So I'm willing to pay a bit more to go local. One thing I noticed is that the neck on the Jimmie is really quite nice. I noticed the prices for a new Classic Player or Jimmie Vaughan isn't that much more new, so maybe I should go for one of these new instead? It seems a lot of people are always recommending Jimmies based on previous posts. But I'm still thinking an American may have better resale value and it's nice to buy a product made in your own country, especially if it's a great instrument. Perhaps, I should just save up a bit longer and get a "New American Standard?"

Danielle

Also, check out the Road Worn series. If you want an American Standard then that's what you should get. Perfectly nice guitars.

[still_fiddlin]

Cheapest American Standard is $1199, minus $100 rebate at GC, et al. There's NO reason to buy new if you are looking at a used Strat in good condition that you like. (9# sounds heavy though. My very comfortable MIM says 8 on the bathroom scales & Shimano spring scale.)

[ROADMAN]

the reason the JV neck feels so nice is it's a soft V neck....= sweeet
the JV though MIM uses mostly MIA parts and a steel trem block...mine is a little on the heavy side but what a great guitar...highly recommended..

[strat a various]

Check out the necks carefully. Make sure the guitar you're considering has a neck shape you love ... is it round or "V"?, is it wide or narrow, thick or thin? Try each and every fret. If the guitar you settle on has relief or bowing issues, high or low frets in some positions, any fret buzzing, or a slight twist, be sure the store GUARANTEES to give it a complete and thorough set-up and correct any issues, whatever they may be.
If the guitar needs to have a fret replaced or have the edges of the frets filed, or the frets crowned, add some $$$ to your final price. Many new guitars, and many more used guitars need some work, mostly neck and fretboard work.
If you have a friend with lots of experience around electrics, take him/her with you. It's easy to miss a serious neck issue when you're excited about a new purchase. Look down the neck for warps and twists. Even consider taking an 18 inch metal straightedge with you, to see the fret heights and relief. If the truss rod needs to be adjusted, make sure the store does it for you.

[beep.click]

Originally Posted by strat a various

Check out the necks carefully. Make sure the guitar you're considering has a neck shape you love ...

If you have a friend with lots of experience around electrics, take him/her with you.

Yep.

Bluefish, of the guitars you've tried, one had a rosewood neck; the rest were maple. Did you prefer one feel over the other? Many people have a strong preference -- some claim a maple neck is harder to play, or harder to get used to (especially coming from acoustic). I was strictly rosewood for about 25 years, but lately I've fallen in love with maple!

The guitars you're played have different size FRETS, too. You might not have noticed that, but it's part of the overall feel.

Try not to worry too much about "upgrading down the road." Every Strat you've mentioned is PERFECT, as-is. Plus, guitar players are notorious for changing tastes, as years go by, and Strat players are the worst. It's sort of a standing joke that EVERY Strat player hates their pickups, always!

P.S. Of the Strats you mention, the silvery-gold one sounds the coolest to me -- just on a cosmetic level. I have a Classic 50s (among other Strats), and the distinct thing about that model to my ears is a sharp, crisp tone. You notice it at the beginning of the notes (the "attack"). My other Strats don't emphasize the attack so much.

[brewwagon]

#2- player's on cosmetics the maple neck -- but take the one that works for you and feels good in your hands & sounds good to your ear unplugged too

good luck don't be rushed if you do find the magic one snap it up you might come back and it will be gone

bw