Selling my two Strats to buy one MIA. What should I get ?

[jonhart]

I'm selling my MIM Standard Strat and my MIK Lite Ash Strat to upgrade to one MIA. I prefer maple neck. I absolutely can't stand those big CBS headstocks, so no 70's style stuff for me. I was thinking of a used Am. STD., but maybe there's something else out there. I realy like the V neck my partscaster Tele has, but I don't think a 57 AVRI Strat is in my budget. Maybe I should just build a partscaster Strat. What should I look for ?

[Jakedog]

Hard to go wrong with an American Standard. I've owned well over hundred strats in my life. My American Standards have always been my favorites. I've bought AVRI strats, sig strats, Am. Dlx, you name it. I always go back to the American Standards. I currently own three. They are all bone stock, and all amazing.

FWIW, I prefer '95 and newer models. The body contours are much more "right". Pre '95 the contours aren't nearly as deep, the bodies are very similar to MIM Std bodies in feel. I don't dig that, but if you're used to that, you might like an earlier model.

Keep a look out on Craigslist, and check used shops and such. The market for used Am. Std. strats seems to be really weak right now. A new one is $1K, but I am not seeing any used ones lately pull more than $650, and a few months ago I bought a mint '08 with the case and all the trimmings for $600. It's a good time to be buying used strats, and if you're patient, you should make out pretty well.

[jonhart]

I found a realy good deal on an 80's standard Strat on CL. It's a white 84 body with an 88 maple neck. $600 with a hardcase. I don't have the money right now though, I need to sell the two before I can realy get serious about buying. It seems like just a couple months ago I was trying to sell/trade my SG, and Strats were way up in price. I was either looking for another Tele or a Strat and I ended up with an 89 Standard Tele. For some reason all the Strats were selling for $700-$900. They just recently dropped in price and I'm not sure why.

[Starrman44]

I don't know your budget, but I am picking up a CAR FSR 57 Reissue today. Got it for $1,079. They are blowing them out getting ready for new colors it appears...

[Telesavalis]

The Eric Johnson Strat is a good choice.

[Ghost of SRV]

Originally Posted by Telesavalis

The Eric Johnson Strat is a good choice.

The EJ is great! Also the AVRI strats are excellent.

[Racer5]

Originally Posted by jonhart

I absolutely can't stand those big CBS headstocks, so no 70's style stuff for me.

Well there goes my idea

I think you should definitely look at used gear, you can get an AVRI for that price.

[jonhart]

The lowest price AVRI I've found that was local was an AVRI Jazzmaster. It was listed for $1000 or trade for other Fenders or Gibsons. I offered the guy my 89 American Standard Tele, but he said he already had a black Tele so he didn't go for it. As for the Strat adventure, I found a beautiful 57' AVRI in surf green on CL for $1400. I'm trying to keep it under $1000, but I might have to just go for it. Is that a good price for the 57' ? It's been on there for a while.

[jonhart]

Well, as it turns out the 57' is gone. I just looked at the specs for the EJ Strat and it basicaly has everything I want. I actualy kinda like the Mark Knopfler Strat too. I'm not a fan of rosewood, but it's pretty nice. I think I might save up a little more and pull the trigger on the EJ. What's the going used price for one ? I like the V neck, the 12 radius, and everythig else about it.

[Ghost of SRV]

Mine is a 2006 or 2007. I bought it off Craigslist locally for $1000 after a week of haggling. It's Candy Apple Red with maple neck.

[Toto'sDad]

I bought a 2008 AS Strat this time last year for $550 with the case, guitar is in as good shape as the new ones on the wall at GC, maybe better. I've had some that didn't stay long, but this one's been here a year, so it looks like it's staying.

[gitlvr]

If I were going to buy instead of build, hands down for the money I'd pick the American Standard. There are a lot of choices in the strat world(maybe too many, IMO), but the American Standard is everything a strat should be, IMHO.

[D.Allen]

MIA strats are great guitars I like the mid 80's MIJ's as well. The most important thing to me is finding one with a great neck and a good resonate body.

[jmontgomery]

The new American Standards are some of the best guitars Fender has ever built.

[brookdalebill]

+1 for the EJ.
Either RW or maple.
I'm a rosewood fan myself, love the bound neck, but I digress.
I've seen them on CL for as low as $1200, around here anyways.

[Hiker]

Jakedog nailed it, The American Standard. You are looking for one with a maple fretboard, right?

[jonhart]

I think it's down to the Standard and the 57'. I'd realy like to save up for the 57' but I might like the Std. for the money. I could always put some better pickups in it. The one MIM I'm selling has Fender CS 69's in it, maybe I could pull those out before I sell it. I realy like those pups, I just don't like the feel of the guitar. If I get the 57' I'll most likely install the 5-way switch. I don't think I could live without the "quack."

[NastyMojo]

Used American Standard would be my choice too. Good Luck.

[teletwang67]

Play it before you buy it. I played a '57 that had a sticky neck and wouldn't stay in tune. But it sounded amazing!

[Pickalittle]

I can't imagine a better choice than an Eric Johnson for workmanship, tone, playability and the maple neck. The maple on these guitars is artwork itself on a production guitar!
It's the one I kept after owning 5-6 Strats!