Played a Shell Pink Strat at GC Today

[e-merlin]

My wife is out of town, the kids are at school, and I don't have class for the rest of the week. So, I went to a couple of music stores today. We have a new Guitar Center, and I have only strolled through it because it's been busy. I stopped in this morning and it wasn't busy at all, so I went looking for something to play.

In the back they have a 96 50th Anniversary Strat in Shell Pink. Well, that's the way they have it marked. It seems odd to me that a 50th Anniversary Strat would have a Rosewood fretboard. Anyhow, I decided to play around with it. It's a bit dirty and "reliced" but I really dig Shell Pink.

I plugged in into one of those new Bassman Reissues, the 50 watt ones. This is what I expect a Fender guitar and amp to sound like. Pure Strat tone. The neck pickup was clear and bell-like. The bridge pickup twanged like a Strat should; not Tele twang, but twang nevertheless. I've never been a big fan of the middle pickup by itself, but this one was an exception and I can't think of words to describe it at this point since I never use them. The in-between positions (yeah, I know, in-between positions on a 50th), which are the main reasons I pick up a Strat, were great. Nice Mark Knopfler with the neck/middle combo. Good quack with the middle/bridge. This guitar is everything a good Strat should be, IMO. And the color is a bonus.

Being unemployed has its downside. Part of that downside is not having the money to buy a really nice Strat. On the other hand, I think it's a bit overpriced at $500-plus. Actually, if I remember right, they have it tagged at $599 which is way too much for a really used Strat. If it was more in the $400 range or less I would be more interested, but that doesn't solve the money problem.

On the other hand, I've had a dozen or more Strats, including the one I own right now, and I hardly ever play them. I'm more of a Tele guy. But it's hard to resist a good Strat!

[MaskedRider]

Is that an american or japanese 50th Anniversary Strat ?

[tazzboy]

Hey E Long time no chat. Why don't you trade in the strat that you don't play anymore and get that?

[sneakyjapan]

I really dig my team built shell pink strat...and interestingly, my wife doesn`t like the color. She does really like the birdseye neck though.

[e-merlin]

Originally Posted by MaskedRider

Is that an american or japanese 50th Anniversary Strat ?

I didn't check, but I would assume it was USA by looking at the price. Of course you know what they say about assuming...

[Loco]

A Strat looks real pretty in (Shell) pink!

[e-merlin]

Originally Posted by tazzboy

Hey E Long time no chat. Why don't you trade in the strat that you don't play anymore and get that?

Well, I have found over the years that I just don't play ANY Strat much at all. I've probably had a dozen Strats over the years, and I just go back to my Teles. So I guess it's more a case of my preference rather than the quality or tone of the guitar.

By the way, my current Strat is a MIJ (not sure of the year) that has an unbelieveable flame maple neck. The board is rosewood, but the back just jumps with flame in the light. I would keep it for that alone, but it's the best sounding Strat I've ever played, with the possible exception of this Shell Pink one.

[trandy16]

Originally Posted by MaskedRider

Is that an american or japanese 50th Anniversary Strat ?

The 50th Anniversary Strats and Telly's released in 1996 were made in Japan....I have one of the 50th Anniversary Telecasters in Shell Pink.

[e-merlin]

Wow, that's beautiful!

[T-bone Tone]

You think those prices you quote are expensive?!?!? Kneel right down, now, and thank the lord you live in a country with probably the highest standard of living in the world, where your taxes do not pay for a monarchy, or a 'licence' to watch TV. Ask any of your friends who have been to England - or Rip-Off Britain, as the UK press frequently label the place - what expensive really is.

Unemployed? Yeah, I been there. The hours are great but the wages suck. I just started a small business teaching music and performing. It's still early days, and money is tight, but I wish I had done it years ago. Hang in there, and sooner or later, you will turn a corner.