Best Strat - current production models

[Doug Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Loco

However I would never say no to a Custom Shop '56 Strat in Fiesta Red with gold hardware...

+1 on that.

[Radspin]

Does anyone have any experience with the '62 Thin Skin reissue Stratocasters? Wildwood Guitars has one on their Web site in Foam Green that looks great (although the high "E" looks like it might be a little to close to the edge of the fingerboard but I really can't tell on-screen). I have a '65 with jumbo frets and a flattened-radius neck (I bought it that way in 1980) and a '67 re-fretted with slightly taller than stock frets (I don't know whether they're 6105s or something else). Although I'm blessed with these exceptional guitars (as well as a parts Strat based around a '57 reissue neck), i still suffer from those constant, semi-rational or just plain irrational bursts of GAS, and I'm wondering how the Thin Skin re-issues might compare to my other Strats.

[hobbstc]

I'd like to re-emphasize the Classic Player strats. I just got a sunburst 60s and it's just fantastic, I love the 69 pickups. Guitar center isn't carrying them anymore so the 50s and 60s Classic Players are down to around $500. Can't beat that with a stick.

[frogger]

There are so many great models that are "great", so if it turns your crank then it's the best Strat for you. On second thought I think the Cray standard is killer and so is the Vaughn..then there is the HotRod 62 RI..and the new American Standards..so many great models.

[MGD342]

I love my SRV and my '62 Hot Rod! Wonderful guitars!

[SMPTE]

Another Vote for the EJ.

Sorry, but of the couple hundred Strats I've played my EJ is the best in my hands.

[boris bubbanov]

Originally Posted by hobbstc

I'd like to re-emphasize the Classic Player strats. I just got a sunburst 60s and it's just fantastic, I love the 69 pickups. Guitar center isn't carrying them anymore so the 50s and 60s Classic Players are down to around $500. Can't beat that with a stick.

No doubt these were a tempting choice for a while there at about $ 500, in some cases, less. I just bought Bajas, 60th Anniversary AV52 FSRs and Cubic Zircs instead til my credit card was smokin'. However, I have not seen a CP on sale cheap since the price on the Bajas and Highway Ones went back up.

Hadn't seen a real sweet deal at the Tallahassee GC since I got a AV52 FSR there in November. The nicest GC in that general area is far and away Pensacola, real nice folk there. Mobile GC is worst.

[Michaell]

I'm impressed with the new american standards


just really good instruments

[Scotland]

I have not tried all the Strats obviously but the CP 60's with the genuine CS69's is extremely hard to beat. One of the best guitars I have owned and easily beats an original 50's one I had years ago.
To be honest. most of the Fender Strat ranges are excellent nowadays.

[jumpnblues]

Jimmie Vaughan for me. I like "V" necks. The only thing I'd do for myself is change the pu's. Probably go with Don Mare/Junior Watson models or Lollar Tweeds or Blonds. I've really grown to like the Tweeds though.

Tom

[franchelB]

I'd like to think that my Tie-dye Strat is the "best", but this "poll" shows that it's a "toss-up" between the Jimmie Vaughn Tex-Mex and the Eric Johnson signature Strats...
The way I see it is whether you want to spend under or more than a grand....

[hobbstc]

Originally Posted by boris bubbanov

No doubt these were a tempting choice for a while there at about $ 500, in some cases, less. I just bought Bajas, 60th Anniversary AV52 FSRs and Cubic Zircs instead til my credit card was smokin'. However, I have not seen a CP on sale cheap since the price on the Bajas and Highway Ones went back up.

Hadn't seen a real sweet deal at the Tallahassee GC since I got a AV52 FSR there in November. The nicest GC in that general area is far and away Pensacola, real nice folk there. Mobile GC is worst.

Yeah, the GC here is ok. I used to shop exclusively at Andys Guitars until Rob left. The Tally GC is selling the sunburst CP60s for $502 and the shoreline gold CP50s for $480. I'm kinda wishing I had bought a tele though...

[Stratsrgood]

My 60's Classic in LPB is my favorite guitar, and the only one I would risk it all for to save from flood, fire or plague of locusts etc.

[harry the filter]

Right now my favorite strat is the CS Custom Classic. GREAT neck--9.5 radius 1.6875" nut; 6105 frets; feels like a talc'd up pool cue. The pickups are the only thing that didn't fly-- a little too modern sounding which is cool if that's what you're looking for. I changed the pickups to Lollar Blackfaces and that did the trick. I think they go for around $1700 or so. A few bones more than an EJ for Custom Shop craftsmanship.

[frogger]

I agree with Harry, yes those CS Custom Classic's are gorgous and real players. That neck is as smooth as a baby's butt. The Bing Cherry is fantabulus and I thought the PUPs where voiced a bit modern but very usable.

[BlackguardBob]

I'm not a Strat fan at all - I play Teles, Esquires and Gibson semis and I've never ever got on with Stratocasters but I stubled accross this John Cruz Masterbuilt '55 ash bodied Relic Strat and it's fantatsic. I'm more than familiar with the other production Strats but I haven't found a nicer 'modern' example. I'm normally a stickler for authenticity and like vintage frets and the 7.25" radius but the 9.5" radius and medium jumbo frets make this play faster than a Gibson!

[Snide]

Interesting that nobody has mentioned the Clapton or SRV strats yet. I have not owned either, but have been pretty impressed by the Clapton.

[DavidP]

has to be the Jimmie Vaughan strat; I pulled the TexMex pups and put in Fralin Blues AND a Deaf Eddie Fat-o-caster switch. I can (and do) gig with this "stealth strat" all night!

[Smokin' Joe Picante]

I have an SRV, and it's fantastic. I'll sometimes pick a new one up to pick on it and they're still a top production player IMO. Great guitbox.

[Andiguitar]

I also love the Fender EJ.
Ended up selling my Suhr Classic.

Hands down one of the best strats i've owned (and there's been many )

[strat64]

From a current production standpoint, I really haven't fund a better in-line (not custom shop) model than the Eric Johnson strat. 12" radius, medium jumbo neck, the nitro finish and the pups!!! The pups are what really did it for me. Can't wait for them to release the rosewood version (I prefer a rosewood board over maple).

Chris