Dave's Guitar 1962 Stratocaster vs. American Original?

[garcia]

Does anyone have any experience or an informed opinion on this comparison? I want to get a nice Strat but I'm super indecisive. I played an AO a while ago, but didn't have the opportunity to plug it in. I love Dave's Guitar and I really wish they were still doing their '62 collab with Fender. Also, I imagine that these two models are fairly similar. Just looking for some opinions. Thanks!

 

[Highway 49]

Dave’s guitar?

 

[Thadocaster]

The 'thin skin' finish on the DGS is better than AO nitro IMO. You may or may not prefer the Fat '50s pickups to what are in the AO Strat.

The dot inlays on the DGS are a bit dark, particularly on the side dots which can be hard to see.

I would be perfectly happy with a nice example of either guitar.

 

[John C]

Dave’s guitar?

Dave's Guitar is a large independent dealer here in the USA (in Wisconsin) with multiple locations. They were one of 2 dealers (along with Wildwood Guitars in Colorado) getting the ThinSkin models back in the 2000s/2010s before Fender ended that program.

Dave also has a monster guitar collection that is on display at their main location in LaCross. Here's a link to their website:

Dave's Guitar Shop

Dave's Guitar Shop is one of the largest independent guitar retailers in the Midwest! Shop our large selection of Fender, Gibson, Paul Reed Smith, Martin, Taylor, Rickenbacker and much, much more! We ship our new and used inventory worldwide.

www.davesguitar.com

 

[Highway 49]

Dave's Guitar is a large independent dealer here in the USA (in Wisconsin) with multiple locations. They were one of 2 dealers (along with Wildwood Guitars in Colorado) getting the ThinSkin models back in the 2000s/2010s before Fender ended that program.
Dave also has a monster guitar collection that is on display at their main location in LaCross. Here's a link to their website:

Dave's Guitar Shop

Dave's Guitar Shop is one of the largest independent guitar retailers in the Midwest! Shop our large selection of Fender, Gibson, Paul Reed Smith, Martin, Taylor, Rickenbacker and much, much more! We ship our new and used inventory worldwide.

www.davesguitar.com

Thanks, I wasn’t familiar with the brand (I’m in the UK)

 

[garcia]

The 'thin skin' finish on the DGS is better than AO nitro IMO. You may or may not prefer the Fat '50s pickups to what are in the AO Strat.

The dot inlays on the DGS are a bit dark, particularly on the side dots which can be hard to see.

I would be perfectly happy with a nice example of either guitar.

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to keep my eyes open for an AO that I can try. On the other hand, it's unlikely I'll ever find a DGS Strat in a local shop.

 

[John C]

Thanks, I wasn’t familiar with the brand (I’m in the UK)

well it's a store - like Anderton's - who got a lot of special runs from Fender when they were doing the "Thin Skin" finishes on modified AVRIs.

 

[vespa1]

i have the AO 50s and the Dave's 62 AVRI. The AO is significantly lighter and the neck is my favorite of any guitar that I own. The Dave's AVRI has a great finish and I love the pickups. The clay dots are way darker, but look great. So I would say that the Dave's looks and sounds better, but the AO is easier to play and gig.

 

[dogmeat]

consider an Eric Johnson Strat

 

[garcia]

i have the AO 50s and the Dave's 62 AVRI. The AO is significantly lighter and the neck is my favorite of any guitar that I own. The Dave's AVRI has a great finish and I love the pickups. The clay dots are way darker, but look great. So I would say that the Dave's looks and sounds better, but the AO is easier to play and gig.

Does your AO '50s have a huge neck on it? I love the looks of the maple neck with white blonde finish. I believe I read somewhere that those necks are 'huge', which probably wouldn't be my ideal. For reference, my favorite Strat neck ever was on the Mexican made Jimmie Vaughan signature model. Based on your experience, I'd go with the AO because I prefer easier to play/gig guitars.

 

[Pcs264]

I will say based on my past experience that Dave's is a very good store to do business with. Very knowledgeable staff who are happy to spend time on the phone answering questions and they took the time to go get the guitar I was asking about so they were holding and playing it while we were talking. They also do a good bit of overseas business. I have no relationship with Dave's other than previous satisfied customer.

 

[xtrajerry]

I have a thin skin 1954 Strat from Wildwood.. pretty sure that Dave's thin skins were from the same runs. Anyway the quality is right there between custom shop and the AVRI models from that era.. My American Originals seem to be pretty much the same quality as the thin skins from the last decade.. I'm betting you'd prefer the AO pickups as well.. they are fantastic..

 

[Uncle Daddy]

I found the AO neck to be a little on the chunky side for my small paws.

 

[joe_cpwe]

Thanks, I wasn’t familiar with the brand (I’m in the UK)

RE Dave's guitars, in addition to Dave now having four locations, his primary location in LaCrosse WI is where you can see his personal collection. This video looks like a store, but it's the upstairs of his #1 location and it's his personal collection of guitars and amps that's open to customers. It's like if Joe Bonamassa had his collection open to the public. It's incredible. The main store is downstairs, the in-stock selection to buy is insane also. Cool store.

consider an Eric Johnson Strat

I don't know a whole lot about the AO or the '62. I already have a few Strats so I don't shop around much anymore. I do know if you look around long enough you'll find 'the right' thin skin.
In ref. to an Eric Johnson, I waited a real long time to finally get one. They're mass produced but do have a nitro finish. The pickups seem to be on the lower output side. I bought mine used, but it was either left in a car/outside overnight or intentionally weathered/relic making me think the don't have a very thick finish. Sounds and resonates very nice. There are EJ Strats w/ a rosewood fretboard, like 60s look. They have neck binding too, which looks really great IMO.

 

[Thadocaster]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to keep my eyes open for an AO that I can try. On the other hand, it's unlikely I'll ever find a DGS Strat in a local shop.

If you find yourself in SoCal you can play mine. I don't intend to sell it right now, but I may when my Partscaster Strat is done. I don't have an AO Strat to compare it to, but I have an AO '50s Tele. Had a DGS '62 Tele, but that's gone now.

Weights of these guitars vary like any of the factory run reissues. They're not sorted for light weight like some Custom Shops can be, which even then can be heavier than a lighter weight factory reissue.

 

[garcia]

If you find yourself in SoCal you can play mine. I don't intend to sell it right now, but I may when my Partscaster Strat is done. I don't have an AO Strat to compare it to, but I have an AO '50s Tele. Had a DGS '62 Tele, but that's gone now.

Weights of these guitars vary like any of the factory run reissues. They're not sorted for light weight like some Custom Shops can be, which even then can be heavier than a lighter weight factory reissue.

Thank you. And that's a great color for that model. So would you consider yours on the heavier side? Have you put it on a scale by chance? I seem to remember them (and the Teles) being a bit all over the place like you said.

 

[Thadocaster]

Thank you. And that's a great color for that model. So would you consider yours on the heavier side? Have you put it on a scale by chance? I seem to remember them (and the Teles) being a bit all over the place like you said.

The Strat? I think it's about 7.5lbs which is fairly light. Most CS Strats sorted for light weight hover around that amount. I can weigh it tomorrow to confirm. The DGS Tele was I think right about 8lbs ash body and the AO is about the same, also ash. That's heavier than I want a Tele to be ideally.

 

[Grandfunkfan]

Purely based on the tone, the AV II 61 strat is the best sounding strat I've played. They have the stratty sparkle but also a nice full tone with just enough mids to keep things from getting pingy at lower volume.

 

[Torz Johnson]

I have one of each. The Dave's 62 limited edition is the LPB one below, the AO60s is the CAR.

There are differences; Dave's having no poly undercoat, different pickups, correctly placed pickguard screw, and clay dots... but they're more similar than they are different. Fit & finish, playability and that gorgeous 60's style strat tone are equally excellent on both of them.

If you can't find a Dave's LE 62 you will NOT be disappointed with the AO60s.

Untitled(1).jpg

• Torz Johnson
• Saturday at 11:32 PM

IMG_20240817_095324187_HDR.jpg

• Torz Johnson
• Saturday at 11:32 PM

 

[garcia]

I have one of each. The Dave's 62 limited edition is the LPB one below, the AO60s is the CAR.

There are differences; Dave's having no poly undercoat, different pickups, correctly placed pickguard screw, and clay dots... but they're more similar than they are different. Fit & finish, playability and that gorgeous 60's style strat tone are equally excellent on both of them.

If you can't find a Dave's LE 62 you will NOT be disappointed with the AO60s.

Untitled(1).jpg

• Torz Johnson
• Saturday at 11:32 PM

IMG_20240817_095324187_HDR.jpg

• Torz Johnson
• Saturday at 11:32 PM

Both very sharp looking guitars.