On Stratocasters

[mlr2112]

Hello. This is my first post.

Like any other aspiring guitarist, I have my influences. My primary influences are Alex Lifeson, Eric Johnson, and David Gilmour. Since I picked up the instrument, I would try to play Rush songs until I was blue in the face. But after 20 years of struggling with even the most basic riffs and chord progressions, I've decided to start all over and devote myself to the study of the guitar.

Currently, I have a Peavey Raptor that I bought in 1996 for $250, and an Ibanez S Series that I bought in $750 in 2001. I didn't really do any research on either guitar before I bought them. I just bought them. Ironically, I play the Peavey better than I do the Ibanez. At any rate, I'm going to go sell both guitars and save up for a quality Stratocaster. Every time I touch a Strat it's like butter in my hands, and I have an easier time playing it.

Unlike before, I've decided to do some research on the instrument instead of getting seduced by its beauty. And I've found that there are many models of the Stratocaster...Deluxe, American, Deluxe Plus, American Standard, HSS, Highway One, Fat Strat, '57 Vintage, '62 Vintage, '70's Vintage. You get the idea.

I have no idea what the differences are between these guitars. I don't know the why different woods are selected for the bodies, like ash and alder. All I know is that I want a Stratocaster that was made in the US with a maple neck for around $1,000. If I'm going to devote myself to guitar, I want to have a worthy instrument. Now if I can just settle on a color. I'm leaning toward White Blonde, Olympic White, or Blizzard Pearl.

Anyway, are there any Stratocaster enthusiasts in the house that can point me in the right direction?

[hunter60]

Hi and welcome to GT. Like you, I love the Strat! Great guitar. I have a MIM Fat Strat in sunburst. A real beaut. I am sure that some of the others can give you good info on the American strats. They are sweet. Welcome aboard.

[wildmann]

I'm sorry to say, that as a former owner of a Guitar/Kbd/ M.I. shop, I don't believe in the Mistique of the American Strat. I have had, in the '70s, as many as 15 different NEW Strats, and Teles, [C.B.S.]In stock at one time. I personally set-up those guitars, and some were Good, and then, there were those "Others". I restored a '57 strat, and while it was a pretty toy, the String Damping effect of the vintage p/ups drove me crazy. [Didn't have far ta go, to get THERE!] I have owned/played fer pay, almost every Vintage Ax there is/was. I now have/play a '70 ES 335, and a '65 Epi Casino [ES 330], A '65 Fender Electric 12, a '58 ES125-- on an' on. I, just fer Grins, bought a Squire Std Fat Strat Brownie [Nat wood finish] and after a set-up, was so PLEASED, I ran out an' got a Squire Jagmaster. These Instruments are as good as any of the "Real Fenders" I've played, an' thats a bunch o' axes! I remember when Jags an' Jazmasters wewe almost WORTHLESS!! :eek: Who knew??I strongly suspect that the American Fenders are constructed of necks/bodys/screws/electronics made in China/Indonesia, and assembled/painted/finished in the California shop. [Like EVERYTHING ELSE cars/machinery/engines--- that proudly say, Made In U.S.A. :confused: But, I'm jus' a "Crazy Old Man" Sooo---- Go and try out the Squires, ya may be Surprised! Course, ifn' ya got a cool Grand, wit' nothin' ta do,By all means, go fer th' Status Symbol. By th' way, I was a Workin Road Picker for mos' of my life, an', I can certainly afford ta Buy Any AX I want. In my Humble Opinion, the price of the American Fender is about $800 just for the Fender Decal!! Test drive one of each, Am. Strat, an Squire, Blindfolded, an be Honest about the results. Bear in mind, the Sales Weasels are not yer Friends they want ya to SPEND Spend spend!! [An' git that Big Commission!!] :cool:

[mlr2112]

Are you from Pgh as well, hunter?

[Silimtao]

I'm a Strat lover; have 1 1984 American, 1 1996 Made in Mexico (a/k/a Mim), and 1 2006 MiM- they all have their own unique sound and feel. My American has a maple neck, and the others have rosewood.

Bottom line is- test drive a bunch. The one that feels and sounds the best to you is the one. Everyone that might respond may have a different opinion, and, in the end, you wont be any further in deciding.

I agree with wildmann somewhat- for your basic American Strat you'll spend about $800; for a MiM, around $400. I tried a deluxe model (think that one cost $5-$600), made in Mexico, and it sounded as good as my 1984 American.

In general, I think Fender puts out a good guitar no matter where it was made. I'm willing to bet if you went on Ebay and set your limit at $300, you'd find a Strat where you'd be happy. My 2 MiMs were bought from Ebay, and each cost me just about $300. Both great guitars. I know I could sell either for a profit. So let your hands and ears be your guides. I test drove nearly every new model Srat earlier in the year- all good in their own way, but I couldn't find any major differences to justify spending double the price just because it was an American. Good luck in your search and welcome to GT!

[hunter60]

Are you from Pgh as well, hunter?


Sure enough! :)

[Superhuman]

Hi there!
I'm an Ibanez user myself because I got used to slim 24 fret necks when I started out however I have used some excellent Strats for recording. One that I would seriously urge you to check out though is the Yngwie Malmsteen signature Strat. I like the one with the maple fretboard (comes with a fully scalloped fretboard) - the pickups are signature Dimarzio YJM's which give a very sweet tone. Just another one worth considering!

[mlr2112]

Thanks for all of the advice. Can you guys tell me why one type of wood is selected over another...like alder over ash?

I'm from Ford City, myself. Hunter. Do you know of anyone wishing to be an Ibanez?

[hunter60]

I'm from Ford City, myself. Hunter. Do you know of anyone wishing to be an Ibanez?

I'm about 12 miles north of the city. Not sure if anyone would want to be an Ibanez but there might be a buyer out there somewhere. (kidding you, that's a pretty funny typo. No problem. Wait'll you see some of mine!)

What sort of Ibanez? How old? What kinda shape? How much? I can ask around for you. :)

[Silimtao]

I think ash has a brighter, chime like tone, especially if you have a maple neck.
My Amercian Strat sounds really bright, and has a maple neck. I guess you can say ash has more "bite" than alder.

Alder, I don't think resonates as well, or maybe it's just the nature of the wood so it will sound a bit warmer and rounder in tone; my 2 made in Mexicos are lots warmer than my American. But they also have rosewood necks. They both sound great for a warmer bluesy kind of tone- rock and as far as I'm concerned, Strats are good for any style.

I love all 3 guitars and find them all very versatile; especially if I tweak the tone with the EQ or pedals. But all 3 sound and feel uniquely different

I doubt I could make my American sound exactly like my MiMs or vice versa, so I'm lucky to have both. I'm not sure what an alder body would sound like with a maple neck, or an ash body with a rosewood fretboard. Maybe if you had an ash body with a rosewood fretboard you could get a little bit of the best of both worlds? I really don't know.