Strat question

Hope somebody can answer this difficult question.
I own a Squier Strat and an Epipohone LP. I improved my skills thanks to GuitarTricks and I am thinking to buy a "real" guitar: a Fender Strat. However there are so many different models (standard, american, japanese, mexican, signature.....) let alone the different prices (from £350 untill the sky). Now, without considering the price, what should I look for an entry level Fender Strat that will let me feel I am playing a "guitar" and not a "toy" like my current guitars?
Thanks.

Carmine

Originally Posted by: carminemarottaHope somebody can answer this difficult question.
I own a Squier Strat and an Epipohone LP. I improved my skills thanks to GuitarTricks and I am thinking to buy a "real" guitar: a Fender Strat. However there are so many different models (standard, american, japanese, mexican, signature.....) let alone the different prices (from £350 untill the sky). Now, without considering the price, what should I look for an entry level Fender Strat that will let me feel I am playing a "guitar" and not a "toy" like my current guitars?
Thanks.

Carmine

Try an older Squier ('96-'98) if you can find one that's either already been modded or one that you do (or a tech). Full-bodied, great neck, and with the right electronics it's every bit as good as Strat you'd pay big $$ for despite what Fender snobs might say. Those Squiers are not toys at all. If you have a newer, thinner, cheaper model I understand where you're coming from, but not all Squiers are like that, just as not all Epi's are low-end - it depends on when it was made and the specs. Check out the Fender site under Squier guitars and see ewhat people say. More money does not always equal "better". Think Volkswagen Passat v. Audi A6; they're very similar, one just costs more so you pay for the badge. And let's not start an auto discussion here; I'm just making a point about two units of a single company.

I have to agree with more money does not necessarly mean better. In some cases, but not all. However, I can understand the desire to own a 'Fender Stratocaster', maybe it's a name brand thing... I don't have any experiance with authentic strats or squires, so I can't really offer up any real advice, but can tell you that i just recently bought a $250 Kramer Striker and it's an excellent playing guitar, just needed a little setup.

I'm all for inexpensive. I got an Epi Special II off Kijiji just to save wear on my Gibson L6 and the other day I pulled out the L6 and decided I like the Epi better. Cheap ol' entry level Epiphone... Go figure!

That said, I also own a Squier (we have the same collection lol!), but I really want a "real Strat". Why? I dunno. Would I go for MIM? Probably not. It's sad, and I am not a "brand person" but if I am going "real Strat" it's going to have to be all the way. Otherwise, I'll always have this "thing" about it.

There is a post around asking the difference between the two here:
http://www.guitartricks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29940
Hopefully somebody will come clean! :)

The assertation I make there comes from my friend and music store owner who's been around the business since I knew him in High School and he's a straight-up guy. I work for a manufacturing company, so I know the "made in" stamp has a lot of percentages like that going on.

Still, there would always be "that thing". Just sayin... Anyway, that's why I am working on building guitars, so I don't have to make the decision. ...Or pay that kind of money! :D

I tend to lean toward American made when it comes to Strats just because it's an American company but I've had a MIM, Made In Mexico Strat and it played and sounded great and I would recommend one as an entry Strat. In the US you can get them for about $200-$400 dollars.

In retrospect of my post, please don't take me wrong and get the idea I'm knocking MIA or MIM or MIanyfriggingthing! In fact, I have a particular liking for "Vintage" Strat copies (not even a Fender product, but made by an ex-Fender guy). They feel good. Just talkin' bout things. I still wear only Levi's jeans since I was 14 (I'm 46 :p) Sometimes only the brand will do!! Purely personal comments! :)

Razbo, you backpeddler. :D

Well, I just fear my opinions might sound like a dis on somebody's purchase or potential purchase, ya know? End story: If it feels good to play, then that's the one. Comparing MIA to MIAnywhere is no netter or worse than comparing any brand. Want to get that auto comparison going??

Anyway, thanks for pointing that out, Rick ya insightful sonofagun. <- Hey, family rated! :D

Here's a link to some Vintage:

http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageadvance.html

Thing is just if I wasn't going MIA, which is the ultimate, then I would consider things outside Fender. I guess that's what I'm saying.

Originally Posted by: Razbo
Anyway, thanks for pointing that out, Rick ya insightful sonofagun. <- Hey, family rated! :D

Noted... Read between the lines. :D

The best new Strat I've ever played was a 1986 MIJ '62 Reissue. That one came home with me.

I keep telling people to audition gear with their eyes closed, and their mind and ears open. No one on this earth can hear a name tag.

One day back in '84, I went downtown with a fat wad of cash in my pocket to buy me a real Gibson Les Paul that I had been saving up for. I came home with a Yamha SBG-1000 instead. For less than half of the cost.

painter33 speaks true. Fender makes some great guitars, and they also make some fancy firewood. You can't tell the difference til you take it down off the rack and play it.

"Eyes closed; ears open", 'K?

Originally Posted by: LordathestringsI keep telling people to audition gear with their eyes closed, and their mind and ears open. No one on this earth can hear a name tag.

Well said!

I've played hundreds of Strats over the years. There is no guarantee any given "vintage" Strat from '58 to '79 will be a good instrument. The quality varies so much it's always amazed me.

I remember playing three late 50s model that supposedly had the same wood, components, etc. and they were very different sounding, playing machines. Same for some '72s, '77s and '79s. Some were OK, some total turkeys, some wonderful.

My red Strat I use in most lessons is a '79 with an A neck (small profile, 9" radius) and alder body. But I changed the 3 bolt "neck tilt" to a 4 bolt (much more sturdy), and replaced the old rusted vibrato block with a newer StewMac "authentic replacement". That all changed the tone very little, if at all.

Then I rewired it with HS-3s & 500K pots. As well as had jumbo frets put on it. Now, that stuff changed the tone a bit! But, more to my liking.

One time this authentic guitar collector-dealer saw me playing my '79. He said he had a '79 I "had to play to believe!". He said he'd sell it to me at a fair price since I loved '79s so much. I agreed to try it out. After all I was kind of excited if I could get another one like mine for a permanent backup! But, to my dismay it was a total piece of crap! :( It really sounded terrible, the neck was a maple cap and clunky. It was totally non-resonant and like half the neck was dead spots. Just weird!

Over the years I've had 3 Squires as backups. As long as I liked the feel of the neck, and the basic acoustic sound of the guitar was decent (no dead spots) I just put in HS-3s or HS-2s and it was perfectly acceptable. I've found I prefer rosewood fingerboards and alder bodies more than maple caps and ash when I bought those for backups. Each was bought for under $200, used over the years while regularly gigging and was perfect for the job.

If I had to replace my red Strat I wouldn't buy a new Strat at all. I think I'd look for an old used one. Probably 70s with the right neck and body for my hands and ears. Then replace all the parts just like I did before!

Many guitarist friends and colleagues of mine with vintage instruments typically use another, cheaper (and non-vintage) instrument as their personal favorite. It seems like a lot of people like to have a vintage machine, but once that box is checked ... it's time to find a machine you actually love and use on a regular basis. :)

Thanks to all for answering.

Carmine

Originally Posted by: CSchlegel

As long as I liked the feel of the neck, and the basic acoustic sound of the guitar was decent (no dead spots)

On reading this I thought I'd better check out my strat to see if it had any dead spots (I first of all googled dead spots just to find out what they were)' To my ear everything sounds OK on my guitar but is that because my ear isn't experienced enough I wonder :rolleyes:

Is there maybe a way of hearing dead spots online so I know what I'm listening for?

I would hate to buy a guitar and for someone to ask why the hell I bought it when it's shot full of dead spots :eek: