Hardtail recommendations

[herbychimp]

After numerous failed attempts at love I seem unable to get on with trem equiped guitars. Sure I know that sustain blocks can help (if anyone knows of anywhere around north london /herts where I could get one fitted..) but what I really want is a strat style hardtail guitar (probably in alder) with a H/S/S combination (that I can use with a suitable BKP set) Fender dont seem to make these anymore (at least not at an earthly price) Does anybody have any idea where I might start my search?

[WezV]

there are a couple of artist models with hardtails

The robert cray and billy corgan fenders spring to mind

[WezV]

corgan - 3 single coil sized humbuckers - About £700
http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0115002806

cray - 3 single coils - Under £600
http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0139100326

Root - 2 humbuckers - about £800
http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0114545706

[Philly Q]

I have a Robert Cray Strat - it's a nice guitar, with a good chunky neck.  It only has SSS routing under the scratchplate, I think, but that's easily modified.

Haven't tried the Billy Corgan or Jim Root Strats, but I strongly suspect the necks are identical to the Highway One necks (but with an ebony option on the Root).

Or you could go the parts-guitar route?

[herbychimp]

Thanks for the infor so far. A key point for me are the dimesions of the neck. My hands aren't the biggest and 'chunky' strat necks often casue me a few issues. I would like a compound fretboard like the ones on the new Charvel models. If the hardtail option is limited has anyone had any experience with the 'tremolno' device? Does it really lock down a floyd to such an extent that it dramatically improves sustain and attach?

[Philly Q]

Sticking with Fender, they now have a Strat with a compound radius in the range - the new American Deluxe model has a 9.5" to 14" radius, on their standard "Modern C" shape neck, which isn't very chunky at all.  Probably pretty pricey though.

http://www.fender.com/uk/products/search.php?partno=0119002720

Don't know much about the Tremol-No - I did try a PRS with one and it felt a bit odd in use.  But I'm like you, I don't get on with tremolo guitars.  I know they can be blocked but even then I prefer a nice simple hardtail.  It's a shame they discontinued the American Standard hardtail.

[gwEm]

the different in tone with the tremlo-no is hardly noticeable, if at all. they are very handy devices though!

[blue]

tremel-no is great!  even if you use your whammy bar all the time, simply from the point of view of locking it to change strings, it's great!  and once you're used to it, it's quick and easy to lock and unlock it.

i don't think it really changes the tone much, although i'm sure eric johnson would disagree (the ones with the black screws sound better...)  but i think it does change the attack, simply because there isn't that slight movement from the bridge when you hit the strings.

there are also hardtail conversion bridges out there, if you wanted to convert a trem strat.  and of course, warmoth et al do non trem strat bodies.

[froglord]

The Godin Exit 22 has this sort of vibe, although the scale length is a Gibson-esque 24.75", and it's getting increasingly difficult to find Godins anywhere in the UK.

[hunter]

Get this and mod the heck out of it  8)

http://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/electric_guitars_detail.asp?stock=px-NE15RS473

[Philly Q]

I'm about to embarrass myself in front of the vintage experts, but surely a '77 Strat shouldn't have that headstock decal?  It looks more like a mid-'60s "transition" logo.

[Prawnik]

You're correct, insofar as that is not a correct headstock decal for a 1977 Strat.

The decal does not even look correct for a transition era Strat, unless there are patent numbers that I do not see.