Author Topic: Which Fender strat? (Read 12111 times)

Mr Ed · « **Reply #15 on:** December 13, 2007, 03:18:54 PM »

Well, I looked at a few that said they were 2002-made and they were basswood bodies but I think mine's a 2005 model and it's alder. Weeeeird.

Philly Q · « **Reply #16 on:** December 13, 2007, 03:20:09 PM »

Quote from: Twinfan

I have a few ( :roll: ) guitars, so I'm always swapping between different types. For example I go from an Ibanez Wizard "|" one minute, to a Baja Tele "D". I guess I'm used to it and it doesn't bother me.

I used to find it very difficult to get on with skinnier necks, even my nineties/noughties Strats which are nowhere near Ibanez-skinny.

Then I got my American Ash Tele, which has a "U" neck, quite deep like a Gibson but fairly narrow like a Strat. Once I'd been playing that for a while, it suddenly (like magic! :roll: ) felt quite comfortable going to either the Strats or the Gibsons. I guess it's an ideal halfway house.

I still prefer the big necks though, and I don't think I could ever get used to an Ibanez Wizard.

Twinfan · « **Reply #17 on:** December 13, 2007, 03:34:18 PM »

Quote from: Philly Q

I still prefer the big necks though, and I don't think I could ever get used to an Ibanez Wizard.

They are very different - like playing a string of spaghetti :lol:

Mr Ed · « **Reply #18 on:** December 13, 2007, 03:47:20 PM »

I always prefer thick-ish necks... not old 50's necks that are like gripping a log but slightly slimmer 60's ish ones. I think that's what my Ravelle is.

Then I got my Strat.

Strat necks are ideal for me, even with my big hands and long fingers, it's just a dream.

Henk · « **Reply #19 on:** December 13, 2007, 04:14:53 PM »

The strange thing is, i have just normal size hands but have long fingers, they just get in the way when i play the neck on my thumb joint so i need to put it further to my palm if that is understandable at least.

Anyway, i should be able to play any kind of neck with my hands, its just that the V shapes feels good instantly and the C shape makes me work too much :lol:

I probably will be glad i get the sound i want and a neck thats usable. I simply am unable to use those ibanes necks, i have to play those between my thumb and index finger, maybe i could manage some punk with that though :P

I think ill go listen some clips on youtube, to get some ideas for sounds/pickups, anyone have a sample of good sounding strat clips(clean)? Its actually rather cool not knowing much about a certain guitar or its sound.....

Henk · « **Reply #20 on:** December 13, 2007, 05:48:44 PM »

Ah, the 57 JV reissue did not have a V shape neck but both the 62 and 57 shared the same slim D shape necks.

Shame really, the JV i played was a 62, the edges on the USA models which someone commented on were quiten nice on the JV(which has more rounded ones) now i read about the differences.

Owell back to google again.......

_tom_ · « **Reply #21 on:** December 13, 2007, 05:50:33 PM »

The '57 style MIM neck I bought off Philking had a soft v shaped neck and was really comfy. Only problem was that it had 7.25" radius which I just couldnt get on with, as I'm used to the flatter 12" on my Epiphone and found the fender really hard to play. Now got a newer MIM 9.5" radius one and its easier to play but the modern c doesnt feel as comfy as the soft v to me :(

Henk · « **Reply #22 on:** December 13, 2007, 08:03:27 PM »

I have exactly the same thing, allthough i think i can manage better with a 57 MIM neck then wit the moden C 9,5", maybe ill find a chunky C though, i think that would be fine too.

Prawnik · « **Reply #23 on:** December 14, 2007, 04:39:21 PM »

Quote from: jpfamps

In my opinion the best value Strats out there are the JV Squiers. They generally are much better guitars than the modern USA Standards, and have a nice vintage feel about them. However, like all guitars, there is quite a wide variation between different instruments, so it would be worth trying a few examples.

I've played quite a few re-issue US Strats and by and large they are OK (again quite variable), but they are probably a bit more than you would like to spend.

Failing that an older Japanese reissue is probably your best bet. I've yet to play a Mexican Strat I've liked, and I don't think that the USA Standard Strats although perfectly useable, are that amazing.

One advantage of buying a JV Squier is that it will hold its value (assuming you don't vandalize it). If you have a limited budget (and who doesn't) it is worth spending some time making sure you get the best guitar you can find for your money.

My 1983 JV Squier is perhaps my favorite Strat.

Jonesy76 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 14, 2007, 04:57:38 PM »

I wasn't blown away by any of the US strats hence why I've ordered a nice swamp ash body from Warmoth and am building my own Strat.

I was just put off Squiers by folks on here whos opinion was that the necks are made with fairly soft maple, and you're gonna have to gut the Squiers electrically

jpfamps · « **Reply #25 on:** December 14, 2007, 05:21:37 PM »

The JV (Japanese Vintage) Squier series referred to above where made in Japan in the early 80s by Fender Japan, which is a separate company to Fender US, and was set up to supply the Japanese domestic market. These guitars were the first guitar re-issues the Fender produced and are very good quality and used US-made pickups. They are NOT run of the mill Squiers.

JV Squiers where made during the death throws of the Fender CBS era, when quite frankly the quality of guitars made in the US was very poor. Realistically most Strats made after '74 are pretty shocking (and I've played a few I can tell you), and I'm amazed at the prices these guitars are fetching.

JV Squiers are probably the nearest you can get to a decent vintage Strat without paying a large sum of money for a real vintage instrument, or going down the Fender Custom Shop route.

CBS sold Fender to the Fender management in the 80's, but didn't sell the factory, so when I was first looking for a Strat in 1985 there were no new US-made Strats! If only I had the foresight to get a pre '74 one second hand! Anyway, Fender sold Japanese produced guitars wolrdwide until they got production up and running again in the US. Subsequently the Japanese Fenders were supposed only to be sold on the Japanese domestic market although obviously several companies are importing them to the UK.

Elliot · « **Reply #26 on:** December 14, 2007, 06:25:13 PM »

Solid colour JV (which were issued 1983-84) squiers are more likely to be basswood than alder - not that it in any affects the supreme tone of these guitars - from the paint chips on mine it is the better grade (i.e. alder coloured rather than yellowed) of basswood.

Henk · « **Reply #27 on:** December 14, 2007, 06:35:14 PM »

How about the E series MIJ Strats? It is said that these are nearly as good as the JV's, any truth in that?

I allmost had a nice '57 USA reissue from the 80s in my hands but someone just beat me to it

EDIT: Oh, and when im at it, how about the Korea made Pro Tones?

Henk · « **Reply #28 on:** December 14, 2007, 06:45:31 PM »

Quote from: Jonesy76

I was just put off Squiers by folks on here whos opinion was that the necks are made with fairly soft maple, and you're gonna have to gut the Squiers electrically

The better standard and deluxe have maple necks which are not actual neck maple density, even alot softer than the MIM maple necks which i personally think are too soft also, the affinity's have a three piece alder neck, talk about soft wood.......

Bob Johnson · « **Reply #29 on:** December 14, 2007, 07:45:17 PM »

I'm selling a strat style guitar that I built and then took back in as a part-ex if anyone's interested. It has a 3 colour sunburst alder body and rosewood fingerboard with Malmsteen DiMarzios and all Gotoh hardware. It's immaculate.

A quick phone call could have saved you some money Jonesy