Thinking about bying a strat. Someone please tell me I'm crazy

[Mr. Air]

So nowdays I too often catch myself thinking, that i might buy a strat. Well actualy a strat copy. I don't know what happened?

For many years I've had an aversion towards strats and in some ways still have. I'm still not fond of the looks of the guitar, but have come to realize that it actualy can produce some quite nice tones. It could also be fun to have the trem to play around with.

On the downside, apart from it's looks, the strat would not suit my general music style so if I bought one it would just "hang around" without being played very often.

But I do remember Hunters glorious wisdom of the month: "Always own more guitars than your age", and boy do I have some catching up to do!

Someone out there please tell me that I'm not crazy, and that you too have played around with thoughts of getting a new guitar, which you knew you actually wouldn't use that much and didn't need.

And lastly. Do anyone feel the same way about the strat as I do? It sounds nice enough, but it's just not good looking.

[FELINEGUITARS]

strats are funny things
They vary so much - for the most part I'm not touched by them
But occasionally I get one come in to my workshop that just speaks to me

So look around and play a few and if you find one that really makes you go "wow" then think about buying that one

I find that old Japanese Squiers tend to be good and Fender Japan often get my attention, but you'll have to see what grabs you

[Adam.M]

I love good cheap strats, sub 300 quid or so.

I don't like expensive ones, i don't know why really, i just don't, seems to loose its magic.

[gwEm]

i have played two amazing strats, one really nice strat, and a load of indifferent ones.

philking's 57 is my favourite, and i'm happy to say i own the other amazing strat i mentioned - my white 23 fret strat. the really nice strat was a 66 rosewood board strat in a guitar shop in chicago - it cost 20 grand though (!)

you don't need to spend alot to get yourself a nice strat, but agree with feline they are much more hit and miss than a dual humbucker 24 3/4" guitar.

be prepared to understand the guitar, and swap parts around. luckily its easy to do on a strat, and you may need to, since they really don't make them like they used to.

also don't like strats with alot of 'bling' they are workman like guitars, and its not the point.

the no brain bit is bkping it - trem and pickups. searching around for a nice neck might take longer.

[Copperhead]

I picke up a MIM Players Deluxe for my daughters...WOW! Nice burst, 6100 frets, plays and sounds amazing. You just have to close your eyes and ignore the gaudy gold hardware...

[38thBeatle]

My experience reflects very much that of those above. I have played some great Strats and a bunch of er...not so great. Luckily one of mine I would consider to fall into the great category ( and it is a supposedly rubbish 1970's model). I'd say play a few and one hopefully will jump out at you. I was playing a mate's Strat at the weekend and it was very bland and not at all great.

[dheim]

the only strat that striked me in ages was the hello kitty model... and i'm damn serious. but i agree with you, sometimes i hear strat sounds that make me wish i never sold mine maaaany years ago (it was my first guitar, an american standard!). not enough to make me buy another one, though...

[Roobubba]

I would very much suggest not buying before you've had a chance to try a load of them - ESPECIALLY if you don't really like them!!
Also consider exactly what it is you want to do with it. Would a superstrat do the job better? Are you just looking to buy a guitar to expand your collection? In which case you'll never play it and you might as well find one you like the look of for your wall.

It doesn't sound to me as though you actually want a strat ;)

Roo

[Elliot]

It sounds to me like you don't want a strat either - save your money and get one of those thick blobs of mahogany with super hot pickups  :D

[Mr. Air]

Well Roo. I guess you kinda nailed it there.

I don't realy need a strat. My main reason for wanting a strat is that I like the sound of good old Jimi. Actualy i find the strat tone very usable for old school rock, funk and blues, but I'm more of a rock n roll and hard rocking man, so the strat would be out of league.

It would be better to throw my love on a good LP copy and try out a pair of BKP humbuckers.

I can always buy a strat when I get old and rich or win the lottery.

By the way. Do anyone of you have experience with J&D Brothers guitars?

[gwEm]

but I'm more of a rock n roll and hard rocking man, so the strat would be out of league.

not true, a SSS strat with the right pickups will handle anything. i play metal with mine :)

[_tom_]

I'm the other way round - like how they look (but they are a bit boring) and hate how they sound.

[Pete24v]

Everyone should have a Strat  8)

Get one, 2nd hand USA or new/used MIJ/CIJ, they don't need much... i'd have to change the pups on a Mex, but the Jap's use USA pickups.

[Pete24v]

I'm more of a rock n roll and hard rocking man, so the strat would be out of league.

Gary Moore did ok with a strat during his Victims Of The Future/Corridors Of Power 80's Rock phase

[Philly Q]

Strats are great, and fun to put together from parts.

It is true that they seem to vary a lot, I've had some nice ones and some stinkers.  I'm not sure why that's the case -  maybe because Fender make so many different models, in different places, with varying parts and timber quality, two-piece, three-piece, five-piece bodies.... but even the cheap ones can be excellent if you're lucky.