Bang for buck strat

[Mr. Air]

Coolest thing I ever read about USA Standard vs Mex strats went something like

"You can buy a Strat assembled in Mexico by Mexicans or pay more for a strat assembled in the USA by Mexicans"  :? :lol:

Ain't that hillarious!!!  :D

[d1dsj]

I would also check out the G&L Tribute series, great guitars at any price point.

[FELINEGUITARS]

I recently did a fret dress on a Squier Vintage Vibe strat and once done it was the best strat I have ever played
Something about it just screamed "strat" in a good way - it was just so right!

[PPPMAT]

In all seriousness I would set your budget, forget about whichever one is considered 'best' for the budget and play as many as you can in your price range and buy the one that suits you.

Strats are so sensitive to the sum of their parts that you can get quite noticeable variations in tone and playability between two identical models. Some are brilliant and some not so. Likewise, what I consider great you might consider rubbish.

Classic player MIM are really good and classic vibes as others have said.

[tekbow]

Strats are so sensitive to the sum of their parts that you can get quite noticeable variations in tone and playability between two identical models. Some are brilliant and some not so. Likewise, what I consider great you might consider rubbish.

Except for MIJ which are all awesome  :D

[Telerocker]

In the non-Fender-league. The Thomas Blug Vintage Icon is interesting, as is the Canadian-made Godin Session, which has a humbucker in the bridge-position (push-pull on toneknob to split). Both around 450-500 euro.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G8g56r-5Dzw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQYV6y261MA

[Philly Q]

Strats are so sensitive to the sum of their parts that you can get quite noticeable variations in tone and playability between two identical models. Some are brilliant and some not so. Likewise, what I consider great you might consider rubbish.

Except for MIJ which are all awesome  :D

Not true, I'm afraid.  At one point I had an MIJ '62 type, a USA '62 reissue, an MIM Jimmie Vaughan and an American Standard or two (all now sold).

The MIJ was put together as well as, if not better than, any of the others - but it sounded by far the worst.  Totally dead acoustically.  On the other hand, the MIM was crudely made (they're much better now) but sounded great.

I'm not criticising Japanese craftsmanship, but guitars are strange things.  You can never take it for granted that one will be better than another just because of where it's made.

[tekbow]

 :D i was just ribbing philly, i have a love affair with MIJ fenders. had the opposite experience, to yourself but i will say that you should never buy a guitar unseen/unplayed. not saying you did, just mean as a general bit of advice for the OP

[Philly Q]

Yeah, I know your comment was light-hearted, I wasn't taking it too literally.   

It just prompted me to mention my experience which I'd almost forgotten about TBH, it was quite a few years ago.

[Tellboy]

I'm not criticising Japanese craftsmanship, but guitars are strange things.  You can never take it for granted that one will be better than another just because of where it's made.

Agreed - I've got a 50th Anniversary Jap Tele and a Blackpoole Tele (kit assemble). I've tried every combination I can think of with the Jap Tele - maple/rosewood neck, new pots, piledriver/black guard BKPs, brass/nickel/rolled steel/stainless steel bridge saddles but it just does not sound as good as the Blackpoole.

[AndyR]

I'm going through the same thing with my CIJ 62. It does sound good once I get dialled in, but I prefer my Roadworns straight off the stand.

Like I tried to say earlier, CIJ/MIJ have a "feel", MIM have another, MIA have another again. I read somewhere (probably tdpri - I think that's where Afghan Dave probably saw the hilarious quote above) that different people like the different feels, usually based on which one they fell in love with in the first place.

I found that, for me this can change. A year or two I was raving about Japanese Fenders. Now, I still think they're good, but right at the moment I suspect I wouldn't buy the ones I own if I tried them now - my tastes have changed slightly.

More importantly, this is a fine fine piece of advice:

In all seriousness I would set your budget, forget about whichever one is considered 'best' for the budget and play as many as you can in your price range and buy the one that suits you.

Not sure any of us is capable of following it to the letter and then remaining happy with the purchase, but.... this is exactly how to do it :lol:

[jpfamps]

Best bang for buck, if you can find one, in my opinion, is a JV Squier.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Best bang for buck, if you can find one, in my opinion, is a JV Squier.

I'd agree with that , but failing that the recent Vintage Vibe Squiers get my vote!

[jpfamps]

Best bang for buck, if you can find one, in my opinion, is a JV Squier.

I'd agree with that , but failing that the recent Vintage Vibe Squiers get my vote!

I don't get my hands on much new gear, but I'll have to check these out.

I know the guys in Regent Sounds think they are very good quality too.

[Telerocker]

Best bang for buck, if you can find one, in my opinion, is a JV Squier.

I'd agree with that , but failing that the recent Vintage Vibe Squiers get my vote!

I don't get my hands on much new gear, but I'll have to check these out.

I know the guys in Regent Sounds think they are very good quality too.

With a bit of upgrading the Classic Vibes are a real steal.