Bang for buck strat

[Elliot]

I think the Classic Vibes are the ones to get - they have Tonerider pickups as standard, good necks and unlike the old JVs, the strats have alder bodies rather than basswood.

[Andrew W]

I was amazed by the Classic Vibe Strat I tried.  I was trying guitars out with a friend who was going to start learning and wanted something cheap(ish) to practice on.  The Classic Vibe, aside from having a slightly too skinny neck for my taste (YMMV) was an absolute knock-out.  I left the shop muttering like an old man about how it weren't like that in my day and in my day when you wanted to learn guitar you got something with an action about an inch off the fret board that wouldn't intonate and sounded like it was covered in a blanket etc. etc.  Budget guitars have come on a massive amount in the twenty odd years I've been playing and the Classic Vibes seem at the current zenith.

[Mr. Air]

Thanks for all the input. You have been really helpful.

Tomorow I've decided to go on a strat run and try out as many as possible. I'll be sure to get my hands on some Squire Classic Vibes.

My reasons for wanting a strat is that the classic strat tone has grown on me. To reach a classic strat tone like Hendrix should I go for a rosewood or a maple board or doesn't this really matter?

[Andrew W]

My reasons for wanting a strat is that the classic strat tone has grown on me. To reach a classic strat tone like Hendrix should I go for a rosewood or a maple board or doesn't this really matter?

The great man used both so I'd just follow your ears.

[tomjackson]

One thing about the CV strats is the necks are pretty slim. 

Does anybody know if a standard Strat neck fits on a Squire body?  I'm tempted to get one and put by Warmoth boatneck on it.

[Philly Q]

Does anybody know if a standard Strat neck fits on a Squire body?  I'm tempted to get one and put by Warmoth boatneck on it.

Fender neck heel/pocket dimensions are pretty standard - I'd be surprised if it didn't fit. 

That said, I've never owned a (recent) Squier so it's possible they're a fractionally different size.

[Sifu Ben]

How stratty do you want your strat? This is what I use as a "strat" and it's hard to get better bang for buck http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cort-G290-Electric-Guitar-Quilted-Maple-Body-GC-/140465186030?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b460a4ee
Swampash body, mine's got a nice birdseye neck as well, sperzels and a wilkinson (mine's set to float and is completely problem free) and branded pickups. While I don't like the JB as a humbucker much, split it works really well. Neck's not too thin either.

[Telerocker]

Thanks for all the input. You have been really helpful.

Tomorow I've decided to go on a strat run and try out as many as possible. I'll be sure to get my hands on some Squire Classic Vibes.

My reasons for wanting a strat is that the classic strat tone has grown on me. To reach a classic strat tone like Hendrix should I go for a rosewood or a maple board or doesn't this really matter?

Hendrix used both. Just choose what you prefer. I personally like the feel of rosewood.

[ToneMonkey]

This one seems a bit pricey and opinions on them vary, but I stole one of these from the wifes uncle and was very sad to see it go back to him.

Weighs a tonne and I thought it was absolutely superb to play (although I would have sanded the back of the neck).

[Mr. Air]

How stratty do you want your strat? This is what I use as a "strat" and it's hard to get better bang for buck http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cort-G290-Electric-Guitar-Quilted-Maple-Body-GC-/140465186030?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item20b460a4ee
Swampash body, mine's got a nice birdseye neck as well, sperzels and a wilkinson (mine's set to float and is completely problem free) and branded pickups. While I don't like the JB as a humbucker much, split it works really well. Neck's not too thin either.

Hmmmm. I think a prefer a more stratier looking strat. It might sound daft, but I don't think I'll get along with a guitar that I really doesn't like the look of even if it's a good player.

[Philly Q]

It might sound daft, but I don't think I'll get along with a guitar that I really doesn't like the look of even if it's a good player.

Not daft at all, looks count for a lot!

(Anyone who says they don't care what their guitars look like is a liar)

[AndyR]

It might sound daft, but I don't think I'll get along with a guitar that I really doesn't like the look of even if it's a good player.

Not daft at all, looks count for a lot!

(Anyone who says they don't care what their guitars look like is a liar)

+1

I've told many music shops that they ought to have a full length mirror (or any mirror) like a clothes shop does. Some give me a funny look, some get it immediately. But I've never found one with a mirror in :lol:

[jpfamps]

It might sound daft, but I don't think I'll get along with a guitar that I really doesn't like the look of even if it's a good player.

Not daft at all, looks count for a lot!

(Anyone who says they don't care what their guitars look like is a liar)

+1



I've told many music shops that they ought to have a full length mirror (or any mirror) like a clothes shop does. Some give me a funny look, some get it immediately. But I've never found one with a mirror in :lol:

Angel Music has a mirror in it!

"Does it pass the mirror test?" is a very common question here.....

[FELINEGUITARS]

It might sound daft, but I don't think I'll get along with a guitar that I really doesn't like the look of even if it's a good player.

Not daft at all, looks count for a lot!

(Anyone who says they don't care what their guitars look like is a liar)

+1



I've told many music shops that they ought to have a full length mirror (or any mirror) like a clothes shop does. Some give me a funny look, some get it immediately. But I've never found one with a mirror in :lol:

Angel Music has a mirror in it!

"Does it pass the mirror test?" is a very common question here.....

I fear that often the guitar will pass that test but the player may feel that they themselves don't (having a bad hair day etc)

[Telerocker]

My MXG Customstrat doesn't look like a vintage one. The headstock is not for purists. Plays and sounds briljant and stratty though.