Author Topic: buying my first strat (Read 10591 times)

zephead · « **on:** January 11, 2006, 08:53:16 PM »

Hi, I've been playing since 3 years on a cheap strat copy and now want to buy a fender. I cant decide upon whether to by US or mexican. What do you people suggest? I am thinking of buying a mex strat and putting irish tours or apaches on it. Is the diff between mexican and US strats huge enough to justify the price difference? I am really confused so please advice. If I buy a US strat then I wont be able to get BKPs for it. Is a fat start more versatile than std?

Also, hows Marshall's MG series compared to Randall Solid states? randalls have a 10-12" celestion speaker with lot of effects.

Peace.

willo · « **Reply #1 on:** January 11, 2006, 08:59:27 PM »

regarding the fat strat issue, well you get a bridge humbucker if thats what you want! I believe the Highway series strats have 3 singlecoils, but are routed for a bridge humbucker if you wanted to add one (thats what I've heard - correct me if I'm wrong!). Personally, I think just find a guitar that really sits well with you and plays nice, be it Mexican or American. As your swapping out the electronics, its more important IMO that it 'feels' right - although I'm sure plenty will disagree with me

zephead · « **Reply #2 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:09:14 PM »

thanks willo.

you're right. i am planning to take a trip to check out as many strats as poss and find the more comfortable+playable one.

I want to play blues+jazz+classic rock so do I really need a humbucker? Can I get tthose Page and Angus young tones out of a single coil?

willo · « **Reply #3 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:37:45 PM »

well, you can get some pretty thick tones out of certain singlecoils, but as those guys used humbuckers, you'd probably be best with some kind of humbucker too! Or maybe some kind of P90 - but of course, strats are never routed to fit P90s. Hmmm...

dave_mc · « **Reply #4 on:** January 11, 2006, 09:56:40 PM »

i know this is probably just me (everyone else i mention it to thinks i'm insane!), but i really like 43mm/1 11/16" nut width. Anything else (narrower especially) just feels "wrong" to me, and i don't like it.

Mexi's are 1 5/8", i think, and americans are 1 11/16". You might even be the other way round (prefer narrower), but it's worth keeping in mind. they'll "feel" different, even aside from any differences in quality/general craftsmanship.

Marshall MG's suck.

If you have the cash for an american strat, i wholly advise getting a cheaper guitar, and getting a decent (preferably all-tube) amp.

_tom_ · « **Reply #5 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:02:25 PM »

Well Jimmy Page used Teles aswell! I reckon a P90 would be great for the bridge position of a strat. That is if you get one thats routed for humbuckers then get a MQ!

indysmith · « **Reply #6 on:** January 11, 2006, 10:39:21 PM »

All i have to say is DON'T GET A SOLID STATE AMP. especially now folk like Laney and Epiphone are doing decent low-powered ones for not much more than £100, you don't even have an excuse to waste your money.

jt · « **Reply #7 on:** January 11, 2006, 11:47:20 PM »

:D I`ve played good & bad Strats both Mex & USA.....

You need to try out 4 or 5 of both Mex & US models & go with the one that feels right in YOUR hands not anybody else`s...

:D 8)

Floyd Pepper · « **Reply #8 on:** January 11, 2006, 11:56:26 PM »

I've got a Fender US Highway 1 strat and can confirm it routed out for a bridge humbucker. The Fender web site say this too.

A friend of mine brought a Mexican tele and I loved the finish on the neck so much I get a twitchy credit card. I tried a couple of Highway 1 strats before getting one. I didn't try a standard US strat as I didn't have that much cash and I didn't try a Mexican strat as I wanted a US guitar.

When I started playing the strat through a good valve amp I started thinking it sounded thin and ended up putting Mother Milks in it. It now plays and sounds fantastic.

I recently played my friends Mexican tele again and the Highway 1 feels like a better guitar.

As has been said before, unless your biased like me, try guitars and amps above and below your price range to get a feel for the differences.

I can't speak for US Standard strats but I'd say with anything else putting BK pickups in will make a huge difference. Just make sure you get good guitar as pickups are easy to fix.

The amazing Phil · « **Reply #9 on:** January 12, 2006, 08:08:33 AM »

Play as many strats as you can, and get the one that's got the best balance of feeling good in your paws, and having great resonanance/accoustic volume/note seperation. Electronics can be changed, and the fact you're here suggests you've got the right idea.

It's also worth noting that G&L and Tokai produce good strat-a-likes, in fact I'm pretty sure G&L was Leo Fender's second company, I guess he missed making guitars after selling his stuff to CBS.

As for Marshall MGs, if Jim Marshall doesn't regret putting his name on stuff like that, then he bloody well should. I'd have released them under a squire type thing. Your best bet is to, as said, get hold of a cheap Laney or Epiphone all valve combo, although the Laney is probably your best bet. Peavey are good and inexpensive too. I see LC-15's on e-bay and second hand quite often, and they're in the £150 region brand new now. Randall have a pretty good rep which is mostly established through their solid state gear, but as far as I've seen most of their gear's aimed at a more metal crowd, which is great if that's what your after, but if you want a nice valvey overdrive for rock or blues I'd look elsewhere.

Twinfan · « **Reply #10 on:** January 12, 2006, 10:48:48 AM »

From what you've said I would do the following:

Get a Laney LC15 valve amp. You can't beat valve tone for the sounds you're after and they're around £200 used.

If you want a Strat, buy a used Japanese Fender if you can find one, or get a new one imported. For around £500 new, they're superb and even better if you can get one used for around £350ish. But...

You like blues and rock, plus the tones of Page and Young, so I'd say you need a Gibson style guitar. Why the addiction to Strats? Try out some Epiphone SGs and Les Pauls and see what you think.

Personally, I'd get yourself a Gordon Smith. They are SERIOUSLY underrated guitars. I've played/owned a whole bunch of guitars from £100 to £2000 and my favourites are the basic Gordon Smiths. Superb tone, feel and value for money.

rinse_master · « **Reply #11 on:** January 12, 2006, 11:20:20 AM »

Quote from: Twinfan

If you want a Strat, buy a used Japanese Fender if you can find one

Jap Strats are very nice, a mate has a nice 50's style one, it plays & sounds as good as any new strat I've played, all japanes guitars in that price range seem to be great value for money, just the importing bit can scare people off if you want a new one...

Twinfan · « **Reply #12 on:** January 12, 2006, 11:59:49 AM »

There's a guy who imports them here:

http://freespace.virgin.net/john.blackman4/sale1.htm

rinse_master · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:54:28 PM »

That is a very nice looking strat, very tempting, and I get paid tomorrow... no, no, no, no..... :?

Dakine · « **Reply #14 on:** January 12, 2006, 02:40:25 PM »

Play ALL the guitars you can.
I see NO good reasoning to limiting yourself.

Personal note. I hated (well never got into I guess is better) the Strat shape. So I got a Gibson Les Paul Standard. Then I went into a guitar store for some small part and to waste time. Whilst there I picked up a Jackson Strat. OOPS, wrong move (note to self, NEVER pick up a guitar you do not really need LOL). I loved the feel and neck so much I sourced and just bought a used Jackson SL4 soloist.

Moral, try every guitar you can lay your eager little mitts on till one "speaks" to you!

Hope this helps, not specific I know (sorry), but from my experience and guys on here it's what ya gotta do :)

Nick