Strat

[CaffeineJunkie]

Was thinking of buying one, but have never played one before... which one do you think is worth going for and what are they like to play??

Already narrowed it down to two:

60th Anniversary Mexican Stratocaster:

http://www.guitarvillage.co.uk/product-detail.asp?id=2707&catid=3&manid=32&quantity=1&product=Fender+Stratocaster+%28Mexico%29+60th+Anniversary%2C+Blizzard+Pearl%2C+New%2C+Inc%2E+Custom+Gig+Bag

or a Natural Finish Classic Series 70s Stratocaster:

http://www.elderly.com/fmic/items/F70S-NAT-MPL.htm

Any opinions welcome :drink:

[Jp.]

Go for the cheaper one.... It will leave you more in teh kitty to buy some BKP's :lol:


Actually thats more serious than my emo suggests.

In my experience only! I have found the pickups and electronics to be a bit hit and miss. some sound good, some average. Some sound good at the shop and then a couple of days later playing with your gear(amps etc) they sound shitee.

[CaffeineJunkie]

That's what i was thinking, but i didn't know if there was any difference in the hardware of the guitar, having never played a guitar with a trem i don't know about them, but both are about the same price.

[Jp.]

Trems are no stress...

Floyd rose bridges? people can keep those... way too complicated for me

[CaffeineJunkie]

And they're extremely ugly, particularly the 7 string versions

[Bainzy]

I really like the look of the pearl mexican model; very nice. With BKP's and a new trem block (check out callahamguitars.com) that guitar would be totally killer.  8)

I wouldn't buy the 70s strat without playing it, it's quite a bit different to a normal strat and I imagine more of an acquired taste. The other however is definately your classic Fender Stratocaster. I've got an American Series Standard Strat and I'm gassing for it too!

[CaffeineJunkie]

so what difference will a callahan trem make to the guitar??

[Bainzy]

More sustain, improve the tone of the bridge. Make it a lot more correct spec to the vintage originals. Everyone I know that has one swears by it. I want to replace the block in my MIA Strat with one soon.

[Searcher]

Hmm.  They're slightly different guitars so you'd wanna play them and see which feels best to you.  That said, there are a few similarities: both are made in Mexico, both have vintage frets (i.e., small) and trems, they each have a polyester finish, and both are typical Strats as far as controls and such go.

The 70s Strat has a 3-piece body, which is just wrong on a natural finish.  The MexiAnn Strat prolly has at least as many pieces, but at least you can't see 'em.  I'm not sure which set of pickups are gonna be better. The 70s Strat has a U-shaped neck and a 7.25" radius, while the MexiAnn has a modern C-shape and a 9.5" radius.  Those specs are gonna be where your biggest difference comes in.

I think it's bizarre that they have 70s Strats at all.  Until recently, when they became "vintage" and therefore desirable, most people turned their noses up at 70s and 80s Strats.

Here's my unsolicited advice:  Buy a second-hand American Standard Strat.

[CaffeineJunkie]

about the necks, i have no idea, i've only ever played 2 guitars in my entire life, my Epi LP and my PRS Tremonti SE so, i wouldn't know the difference if somebody tattooed it across my chest

oh, and i personally don't like buying second hand guitars, just wouldn't feel like 'my' guitar.

[The amazing Phil]

I'd go for the top one in "blizzard pearl", it looks ace and as it has the "tex mex" pickups, you could sell the whole pickguard assembly on e-bay for a reasonable ammount, somebody'd be happy with them I expect, then the cash can go towards a BKP set and maybe even a Callaham bridge.

I don't know how you feel about dings, but every time I've almost bought a Fender online I checked the B- stock on stringsdirect.co.uk. It's basicly stuff that's essentially fine but there's cosmetic flaws like a chip in the paint or something, which to me, would be fine, especially as it means paying less.

[Ratrod]

You just can't beat the 70's headstock. Btw, Elderly is a great shop to deal with.

[indysmith]

I'd go for the 50th anniversary - but that's my personal preference. I like the feel and sound '50s style strats, and i don't dig that '70s headstock... I'm no yngwie

[Jp.]

ahh tesco in Amersham.... :?  8)

[Elliot]

I dont think you need a Callahan block (which in my view don't affect tone as much as people say) in the new Mexican because Fender have listened to the market and put in big steel blocks as a modification of the Mexican line in 2006.  Seems like shelling out twice for the same thing to me....