ESP Vintage Plus Strats

  • Thread starter Thread starter Code001
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Dude,
Check out the G & L Legacy. Every single one i've had has sounded way better than any Fender I've had. Leo Fender started the company and they build 'em right


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What kind of specs do you want? There's a million choices under $1400, especially used...
 
ratter":2gm9tvnm said:
What kind of specs do you want? There's a million choices under $1400, especially used...
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A good strat. ;) It's gotta be S/S/S and no floyds. I'm a HUGE floyd fan, but I just don't want a floyd on this particular guitar. I'm looking at either Alder or Ash for body woods, and a maple neck/fretboard.
 
Code001":18msb3z9 said:
ratter":18msb3z9 said:
What kind of specs do you want? There's a million choices under $1400, especially used...
Click to expand...

A good strat. ;) It's gotta be S/S/S and no floyds. I'm a HUGE floyd fan, but I just don't want a floyd on this particular guitar. I'm looking at either Alder or Ash for body woods, and a maple neck/fretboard.
Click to expand...

Well I went down a similar path recently and these were my main contenders - they all fall under $1400 either new or used:

Fender American Standard - very nice playability and tone in the ones I've tried; have the 2-point trem rather than 6-screw, but it feels and works well and has vintage-style bent saddles; rosewood on new fenders can be hit or miss - sometimes it's very light or dyed very dark;

Fender Eric Johnson - one of the only fenders in this price range with a thin nitro finish; fat quartersawn neck gives a unique tone; bodies are spec'ed for lighter weight, so it probably gets some better wood than other similarly priced or cheaper models; very vintage specs - 6-screw bridge, no noiseless pickups or any goofy things like that.

Fender Thin Skin Reissues - these fall below $1400 used; similar to the EJ above but without his sig pickups and other tweaks; vintage spec'ed but with flatter fb radius and larger frets; main thing that turned me off was the three-pc bodies under sunburst finishes; for the price, I'd like to see 2-pc;

Parts makers - guys like K-Line, Nash, etc. that assemble guitars from Fender licensed parts; they use nitro finishes afaik; most are relics; some people rave about them, but I'm not really down for spending over a grand for a parts guitar - I'd rather have the experience of doing it myself;

Grosh Retro Classic - seen a couple for under $1400; supposed to be excellent boutique quality but with a broken-in feel; it's shallow, but I don't really like the look;

Suhr Pro S-1 - not an s-s-s, but honorable mention because of the ridiculous quality for what they go for used...shit, I saw one for $1075; you'd have to swap pickups/pickguards to go s-s-s; slightly more modern feeling neck and slightly smaller body with sharper radius, but very stratty tone;

So I ended up buying an EJ and a Suhr and have been juggling back and forth since. If you ask me today, I'm keeping the EJ...




ps - as far as the ESPs go, I've only played two or three of the 80s-era strats, and they were fine and a lot cheaper than a new one. Fernandes and Kramer strats from mid-80s are just as good and sometimes even cheaper.
 
My friend has a Fender American Deluxe Ash Strat, and it's just ungoldy in terms of feel and tone, IMO. It's been awhile since I've played a guitar that felt and sounds good. Of course, he won't sell me his, but I've been looking to buy that exact model. I just decided to ask around what other people think of various other strats out there. The EJ strats are nice, and I plan on owning one someday, but I'm not sure about right this moment. It'll depend on the price I can find one for (used, of course). Then again, if I found a 2-tone burst EJ for under 1400 right now, I'd grab it ASAP. ;)
 
TGP has EJ strats all the time listed and I have seen them under $1400, buyers market on those imo right now. I think I know what you like in a neck and I see you taking some 0000 to the back of the neck as they are way stickier than the ibanez stuff.


I like the ash bodied strats as well, they sound great.
 
Digital Jams":1vf5d38c said:
TGP has EJ strats all the time listed and I have seen them under $1400, buyers market on those imo right now. I think I know what you like in a neck and I see you taking some 0000 to the back of the neck as they are way stickier than the ibanez stuff.


I like the ash bodied strats as well, they sound great.
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Unfortunately, I can't see the TGP classifieds. :(
 
Code001":2jwuv1dh said:
They're roughly the same as the Fender American Deluxe guitars I'm looking at. Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on them? I need a killer strat without spending more than $1400.
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I know I'm being a fanboy cuz I just bought one, but you can easily build one, and Tommy is just great to work with!
Check this place out:

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/
 
Copperhead":2oj3evp1 said:
Code001":2oj3evp1 said:
They're roughly the same as the Fender American Deluxe guitars I'm looking at. Anyone have any thoughts/opinions on them? I need a killer strat without spending more than $1400.
Click to expand...

I know I'm being a fanboy cuz I just bought one, but you can easily build one, and Tommy is just great to work with!
Check this place out:

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/
Click to expand...

I've built my own before. I just don't feel like doing it this time around.
 
I had a Peavey USA something or the other Strat that sounded killer. I wonder if they still make those.
 
Code001":1v1jypkq said:
:
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I won't be able to get what I want in my price range.[/quote]


hmmm...


Seriously though, check out the G & L's. Outstanding build quality and every single one i've had has sounded great
 
Code001":2pbu2dpf said:
Digital Jams":2pbu2dpf said:
TGP has EJ strats all the time listed and I have seen them under $1400, buyers market on those imo right now. I think I know what you like in a neck and I see you taking some 0000 to the back of the neck as they are way stickier than the ibanez stuff.


I like the ash bodied strats as well, they sound great.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I can't see the TGP classifieds. :(
Click to expand...

Why not? That's where all the deals are lately...

G&Ls are nice guitars as well, I just can't get past that Buick of a trem...
 
ratter":wvx3qpxx said:
Code001":wvx3qpxx said:
Digital Jams":wvx3qpxx said:
TGP has EJ strats all the time listed and I have seen them under $1400, buyers market on those imo right now. I think I know what you like in a neck and I see you taking some 0000 to the back of the neck as they are way stickier than the ibanez stuff.


I like the ash bodied strats as well, they sound great.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, I can't see the TGP classifieds. :(
Click to expand...

Why not? That's where all the deals are lately...

G&Ls are nice guitars as well, I just can't get past that Buick of a trem...
Click to expand...

That's the biggest reason why I'm not looking at the G&Ls. I never liked the trem. It always felt weird to me, not to mention it looks funky as well. And I can't view them because I refuse to pay 12 bucks to have access some forum. Forums should be free.
 
You can look at the Gear Page classifieds for free, you only have to pay if you want to post things for sale.
 
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