How many of you are Strat guys?

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napalmdeath

napalmdeath

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I'm in the market for a Strat that covers a lot of ground, including metal. HSS configuration would be ideal, but I don't know much about their humbuckers, or the gazillion models. I had a really nice 60's JV Modified made in Japan that was SSS, and it didn't cut it, from a pickup standpoint. They do have an HSS version in a 50's, but only one color that I don't care for. I planned to go with an HSS pickguard and change out everything, on the JV but got lazy and dumped it.

There's deals out there on USA's being discontinued, (Pro II's, and there's an affordable American Professional with gigbag). Are the Mexican Player II's worth it as an upgrade platform, or is it worth it to just go USA? Are the pickups a step up? Do any have great stock humbuckers? I'm tired of the cookie cutter Charvels and Jacksons. I'd likely look for a hardtail or deck the bridge. I'm also getting too old and impatient fussing with Floyds.
 
I have a Fender Strat, MIM, traditional model; Alpine white with maple fretboard. I don't look at strats for anything modern, so no opinion there. Same with my Fender Jag MIM, traditional '60s specs; Gibson '61 SG, Ric 330, etc. are my traditional guitars.

If I want something modern, a Fender, of any kind isn't it for me.

as far as cookie cutter, I'd say a strat is more that than a Jackson, Charvel, Kramer.

What about ESP or Ibanez?
 
I'd take a trip to a large guitar store in your area and run the racks. Most of the Mexican made Fenders feel pretty good. I like a flatter radius, so I stick to the Player Plus, Ultra, or SRV etc.

I recently played a new Ultra and it felt pretty nice. I just wish they used taller frets.
 
^This, they can vary so much.

I love Strats but all mine are partscasters. When I visit Nashville I go into Carters and Gruhns and both have TONS of expensive FCS and other partscasters. Every time I walk out thinking my partscasters blow away almost everything I picked up. There are a shit ton of mediocre Strats out there.
 
rsm said:
I have a Fender Strat, MIM, traditional model; Alpine white with maple fretboard. I don't look at strats for anything modern, so no opinion there. Same with my Fender Jag MIM, traditional '60s specs; Gibson '61 SG, Ric 330, etc. are my traditional guitars.

If I want something modern, a Fender, of any kind isn't it for me.

as far as cookie cutter, I'd say a strat is more that than a Jackson, Charvel, Kramer.

What about ESP or Ibanez?
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Not really looking for Modern, but more Classic/Vintage with some attitude. It'll like be something with a pickup swap.
 
Kiesel? Lots of options; I've built many but never bought one tho'
 
napalmdeath said:
Not really looking for Modern, but more Classic/Vintage with some attitude. It'll like be something with a pickup swap.
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The MiM vintera and player II stuff is good for basically anything you wanna throw at it. If you don’t want Fender on the headstock, I feel like there are lots of options as well from smaller builders. Do you have a budget?
 
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phillybhatesme said:
The MiM vintera and player II stuff is good for basically anything you wanna throw at it. If you don’t want Fender on the headstock, I feel like there are lots of options as well from smaller builders. Do you have a budget?
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$800-$1200 Maybe? I was watching a nice looking Player II HSS Strat, and the seller sent me an offer for a brand new one for $697. That's a pretty good deal, but I suspect the pickups are shit, but at that price, maybe it's worth it as an upgrade platform.

I had a 70's Vintera Tele - The Blonde... This was the original Vintera, not the II. It was actually a nice guitar.
 
almost made this same thread last night after not playing my strat for a while, i just love mine, the fender necks are perfect for me and the 78' i have in mine is super versatile

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NapalmDeath, what about building a Warmoth parts castor any cofiguration you'd like.

Once you decide, post her up.
 
napalmdeath said:
$800-$1200 Maybe? I was watching a nice looking Player II HSS Strat, and the seller sent me an offer for a brand new one for $697. That's a pretty good deal, but I suspect the pickups are shit, but at that price, maybe it's worth it as an upgrade platform.

I had a 70's Vintera Tele - The Blonde... This was the original Vintera, not the II. It was actually a nice guitar.
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I’ve been GASing for something HSS so please let us know what you end up with.
 
I recommend taking a look at the Schecter Nick Johnston Strat. The import ones. Attractively priced, and they are solid. Your local guitar center most likely has one. If I were to go the Strat direction again, I would pick up one of those. Hss and sss versions
 
I would say I'm not really a "Strat guy" in the traditional sense. It was my first guitar and still have it. Ordered it HSS, which was actually hard to find then. MIM, Rosewood board. Replaced the crappy HB for a JB at first and then Custom Custom TB11 - which they suggested to warm up the overly bright character. Also swapped all white hardware for black. I think there is an Invader in there now - which sounds great. It is my E standard guitar - so I don't play it much. :dunno:

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Gitfiddler said:
I recommend taking a look at the Schecter Nick Johnston Strat. The import ones. Attractively priced, and they are solid. Your local guitar center most likely has one. If I were to go the Strat direction again, I would pick up one of those. Hss and sss versions
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I've had one. Probably not a bad idea, actually. Another guitar I was too lazy to upgrade the pickups in.
 
@napalmdeath when you say "strat" do you mean specifically Fender, or are you considering any strat style guitar?
 
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