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Does anyone on here have one? I played one ages ago (a Strat, 50s I think) with some skepticism but fell in love with the one I had a go. I'm considering a big change in gear to get one and wondered if anyone on here had one and any opinions to throw in that might sway me more either way.

I think they look daft, but have heard several people rave about the way they feel, which I'm guessing means people love the neck finishes. I'd be careful offloading anything lovely, if I were you. Maybe order/make a relicced/unfinished neck and bung it one something cheaper?

Agreed with the above. I don't have one but I consider it every time I play one. The finish is what's kept me from getting one...all artificially worn, like someone just took a belt sander to the body, or burned off splotches of the finish with chemicals...but hot damn, they feel amazing, both in terms of the neck and the body shape / finish. I'd still part with some lesser-used gear to get one, if I had anything like that, but I wouldn't sell off anything special.

P.S. - You might think about a Highway 1 Strat instead. The sunburst ones I've seen are lovely IMO.

I bought a couple of the telecasters for $499 each back when Musicians Friend used to have "Fender Fridays". They were nice guitars,played great and the stock pickups sounded good.Wish I had keep the blond one.

That's what I thought, I think I was with Vivadeluxe when we tried them out and they just felt fantastic. If they're relic'd as much as west's above then I think they're all right, but some of them look crackers. There was a relic'd CS Strat in surf green I played in Atlanta that had $1k knocked off it, and the exchange rate was £1 = $2, I still have nightmares about not buying it. If they were around the £500 mark I'd just get one and not worry too much but £800+ for a MIM is just a bit outrageous and I'd resent trading anything I have already for one. Re: the Highway 1s, might sound daft, but I hate the modern standard tuners (and string trees), and have no appetite for fannying around changing them.

Essentially, I'm not getting on with my Ric. Guts me, but I'm just not really connecting with it anymore. It also guts me more that I can't get a Fender I want for what I'd be able to sell it for.

My ideal guitar would be the '66 Strat, right now.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/guitars/fender-road-worn-60s-stratocaster-electric-guitar

That one would be ideal, not OTT, and reasonable price.

Now looking at more realistic CP ones.

How about buying a roadworn neck from that stratosphere guy or just general ebay?

I've had pretty similar experiences playing them. I've been impressed with how nice they feel but put off by the identical relicing and the relicing in general.

Aye, a relicced neck on a CP/CV body would be grand. You could sell the original Fender neck to fund the cost of the relicced neck, too.

(This is also the point where I mention how good MJT guitars were).

Reckon you'd regret selling your Ric, mind.

I had a 50's RW Strat which was a very nice guitar. It was light as a feather and it had one of the best neck profiles I've felt on a Strat. I sold it a couple years ago because I wanted to thinning out the collection a bit and I have a black EJ Strat that is the best Strat I've ever played so I eBay'd the RW away. I sorta wish I had kept it and I may pick up another some day.

Here's another RW that I picked up for a great price on Craigslist. I made a black pickguard for it to give it more of an early '50s look. I did like the neck profile alot and the pickup had a wonderful clear tone, but whenever I took it to a gig I always felt like I'd rather be playing one of my Les Paul Juniors, so this guitar ended up on the chopping block also.

the ones I have played were lovely. nitro finish as well. its just they can look a bit pony and they are expensive for a mexican made fender (even more expensive than the American Specials).

I played a Roadworn Tele once and it nice except in their quest to authentically relic the guitar they intentionally bent the shaft on one of the tuner knobs. That would really bug me after a while and would have to replace the tuner. They try a little too hard to make the necks look dirty and worn. The neck on the tele was completely sanded throught to the wood. I was blown away buy that guitar, but I am sure there are some good ones if you are willing to pay the money.

If they made Mexican guitars in nitro finishes without the shit relicing, I'd probably buy one. They did a fiesta red P bass in this range and it was lovely, but dnw fake wear.

you should try to find a road worn neck. The guy i bought my 60's RI neck from sold it to purchase a roadworn. As far as i can tell, The 60's RI and the road worn are the same necks just one is sanded and beat up a bit more.

stewart wrote:If they made Mexican guitars in nitro finishes without the shit relicing, I'd probably buy one. They did a fiesta red P bass in this range and it was lovely, but dnw fake wear.

Rather limited colour choice but the new Classic series "Laquer" models might fit the bill: LANK

the relicing looks really silly on these models. okay from afar but up close really plasticy and fake, and like they've been covered in a layer of matte hairspray or something. felt okay to play mind.

Well, I've bloody done it, I've had an Olly White Strat in my possession since Saturday and I bloody love it. Most comfortable guitar I've ever played, and the relic'ing isn't over the top so it's just right, it is actually very discreet. Also, I never knew nitro smelt so weird. I think this is the guitar I've been most happy with ever.

Hoorah! I love a strat, me.