ShortScale.org

I know we're not really a Strat-centric board so I might be onto a loser her but it's worth a try.

Now that my Humbucker needs have been filled in a Gibson-y fashion I'm going to get rid of my PRS SE and get a Strat. Now I'm not too up to speed on the recent models so I'm looking for input from anyone who plays a recent/decent Fender Strat.

So far the options are: Japanese 62 RI. I had one of these and loved it, however the price for a secondhand option 2: USA Standard, is only about £100 difference. The only issue will be finding one with a rosewood fretboard. Maple is always an option but I do prefer rosewood.

Other contenders will most likely be the current Mexican classics and 60s reissues and the US Special.

I know the classic vibe range gets loads of love and in fact I had one and it was a really good guitar for the money, just not great. I'm looking for a keeper here so that's out of the running. I'm also not including custom shop because I don't want to spend that sort of scratch.

I suppose I'm really looking for opinions on the Mexican range Vs the Standards and specials. With the decent Mexicans being around £300, Specials £400 and Standards £500 (secondhand) there's not much in it price wise. I've played Tele models from all of those ranges and loved the Baja and the Special. Sadly I've not had much experience with the Strats.

Thanks in advance for any input.

Does it have to specifically have to be fender? I paid £750 for a usa custom shop g&l Strat. It's one of the best playing guitars I've ever owned. Way way nicer than any of the fenders I've played in that price bracket.

Yeah Gabriel, it does have to be fender. Mainly because I love the way they play. Tho the looks is also a big thing for me. All it takes to put me off a guitar is a horrible headstock. I have tried quite a few variants (inc G&L) but they just never did it for me.

Keep an eye out for a Tokai Springy Sound - never played a bad one, best Strat (besides my bitsa) I've owned. You'll get one within your budget.

If not, the older 70s classics have my favourite neck shapes (before they went full generic a few years ago).

Used MIM 2006 or newer. I really like the Tex mex PUP.

Bit overpriced for a refin, but shoot him an offer and take advantage of the exchange rate...

it depends if there are any other specs you want, like fret size and radius.

however, despite what you've said about squier classic vibes, they are better than all mexican standard model fenders i've tried from the last few years. so on that basis i would rule out standard mim models at least.

i've not tried the new american special series or baja strats, but i feel like the classic player 60s strat might be right up your street. best bang-for-buck and spec fender in production i've tried. the sonic blue looks great

Thanks guys, loads of useful info. I get what you're saying about the recent Mexican standards. I've had 2 of those and they felt a little on the cheaper side. Having had both I'd say they're almost the same fit and finish as the Classic Vibe I had. Good but not great. It was the one with the 70s style logo. It was way better than the older ones but still a bit lacking:
The Tokai is also a good idea too (I'd forgotten all about them). The purchase will be at the end of the month when I get paid (and hopefully shift the PRS)

I've also realised that individually neck shape, fret size etc don't really matter separately it's more how they are in conjunction. I used to be 7.25" with small fret wire all the way. After having played some very different options I've realised that as long as it's put together well it doesn't really matter. I can go all the way to 16" radius if the edges of the board are rolled and the frets have been profiled properly at the edges.

George wrote:
i've not tried the new american special series or baja strats, but i feel like the classic player 60s strat might be right up your street. best bang-for-buck and spec fender in production i've tried. the sonic blue looks great

I'll need to try one of these to see how the neck is finished. It's weird to see a 60s styled guitar with such a flat radius (12"). You could be right on the money with this one...

i think its gloss so still retains that vintage charm

but yeah, love flatter radii these days. the 12" is a winner.

also, i believe fender are rolling out their compound radius boards these days (9.5-12") on a few models which may interest you. probably on the more fancy models though, not sure which

Maybe not entirely the spec you want but I'd be tempted by Lorez's Strat.

My advice isn't strat specific but you mentioned you're looking for a keeper. My advice is to simply play all the strats (if it were me I'd include "lawsuits" like the tokai as well because they can have lots of character). Don't buy one blind based on specs or reputation, just try all the guitars in your budget that you like the look of and buy the one that feels right, regardless of price.

I am aware that this advice makes more sense to most on a guitar like a Gibson, where there's greater variances among models in the same line, not to mention you can literally swap out any component on a strat until you're happy, but that to me is all the more reason to start out with one you like the way it is.

Fran wrote:Maybe not entirely the spec you want but I'd be tempted by Lorez's Strat.

Oh fuck, that's a good point.

Nick wrote:My advice isn't strat specific but you mentioned you're looking for a keeper. My advice is to simply play all the strats (if it were me I'd include "lawsuits" like the tokai as well because they can have lots of character). Don't buy one blind based on specs or reputation, just try all the guitars in your budget that you like the look of and buy the one that feels right, regardless of price.

I am aware that this advice makes more sense to most on a guitar like a Gibson, where there's greater variances among models in the same line, not to mention you can literally swap out any component on a strat until you're happy, but that to me is all the more reason to start out with one you like the way it is.

Good advice.

There are god knows how many variations on the model and they are so common, it makes sense to try half a dozen or so.
I've owned all sorts of Strats; tokai, fender (mij, mim, USA), charvel, squier (mim, mik mic), peavey... and I think you'll be surprised which one you like best.
Mine wasn't any of the Fenders.

I have a 2008 USA standard that I preferred to the USA Deluxe for playability.

benecol wrote:

Fran wrote:Maybe not entirely the spec you want but I'd be tempted by Lorez's Strat.

Oh fuck, that's a good point.

!!

The Am Special def is choice...

I'll try a few in the local shops this week and try to make up my mind by payday.

Cheers for all the tips guys!

NickS wrote:I have a 2008 USA standard that I preferred to the USA Deluxe for playability.

It's the Standard I have least experience of. The fact that you can get them for about £500 secondhand makes them very tempting.

Bacchus wrote:

benecol wrote:

Fran wrote:Maybe not entirely the spec you want but I'd be tempted by Lorez's Strat.

Oh fuck, that's a good point.

!!

Still available if you fancy it Thomas, it's a cracker but I would say that

If you lived nearer, you'd be welcome to try my various strats as nearly all of them have different radius necks ( 3 have 9.5 1 has 7.5 and 1 has 12) a 12" feels very fast to play compared to a 7.5, at least to me. The classic player I have is a good 7-8 years old and has. 9.5 neck. Not sure if this has changed on newer ones. Most of scalers that have played commented that it was
Great for the money and a nice feel to the neck, so defo worth trying out. I've not played the American standards, just the American vintage range which are more period correct depend on year it's based on.