I've been flirting with the idea of getting into the electric guitar again. It's been a while.
I once had a great partscaster made up of a Warmoth ash body, Mexico neck from the early 90s, and pickups and guts from an early 90s USA Strat. It was a very nice guitar. Never should have sold it.
A few years after that I ended up buying a Squier 1950s Classic Vibes Strat. It looked GREAT but just had no soul. The pickups were weak and the knobs, jack, and switch felt flimsy. A somewhat easy fix but it just never inspired me a play it, so I let it go after a short time. I'm not sure why, but I could also never get over the "Crafted in China" bit on the back of the neck (glossed over so no way to get rid of it). The idea of some Asian knockoff of Buddy Holley's guitar just bugged me. Even the neck just didn't feel right. It seemed almost toy-like in some ways.
Having said all, I want back into the Strat pool. I'm thinking of getting a used Mexican Strat and a decent amp and calling it a day. What do you all suggest?
See if you can find a Larrivee Lancaster, a much better guitar IMHO...
The MIM stuff is really good.I do have a few clients that buy the really cheap Squire's as the necks and bodies are good bone's and we change out all the other parts,new tuners,new pu's and pots.The bones{neck and body} about $150,tuners $60,pots,jack and switch $40,pu's depending on price,so $250 plus the cost of the pu's is a good deal for them.
You should be able to find a decent used American Standard Strat for not that much more than a MIM. If you're going down that road, that is. :beer
And then there's the Silver Sky
(https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H3Lo2vLt42pp3jjZL7qidc-650-80.jpg)
[url=https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/27166-prs-silver-sky-john-mayer-review]Review on Premier Guitar (https://www.musicradar.com/news/john-mayer-finally-announces-his-strat-inspired-prs-the-silver-sky)
Quote from: Silence Dogood on July 04, 2018, 09:46:57 AM
Having said all, I want back into the Strat pool. I'm thinking of getting a used Mexican Strat and a decent amp and calling it a day. What do you all suggest?
What do I suggest?
Used Mexi-Strat on CL. Here's mine. Traded a Taylor Baby for it to a guy who was retired and driving about the country with a big RV. Both of us thought we got the better end of the deal. :bgrin:
(https://i.imgur.com/W8EhitG.jpg?1)
All I can say is that I tried copies, I tried MIM, I tried MIJ but until I got an American Standard, I was just not entirely happy. My Am Std is fabulous. It doesn't just look like a Strat, it is one.
Quote from: AZLiberty on July 04, 2018, 04:40:35 PM
What do I suggest?
Used Mexi-Strat on CL. Here's mine. Traded a Taylor Baby for it to a guy who was retired and driving about the country with a big RV. Both of us thought we got the better end of the deal. :bgrin:
(https://i.imgur.com/W8EhitG.jpg?1)
Wow, very nice guitar. I'm partial to white pickguards, but yours looks great.
Quote from: ducktrapper on July 04, 2018, 05:55:59 PM
All I can say is that I tried copies, I tried MIM, I tried MIJ but until I got an American Standard, I was just not entirely happy. My Am Std is fabulous. It doesn't just look like a Strat, it is one.
I hear you. But in fairness, a MIM Strat is all-Fender at least: Fender facility, Fender employees, Fender parts, etc, etc. Oddly enough, in those side-by-side YouTube comparisons, I tend to prefer the sound of the MIM pickups to the American ones.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on July 04, 2018, 10:02:07 PM
Wow, very nice guitar. I'm partial to white pickguards, but yours looks great.
I think it originally shipped with white. Previous owner swapped it to black (which I think looks better on the Seafoam Green). The white one is in the case.
Quote from: Silence Dogood on July 04, 2018, 10:04:25 PM
I hear you. But in fairness, a MIM Strat is all-Fender at least: Fender facility, Fender employees, Fender parts, etc, etc. Oddly enough, in those side-by-side YouTube comparisons, I tend to prefer the sound of the MIM pickups to the American ones.
You could be right. This should help.
https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/mexican-strat-vs-american-strat-whats-difference
If you buy used, a MIA Strat is a better deal, if only because, you can recoup its cost if you resell. My experience with choosing a new Strat is 25 years out of date. Back then, I was right about them. :cheers
Quote from: ducktrapper on July 05, 2018, 06:42:55 AM
You could be right. This should help.
https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/mexican-strat-vs-american-strat-whats-difference
If you buy used, a MIA Strat is a better deal, if only because, you can recoup its cost if you resell. My experience with choosing a new Strat is 25 years out of date. Back then, I was right about them. :cheers
Yes, 20-25 yrs ago, a MIM Strat was very different than now. But quality is way up and now they are very solid guitars. The pots, wiring, and 5-way switch are the same as the USA-made models. Things like that, and tuners, used to be flimsy and needed replacement almost immediately. But the more current MIM stuff seems gig-worthy out of the box. But on the other hand, who doesn't love an American Standard Strat?
The main issue with the MIM Standard (which is now discontinued) is that it has ceramic magnet pickups that some folks love; others don't (I'm in the 'don't' group). Also, I like a bit thicker neck than the MIM's, but if your previous Strat build had an MIM neck and it worked for you, that should be fine.
The new MIM "Player's Series" Fenders that replace the MIM Standards have alnico pickups in them; I'd suggest finding a shop that has both and compare the old with the new and see if it's worth getting the new model (the new Player's Series also has a two post bridge like the American ones, instead of the 6 screw bridge). The pickups and the new bridge/trem are the two big changes (along with a higher price, of course). To ME, the higher price would probably be worth it for alnico pickups...
Quote from: Silence Dogood on July 05, 2018, 07:20:36 AM
Yes, 20-25 yrs ago, a MIM Strat was very different than now. But quality is way up and now they are very solid guitars. The pots, wiring, and 5-way switch are the same as the USA-made models. Things like that, and tuners, used to be flimsy and needed replacement almost immediately. But the more current MIM stuff seems gig-worthy out of the box. But on the other hand, who doesn't love an American Standard Strat?
Yeah funny how time slips away.
Quote from: Mikeymac on July 05, 2018, 11:08:29 AM
The main issue with the MIM Standard (which is now discontinued) is that it has ceramic magnet pickups that some folks love; others don't (I'm in the 'don't' group). Also, I like a bit thicker neck than the MIM's, but if your previous Strat build had an MIM neck and it worked for you, that should be fine.
The new MIM "Player's Series" Fenders that replace the MIM Standards have alnico pickups in them; I'd suggest finding a shop that has both and compare the old with the new and see if it's worth getting the new model (the new Player's Series also has a two post bridge like the American ones, instead of the 6 screw bridge). The pickups and the new bridge/trem are the two big changes (along with a higher price, of course). To ME, the higher price would probably be worth it for alnico pickups...
Good info here: thank you. I hinted at this earlier, but I rather like the standard MIM pickups. I'm probably in the minority on that though. But all the other specs on the new "Player's" model look great, and like an improvement.
The Strat Rd. photo is not photoshopped, by the way. How cool is that? :guitar
Quote from: ducktrapper on July 05, 2018, 12:19:46 PM
The Strat Rd. photo is not photoshopped, by the way. How cool is that? :guitar
Too cool!
I've been spending quite a bit of time looking at the G&L line of guitars too. I'm really liking the ASAT (tele copy), even the imported one from Indonesia. Anyone have any experience with these?
Back in the 90s I thought of the G&L guitars as upscale units compared to the run-of-the-mill Strats and Teles.
There's lots of information about where various models were/are made
G&L Musical Instruments (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%26L_Musical_Instruments#Electric_guitars)
Quote from: Silence Dogood on July 08, 2018, 07:46:25 AM
I've been spending quite a bit of time looking at the G&L line of guitars too. I'm really liking the ASAT (tele copy), even the imported one from Indonesia. Anyone have any experience with these?
I custom ordered a G&L ASAT Classic in 2000, Great guitar, still play it. I've gotten compliments from some accomplished players whom I really respect saying how good it sounds.
I think G&L are similar to Larrivee, in as much as they are underrated or unknown because of the logo on the headstock.
As for the original question ... Strats or teles? Yes!
Quote from: ducktrapper on July 10, 2018, 09:17:07 AM
As for the original question ... Strats or teles? Yes!
I concur - 100% !!!
Went into my local GC and there was a G&L ASAT (import) on the wall. It was nice but a Strat just feels better in my hands. I guess a Strat is all I've ever played so I'm used to one.
I found a Squier Deluxe Strat on my local CL today and scored it for $200. It's actually a great guitar and I'm impressed. Baby blue with aged "mint" PG and knobs. Now for a good amp...
If your going to gig on it my fav is the Peavey Classic 30.My giging amp is my 76 Fender Princeton Reverb.
Quote from: Barefoot Rob on July 28, 2018, 03:44:35 PM
If your going to gig on it my fav is the Peavey Classic 30.My giging amp is my 76 Fender Princeton Reverb.
No gigging happening here. I pretty much only play to my four walls. But the guitar did come with a little Mini Spider amp from Line6. Nothing special but it'll do till I can get a Marshall. :-0
Quote from: Barefoot Rob on July 28, 2018, 03:44:35 PM
If your going to gig on it my fav is the Peavey Classic 30.My giging amp is my 76 Fender Princeton Reverb.
:thumb. Mine, a Fender Champ and a little reverb from a pedal when needed.
If you end up with a strat or copy with ceramic pups and plastic bobbins, you can convert the pups to alnico for less than $10 per pup. Lots of YouTube videos on how to do this. Basically you pry off the ceramic magnet off the back, push the pole pieces out, measure the length and diameter of the pole pieces, and order your choice of alnico replacement pole pieces and push them into the holes left over by the prior pole pieces. You can buy pre magnetized pole pieces here: http://www.tone-kraft.com/alnico-5-rod-magnets-187-flat/
I just picked up a squire Tele bullet,nice price and I would imagine most people
Could mit tell the sound difference,I mostly play acoustic but I wanted a cheapy
To play around the house,yes I'm sure its not up to par quality wise as an American Tele
But its good for me,sea foam green with rosewood fingerboard
Nice guitar
Dave
Quote from: DaveyO on August 05, 2018, 09:46:00 PM
I just picked up a squire Tele bullet,nice price and I would imagine most people
Could mit tell the sound difference,I mostly play acoustic but I wanted a cheapy
To play around the house,yes I'm sure its not up to par quality wise as an American Tele
But its good for me,sea foam green with rosewood fingerboard
Nice guitar
Dave
I was in GC a few months ago and played a seafoam/RW Squier Tele. It was great and I thought seriously about walking out with it that day.