Which Fender?

VellaJ

Sooo... Soon I'm planning on treating myself to a guitar I plan on keeping for the rest of my music career. I've kinda figured my Chinese Strat-style Epiphone has it's limitations ?

I've already kinda figured out that I want a USA Fender Strat, I dig the history behind it, the sound and the looks. However, I'd like some opinions from the many awesome people out there who have experienced some Strats, as to which Strat. It seems to me that there is a choice between the Highway One and the American Standard. Are there any others out there?

What are the preferences of everyone? I know some people don't particularly like certain pickups that are put in certain models, so what's the consensus?

stu

I think the best thing you can do is to try a few out and see which one you like best ?

AlanRatcliffe

+1. Play as many different ones as you can get your hands on and go with the one that speaks to you the most. Having said that, it is hard to go wrong with a US Standard, and even if the pickups don't suit you 100%, you can always change them later to something that does.

chris77

Keep an eye out for a 2nd hand US standard, or maybe even a deluxe, rather than a Highway. The Highway I have played had a very nice satin type sunburst finish, but it didn't feel as solid as I expected it would. I also have an Epiphone strat and believe me, the difference is quite remarkable when compared to my US std, so you'll be more than satisfied with the upgrade! One thing to be mindful of though is that my Epi came stock with an hss configuration sporting a set of quite strong ceramic pups. (I assume yours is the same? ) Stock strat pups are waaay more mellow than that, so I think that if you are used to the Epi's tone, you will probably want to change the fender pups out to something with a bit more grunt in the future. So rather go on how the guitar feels and plays than just how it sounds plugged in. You can tweak that to taste later. Great decision btw. Strats rule.... ?

Norman86

http://www.fender.com/news/index.php?display_article=663&EDID=3OJKSBL-AOMQ-9Z3WSS-8ZCKK-3AMD-v1

Some interesting reading with regards to pickups, but also to models with those pickups that might be of help ?

StefStoep

What style of music do you play?

I agree with the other guys, try as many guitars as possible. I personally don't like the Highway 1, I would rather go for a Mexican before a Highway.
Also try and look at the secondhand market, you'll get some good deals out there.

Norman86

Mexicans are great guitars ?
But i think he wants an american standard so that it doesnt devalue ?

Which is the only problem with Mexicans and Highway 1's! they devalue alot more and alot quicker than the american standards!

Squonk

@ VellaJ

There seems to be only one solution to your problem, Buy both ?

Skylark

I have played an incredible sounding stock standard Highway one (I also had the Hwy1 is total shite complex prior to playing it ?)
Like old soul incredible tone and it sold for R4500 in near mint cond

But as many have pointed out the best value for money is a 2hnd stock Fender Stratocaster American Standard (or Telecaster for that matter)
They go for around R8000 or less if you look hard enough or R10-000 will undoubtedly get you one today , make sure it comes with a hard case.
Great thing is it wont lose much if any value and there is always a market for them secondhand if you choose to sell it later.

Play it before you buy it - through a decent amp that you know the sound of already.
American Gibson,Fender etc sometimes make dogs of guitars even in their top ranges - Do not assume anything!

V8

VellaJ wrote: Sooo... Soon I'm planning on treating myself to a guitar I plan on keeping for the rest of my music career.

+1 for trying everything you can get your hands on. I was never a strat fan, but then I got one - '95 Jap strat and started "sensibly" modding it...2years + R7k later and I have something that changed the way I play/see/hear. After market pickups (and upgrading the supporting wiring/components) made a world of difference. It's now a 'studio' quality instrument that I can be proud of (pity my talents are now lagging way behind!)

I would suggest playing a few modded strats before buying a new one? Imho, It's a really versatile instrument, after a year I decided I wanted something that could handle lots of gain without the single-coil hum, but still put out a decent 'strat-ish' clean tone. I wasn't too fussed about losing a little bit of 'quack' from position 2 & 4. Ended up fitting a set of Kinman Woodstock Plus pickups w/K7 wiring modification. Very happy strat abuser!

I've played a Tokai strat copy and for the money (2nd hand +/- R1500) - I was verrryyy impressed with it. Highly moddable as well.

Warren

I have a great Highway 1, bought from a fellow forum member. But there do seem to be some consistency issues around the Highway 1 range in general, so make sure you play a few before you decide. Don't discount them altogether though. I got mine for R6500, an incredible deal IMO.

I would love an American standard or Deluxe though, they're beautifully built guitars, and as Alan says you can't go wrong. But they're also in a different price range.

IceCreamMan

Norman86 wrote: Mexicans are great guitars ?
But i think he wants an american standard so that it doesnt devalue ?

Which is the only problem with Mexicans and Highway 1's! they devalue alot more and alot quicker than the american standards!

if u love a guitar an going to keep it "for the rest of your musical career" then depreciation is not a factor.

play as many as you can ...buy the one that works for you

[deleted]

Warren wrote: I have a great Highway 1, bought from a fellow forum member. But there do seem to be some consistency issues around the Highway 1 range in general, so make sure you play a few before you decide. Don't discount them altogether though. I got mine for R6500, an incredible deal IMO.

I would love an American standard or Deluxe though, they're beautifully built guitars, and as Alan says you can't go wrong. But they're also in a different price range.

I am going to have to agree with Warren on the Highway 1's. That was my guitar.. And I pick guitars on how they play, not on price or whats on the headstock..
I will be honest, I had money in my pocket to buy a Custom shop Fender... and settled on the Highway 1, because it could not be beaten at the price!
Yeah you got a bargain R6500 with a Fender Custom shop case!!! ?

Just go play as many as possible and let your ears AND hands be the judge...

In a blind test you would think a Yamaha Pacifica was a custom shop strat ? Yeah seriously....

VellaJ

Thanks guys, there seem to be a lot of useful opinions that I can consider...

I've always been planning on playing a few before I buy, I know these things can sound vastly different (not really keen on spending more money right now on changing pups...). In terms of price, I know the USA Standards are pricier, but I am willing to pay a bit more if I really like the guitar.

Depreciation/appreciation is indeed a bit of a factor, but it's not a deal-breaker if it won't appreciate amazingly. As IceCreamMan says, if I love the guitar and am keeping it for ever, it's not an issue.

So, off to Music Connection on Saturday to see what my options are! ?

IceCreamMan

VellaJ wrote: Thanks guys, there seem to be a lot of useful opinions that I can consider...

I've always been planning on playing a few before I buy, I know these things can sound vastly different (not really keen on spending more money right now on changing pups...). In terms of price, I know the USA Standards are pricier, but I am willing to pay a bit more if I really like the guitar.

Depreciation/appreciation is indeed a bit of a factor, but it's not a deal-breaker if it won't appreciate amazingly. As IceCreamMan says, if I love the guitar and am keeping it for ever, it's not an issue.

So, off to Music Connection on Saturday to see what my options are! ?

Music Connection gotta a huge array of fenders...you will something you gonna love of that i am sure.... one thing i would highly recommend is actually playing the guitar thru the same amp as what you have at home ....... guitars can sound awefully good thru their mesa's.

slyd

IceCreamMan wrote:.... one thing i would highly recommend is actually playing the guitar thru the same amp as what you have at home ....... guitars can sound awefully good thru their mesa's.

+1 . . Yeah,
get as close to your own amp setup as you normally use, so when you get home and plug in, it sounds just as you drooled over in the shop ?
Different necks do feel VERY different, but you'd be amazed how quickly you can get used to them ?