Talk to me about Fender Strats

deefstes · 2012-01-04T14:13:29+00:00

So, there is this remote possibility that I might go to San Fransisco this year, in which case I'd be remiss not to buy a guitar. But before then, I have ple...

Talk to me about Fender Strats

DonovanB

Vic wrote: Problem is...there are just way too many guitars in circulation and way too many built these days....customshop and otherwise..... I personally don't think that these will be any good as an investment. You may get a better return by investing in shares IMHO.
So if "investment" is your main aim, then there are safer avenues I think.

I agree, then you can have 13 MIM or MIJ strats with all sorts of different options... I'd personally like a strat in every colour. *sigh*

but +1 to the Eric Johnson Strat, that is the Finest instrument I've ever laid hands on. if only I had R25k...

I would think any of the artist series would be awesome.

vic

Come to think of it.....maybe a Tom Murphy-aged and Les Paul-signed customshop R9 Gibson Les Paul from (I think) early 2004 could be a good investment option. These had brazilian boards and there can only be a certain number available. There could be examples of other brands as well.....
What one needs in an investment is that the item's value must outperform the inflation rate of your country on a yearly basis. So for example...a guitar bought in 1965 for R180 must now fetch R6200 to have earned an 8% return on a year-on-year basis

Norman86

2012 Fender Custom Shop Custom Deluxe Strat...
open the image in a new window ?

http://www.fendercustomshop.com/index.php/news/article/2012_fcs_collection/

Here's a pic of that other custom deluxe, i used to have a higher res one, but now this is all i can find :'(

vic

Vic wrote:
Come to think of it.....maybe a Tom Murphy-aged and Les Paul-signed customshop R9 Gibson Les Paul from (I think) early 2004 could be a good investment option. These had brazilian boards and there can only be a certain number available. There could be examples of other brands as well.....
What one needs in an investment is that the item's value must outperform the inflation rate of your country on a yearly basis. So for example...a guitar bought in 1965 for R180 must now fetch R6200 to have earned an 8% return on a year-on-year basis

Re-think....clearly there's something very odd about these figures. In '65, R180 was a lot of money, it was a top-layer monthly salary, whereas R6200 is about an entry-level salary now (??). That shows that inflation here ran at least at a compounded 13% pa to equate to a monthly salary of R49,000. That means that your '65 guitar should now fetch at least R50000. Most good original Fender Strats, Martins- and Gibson models from '65 can compete with this. However your Harmony's , Hofners and most Gretsch models won't.

Airguitar

OK here's my 2 cents worth.

I love strats. Buy one.

First choice:- Buy a USA 50's or 60's reissue. Go for standard colours, standard features, nothing too fancy in the pickup or hardware department.

Why?

Because those were the originals that turned the world on its head. The "Icons"
It wasn't the star-spangled, all-fangled Custom Shop Fanglecaster that you heard on "Sultans of Swing" or "That'll be the day" or even "Smoke on the water" or "Little Wing"
Those guitars were bought in a local guitar shop.
Those guitars are strats that sound like strats.
I have a USA Lone Star Strat with Texas Specials in the neck and middle positions and a Pearly Gates humbucker at the bridge. GREAT guitar for my own likes and needs, but NOT AN ICON. Other guys don't love that guitar as much as I do because it's not everybody's cup of tea.
If you're buying your first strat, get the Icon. Even if you have the cash for a custom shop jobby then fine, but get a custom shop 50's or 60's reissue with flame maple and 100 year old swamp ash, but taking a foray into farkletown may make you happy for a while, but unless you KNOW that's what will float your boat for the rest of your days, don't do it.

This is purely my take on the subject, after having owned 22 Strats from the 60's up to the 90's, USA, Japan, Mexico and Squier. The ones I loved the most, and so did everyone else, were the standard models with a bit of character.

Someone else on the forum said it best:- Go play a whole lot of them and buy the one that speaks to you.

Tokai-SA

Airguitar wrote:
First choice:- Buy a USA 50's or 60's reissue.

Problem is, 50s and 60s Re-Issues have a 7.25" neck radius and Vintage frets...the majority of guitarists don't like those specs.
I was speaking to Robin Gallagher the other day and he told me Fender are moving away from vintage frets as much as possible, even the Custom Shop 50s and 60s models don't have 7.25" radius necks and vintage frets...they have the look of a "vintage Fender", but the neck specs are modern.

Chris-Mason

On the issue of anniversary strats in 1996 Fender celebrated the 50th anniversary of Fender and brought out a range in celebration of that. Included were some limited editions. I actually have a limited edition hanging on a wall at MC. then they brought out the 50th anniversary of the strat. Now its 60th anniversary time.
Regards
Saddle and Nut

Airguitar

Tokai SA wrote:
Airguitar wrote:
First choice:- Buy a USA 50's or 60's reissue.

Problem is, 50s and 60s Re-Issues have a 7.25" neck radius and Vintage frets...the majority of guitarists don't like those specs.
I was speaking to Robin Gallagher the other day and he told me Fender are moving away from vintage frets as much as possible, even the Custom Shop 50s and 60s models don't have 7.25" radius necks and vintage frets...they have the look of a "vintage Fender", but the neck specs are modern.

Good point, I guess I should rather have phrased it as not going too custom on the thing, mainly because they end up not sounding like a typical Strat.
I DO like the 9" radius on mine, and do agree it's a better player..

prince

Deefstes, if you are going to be in Cali be sure to visit the official Fender store, I think it is in Corona. About a year ago there were some fotos doing the rounds, probably on Facebook. From the pics it looks well worth the trek down from S/F.

Also, remember the prices of Fenders in the States is way cheaper than we see in SA (and the UK) so you would end up with more for your money, you may have to pay some tax when going back into RSA.

Have fun.

deefstes

prince wrote: Deefstes, if you are going to be in Cali be sure to visit the official Fender store, I think it is in Corona. About a year ago there were some fotos doing the rounds, probably on Facebook. From the pics it looks well worth the trek down from S/F.

Thanks. From what I understand the Fender Custom Shop is in Corona, CA. Corona is just outside Los Angeles so nowhere near San Fran. Chances are I'll be flying through LAX though so it might be worth a little foray.

DonovanB

As for customs, take a really cheap guitar out with you. leave it in the states and bring back your new one custom free.

Or try it and see if it works so we can do it too... 8)