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 plenty of homework to do - starting now. Please share with me your opinions on what is the good and the bad of Fender Strats. What are the different configurations? What advantages does custom shop have over regular factory produced? American Standard? American Deluxe? Maple fretboard? Rosewood fretboard? Are there different options in terms of fret size? What is there to know about neck profiles? What are the options in terms of body wood? I understand that a lot of this is subjective but I'm interested in your subjective opinions. Also, if you have objective opinions, those are welcome too. But really, if you feel like yelling in ALL CAPS that maple fretboards are for ill adjusted sociatal outcasts who like to lick bus windows, then go ahead. If you feel that strongly about it, I'd like to know. Let me put forward what I've been thinking thus far and feel free to bash me where I'm ill informed, silly or flippant: 1. I like the idea of a MIA strat, not so much because I believe it to be better quality but because I believe it will retain it's value (and appreciate) over time better than MIM. In other words, if my grandson (and I don't even have a kid yet) inherits it one day, it might be worth a fortune which I doubt would be the case with a MIM axe. 2. I like the maple fretboard because: a. It looks cool. To me that is what a Fender Strat always looked like and should look like. b. I've been told that it has a brighter tone which, considering Fender is all about snap and bright tone, I figured is the better fretboard choice as well then. c. I like the feel of it under my fingers. I haven't played a lot of Strats but it does seem to me as if it offers less friction to my fingers and the strings. 3. I don't mind buying 2nd hand but I'm not particularly interested in vintage guitars as I believe they've already appreciated in value (monetary that is) to the point where you're paying for more than you get (quality that is). If I had to walk into a store now and pick one off the shelf it would probably be this one; American Deluxe Stratocaster in susnet metallic with maple fretboard and SSS pickup config.

deefstes

Norman86 wrote The strat in my profile pic is special!!

Its a 2011 Fender Custom Shop Road Show Limited Edition Custom Deluxe Stratocaster

Sale Price: $4,160.00

:'( :'( :'(

Norman86

tell me about it! You can get one built for you, choose your own grain etc for cheaper... BUT, it wont have the Fender logo / prestige surrounding it!
If its an investment though, i suppose its worth it then!
All that said, i wouldnt mind selling my soul for THAT specific strat! :-[

Eugene-with-an-Axe

Let's be honest here. There are two things all guitarists want when they first get into playing and aware of names and brands. A Gibson Les Paul and an American Strat. Those 2 are the holy grail of electric guitars for 95% of players. Deefstes, if you have the money to treat yourself, get yourself an MIA Strat...or maybe two. Once you've popped your Strat cherry, you'll know why they've been around for 60 years and why just about all the greats played one at one stage or another. There is still something about a MIA Strat or Les Paul that makes players who don't own one of them envious - but they will never admit it, I know, I'm one of them. Just do it, buy a Strat.

Ray

They cost a lot more than they're worth. You can buy a better SA made guitar. Decide what you want to see on the headstock.

deefstes

Ray wrote They cost a lot more than they're worth. You can buy a better SA made guitar. Decide what you want to see on the headstock.

But who decides how much something is worth? Surely the market does - which means they cost exactly what they're worth.

Werner-Carstens

Hi Deefstes, here is my current Strat situation:
I have one MIM and one MIA Deluxe HSS.
I modded the MIM as follows to get it exactly the way I like it:
1. Changed the plastic nut for bone
2. Rewired the 2nd tone pot to the bridge pickup
3. Fitted graphtec saddles
4. Sanded the back of the neck down to bare wood because the poly finish felt too sticky under my hand
5. Fitted Kinman noiseless pups (Woodstock plus)
6. Changed the factory 7.25 inch radius to 12 inch and fitted bigger frets
7. Blocked the tremelo
The guitar is now my favourite allrounder and always the first one I pick up to play. The reason I listed all the mods is to show the mistake that I made at the time of buying by not focussing on how it felt in my hands. Over time I realised what was bothering me and fortunately I had the funds to make all the alterations. Today I am all smiles because it turned out great for me as a player but the bottom line is that I probably depreciated the value with all the mods and I will never be able to get the money back should I want to sell it - a common problem with MIM's. I guess it is a keeper then...

The MIA deluxe had all the above already sorted when I bought it. I agree with Alan that the noiseless pickups are different but I don't view it as worse than the Kinman's. For me it is just a different sound that I actually prefer in certain settings above the Kinmans. Is the built quality better than the MIA? Absolutely without a doubt. I have to confess though that as Alan pointed out I also do not use the S1 switch and prefer the standard 5-way sound configuration.
I have always preferred rosewood boards because for me it just tames the spikey trebles that Strats are known for. I feel that I have more eq range available on my amp for the trebles. The MIA Deluxe is still stock standard and the reason for that is that I bought a guitar that felt right, sounded good to my ears and made me want to play it. The interesting part was that this specific one was the last option on my list and not at all what I was searching for. It just happened to jump at me and I realised that what I wanted was something different from what I thought.

Moral of the story? Have an absolutely fantastic day in the USA playing as many Strats as you can possibly manage (most of which we'll probably never even see in SA) and revel in the oppertunity. If you find that one that makes your heart stop then you are in luck and it will be interesting to see how close it comes to your current specs. If you don't find it please do not part with your cash, unless you have a few spare bucks some mods...

Ray

deefstes wrote
Ray wrote They cost a lot more than they're worth. You can buy a better SA made guitar. Decide what you want to see on the headstock.
But who decides how much something is worth? Surely the market does - which means they cost exactly what they're worth.

When I'm paying the money then I do. Just my opinion that you can get more for less. Again, depends what you want to see on the headstock.

deefstes

Thanks Pinch, that is some very valuable advice.

Ray wrote
deefstes wrote
Ray wrote They cost a lot more than they're worth. You can buy a better SA made guitar. Decide what you want to see on the headstock.
But who decides how much something is worth? Surely the market does - which means they cost exactly what they're worth.
When I'm paying the money then I do. Just my opinion that you can get more for less. Again, depends what you want to see on the headstock.

I don't think a guitar's worth is only measured by the quality of its tone, craftsmanship and features. The worth is also determined by what extent you can expect your guitar to appreciate in value. And while I'm not hung up about the badge on the headstock, it so happens that if it says Fender, chances are that it would be worth far more in 60 years' time than the other guitar that says Poenternjafter on the headstock - however awesome that guitar might be.

But at any rate, that is not what this thread is about. I started this thread because I want to learn about Fender Stratocasters. Whether I decide to buy one or whether I even travel to the States is a different story altogether. I still want to understand the various strat options and the pros and cons of the various options.

MikeM

Remember, its tough to find swamp ash locally. Not sure about alder, but that's why I had my strat made in the U.S. Loads of flame maple to choose from, got a 3.5lb ash body.

Sorry for going off topic, but a guitar's tone is dictated by more than its build quality.

I'd love the opportunity to play a bunch of MIAs. Lucky man

vic

The 60th anniversary is already available....AND it's local nogal ....in CTown.

Check this link for some nice guitars ?

http://www.guitarexperience.net/stratocasters.htm

deefstes

Vic wrote The 60th anniversary is already available....AND it's local nogal ....in CTown.

I don't understand, how is that possible? The 60th anniversary is only in 2 years?

AlanRatcliffe

deefstes wrote
Vic wrote The 60th anniversary is already available....AND it's local nogal ....in CTown.
I don't understand, how is that possible? The 60th anniversary is only in 2 years?

Fender's 60th anniversary was in 2006. The Stratocaster's 60th is in 2014.

deefstes

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
deefstes wrote
Vic wrote The 60th anniversary is already available....AND it's local nogal ....in CTown.
I don't understand, how is that possible? The 60th anniversary is only in 2 years?
Fender's 60th anniversary was in 2006. The Stratocaster's 60th is in 2014.

Got it.

Now, speaking of anniversary models. I happen to have a friend who bought the 50th anniversary strat (2004). It's a beautiful guitar and I have played it a couple of times. I suspect though that, if I ask him what bodywood the guitar has, what fret size, what neck profile etc. his answer will be "uhm, yes".

Where can I get info on what exactly that guitar is so I can compare it against others? For one, I get the sense that it has fatter frets than my Epi Les Paul but I'm not sure what the specs really say.

Tokai-SA

deefstes wrote
Alan Ratcliffe wrote
deefstes wrote
Vic wrote The 60th anniversary is already available....AND it's local nogal ....in CTown.
I don't understand, how is that possible? The 60th anniversary is only in 2 years?
Fender's 60th anniversary was in 2006. The Stratocaster's 60th is in 2014.
Got it.

Now, speaking of anniversary models. I happen to have a friend who bought the 50th anniversary strat (2004).

Many people think they bought a genuine 50th Anniversary Strat in 2004/2005, but they didn't.
If it says 50th Anniversary on the neck plate that does not mean it was a genuine 50th Anniversary Strat.
All, or most Strats in 2004 and 2005 came with the 50th Anniversary stamp on the neck plate.
But, a genuine 50th Anniversary has specific specs and comes in a deluxe tweed case with an embroided 50th Anniversary Logo..if it don't have this case then it's not a 50th Anniversary.

The specs.
9 1/2" fingerboard radius
Modern C-shape neck profile
22 medium jumbo frets
2-colour sunburst finish on alder body
2-point gold plated tremolo bridge assembly
Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups
S-1 switching system
Schaller Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines.

A magnificent guitar, my buddy in the USA has one, but even though it was a 50th Anniversary model it didn't turn out to be a good investment...a year later he could have bought a few dozen of them on eBay for far less than he paid.

Very few new mass produced guitars are investments, unless they're very "boutique" and cost you a fortune to begin with...go trade your guitar in at a music store and see how great an investment it was....the investment story is just a BS story we tell our wives so we can buy them...IMO ?

We go out and buy a R200,000 car on a 5 year lease, end up paying R400,000, R90,000 on insurance over 5 years, and then trade it in for R80,000.
But we buy a R13,000 guitar as an investment. ???

deefstes

Tokai SA wrote Many people think they bought a genuine 50th Anniversary Strat in 2004/2005, but they didn't.
If it says 50th Anniversary on the neck plate that does not mean it was a genuine 50th Anniversary Strat.
All, or most Strats in 2004 and 2005 came with the 50th Anniversary stamp on the neck plate.
But, a genuine 50th Anniversary has specific specs and comes in a deluxe tweed case with an embroided 50th Anniversary Logo..if it don't have this case then it's not a 50th Anniversary.

Well, I can confirm that his case has the 50th anniversary embroidery.

Tokai SA wrote The specs.
9 1/2" fingerboard radius
Modern C-shape neck profile
22 medium jumbo frets
2-colour sunburst finish on alder body
2-point gold plated tremolo bridge assembly
Samarium Cobalt Noiseless pickups
S-1 switching system
Schaller Deluxe Staggered Cast/Sealed Locking Tuning Machines.

Great stuff. Thanks.

Tokai SA wrote A magnificent guitar, my buddy in the USA has one, but even though it was a 50th Anniversary model it didn't turn out to be a good investment...a year later he could have bought a few dozen of them on eBay for far less than he paid.

Very few new mass produced guitars are investments, unless they're very "boutique" and cost you a fortune to begin with...go trade your guitar in at a music store and see how great an investment it was....the investment story is just a BS story we tell our wives so we can buy them...IMO ?

:roflmao: I think you hit the nail on the head there. No but seriously, I'm not entirely surprised but somewhat disappointed reading that. On the other hand, I don't think one should expect to see a guitar appreciate all that much within a few years. I mean these 50th anniversaries are not even a decade old yet. Maybe when they're 50 or 60 years old they'd be worth a pretty penny. I'd like to believe that they'd at least be worth more then than the non-anniversary models of a similar age, which in turn would be worth more than a similar aged Poenternjafter's-fine-instruments guitar that's in the shape of a stratocaster.

vic

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.

deefstes

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.

Good point.

Bob-Dubery

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.

George Gruhn published data that showed the collectible guitar market outperforming any other long-term investment available in the USA.

But I don't think George was saying that any and all guitars will perform this well. Some guitars will, most won't. You have to know your onions in that game, and you have to accept that it's a long term game. In the short term guitars don't perform as investments.

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

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