A unmolested MIJ Fender if your budget stretches to 7-8k. At that money, I'd consider a Tokai Strat or G&L if I saw one.

Otherwise try a bunch of Squires, anything from the Standard up (Standard, Vintage Modified, Classic Vibe) occasionally there's a keeper hidden there. The Classic Vibes are raved about. There's also a plethora of partscasters on sale, try before you buy.

For real budget bang...I did see a old Ibanez Cimarr strat going for R1700 on SAMIS this morning - VERY tempting!

SX vintage series

Meron Rigas wrote: For real budget bang...I did see a old Ibanez Cimarr strat going for R1700 on SAMIS this morning - VERY tempting!

Saw that too. Great deal that!

SX Vintage series. Best bang for buck ?

Stoffeltoo wrote: SX Vintage series. Best bang for buck ?

Many years ago one of my friends had a sx strat, man it played really well and felt so solid! Also looked great! What should a person pay for a used one one? Ive noticed that some of the new ones dont have the fender shaped headstocks anymore, im not interested in those ^^

Their prices vary depending if new or second hand. Their quality is fair for the price especially if boaght second hand and some tweaks have been made. Not so sure about their new prices but noted some in stock at Orange music. Worth a peek

Thanks for all the recommendations guys!

Im also interested in teles!

Many options, but to find...
I did recently see an older SX strat-a-like in CashCrusade Queenstown for under R1000. As I could not remember what I read on SX guitars (I do now, and always will) I did not buy. If it worked, that would have been a good deal. Kick kick kick a%&ss..

My experience is limited to one narrow nut maple fretboard magic action (standard off the hanger, Meron) Strat copy, a joy to play despite the narrow neck, I cannot comment much, exept to say I also want one (with a wider nut). Single coils only, because my lowly valve amp makes magic with low-output single coils...

modulator wrote: Many options, but to find...
I did recently see an older SX strat-a-like in CashCrusade Queenstown for under R1000. As I could not remember what I read on SX guitars (I do now, and always will) I did not buy. If it worked, that would have been a good deal. Kick kick kick a%&ss..

My experience is limited to one narrow nut maple fretboard magic action (standard off the hanger, Meron) Strat copy, a joy to play despite the narrow neck, I cannot comment much, exept to say I also want one (with a wider nut). Single coils only, because my lowly valve amp makes magic with low-output single coils...

ooh yes that would have been a good deal hey!

im in cape town and it seems most good deals are in JHB, I dont mind using a courier but id like to chek the instrument out first if possible.

I really miss the sound of single coils! I had a cheapo strat many years ago when i started playing guitar. I only have a super strat with high output pups at the moment.

modulator wrote: (standard off the hanger, Meron)

?...it does happen!

nazarene wrote: Im also interested in teles!

The SX tele's punch WAY above their price tag. Better than anything else you'll find at the price, I thought the thinline didn't sound much different to the standard one (for the R1k difference in price, the standard one is the one to find.) Music Experience were stocking the thinline, not sure if they still do.

Only dislike I had of mine was the clubby D profile neck - but if you like that - it's killer.

Squire Affinity Tele's are a bit hit 'n miss - sometimes you find a good un. Last one I saw (around R2500) was decent. Otherwise tele's are a bit tricky to source, I don't often see entry-mid level one's.

As has been mentioned, SX Strat.
There are a few, but look around. Really well built. I had a vintage series one with the correct small Fender headstock. Even though it had ceramic pups, it sounded great and felt great too. Kinda regret selling it.

I was looking at this SX strat
http://orangemusic.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84_115_212&products_id=8229#.WO-Luoh96Hs

Does anyone have experience with this particular model? Its priced really good!

Im just a bit confused as it says in the title its made of american ash, but in the description it says its made from solid alder. I take it the description is wrong as it also states its got a rosewood fingerboard.

As far as wood goes, is ash a dense/heavy wood?
My jackson has a alder body and I would like something thats a bit more on the heavy side.

This model looks insane!!

Cant seem to find it in SA :/

edit* seems to be the same one on orangemusic! but im not 100% sure, print on headstocks are a bit different, any input would be appreciated.

I also saw this one on bob, but there is no description of the model.

http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/255363156/SX_Strat_Electric_Guitar.html

I check out guitars at cash crusaders and the likes frequently. Got friends informing of good deals as well. Mat be worth your while to check out used deals. Friend of mine picked up a roadworn strat for R900. The store staff thought the guitar was damaged lol. I also have a really nice David Gilmour styled strat for a bargain price. Look around for a bargain and mod it if you need to.

Rondo import SX into US - they're the one place I could find info when I got my thinline : http://www.rondomusic.com/SX_Hawk_MN_Alder_NA.html. SX is listed down the bottom of the page - not a great deal of info though. I know they say lightweight alder body...but it's still 8.5lbs which ain't a featherweight.

If there's stock, either of the ones you've found are damn decent deals for a new guitar. Should see them around R1-1.2k secondhand.

very few SX strats available second hand.

nazarene wrote: I was looking at this SX strat
http://orangemusic.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84_115_212&products_id=8229#.WO-Luoh96Hs

Does anyone have experience with this particular model? Its priced really good!

Im just a bit confused as it says in the title its made of american ash, but in the description it says its made from solid alder. I take it the description is wrong as it also states its got a rosewood fingerboard.

As far as wood goes, is ash a dense/heavy wood?
My jackson has a alder body and I would like something thats a bit more on the heavy side.

Ash is not a consistent wood, it can either be heavy, or beautifully light (which obviously I prefer). That's not to say heavy is bad cause it does provide different tonal qualities. Alder is consistently heavy.

studmissile wrote:

nazarene wrote: I was looking at this SX strat
http://orangemusic.co.za/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=84_115_212&products_id=8229#.WO-Luoh96Hs

Does anyone have experience with this particular model? Its priced really good!

Im just a bit confused as it says in the title its made of american ash, but in the description it says its made from solid alder. I take it the description is wrong as it also states its got a rosewood fingerboard.

As far as wood goes, is ash a dense/heavy wood?
My jackson has a alder body and I would like something thats a bit more on the heavy side.

Ash is not a consistent wood, it can either be heavy, or beautifully light (which obviously I prefer). That's not to say heavy is bad cause it does provide different tonal qualities. Alder is consistently heavy.

Thanks for the info, will def keep that in mind!

When it comes to squiers, what would be a the value for a used squier standard strat?