Strat copy choices...

aja

So, strat type people......

Assuming hardware upgrades are on the table and all that is required is a good 2nd hand platform, what would your first and second choices be?

A - Vester
B - Morris
C - SX
D - Squire
E - Other brand (please comment)

I want to start experimenting with guitar wiring and pickups etc...

singemonkey

E - Tokai.

Yes, I know. They're not authentic copies like other, real copies ? They're all sinister and unsettling and everything :?.

But I like 'em.

I like Pacificas too. But they're not really copies so much as Strat and Tele style guitars. Both brands don't skimp on quality to bring you less pricey instruments.

aja

Interesting! What do those Tokai's go for 2nd hand usually? I have never seen one...

I must say I do indeed want a certified authentic replica, not some funny unauthorized copy ? ? ?

Wizard

It depends on whether you're doing this just for the sake of learning ... or whether you're hoping to get a really cool guitar out at the end.

I wanted to just experiment & learn how Strats worked; in advance of building my own.
I bought a cheap 2nd hand Hammer ... and pulled it apart completely ... and learned how it all worked.

In time I'll reassemble it and hopefully recover most of my money.
So - got all the fun & learning with little outlay.

But ... this is quite different from actually aiming at a decent Strat at the end.
If that's what you're aiming for, Alan has a really good article:
http://www.ratcliffe.co.za/articles/hotrodstrat.shtml

aja

Wizard wrote: It depends on whether you're doing this just for the sake of learning ... or whether you're hoping to get a really cool guitar out at the end.

A bit of both. I want to see how the wiring and pickup mods change the tone - which I can only do if there is reasonable tone to begin with.

However I am more concerned with getting a good platform - necks that dont look like they were cut from a swan, bodies that are made of something better that chip board etc etc...

Thanks for the advice and the link! good read...

MikeM

My vote goes to the Yamaha Pacificas. They always seem like great guitars for the money

Tokai-SA

aja

Most important question...how much do you want to spend?

aja

Tokai SA wrote: aja

Most important question...how much do you want to spend?

Not much more than R1500 to be honest. I am not expecting much in reality

Keira-WitherKay

hi aja , think about the cort strat copies i hear they pretty great value for money.. cos it'll be great to have a guitar to mod but one that sounds and feels great too........ again buy 2nd hand rather than new........ and if you give me a week or so i can see if i can find something for you on my pawn shop rounds i make most weeks........... i remmber seeing a way cool fender squire in emerald green i think at pawn shop in 4 ways ...looked killer for 1600 (always discounted tho) and it looked way beyond entry level squire ........... i almost bought it myself ..cos it looked and felt so good for the price.......

joel

singemonkey wrote: E - Tokai.

Yes, I know. They're not authentic copies like other, real copies ? They're all sinister and unsettling and everything :?.

But I like 'em.

Hey Singe' I like 'em too , ....shouldn't be on this list though.
A Tokai AST 70 is not for Aja in this instance , no need to modify anything on them , i'm happy with mine as is !! 8) .

@ Keira , I've also seen a couple of Squires on my rounds , otherwise its mainly SX's , Behringers , Sante Fe's and Rittmullers lately I'm afraid . ☹
@ Aja , will pm you if I see something 'decent' for you.

Wizard

Here's an option ... by a fellow forum member:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/squier-deluxe-strat-for-sale/

I love the look of white Strats ...

MikeM

+1 to that deluxe ? Really nice price.

aja

Wizard wrote: Here's an option ... by a fellow forum member:
http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/squier-deluxe-strat-for-sale/

I love the look of white Strats ...

no man that thing is too nice to tear apart! ?
but thanks for the tip!

aja

Thanks Keira and Joel for the lookout!

DonovanB

I vote Squier as well. See if you can get your hands on an old one too.

singemonkey wrote: E - Tokai.

Lol, did they copy the Gibson Strat or the Fender one?

Tokai-SA

Donovan Banks wrote: I vote Squier as well. See if you can get your hands on an old one too.

singemonkey wrote: E - Tokai.
Lol, did they copy the Gibson Strat or the Fender one?

Were you born in 1980?

Banditman

For the price & quality you're after, I'd say look at a Pacifica or a Squire. Ask Singemonkey to email you a copy of the Pacifica modding article from Guitarist.

I am a bit curious about your "certified authentic replica" comment. Do you mean that you want it to be as close to the original as possible?

If that's the case, well Squires are no more authentic than Pacificas or any number of others. To my mind an authentic replica would be made of the same type of woods as the original - alder or ash (most Squires are basswood or other) - and have the same type of pickups & hardware. Just because they say "Stratocaster" or "Licenced" on the headstock (like Epi Les Pauls) doesn't make them the same as the original.

That would mean you're after something that's as close in dimensions & feel as possible with a similarity in tone for R1500.

Pacifica or Squire.

[deleted]

http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Black-Squier-Affinity-Strat-W0QQAdIdZ216353995

[deleted]

For those who aren't in on the joke and should be informed:

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/general-discussion/gibson-to-do-jimi-hendrix-model-guitar/

Tokai-SA

Stratisfear wrote: http://johannesburg.gumtree.co.za/c-Stuff-for-Sale-musical-instruments-Black-Squier-Affinity-Strat-W0QQAdIdZ216353995

Good call, that's the one aja must buy.