Jump to content

Buying a Fender Stratocaster - tips and knowledge welcome


Guest hindu times
 Share

Recommended Posts

Guest hindu times

Just looking for a few tips. After a few months of saving up, I'm looking to buy a Fender Strat. Always wanted one.

 

Just looking for any hints and tips.

 

- What are the differences between American Standard and American Deluxe, in terms of sound?

- Does the finish of the fretboard affect sound or playability?

- Custom Shop worth looking at?

Link to post
Share on other sites

Wor lass got me an acoustic guitar for my birthday. Really want to get started, but I just haven't had the time.

 

 

you need to pull a few strings

 

Oh dear.

 

:lol:

Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm getting a '62 american vintage this summer. Been saving up 2 years for it.

 

I've played the '57 and '62 and normal american standard strat. It is what people say it is. The major difference is the neck shape (which affected my playing a lot) and the different pickups.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Alan Shearer 9

Just looking for a few tips. After a few months of saving up, I'm looking to buy a Fender Strat. Always wanted one.

 

Just looking for any hints and tips.

 

- What are the differences between American Standard and American Deluxe, in terms of sound?

- Does the finish of the fretboard affect sound or playability?

- Custom Shop worth looking at?

 

I've heard the best Strats for playability are the '59 models, partly because of the neck and the wear means they have a curvature that has been obtained over time that makes them super sweet to play.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest firetotheworks

Ive got an American standard. I really like it, never played a duluxe though.

 

One thing I will say is that unless you're recording then there isn't a huge difference between a Mex and a U.S Strat. The U.S ones are better in just about every way, but not enough to warrant the shift in price.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Depends what you're using it for. The Custom Deluxe is pretty good. The Eric Johnson model sounds nice but the neck isn't for everybody. I've had a few Strats but i tend to steer away from Fender these days. Other companies make better 'Strats' imo. For the money anyway.

Link to post
Share on other sites

By the way (sorry, minor hijacking).. anyone want to buy a Squier Strat or a Gibson SG?

 

Yes.

 

It's this one:

 

http://www.imuso.co.uk/directory/images/reviewpix/gibson-sg-special.jpg

 

I paid £500+ about 2.5 years ago. It's in reasonable condition but I never play it. If you're seriously interested I'll get someone who's a bit more savvy to put a rough valuation on it.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Alan Shearer 9

The Strat is the king, too much you can do with it. If you can get a handle on the whammy bar the world is your oyster, look at Jeff Beck now.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The Strat is the king, too much you can do with it. If you can get a handle on the whammy bar the world is your oyster, look at Jeff Beck now.

 

Look what Jimmy Page can do with just a Les Paul

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest firetotheworks

This is the way it works with guitars in my opinion

 

Bright clarity beautiful tone = Fender

 

Warm, thick beautiful tone = Gibson

 

The above two combined without really hitting hitting the beautiful tone of either = PRS

 

Metal = ESP

 

The duluxe models might be different pickups, and are likely to different wood. its all down to personal taste at that level.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Alan Shearer 9

The Strat is the king, too much you can do with it. If you can get a handle on the whammy bar the world is your oyster, look at Jeff Beck now.

 

Look what Jimmy Page can do with just a Les Paul

 

I loved Jimmy Page as a kid and still do, I've got a 1975 Les Paul Custom, and it's a great guitar, couldn't imagine a better Les paul for less than £10k. However you can simply do more with a Strat and Jimmy Page couldn't dream of attaining some of the sounds Jeff Beck has done in more recent years on his Strat, he's been as inventive as any other rock guitarist.

 

With the replaceable neck and 3 pickups as well the possibilities for setups are endless. With a solid body guitar ie a Les Paul there's not as much room for customisation. Beck basically uses a Les Paul dimension neck on a Strat, you can mould the guitar more for yourself. Jimmy Page shaves down the neck on his Les Paul and the telecaster he used but I wouldn't fancy trying that myself, it'd go tits up :lol:

 

Link to post
Share on other sites

Guest Alan Shearer 9

 

Just can't do this shit on a les paul. No effects pedals, just manipulating harmonics with the whammy bar mainly.

 

 

You can get great blues tones as well on the Strat so if you have to pick one electric guitar to get, make it a Strat, they're just the most versatile and frankly the best out there.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Think I'm going to go for an American Deluxe strat. The noiseless pickups are a big selling point for me, as is the s1 switch (which basically gives you two more tonal options).

 

 

As a result it's not a very Strat sounding Strat. It's a trade off. You'd be better off getting Kinman replacement PUPs probably. They're better at sounding Stratish while being quiet imo.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Think I'm going to go for an American Deluxe strat. The noiseless pickups are a big selling point for me, as is the s1 switch (which basically gives you two more tonal options).

 

 

Well, it's all individual. Look up Kinman p/ups on the web if you want noiselss and options.

 

Personally, i prefer G&L to Fender. Musicman Silhouette is a nicer Strat than a modern Fender Strat imho. Fender Custom shop is quality though.

 

What sound are you after? Anyone who's sound might be a pointer?

 

As a result it's not a very Strat sounding Strat. It's a trade off. You'd be better off getting Kinman replacement PUPs probably. They're better at sounding Stratish while being quiet imo.

 

I don't know, it sounded pretty damn good to me. The only real noticeable difference in sound between the Standard and Deluxe was the noiseless pickups. Tonally they were very similar. Then of course, the S1 switch gives you the option of a couple of extra tonal things.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...