Strat suggestions?

LesPaulopolis · 09-21-2009, 01:46 PM

Been a LP guy my whole life. Own a '68 RI Custom...love it.

Strats have a different sound/feel thanks to the single coils etc. You can't replicate that sound on a LP.

So, if I really like the Dave Gilmour, Billy Corgan, tone (and play hard rock), what strat is right for me?

I don't want a signature model and would prefer and American-made instrument. Ideally, it would be the opposite feel of my way heavy, gilded, ebony fretboard, high-output humbucking machine.

Not really sure what the different woods and pickups change in terms of feel etc. Anyone have suggestions of that new production models are good or what to avoid? If I could find a nice used one I'd likely go that route.

This will be my backup guitar/fun change of pace instrument.

Thanks!

poeman33 · 09-21-2009, 02:53 PM

If you can afford it, the American Deluxe for sure. Well worth the extra money. If you want that traditional bright sound, the Ash Bodied deluxe has it. Otherwise an alder body would be great, but just not as bright sounding. Personally I love the HSS format as it gives me a humbucking sound as well, but if you want strictly Strat sounds, then a deluxe SSS will be great, and it comes with noiseless pickups. A less expensive, but quality alternative is the Fender Player Deluxe. It is a Mexican made with an Ash body and Fender Vintage noiseless pickups. High mass tremolo too.

LesPaulopolis · 09-21-2009, 04:05 PM

I saw those Am. Deluxes going for about $1200 new. Sound like a good deal? I don't really know if I like the bright body, so I'll have to check 'em out in person. Seems if that was the standard in the past that's what I'd want. If a old-school one was available I'd jump on it.

Are those new noiseless PUPs nice? Or do people prefer the older versions/swap out aftermarket PUPs anyway?

Thanks for the advice.

Grandturk · 09-21-2009, 04:16 PM

If you're just looking at "Fender" strats, I agree - check out the Deluxe with the HSS - very nice. I personally don't like the Am Std 2-pt trems, so I would go with a AVRI (American Vintage Re-Issue) model. The '57 Hot Rod with the tonezone single sized bucker is very cool.

If you expand a bit beyond Fender, you can check out stuff like Tom Anderson, Jackson and Charvel, Pensa, Suhr, etc.

It all depends on what you're looking for.

Mike_j · 09-21-2009, 05:53 PM

Went down this road myself. What about a good old stock standard USA model? The don't think there's anything wrong with the production of these. IMO I think production of Strats is more consistent than ever before.

Yes-vintage and signature models are great (I have one) but I think there is also a lot of bullshit and ridiculous price tags that go with vintage axes. From what I've read about old Strats, their early production was hit and miss, and you had to really try out a whole lot before you got a great one.

MajorNut1967 · 09-21-2009, 06:21 PM

Are you looking for true Stratocaster sound? Or do you want a Strat looking hot humbucker type guitar? I just bought a Highway One, it will be here wednesday and I can give you some insight on it. But its a conventional Strat 3 singles, but the is a S S H model. Boy your LP is saying you are slumming!

LesPaulopolis · 09-21-2009, 06:55 PM

I want a 100% Fender Strat sound a la Gilmour, Hendrix, Clapton, Corgan, the like. I've already got the "Slash" "TOOL" "Boston" "Thin Lizzy" sounds covered.

Grandturk · 09-21-2009, 11:47 PM

In that case, I don't think you can go wrong with the new Am Stds. They play really nice and sound great - I actually like Fender's single coils - no need to swap them unless you're looking for some particular like the ultra chimey 50's sound or the thicker 60's sound. The newer version of the bridge sounds really great - I'm glad they changed the saddles back to the old style.

poeman33 · 09-22-2009, 06:57 AM

The American Standard is a fine guitar. I just don't like that damn 60 cycle hum. And it's very prominent on a Marshall. I have a guitar with the new SCN pickups and one with the Vintage Noiseless. The Vintage noiseless sound very traditional, and I prefer them, but lots of people prefer the SCN's. If the hum doesn't bother you, a standard would do you well. Nicer woods, finish, etc on the deluxe.

bro blue · 09-22-2009, 09:52 AM

David Gilmour and Billy Corgan are two different worlds on a Strat. Gilmour uses active pickups and Corgan uses Single-sized buckers. You will not get either with stock single coils. You may get a fair approximation, but that's it.

You also have to consider whether you are going to go noiseless, vintage, or hot for the pickups. Strats have been used in so many different ways in so many different configurations you have to have more than one to cover them all.

I also can not stand the two point trem so I no longer own any American Strats. I do own a Deluxe Ash Strat (MIM) with Fralin Hot Vintage pickups and a Deluxe Powerhouse Strat (also a MIM). The Deluxe series MIMs are on par with American Standards and play, to me at least, more like a vintage Strat.

I will suggest this: try a Squier Classic Vibe Strat. They are very light, build quality is great, and they (depending on which you get) have either alnico III or V pickups. They have a 9.5" neck radius and medium jumbo frets. You can pick them up used on ebay for about $250. They are really good guitars. After you have played it for a while you will have a better idea of what you actually want in a Strat, or if you really want one. I have both the 50s and 60s Strats and love them both.

Grandturk · 09-22-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poeman33

The American Standard is a fine guitar. I just don't like that damn 60 cycle hum. And it's very prominent on a Marshall. I have a guitar with the new SCN pickups and one with the Vintage Noiseless. The Vintage noiseless sound very traditional, and I prefer them, but lots of people prefer the SCN's. If the hum doesn't bother you, a standard would do you well. Nicer woods, finish, etc on the deluxe.

My Adrian Smith Jackson has the Hot SCN's in the neck and middle - these sound great. After poo-pooing Fender's noiseless singles for years, I've changed my tune. Its just a shame you can't buy the Hot SCN's. I know they come on the Adrian Smith and one other Fender strat... not sure which ones.

LesPaulopolis · 09-22-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bro blue

David Gilmour and Billy Corgan are two different worlds on a Strat. Gilmour uses active pickups and Corgan uses Single-sized buckers. You will not get either with stock single coils. You may get a fair approximation, but that's it.

You also have to consider whether you are going to go noiseless, vintage, or hot for the pickups. Strats have been used in so many different ways in so many different configurations you have to have more than one to cover them all.

I'm after the 'raw' and 'spongy' strat sound. Would that be 'vintage'? I don't think 'hot' is the way to go as the LP covers this territory already.

I think there are similarities between DG and BC in terms of their 'strat' tone. Obv. Hiwatt+pedals vs. Marshall+pedals contributes significantly to their differences. But, I'm pretty sure they both used stock stuff in their earlier years (which is what I'm after)...are certain pickups better suited for a combination of 'Gish' and 'Animals' tonewise?

bro blue · 09-22-2009, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesPaulopolis

I'm after the 'raw' and 'spongy' strat sound. Would that be 'vintage'? I don't think 'hot' is the way to go as the LP covers this territory already.

I think there are similarities between DG and BC in terms of their 'strat' tone. Obv. Hiwatt+pedals vs. Marshall+pedals contributes significantly to their differences. But, I'm pretty sure they both used stock stuff in their earlier years (which is what I'm after)...are certain pickups better suited for a combination of 'Gish' and 'Animals' tonewise?

These will get you close, leaning more toward Gilmour:

Buy Fender Vintage Noiseless Strat Pickup Set | Strat Pickups (Single Coil) | Musician's Friend

Buy Fender Custom Shop '69 Strat Pickup Set | Strat Pickups (Single Coil) | Musician's Friend

Buy Fender Custom Shop '54 Strat Pickups Set of 3 | Strat Pickups (Single Coil) | Musician's Friend

These are more towards Corgan:

Buy Seymour Duncan Everything Axe Single Coil Set | Strat Pickups (Single Coil) | Musician's Friend

Cutting Edge - Cool Rails™ for Strat SCR-1 - Seymour Duncan/Basslines

Buy Lace Sensor Blue-Silver-Red 3-Pack S-S-S Pickup Set | Strat Pickups (Single Coil) | Musician's Friend

The Corgan Strat uses three DiMarzio mini-humbucker pickups. Both Gilmour and Corgan use maple neck/boards. You will be able to get passable tones for both with the pickups above, but if you go with the mini-buckers you are going to loose a lot of the clear, bell-like tone you get with the single coils.

I would suggest one of the noiseless single coil sets. You would get the clear Strat sound, and you could feed them plenty of fuzz without the 60 cycle hum driving you crazy like regular single coils would. If you use either the bridge/middle or neck/middle pickup combinations it would get you close to humbucker territory.

Both use fuzz and overdrive with little gain. Corgan gets a lot of his sound from power tube saturation and fuzz.

Or, you could just get a Corgan signature Strat and try to work out some Gilmourish tones on it.

LesPaulopolis · 09-23-2009, 06:12 PM

Tried a new Am. Std. and a used Am. Dlx. last night. The Dlx. was really nice, but was HSS. I learned I like the SSS cuz the bridge single coil is the 'strat' sound to my ears. The noiseless were nice, but the mojo/honk of the regular pickups is what I'm jonesing for. Also tried the pickups with the little button you press on the vol. knob. Interesting but not my thing. If anyone is selling an Am. Dlx. that's SSS reply here or send me a PM.

MajorNut1967 · 09-23-2009, 08:04 PM

Ok here's my take on the Highway One Strat. First off I returned it today the same day I received it! I ordered it with the Transparent Wine color, this came looking like red primer. Then neck and body fit was ok. Play ability: the neck does have jumbo frets, but the fret work leaves a lot to be desired the feel of the neck is shabby! When you go to bend a string it feel like you are rubbing the string against sandpaper, it looked as if there was no finish work on the frets at all. The overall feel of the neck is “Cheap Feeling” like someone hurried through it to get it done. The neck has a rough sort of satin finish while I like the non-slick satin feel, this just felt weird. The pickups sounded ok nothing to write home about. The clean tone was thin for a Strat not the deep bell tone with bright highs. It might sound ok thru a High-Gain pedal or amp. The tremolo it looks like a vintage style but it not set up well. Overall it a $700 guitar that will need another $300 in mods and neck work just to be ok. You are better off getting a new Squire Classic Series and starting from there. IMO

airborne strat · 09-23-2009, 09:58 PM

I have on eof the Squire Classic Strats and I will be honest..it is great. If you are not sure of where you want to go with a Strat then this is IMO the best way to go. Minimal cash for a great guitar...if you decide that you don't like the Strat feel/tone... you are not out a ton of cash.

bro blue · 09-24-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airborne strat

I have on eof the Squire Classic Strats and I will be honest..it is great. If you are not sure of where you want to go with a Strat then this is IMO the best way to go. Minimal cash for a great guitar...if you decide that you don't like the Strat feel/tone... you are not out a ton of cash.

I have the 50s and 60s CV Strats. It's amazing how good these guitars are. I have left both stock, which is rare for me, and have gigged them both numerous times.

You are right - they are the best way to get into Strats without putting down a lot of cash.

LesPaulopolis · 09-25-2009, 12:23 PM

No offense to the Squires, but if I played out w/one of those I may have to kick my own ass.

The highway1 and the relic'd ones are too gimmicky.

I'm starting to lean toward used strats. My bandmates '96 Am. Std. plays and sounds great, though he dropped some lace pickups in there.

Ken · 09-25-2009, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike_j

.

Yes-vintage and signature models are great (I have one) but I think there is also a lot of bullshit and ridiculous price tags that go with vintage axes. From what I've read about old Strats, their early production was hit and miss, and you had to really try out a whole lot before you got a great one.

When CBS bought Fender, the quality took a hit. Everyone wanted "pre-CBS" Fender gear. There are great Strats from the late 70's and early 80's but I'd never pay big bucks for one sight unseen.

The current Strats seem much better anyway to be honest. Better pickups and more consistant quality. And I'm a Gibson guy!

Ken

bro blue · 09-25-2009, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesPaulopolis

No offense to the Squires, but if I played out w/one of those I may have to kick my own ass.

The highway1 and the relic'd ones are too gimmicky.

I'm starting to lean toward used strats. My bandmates '96 Am. Std. plays and sounds great, though he dropped some lace pickups in there.

1. Your gear doesn't determine how good of a player you are
2. You don't play the headstock
3. Tone is what matters

Learn it, live it, love it.

357mag · 10-13-2009, 01:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandturk

If you're just looking at "Fender" strats, I agree - check out the Deluxe with the HSS - very nice. I personally don't like the Am Std 2-pt trems, so I would go with a AVRI (American Vintage Re-Issue) model. The '57 Hot Rod with the tonezone single sized bucker is very cool.

If you expand a bit beyond Fender, you can check out stuff like Tom Anderson, Jackson and Charvel, Pensa, Suhr, etc.

It all depends on what you're looking for.

A word of warning about the 57 Hot Rod. The frets are really low. Bending is not that easy on that guitar cuz they made the frets too low. They are completely different than say the frets on the 62 Hot Rod and those are also called medium jumbo. And the neck on the 57 Hot Rod has really been shaved a lot. It's a very shallow neck with very little wood.

the_best_of_fools · 10-13-2009, 12:15 PM

I have a 2008 Am Standard Strat (SSS) that I like a lot. I love the feel of the neck - and it has a nice vintage tint to it. It's well built, a fine instrument that's well priced. It'll nail the Gilmour sound. You could always swap the bridge pup with a Seymour Duncan SSL-5.

tbof

Grandturk · 10-14-2009, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 357mag

A word of warning about the 57 Hot Rod. The frets are really low. Bending is not that easy on that guitar cuz they made the frets too low. They are completely different than say the frets on the 62 Hot Rod and those are also called medium jumbo. And the neck on the 57 Hot Rod has really been shaved a lot. It's a very shallow neck with very little wood.

The neck on the 57 hot rod I played - the one with the Dimarzio Tone Zone - was very very similar to the neck on my Dave Murray. Soft V. Beefy. Medium Jumbo frets that felt nice and big.

Are you sure you weren't playing a regular 57 AVRI?

airborne strat · 10-16-2009, 10:59 PM

I have an AM St Strat and the only mod are lace sensor pups...gold and red...super sound...plus they are noiseless...really great sound...that said you have to go and really try every different type of strat you can and make your choice on what you like. Hope that this helps

Boldkharma · 10-21-2009, 12:12 AM

As a Les Paul player, I have been through a slew of Strats over the years. None of them lasted while I kept playing my Pauls. I have always liked the Strat, tone, feel, weight etc, but was spoiled by the slick and smooth tone and feel of my Gibson's. I just happened into GC and played a 08 American Standard HSS, wow!! Great neck, great tone, and it just screamed!! It came home with me. I liked it so much I went back today and picked up a 09' American Standard! There is something about these new 08-09 Strats!! I recommend you go put your fingers on one ASAP! I think My Lesters will get along with them just fine. : ) They are the best Strats I have ever played, but thats just me. The Blizzard Pearl Strat on the left looks silver in sunlight, cool thing is that the color picks up whatever is in the room. I have beige carpet with a pink hue and the strat seems to pick that up! It is a very cool color, you think? Also, the maple necks on these new Strats are just awesome! Both of mine have necks that look like what you would get from the Fender Custom Shop. Go Play one now!!!
Sorry for the bad pics, its dark here in Texas : )

thrawn86 · 10-21-2009, 12:20 AM

Ehh, just go buy one of these Schroeder's (a guy I know here in town):

Edge Doublecut Albino | Jason Z. Schroeder Guitars

YouTube - Albino Edge

Someday....

Boldkharma · 10-21-2009, 12:24 AM

That is a pretty top

, looks like a PRS though which ain't my style : )

thrawn86 · 10-21-2009, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boldkharma

That is a pretty top

, looks like a PRS though which ain't my style : )

Check his site, he makes a few different ones. Fleetwood Mac is using a few of his Radio Lane models, I believe.

Boldkharma · 10-21-2009, 12:30 AM

I will check it out, but this thread is about Strats no?

thrawn86 · 10-21-2009, 12:38 AM

I mostly said it just to throw something else out there; not all that uncommon on these threads

09-21-2009, 01:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Strat suggestions? Been a LP guy my whole life. Own a '68 RI Custom...love it. Strats have a different sound/feel thanks to the single coils etc. You can't replicate that sound on a LP. So, if I really like the Dave Gilmour, Billy Corgan, tone (and play hard rock), what strat is right for me? I don't want a signature model and would prefer and American-made instrument. Ideally, it would be the opposite feel of my way heavy, gilded, ebony fretboard, high-output humbucking machine. Not really sure what the different woods and pickups change in terms of feel etc. Anyone have suggestions of that new production models are good or what to avoid? If I could find a nice used one I'd likely go that route. This will be my backup guitar/fun change of pace instrument. Thanks! __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

09-21-2009, 02:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
poeman33 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 432	Re: Strat suggestions? If you can afford it, the American Deluxe for sure. Well worth the extra money. If you want that traditional bright sound, the Ash Bodied deluxe has it. Otherwise an alder body would be great, but just not as bright sounding. Personally I love the HSS format as it gives me a humbucking sound as well, but if you want strictly Strat sounds, then a deluxe SSS will be great, and it comes with noiseless pickups. A less expensive, but quality alternative is the Fender Player Deluxe. It is a Mexican made with an Ash body and Fender Vintage noiseless pickups. High mass tremolo too. __________________ --------------- Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 Avatar Vintage 4x12 cab Fender American Deluxe HSS Strat Ash body

09-21-2009, 04:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: Strat suggestions? I saw those Am. Deluxes going for about $1200 new. Sound like a good deal? I don't really know if I like the bright body, so I'll have to check 'em out in person. Seems if that was the standard in the past that's what I'd want. If a old-school one was available I'd jump on it. Are those new noiseless PUPs nice? Or do people prefer the older versions/swap out aftermarket PUPs anyway? Thanks for the advice. __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

09-21-2009, 04:16 PM	#4 (permalink)
Grandturk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 110	Re: Strat suggestions? If you're just looking at "Fender" strats, I agree - check out the Deluxe with the HSS - very nice. I personally don't like the Am Std 2-pt trems, so I would go with a AVRI (American Vintage Re-Issue) model. The '57 Hot Rod with the tonezone single sized bucker is very cool. If you expand a bit beyond Fender, you can check out stuff like Tom Anderson, Jackson and Charvel, Pensa, Suhr, etc. It all depends on what you're looking for.

09-21-2009, 05:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mike_j Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 126	Re: Strat suggestions? Went down this road myself. What about a good old stock standard USA model? The don't think there's anything wrong with the production of these. IMO I think production of Strats is more consistent than ever before. Yes-vintage and signature models are great (I have one) but I think there is also a lot of bullshit and ridiculous price tags that go with vintage axes. From what I've read about old Strats, their early production was hit and miss, and you had to really try out a whole lot before you got a great one. __________________ "...the world is your oyster but your future's a clam..."

09-21-2009, 06:21 PM	#6 (permalink)
MajorNut1967 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Pacific Posts: 710	Re: Strat suggestions? Are you looking for true Stratocaster sound? Or do you want a Strat looking hot humbucker type guitar? I just bought a Highway One, it will be here wednesday and I can give you some insight on it. But its a conventional Strat 3 singles, but the is a S S H model. Boy your LP is saying you are slumming! __________________ MJN1967 aka BA (Bad Attitude) 1968 model 1987 50watt. A Baby Major (Half-Power) I built from the ground up. JTM 45 Clone combo Ground up build. JCM 800 Clone Ground up build. Custom Built Warmoth Strat 75' Fender Tele-Deluxe '70 style strat custom build w/Custom Shop 69's PU's

09-21-2009, 06:55 PM	#7 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: Strat suggestions? I want a 100% Fender Strat sound a la Gilmour, Hendrix, Clapton, Corgan, the like. I've already got the "Slash" "TOOL" "Boston" "Thin Lizzy" sounds covered. __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

09-21-2009, 11:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
Grandturk Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 110	Re: Strat suggestions? In that case, I don't think you can go wrong with the new Am Stds. They play really nice and sound great - I actually like Fender's single coils - no need to swap them unless you're looking for some particular like the ultra chimey 50's sound or the thicker 60's sound. The newer version of the bridge sounds really great - I'm glad they changed the saddles back to the old style.

09-22-2009, 06:57 AM	#9 (permalink)
poeman33 Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 432	Re: Strat suggestions? The American Standard is a fine guitar. I just don't like that damn 60 cycle hum. And it's very prominent on a Marshall. I have a guitar with the new SCN pickups and one with the Vintage Noiseless. The Vintage noiseless sound very traditional, and I prefer them, but lots of people prefer the SCN's. If the hum doesn't bother you, a standard would do you well. Nicer woods, finish, etc on the deluxe. __________________ --------------- Marshall JCM2000 DSL50 Avatar Vintage 4x12 cab Fender American Deluxe HSS Strat Ash body

09-22-2009, 09:52 AM	#10 (permalink)
bro blue Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern USA Posts: 112	Re: Strat suggestions? David Gilmour and Billy Corgan are two different worlds on a Strat. Gilmour uses active pickups and Corgan uses Single-sized buckers. You will not get either with stock single coils. You may get a fair approximation, but that's it. You also have to consider whether you are going to go noiseless, vintage, or hot for the pickups. Strats have been used in so many different ways in so many different configurations you have to have more than one to cover them all. I also can not stand the two point trem so I no longer own any American Strats. I do own a Deluxe Ash Strat (MIM) with Fralin Hot Vintage pickups and a Deluxe Powerhouse Strat (also a MIM). The Deluxe series MIMs are on par with American Standards and play, to me at least, more like a vintage Strat. I will suggest this: try a Squier Classic Vibe Strat. They are very light, build quality is great, and they (depending on which you get) have either alnico III or V pickups. They have a 9.5" neck radius and medium jumbo frets. You can pick them up used on ebay for about $250. They are really good guitars. After you have played it for a while you will have a better idea of what you actually want in a Strat, or if you really want one. I have both the 50s and 60s Strats and love them both.

09-23-2009, 06:12 PM	#14 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: Strat suggestions? Tried a new Am. Std. and a used Am. Dlx. last night. The Dlx. was really nice, but was HSS. I learned I like the SSS cuz the bridge single coil is the 'strat' sound to my ears. The noiseless were nice, but the mojo/honk of the regular pickups is what I'm jonesing for. Also tried the pickups with the little button you press on the vol. knob. Interesting but not my thing. If anyone is selling an Am. Dlx. that's SSS reply here or send me a PM. __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

09-23-2009, 08:04 PM	#15 (permalink)
MajorNut1967 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Pacific Posts: 710	Re: Strat suggestions? Ok here's my take on the Highway One Strat. First off I returned it today the same day I received it! I ordered it with the Transparent Wine color, this came looking like red primer. Then neck and body fit was ok. Play ability: the neck does have jumbo frets, but the fret work leaves a lot to be desired the feel of the neck is shabby! When you go to bend a string it feel like you are rubbing the string against sandpaper, it looked as if there was no finish work on the frets at all. The overall feel of the neck is “Cheap Feeling” like someone hurried through it to get it done. The neck has a rough sort of satin finish while I like the non-slick satin feel, this just felt weird. The pickups sounded ok nothing to write home about. The clean tone was thin for a Strat not the deep bell tone with bright highs. It might sound ok thru a High-Gain pedal or amp. The tremolo it looks like a vintage style but it not set up well. Overall it a $700 guitar that will need another $300 in mods and neck work just to be ok. You are better off getting a new Squire Classic Series and starting from there. IMO __________________ MJN1967 aka BA (Bad Attitude) 1968 model 1987 50watt. A Baby Major (Half-Power) I built from the ground up. JTM 45 Clone combo Ground up build. JCM 800 Clone Ground up build. Custom Built Warmoth Strat 75' Fender Tele-Deluxe '70 style strat custom build w/Custom Shop 69's PU's

09-23-2009, 09:58 PM	#16 (permalink)
airborne strat Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: FT Benning GA Posts: 26	Re: Strat suggestions? I have on eof the Squire Classic Strats and I will be honest..it is great. If you are not sure of where you want to go with a Strat then this is IMO the best way to go. Minimal cash for a great guitar...if you decide that you don't like the Strat feel/tone... you are not out a ton of cash.

09-25-2009, 12:23 PM	#18 (permalink)
LesPaulopolis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 250	Re: Strat suggestions? No offense to the Squires, but if I played out w/one of those I may have to kick my own ass. The highway1 and the relic'd ones are too gimmicky. I'm starting to lean toward used strats. My bandmates '96 Am. Std. plays and sounds great, though he dropped some lace pickups in there. __________________ '68 RI LP Custom JCM900 + EQ & Boost

10-13-2009, 12:15 PM	#22 (permalink)
the_best_of_fools Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7	Re: Strat suggestions? I have a 2008 Am Standard Strat (SSS) that I like a lot. I love the feel of the neck - and it has a nice vintage tint to it. It's well built, a fine instrument that's well priced. It'll nail the Gilmour sound. You could always swap the bridge pup with a Seymour Duncan SSL-5. tbof

10-16-2009, 10:59 PM	#24 (permalink)
airborne strat Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: FT Benning GA Posts: 26	Re: Strat suggestions? I have an AM St Strat and the only mod are lace sensor pups...gold and red...super sound...plus they are noiseless...really great sound...that said you have to go and really try every different type of strat you can and make your choice on what you like. Hope that this helps

10-21-2009, 12:12 AM	#25 (permalink)
Boldkharma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7	Re: Strat suggestions? As a Les Paul player, I have been through a slew of Strats over the years. None of them lasted while I kept playing my Pauls. I have always liked the Strat, tone, feel, weight etc, but was spoiled by the slick and smooth tone and feel of my Gibson's. I just happened into GC and played a 08 American Standard HSS, wow!! Great neck, great tone, and it just screamed!! It came home with me. I liked it so much I went back today and picked up a 09' American Standard! There is something about these new 08-09 Strats!! I recommend you go put your fingers on one ASAP! I think My Lesters will get along with them just fine. : ) They are the best Strats I have ever played, but thats just me. The Blizzard Pearl Strat on the left looks silver in sunlight, cool thing is that the color picks up whatever is in the room. I have beige carpet with a pink hue and the strat seems to pick that up! It is a very cool color, you think? Also, the maple necks on these new Strats are just awesome! Both of mine have necks that look like what you would get from the Fender Custom Shop. Go Play one now!!! Sorry for the bad pics, its dark here in Texas : )

10-21-2009, 12:24 AM	#27 (permalink)
Boldkharma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7	Re: Strat suggestions? That is a pretty top, looks like a PRS though which ain't my style : )

10-21-2009, 12:30 AM	#29 (permalink)
Boldkharma Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 7	Re: Strat suggestions? I will check it out, but this thread is about Strats no?

10-21-2009, 12:38 AM	#30 (permalink)
thrawn86 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Far Nor Cal USA Posts: 426	Re: Strat suggestions? I mostly said it just to throw something else out there; not all that uncommon on these threads __________________ Drivin' faster in my car... 02 DSL 401-Ei's 02 1960b 02 Gibson LP Studio Silver 03 PRS Santana SE Holy Grail reverb Originally Posted by J. Robert Oppenheimer "We knew the world would not be the same."

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode