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Posted by: slacker Dec 7 2008, 11:18 PM

I've been researching and looking at Fender Strat's (American and non) and the Epiphone Les Paul's.
First, I'm curious how the quality of the American Fender Strat compares to the Strat made in Mexico?
Also, since this will be my first electric guitar, is one suggested over the other for a beginner?
I realize this decision will come down to which I like better, but I was hoping for some guidance from the more experienced guitar players here.
Any other info you have about either one would be much appreciated.


Thanks for any help.

Posted by: Praetorian Dec 8 2008, 02:20 AM

I can give you some input about the Strat. I have a Mexican Strat and am absolutely in love with it! The difference between the American Strats and Mexican ones seem to be the quality of pickups and electronics that are used. The bodies and necks are the same if I am correct. There are quite a few variations of strats though, so this is not always the rule...but for the standard strat I believe the bodies and necks are similar. I just upgraded my wiring and pickups to Texas Specials and it sounds better than $1,200 strats I was playing at Guitar Center!

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Dec 8 2008, 02:25 AM

For a beginner I'd be looking at a Mexican Strat or an Epiphone SG or Les Paul depending on your preference. Both guitars can be upgraded if you wish to sound pretty damn good and I'd love a Mexican Strat with Texas Specials as they sound great. So I wouldn't go for a US Strat if you're a beginner but you'd be more than pleased with a cheaper Mexican model as most are made to a very high standard.

Posted by: FrankW Dec 8 2008, 02:38 AM

If you are committed to putting in time to play and progress on the guitar, I would buy the best you can afford, whatever it may be.

Posted by: OrganisedConfusion Dec 8 2008, 02:43 AM

I wouldn't actually agree. I think when you're a beginner you don't particularly know what guitar fits your style. I think a mid range guitar like a Mex Strat or an Epi is perfect for the beginner until you practice a lot and know exactly what you need and want from a guitar. But I guess others may disagree.

Posted by: inertia Dec 8 2008, 03:25 AM

the mexican fenders are very good, and like was mentioned a mexican strat with texas specials sounds awesome
also the mexican ash tele is sweet
the epiphones are nice, if you can afford a bit more the prophecy line of epiphone is quite a bit higher quality, ebony fretboards with either gibson dirty finger pickups or active emgs
also in that same price range I would look into the PRS SE line and the Schecters too

Posted by: Velvet Roger Dec 8 2008, 09:21 AM

Yeah, I would agree with OC here, you certainly are going to develop over time a much broader knowledge of what kind of tone you would like to achieve ultimately and based on that it is probably wiser to go for a mid range guitar first (unless you have loads of money, as you would probably want to have one of all different brands in the end ).

Posted by: fkalich Dec 8 2008, 09:51 AM

agree. if you start thinking small, well what do you anticipate? fine if you do that, but don't kid yourself, if you are not willing to invest in yourself, that speaks for itself.

I started off with a 58 Les Paul Reissue 2 years ago when I started. Paid $2,500 with shipping. They now sell for $3.700 at MF.





If so, you can get a used one and sell it for what you paid for it. Or a Gibson and sell it for more if you wait a few years.

Get a Gibson Les Paul. Regardless of OC's dislike of them, they are by far the world's most pupular guitar, that never changes, and never will. So they have resale value. I would suggest a Studio from MF. I believe they are reduced $200 for Christmas.


edit: I looked and the sale of over. They have the Ebony for $1,200.

However I would get this Dent and Scratch from American Musical. Those are invariably just returns, either you won't even find any mark at all, or it will be very superficial. The guitar will be the same as it will be a month after you own a brand new one out of the box, maybe a few scuffs. You can always return them. But I have gotten 3 or these, a Gibson SG, Gibson Firebird, and a Parker Nitefly from MusiciansFriend and AmericanMusical, and all were great. And should you sale it, you pretty near right away can get what you paid for it.

It is the last one on the list, just over $1,000.

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-GIB-LPSTUG-LIST


I have an American Strat. No, the mexican are not typically as good, and not as well supported by Fender. Talk to a luthier that does repair work about that, no, there is a reason they are cheaper, and it is not just the electronics. You might get lucky and get a great one, but the odds are not on your side. They are not manufactured under the same conditions as the US items are. Get the real deal if you possibly can afford it.

A lot of guitars made with cheaper labor cut corners, in ways you may not be aware of from observation.


edit again: also for the Amp, look at the Carvin BelAir. I love my Carvin Bel Air. They make them in California, you could drive out there and get one I expect. But shipping is not much. My Carvin sounds so good, I don't even like to use any device most of the time. Even playing at low volume, it has a beautiful sound. They are $649 new, made of real wood, I would get one over a Fender any day of the week. Cheaper, and better. Definitely get a full tube amp. Others may disagree. They would be totally off the planet to do so, but they still might. I can understand arguments about guitars. But not suggesting a solid state amp over a tube, not in this corner of the universe, at any time, in the past, present, or future.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 8 2008, 09:47 PM

Strat and LP are different types of guitars, meaning that they have very different built and sound. I suggest that you first make your choice about what feel, sound and look you like the best and choose - Strat or LP. This will narrow your search a bit.



I am not familiar in detail about the manufacturing process in Mexico, and now some things about Corona factory, so I cannot answer that question with some facts. All I can say is that USA strats you get the higher quality guitar with a better sound - meaning you get what you payed for, they are not overpriced in comparison to Mexican models. The price shows the quality pretty good. It is sometimes hard for people who don't have too much playing time with Fenders to spot all the small and subtle differences between the USA and MEM strats, so the question about the quality is often pulled, but trust me, the transients, fullness of tone, and quality of built are far greater on USA ones.



You didn't say if this is related to Strat VS LP or USA Strat VS MEM Strat. But in both casses for a beginner any guitar is good mate, so it all comes down to how much is your budget. I say if you have the money for a great guitar - buy it by all means. The better guitar the more enjoyable your playing experience will be, that's for sure.


The Strat and LP guitars are not comparable directly - they are too different. But I would go for USA strat versus Epi LP anytime mate. If you choose between MEM strat and Epi LP, then you should check out both guitars and see what you prefer. You should know immediately when you take the guitar and play it if it is made for you or not.

Posted by: jer Dec 8 2008, 10:18 PM

JACKSON!!!!!




I have a Mexi Strat and a Epi Les Paul.

Both mint condition.

Sell ya both of them for $600.

Then I'll buy another JACKSON!!!!

Posted by: Gus Dec 8 2008, 11:44 PM

Hey man. I owned both a mexican fender strat and a epiphone les paul custom.

What I can say about these 2 guitars is that both of them are a good deal for the price they have (keeping in mind that the epi LP custom is more expensive). This is not true for all guitars you test in a store.

In your case I would suggest exactly these 2 models I tested and the way I would decide would be based on the guitarists you like the most and the way the guitar feels on your hand.
If you more into Slash (Guns), Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), Zakk Wylde type of sound go with a Les Paul.
If you like more David Gilmour(Pink Floyd), John Frusciante(Red Hot), Jimmy Hendrix type of sound go with a strat.