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Posted by: peixe Jan 7 2008, 06:36 PM

Hi all GMC'ers!

I'm about to buy a Fender Stratocaster and I have som questions about them.

First of all since I'll spend a maximum $1200 I think it will be a "Made In Mexico"! (?) Correct me if I'm wrong!

Secondly, there are sooo many different models, and I am very confused about which one to choose.

Standard Strat
Classic 50
Classic 60
Classic 70
Standard Deluxe
etc..

Anyone who can tell me the difference, if there is one?

I play mostly rock&blues if you want to know that. Please give me information and tips if you have any!

Thanks guys!

Posted by: Smells Jan 7 2008, 06:41 PM

Theres normally some pickup differences, and some wiring differences to the strats, I`m not 100% on all the differences between the models you`ve listed, although, I`m pretty sure you`ll be able to get a Standard Strat USA model for around that price, check out http://www.thomann.de they have very good prices on guitars.

Posted by: peixe Jan 7 2008, 06:43 PM

Ok! Tnx

Do they ship to Sweden?

Is there really a big difference from the Mexico built strats, or just the price?

Posted by: Smells Jan 7 2008, 06:46 PM

I`m pretty sure they ship to everywhere

Well a friend of mine has a couple of mexican strats and one USA strat custom he paid around £700 (UK stirling) for it from Thomann, imo, its the quality of the wood and finish that stands out the most, but he has a re issue vintage strat too which is mexican, and in all honesty I prefer it to his USA model to play, ideally I`d suggest going to a shop and trying out several before you spend that kind of cash

Posted by: peixe Jan 7 2008, 06:52 PM

Okay!

I'm sorry, I looked at the currency now.. I wont spend $1200... more like $700-900.

Well since I'm not really a pro or anything, maybe the smartest thing is to go for the mexican one?

Is it really safe to buy a guitar online, I mean, every guitar is different so what if the guitar you buy online is really bad?

Posted by: Smells Jan 7 2008, 07:24 PM

thomann are pretty good for returns, same friend (buys a lot from them) bought a Behringer amp that they exchanged within a few days when it went wrong.

You cant beat trying a guitar before you buy it tho, your absolutly right, you can play two identical guitars and they will feel "different"

ps. I have a mexican strat myself, a buddy guy sig model, it plays superb!

Posted by: Owen Jan 7 2008, 07:33 PM

I believe the Fender USA models have schaller locking tuners so they dont go out of tune as easily with large whammy bar usage

Theres also minor details to do with finish, generally the USA models will be of a better quality.

I hear things are very expensive in Sweden for purchase but if you look you should be able to find a Fender USA within your budget Edit: sorry wasnt paying attention to what you'd said there, for 700$ you'd probably be only able to get a Mexican - still good guitars though

If you want to play groovy-bassy rock you might want to consider getting a Mexican Fat Strat for the added strengh and variety a humbucker will supply in the bridge.

Posted by: peixe Jan 7 2008, 07:33 PM

Okay! Well I have to try some different models.. It will certainly be a Mexican though. Then I think I'll choose between the Standard Strat and the American Strat models(not made in usa). They look the coolest. Anyone who know any difference between those two?

Thanks very much Smells for you help!

Sorry Owen, did'nt see you post.. Really? For $7-900?
Yeah things in sweden are really expensive for some reason.

Posted by: Smells Jan 7 2008, 07:35 PM

no problem, your welcome,

I`d agree with Owen too here tho, make sure you try out a "fatstrat" too

Posted by: peixe Jan 7 2008, 07:39 PM

Yeah, they are cool! I'll certainly have a look at a "fatstrat"!

Posted by: Hardtail Jan 9 2008, 03:07 AM

For your price range and being in Sweden I would highly recommend trying to find a Japanese 1972 Reissue. These guitars are incredible sounding and possibly the best Fenders to come out of Japan. Many reviewers have said the Japan '72 is actually built better than most Mexican stratocasters and the materials used are comparable to US (schaller tuners etc.)

I may be wrong on some of the details but the guitar is great. Since it comes from Japan it is shipped internationally and you may be able to get it where you live better than any USA strat (which are the best stratocasters BTW).

Hardtail

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 9 2008, 10:54 AM

Like said. Try them in a store. Each guitar differs. IMO you can't say a US is better than a mex or vice versa. It differs from guitar to guitar and model to model. I ended up with a mex simply because that was the best one of all the Fenders in the store in my given price range.

The Fender models are a jungle. Material differs, neck shapes differ, frets differ and so on.

If you're not in a hurry look at blocket.se, you might find your guitar there.

If you want to buy a new american Fender in a store in Sweden for $700 you will get a Highway One (if even that) and that's it. I don't know much about Highway One but I guess they are value for the money?

Posted by: Hisham Jan 9 2008, 10:05 PM

get one Made in USA standard

Posted by: fatb0t Jan 10 2008, 12:41 AM

Do yourself a major favor and check out http://www.glguitars.com/

G&L I find are far superior to any mexican or USA made Stratocaster...do some research on the company, they are the real deal.

Posted by: KloCkWorXx Jan 10 2008, 02:39 AM

jerry cantrell uses G&L right?

Posted by: Hardtail Jan 10 2008, 02:45 AM

G&L may be better than a Mexican Stratocaster but saying it's better than a USA strat is a little silly. Especially when you consider USA strats come in varying degrees upgrades and makes and so does G&L. Dollar for dollar G&L fender USA has always been able to produce a better instrument.

And yeah, blindwillie I'd say on the whole a USA stratocaster is better than any Mexican strat. And I have owned several of each. In fact, a Mexican tele was my first real guitar and I loved it but every single USA tele I've seen has better fit, finish quality, tuners, pickups, etc.

HArdtail

Posted by: KloCkWorXx Jan 10 2008, 01:47 PM

for 1200 dollars u can get the Malmsteen strat, cheapest way to get a usa fender with full scallops n nice dimarzio pickups

Posted by: fatb0t Jan 11 2008, 01:04 AM

You can get a custom G&L that rivals any custom shop Strat for about 1/2 the price....I did about a full year of research before purchasing my instrument and played a plethora of G&L's and USA Stratocasters.

I decided apon a custom G&L S-500 with a Birdseye maple neck, Graphtech Graphite nut, gold hardware, and pearl pick guard I got it for $1400 USD, if I got a custom shop Fender Stratocaster it would've been double!

G&Ls seem to have a better resale value and higher quality in construction and sound!

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 11 2008, 08:39 AM

I partly disagree. And aren't you contradicting yourself now? Sure, a USA strat can be better than a mex. But it doesn't have to be. Especially not when comparing dollar to dollar. The finish and components in my mex couldn't be better. In a Fender for that money.

There was 2 Fender's I liked better, both USA, both 2.5 times the money.

Posted by: Tomotoms Jan 11 2008, 10:12 AM

+1 If I was going for a Strat in this price range I'd go for this guitar.

But why (out of interest) are you so set on getting a Fender Strat?

Ibanez imo are much better.

Posted by: Hardtail Jan 15 2008, 03:31 AM

You might find a Mex strat that IS finished very nice but the consistency from the Mexican plant just isn't there. One time at a local guitar player gathering in my hometown I found three guys that each had a Mex strat and without fail I found hairline stress cracks on the body right behind the neck mount. These cracks are caused by a few things: 1) lower grade finish which shrinks and cracks in tension. 2) lower grade body wood which relaxes too much once the neck is mounted and strung up.

The point is I have yet to see these cracks on a USA strat (I'm sure one has it out there somewhere but I'm pointing out consistency). A non-custom USA strat is cut with a CNC machine same as the Mex but that is only half the story and doesn't account for experience on the assembly line, material grade, tuners, bridges, etc.

The USA std uses a different body routing technique than the Mex std. Mex necks often have frets that hang over the sides and I used to be able to slide my thin pick in the gaps on my Mexican strats. The USA uses higher grade tuners and bridges both of which account for improved sustain and will hold their tuning MUCH better than the Mex strat.

Mex strats also have lower grade pickups stock AND on both mex strats I had I eventually had to resolder a loose wire when the poor original solder job gave in. Also, I have repaired two other friends Mex strats because the factory overtightened the strap locks and stripped the wood.

Often times mexican bodies are not routed deep enough at the jackplate only allowing for the installation of tighter profile jacks.

There is also a difference in finish etc. etc. etc.

Trust me... Mex strats are okay but yes DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR the USA is better.

@ fatbot

The S-500 does NOT come from the G&L custom shop. It is a very nice guitar that comes off the factory floor in the Fullerton G&L factory. So to compare it to a Custom shop strat is not apples to apples. You can compare it to several Fenders that come in that price range. Namely the Fender American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster which when I look at just the features of both they seem to be a wash.

Hardtail

Posted by: fatb0t Jan 15 2008, 07:26 AM

Hardtail you seem to know a lot about this stuff.

Do you know which G&L models are custom?
I like specified all the features I wanted in my guitar and waited 7 months for delivery.

What kinda Strat do you play?

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 15 2008, 10:46 AM

Yes. That's what I was trying to say. If you are on a budget, don't dismiss a mex because it's mex made. Check it out yourself. Dismiss it because it's not a good guitar, or faulty even.
I'm sure you are right about consistency.


OK. That would be faulty guitars to me. No matter who made it.


Mmmm, I don't trust anybody that says "Trust me" (oh pleease note the smiley=>)
Seriously. Just somebody saying this is better than that is not good enough for me. I want to know why someone thinks so.

You provided useful information. Thanks for that. I respect your opinions very much when it comes to gear.

Posted by: drw84215 Jan 15 2008, 04:15 PM

the major difference is the neck of the guitars. classic 50s start at a 7.5" radius fretboard
classic 60 has a flatter 9.5" witha C" shaped neck
classick 70 has a 9.5" with a D shaped neck.
standard has a 9.5" radius neck with a modern shaped neck. its a cross from C to D

now there are other differences between pickups. but minor things.

i cant find a great website that explains them. but here is an idea
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=back_profiles#custom
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/necks.cfm?fuseaction=back_profiles. the boat is known as a D shaped neck and a flat is known as a C. also american made guitars have smaller frets

i hope that helps. but rememeber every guitar is different. go play a bunch of mexican strats and a bunch of american made. some americans will stand out and some mexicans will stand out. then go play some squiers. if u search enough you will find a squier that will play like a mexican made or american made. i got searched around and got my squier for 50 bucks. plays better then most mexican strats out there and a few american mades.

o yea and personaly i like G&L guitars better then some of the NEW fenders out there. thats just me tho. every player is different as well as every guitar. guitars in the same model can differ. i played a fender american made standard a few days ago and it sounded great. put it down and picked up another american made standard and it soudned hollow. didnt like it

Posted by: Hardtail Jan 16 2008, 03:10 AM

I currently play a '99 Fender "Big Apple" Hardtail stratocaster. They now make it as a "Fat Strat" but it does not have the same hardware upgrades the Big Apple had.

I do not know which models are custom from G&L. And to clarify I do not mean to imply you were lying or anything, I am sure you special ordered your G&L. The distinction I was trying to make was whether it came off the factory floor with custom chosen parts or whether it came from the "Custom Creations Department" as G&L calls it. G&L's custom department is akin to Fenders Custom Shop and guitars from each of those manufacturer's custom shops are not special for their grades of quality or choice of parts but because of the special attention to fit, finish, and grade that only a highly certified luthier can provide.

The assembly workers on the floor are not trained to that extent.

Example... let's say I want a quilted maple guitar neck on my guitar. If I purchase a guitar with that neck from the factory floor they will pick up one of the quilted maple necks that are on the floor and properly assemble it onto the instrument. The custom shop luthier however will wade through neck after neck to find the best of the best and hand work it and the body to provide the absolute tightest fit. Both guitars are excellent and most players, including myself may never tell the difference between the necks but the trained luthier can and that is what we pay for. Their experience and expertise. G&L have incredible guitars, and I am sure I will probably own one some day but I was just trying to clarify the difference.

I used to get a great magazine (can't remember the name right now) that would take factory tours of different plants and write up reviews. It was very informative and really taught me why we pay so much more for guitars from the Custom Shops of manufacturer's.




Your are wise not to trust me. I am always leery to trust others myself which is why I like looking things up, reading, and learning (i'm a nerd so sue me).

I have owned Mexican strats. They are excellent guitars. If you're lucky you can get one that is really well built too. For their price their isn't much else I'd buy... Schecters and Ibanezes are about it personally. After playing Mexican Fenders or a few years I felt it was worth the couple hundred bucks more to get a USA strat and I have never regretted it.

Remember, if I ever say something that sounds like an opinion then it probably is. I'm not God so I don't KNOW everything... just enough to get me in trouble.

Hardtail

Posted by: blindwillie Jan 16 2008, 09:53 AM

Hehe, those are the same as I've narrowed it down to.