GASing for a Strat

[Deus Vult]

But don't want to spend a lot of money because the wife will kill me

I really like the Classic Vibe Strats and Teles. They also seem to get pretty good reviews vs some of the MIM Strats. Maybe I should just wait for someone to post a deal on CL.

I wish I had never sold my HW1 Strat.

 

[JeffBlue]

Just Do It. Find what you like then do not let it go.

 

[SteveGangi]

Just save up the money and then pick one based on the features you want or don't want. Each model of Strat is slightly different. They are all over the map as far as price also, so it is more a matter of having too many to choose from.

 

[michaelinokc]

Got my American Deluxe Ash Strat in excellent condition on craigslist at less than half the retail price. Keep your eyes peeled because there are some great deals out there.

 

[foxtrot]

Got my American Deluxe Ash Strat in excellent condition on craigslist at less than half the retail price. Keep your eyes peeled because there are some great deals out there.

What michaelinokc said. Not long ago I ended up with my 2011 American Deluxe for less than the price of a new American Strat.

You can also find great deals not only on Deluxes but American Strats and others too. Just have to keep an eye out. That, or if you find one and fall in love with it... do it!

 

[Matariel]

Just Do It. Find what you like then do not let it go.

it's like telling a depressed person: "It's ok, stay depressed."
I'm in the same situation. I'm really craving a Telecaster or Strat but I need someone's help to prevent me from pulling the trigger. My fiance will get pretty pissed, probably less that your wife, but I still don't want to deal with the silent treatment.

 

[Deus Vult]

Just save up the money and then pick one based on the features you want or don't want. Each model of Strat is slightly different. They are all over the map as far as price also, so it is more a matter of having too many to choose from.

that's the thing Steve-o. I don't know jack about Fenders, much less what features I want/should be looking at- which really leads me to think maybe I should buy a cheap one that I can mod as time goes on.

Les Pauls, I know a bit about them as I've purposely made myself a Les Paul guy.

I've been reading lots of reviews and videos and the CV Strats consistently get good reviews in terms of sound and fit/finish- seems quite a few people think they are better than the MIM Standards.

 

[Sky]

I'd actually encourage you to save a bit, buy a Fender body of your liking and get aftermarket pickups and neck to build a Strat that's perfect for your liking.
Or...just get another Highway One.
Good luck buddy!

 

[Deus Vult]

So is $750 a good price for this?

 

[So What]

Excellent price!

IMO.

 

[SexyGibson]

So is $750 a good price for this?

Yes, $750 is a fair price for a USA Strat. If you want it and it plays and sounds good, buy it.
Now, that being said; as someone who has owned my share of Strats, I can tell you, I believe the Squier CV line to be the BEST bang for your buck out there right now. I have owned 2, the 50s Strat and the Thinline Tele.
I paid $200 for the Strat, used, in mint condition. My plan was to upgrade everything on it, starting with electronics. After playing it awhile I decided there was no use in changing the pups, they sounded great, very " vintage " sounding. The tuners hold tune well also. The only thing I may would change is the trm and block.
Regardless, I don't think you can get more for your money than you can with the CV.

 

[Deus Vult]

i played all the CV Strats SA and GC had (five) and I was really disappointed with them. Now the CV teles? I don't even like teles and I like those. The strats just didn't have that certain "feel" or mojo.

I didn't want to spend $750 either, but it seemed like a really good price- $700+ is what all the CL ads are asking. Luckily my buddy bought my M&P I was trying to sell, which offset over 50% of the cost.

 

[LenPaul]

What michaelinokc said. Not long ago I ended up with my 2011 American Deluxe for less than the price of a new American Strat.

You can also find great deals not only on Deluxes but American Strats and others too. Just have to keep an eye out. That, or if you find one and fall in love with it... do it!

What they said.
I bought a used Deluxe V neck a year ago, great price for a solid Strat.

 

[Matariel]

Can anyone help me identify this Strat? I'm confused and I can'T find any webseite that will give me info on the serial number.

Fender Stratocaster - Laval / Rive-Nord instruments de musique à vendre - Kijiji Laval / Rive-Nord

My guess is that it's a Classic 60s 2009 MiM (rosewood board, but i can't figure out what that small symbol on the extremity of the headstock is)? but the Road Worn sticker throws me off. How much did those go for? is 450$ fair? Should i wait for something else around that price range or is that specific model worth it?

Thanks!

 

[AngryHatter]

But don't want to spend a lot of money because the wife will kill me

I really like the Classic Vibe Strats and Teles. They also seem to get pretty good reviews vs some of the MIM Strats. Maybe I should just wait for someone to post a deal on CL.

I wish I had never sold my HW1 Strat.

$380 for the CV or $250 for the VM - the VM has great pickups, but I hated the neck radius.

 

[Gin&Pentatonic]

$750 was a really good price for that, even though you didn't go for it.

Try a few more Strats. If you can get your paws on a 2012 I'd highly recommend really giving it a fair shake. If they're not for you, don't force yourself to buy one with the idea that now that you're stuck with it you'll warm up to it. I made that mistake with a couple LP's.

 

[Deus Vult]

$750 was a really good price for that, even though you didn't go for it.

Try a few more Strats. If you can get your paws on a 2012 I'd highly recommend really giving it a fair shake. If they're not for you, don't force yourself to buy one with the idea that now that you're stuck with it you'll warm up to it. I made that mistake with a couple LP's.

i did bring her home.

I played it side by side with the 2012 model, which I did think sounded better. But not $300 better.

 

[AngryHatter]

Looks like they have changed all the Squier models to 9.5? No more 7.25?

 

[truckermde]

If you wanna keep the price tag down, but prefer to see "fender" on your headstock, keep your eyes peeled at craigslist. MIM strats are going for $200-$300 all day out here in CA, and there is nothing wrong with them.

They're a real bargain, if ya ask me!

 

[AngryHatter]

i did bring her home.

I played it side by side with the 2012 model, which I did think sounded better. But not $300 better.

How does one monetize the difference between two guitars?
No, not the cheaper wood or electronics, but the statement - "...which I did think sounded better. But not $300 better." just hits me as weird.

I bought a 1971 strat, and a 2009 VM and a 2011 CV. All the same...basically.
How do they sound better when the pickups are generally the same thing, made in the same plant with minor variations by design?