Fender Stratocasters

[Max]

It's been quite a few years since I've hacked around with an electric guitar. Now I'm thinking of getting back into it. Having done some research on the web, I find a myriad of Fender Strats out there. Can anyone give me some pointers of what I should be looking for? My budget is $500 or less.

Thanks

[Thruster]

Epi L.P.

[gpwurzel]

Nice choice Thruster - might also want to look at some of the Yamaha's....lots of bang for the buck. Cort makes some reasonable axes also, but best advice - go play a selection in a store....make some noise, check the playability, push for a deal. Dont be afraid to walk away, there are always other guitars around. (I always end up with either a hard case or gig bag, strings etc........I'm kinda pushy like that!)


Wurzel

[uberhun]

Owning two The 50 anniversary and Jimi Hendrix Voodoo Strat. Both overpriced, but excellent playing guitars. It depends on what type of music you play. Strats being single coil (pick up) guitars are noisey. (pick up buzz/hum) But very expressive. I being a blues guy like em. Now to answer your question. American made strats start at about $ 700 for basic models. There are however Mexican strats made with native alder wood that are pretty good the one that comes to mind is the Jimmiy Vaughn Strat. Their is also some sixties remakes in sea foam green and baby blue that can be good. Here is the catch. Musicians friend sells em and they have alternative models in stock. The problem is they vary from guitar to guitar in playabillity and quality. You can find an excellent guitar from the Mexican Fender. You just need to sit down and play em. I would not suggest stringing em with tens either. The neck pocket and joint are suspect to cracking due to the wood source and manufacturing standards. But for the price they can be an excellent guitar.



Me holding my Music Man Axis (Leo Fender guitar) and my Hendrix Strat

Me and wife in hobby studio holding Hendrix Strat

[Rogue9Volt]

I believe they make a standard mexi-strat for around 300-400 bucks.  Guitar Center is your friend!

[DiabloTX]

Originally posted by Max
It's been quite a few years since I've hacked around with an electric guitar. Now I'm thinking of getting back into it. Having done some research on the web, I find a myriad of Fender Strats out there. Can anyone give me some pointers of what I should be looking for? My budget is $500 or less.

Thanks

Fender Deluxe Super Strat.  Made in Mexico.  I've had a couple of them and they are very nice especially with the 6th and 7th tone switch so instead of the typical 5 tones from a Strat you get 7.  They are between $500 - $600 and your actually experience will vary from guitar to guitar.  Find a guitar you like in your budget and buy it.  No one knows better about what you like than you do.  I've had about 12 Strats over the years from the Mexican Standard to the Custom Shop made Strat and I think the MIM's are an incredible value, especially the 60's reissues.

[Thruster]

Hun's right. Fenders (even cheap ones) are nice playing guitars. I kinda suck so expressiveness isn't that high on my agenda. I go for tone. Just about all the most 'expressive" players use some kind of strat layout, Hendrix, Clapton, Blackmore,E.V.H., Morse, Vai.... But they just sound dinky to me. And that's ok. I just don't play much stuff that sound works for.

Another idea might be looking at a Tele. One last Gibson on the wish list then it's gonna be a Tele for me. They feel so nice, the necks are skinny, light. Nice guitars. And they do the single coil thing better than a Strat I.M.O.
 
Although Ibanez, Yamaha, and the like do make some nice pieces....

Just as long as you touch the guitar before you buy it. Ordering a mass produced instrument is a fast road straight to perdition. Set a budget, play everything in that price range (and maybe 1 or 2 above just to see what you might be missing, or not) then get the one you dig. Then another, then another...

[Waffle]

Get a telecaster Max! - It's all about the twang!