Question for guitar experts...

[DiabloTX]

I disagree with Dave.  Made in Mexico Fenders can be a nice bargain.  I've done away with all of my American made Strats and only have the MIM's now.

Epiphones, IMHO, have come a long way.  I have a Sheraton II that plays as well as it's Gibson ES-335 counterpart at 25% of the cost.

Laser, since it's a Squier it already has the huge humbucker routing under the pickguard.  Just get a new humbucker and pickguard and drop it in.  Probably ~$200 or less.

[lasersailor184]

I was considering doing that as well.  But would a squire strat be worth it to drop in some new humbuckers?  Or would it be more worth it to have two guitars to use?

[DiabloTX]

This is what I would do.  I'm assuming you have a laptop?  Get Line6's GuitarPort and you will have all you will need for any kind of guitar sound.  Plug it directly into the PA.  Also slave whatever pedal you still want to use.  Dropping in a humbucker is a very cheap solution.  Even better yet get a Seymour Duncan mini-humbucker that's the size of a regular single coil, have the repair guy install a splitter switch so you can still get that single coil spank at the bridge, and presto!  You'll have a guitar that looks like it has 3 single-coils but will really have a humbucker in it.

http://line6.com/guitarport/

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/cutting-edge/cool_rails_for/

http://www.seymourduncan.com/products/electric/stratocaster/progressive/duckbuckers_sdb/

[Speed55]

I'd buy the first one, and slap one of these http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seymour-Duncan-SH13-Dimebucker-Pickup?sku=300131
  in the bridge. 

You said you were playing punk, and you'll probably progress to some metal. That pickup with a good effects processor like a Pod Pro 2.0, through any clean amp, or p.a.  will give you excellent sound.  If in a few years your still playing, then i'd invest in a more expensive guitar. 

 

[Mustaine]

I disagree with Dave.  Made in Mexico Fenders can be a nice bargain.  I've done away with all of my American made Strats and only have the MIM's now.

Epiphones, IMHO, have come a long way.  I have a Sheraton II that plays as well as it's Gibson ES-335 counterpart at 25% of the cost.

Laser, since it's a Squier it already has the huge humbucker routing under the pickguard.  Just get a new humbucker and pickguard and drop it in.  Probably ~$200 or less.

disagree? you bet your booty.

the wood in the body, position of the neck, wood and machine parts of the neck <AHEM>truss rod<AHEM> and many other parts are so inferior I can't even believe they put their name on those products. I've seen truss rods literally snap just setting the initial action, and forget getting a real luthier to set it for you, they will not even bother.

if any of you don't know how to set your action don't bother trying on a mexi-strat... a mexi-tele fuggedaboutit. you think the 12th-14th fret buzz is bad bending a high E on a quality tele?

I'd pay money to see a mexi-strat set to 1/16th or below, hold a tune with the neck bow, and keep solid action. don't bother with 1/32 action just play all your notes slightly off key like that ultra melon "White" guy.

Honestly I own a "top end" mexi-squire, gold Schaller tuners and all, but the neck was actually "wedged" with plastic shims to get close for the action from the shoddy routing in the body on the neck insert. yeah it looks pretty (blueburst with gold hardware and pearl pickguard) but plays like crap. right now I have the action above 1/8 just to get no buzz with a 1/2 step down tune.




I paid $425 for that back in 2000.

[DiabloTX]

Mustaine, check this out.

This is Curt Mitchell, you may have heard of him.  You'd see him in the back of guitar mags back in the late 80's/early 90's with his video tapes of "in the style of" hot guitar licks.

In this video he's playing a late 60's MIM Strat that I sold him in 2005.  I had had it since '98 but had to sell it for personal reasons.  It was one of the best Strats I have ever owned.  But I had to get rid of it and Curt wanted a new Strat.  He did this video at my request to explain why blues is an easy form of music to learn but it's damn near impossible to master.  Anyway, you'll see him explain the MIM that he got from me and how simple his rig is.  Good stuff.

[Roscoroo]

I was considering doing that as well.  But would a squire strat be worth it to drop in some new humbuckers?  Or would it be more worth it to have two guitars to use?

i'd drop in a "loaded" pick guard with 1 or more humbuckers . it just depends on your playing style as for which ones to chose .

Check your local Craigslist ...

[Xasthur]

I was considering doing that as well.  But would a squire strat be worth it to drop in some new humbuckers?  Or would it be more worth it to have two guitars to use?

In my opinion this would be a serious waste of money.

Don't spend a cent more than you need to on a Squire.

[Yknurd]

Yes you should buy a guitar.  And then rock that mother.

[Thruster]

For what it's worth, which is probly around $.02, NEVER buy a guitar online. Unless there's a special piece your looking for, just go to a store and start playing. If you don't care for any of 'em just go to a different store. Eventually one will follow you home.

My first electric was a '76-'77 Japanese Aria. Outstanding instrument for a strat copy. Had no idea what a nice player it was until 10 years passed and I got to the point where I could tell the difference. Still have it. Since I've gotten into Gibsons, I hardly give a "copy" guitar a second look and it's a shame cause there are a lot of decent and even excellent axes that can be had for little $$. My loss.

B.T.W. There are no import Gibsons. All are made in U.S.A. Epi's (which are mostly produced overseas) can be fine instruments. I've got 1 and for the money it can't be beat. As far as MIM strats, again, you gotta play the guitar. No matter what the headstock says, once it's in your hands you'll know if it's "THE ONE".

[Rogue9Volt]

In my experience, modding the ol' guitbox isn't worth the trouble...  If you want the humbucker sound, buy a *well made* Les Paul.  I've had a Gibson LP studio for about 11 years now, and I won't bother with anything else for that tone.

I've got an American made Tele that I've modded, but basically I dropped in some vintage pickups and set the neck pickup position up like the '59 Tele (Pre-set Bassy Tone).  Boy was that ever a pain in arse...  I won't mess with any of my guitar electronics again!

Btw, I play both electrics through a Fender 65' Deluxe.  Tubes are definitely the way to go.