Any Strat experts on the forum?

[EtherForBreakfast]

I'm looking into buying one, used of course, non mexi/jap, and with Fender it seems that inconsistency is the law of the land!!

I don't think I'll be buying from eBay because that would probably result in a year long cycle of grippin' and flippin'...

I'm mostly looking for specific years and models/characteristics that seem to be the most consistent, and also which bridge type is most favorable.

Any insight would be great... I have about $800 budgeted. And this would assume a completely opposite of collector grade mint condition type axe. The beater, the better. Thanks.

 

[Carcass29]

I just picked up this little beauty this week on the bay for around $400 Fender Hm Superstrat....made between 88-90.

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

Carc! Nice score, hohmy. That would be the PERF hm strat if it had a maple wank plank. =) I've had a bone for an hm strat since seeing Howe rip that hot pink.

ALL of my guits are Jacksons. all neck thru 24 fretters with floyd wangs. i dont own a single 22 fret bolton guitar.

Tell me, what do you think of the Kahler on that thing? It is Kahler is it not? I think I've had 100+ guitars come in and out of my dojo.. i have never had a Kahler equipped axe.

PS - if you dont like that HM strat, let me know and I will trade you cash plus a Jackson DK27 baritone. =)

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Fuck Fender.

 

[EtherForBreakfast]

Nitro - Hah!

One day... you will require a Strat.

 

[Torsis]

Kahler Spyder trem ....meh.
I have a 2300 on a late 70's Iceman - zero tuning problems with that one.
Looks like this: http://www.nealmoser.com/kahlerbridges.htm

I think they have HM Strat/Spyder Parts here if ya need 'em:
http://www.kahlerparts.com/X_pages/X_2720_Spyder.htm

 

[Carcass29]

yes....Kahler spider is correct, it plays like butter. So far, the body and the feel of the guitar feels alot like my old ESP mirage with the Jackson lawsuit headstock. I just can't get over how great of condition it's in for a 17+ year old axe. The trem seems to hold it's own even when divebombing.

 

[cobhc]

kev has a few strats, so maybe he could chip in here.

 

[006]

I've got a couple as well. Always shoot for the American series if you want their standard trem to perform in a way other than shitty. A Mexi Strat's trem is complete junk. I have one. I also have a 25th Anniversary American Strat and that thing is amazing. It was my grandfather's, he bought it new in the 70's and played it forever. It's got a very vintage feel to it, and sounds great. I love that guitar. I also have an SRV signature Strat, it's a lot different than the regular 'ol American Strats because the neck has this wierd offset shape to it, it's thick, and the fingerboard is pau ferro. The tone is incredible for blues. The trem on it is great too, never had a problem with it. And the last one is a Fender Showmasteer Limited Edition FMT HH. It's set neck, basswood body, flame maple top, 24 jumbo frets, Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates and '59 (bridge and neck, respectively), locking tuners, and a really nice looking half-assed cherry sunburst. Half-assed meaning there's no red, it's just yellow to orange, but still looks like a million bucks on that flame top. It has a different sound than the other three Strats I own, but it's a good sound. It's great for rock, regular metal, stuff like Opeth, and also blues. The 24 frets is a godsend for Fender stuff, I've always wanted a 24 fret Strat with a set-neck, so this was a must have for me. The fact that it's made in Korea means nothing to me, the quality is still there. The trem, however, fucking blows. I bought a Tremol-No and put it in, problem solved. I'm not a trem user really at all, and that's wierd since I have several guitars with Floyd Roses on them.

Don't expect the tuning to always be perfect when using the trems on a Strat. Even the nicest Strat's trem will not stay in tune perfectly after some uses. Your best bet is getting one and replacing the tuners with some good locking ones. That will help tremendously.

~006

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Strats?

Why?

Please explain.

 

[~BURNY~]

Go for a 80's Jap (JV series or fujigen preferably). They are awesome. You can buy it on ebay directly from japan. The sellers are absolutely trustworthy (mijsixstring katana, japan old guitars or hisashi for example) and the shipping via EMS is incredibly fast.
'nuff said.

 

[xtranscendedx]

http://www.rondomusic.net/electricguitar.html

Maybe not the ones on the first page. But if i were to buy a strat i would buy one of these and upgrade hardware as needed.

 

[Lopes]

Strats?

Why?

Please explain.

Different guitars have different sounds, and sometimes the Strat sound is what is required.

 

[Suicide_As_Alibi]

Different guitars have different sounds, and sometimes the Strat sound is what is required.

Exactly - check out Unsane. Awesome post-hardcore band whose guitarist plays a Tele. It gives them a really distinct 'twang' to their sound that they just couldn't get with a Les Paul.

Steve

 

[DanAbela]

Different guitars have different sounds, and sometimes the Strat sound is what is required.

Not exactly strats, but Norma Jean use Fender Jaguars (or Mustangs, cant really remember) but their sound is a bit different from the metal norm and sounds absolutely amazing IMHO.

 

[KeithRT99]

when i saw them they were using fernandes^

 

[kev]

Strats are lush! ive got a couple, usa and mex, and these guitars have the best action on a guitar ive ever played for a start. I'd recommend getting hold of a usa strat, buckered up with a offical floyd rose The single coils in the necks need to be kept... they sound so god damn sweet. But then again.. my arctic white one with the hot rail has a real nice hot solo tone....

 

[Nitronium Blood]

Oh, all you guys are talking about Fat Strats.

Phew

 

[ConspiracyBass]

And the last one is a Fender Showmasteer Limited Edition FMT HH. It's set neck, basswood body, flame maple top, 24 jumbo frets, Seymour Duncan Pearly Gates and '59 (bridge and neck, respectively), locking tuners, and a really nice looking half-assed cherry sunburst. Half-assed meaning there's no red, it's just yellow to orange, but still looks like a million bucks on that flame top. It has a different sound than the other three Strats I own, but it's a good sound. It's great for rock, regular metal, stuff like Opeth, and also blues. The 24 frets is a godsend for Fender stuff, I've always wanted a 24 fret Strat with a set-neck, so this was a must have for me. The fact that it's made in Korea means nothing to me, the quality is still there. The trem, however, fucking blows. I bought a Tremol-No and put it in, problem solved. I'm not a trem user really at all, and that's wierd since I have several guitars with Floyd Roses on them.

I was thinking about order one the Showmasters in a little while. I pretty much figured the trem blew on it so I was gonna look into something like the Tremol-No.

 

[kev]

Oh, all you guys are talking about Fat Strats.

Phew

i hope so lol