What's a good strat?

[cruciatus]

I'm interested in picking up a Strat copy, probably for under 200 at the very most. I mostly use a Tele but I would love to occasionally have that 4th setting (bridge/middle) on a Strat. I was looking at a Peavey Predator in a shop. It nailed that sound stock, so I was thinking, 100 for the guitar, maybe a bit more for some p/u's and tuners and off I go. maybe a Fender neck sometime. Are there any other brands anyone's had luck with?

[jake.lind]

Why buy a copy?

 

Go to a local music shop, if they're decent at all, they should have a used Mexican strat for about $250. I got mine for $220, white with a rosewood fretboard in really nice condition.

 

Otherwise, Squiers are actually pretty high quality. Check those out. Plus they're actually made by Fender, so that's pretty cool.

[monsterbot]

I picked up a Korean Squire II for $60 bucks, complete with plywood body. It actually sounds pretty decent, but then again I like {censored}ty, cheap guitars. I might replace the body someday.

[melx]

Why buy a copy? Go to a local music shop, if they're decent at all, they should have a used Mexican strat for about $250. I got mine for $220, white with a rosewood fretboard in really nice condition. Otherwise, Squiers are actually pretty high quality. Check those out. Plus they're actually made by Fender, so that's pretty cool.

nothing to add to this. +1

[Noise...]

Yep. I'd go for a used MIM Fender.

 

There's also the MIM Satin Strats - IIRC, most places sold them all off for about $250 or so brand new. They'll still turn up on various sites like MF now and again, and you'll still see them in shops as well. They're simply MIM Strats with a different finish.

 

Also, try to get a MIM Strat from AFTER 2006. Fender updated them heavily in '06 with better quality parts.

[Tribute2Johnny]

Yep. I'd go for a used MIM Fender. There's also the MIM Satin Strats - IIRC, most places sold them all off for about $250 or so brand new. They'll still turn up on various sites like MF now and again, and you'll still see them in shops as well. They're simply MIM Strats with a different finish. Also, try to get a MIM Strat from AFTER 2006. Fender updated them heavily in '06 with better quality parts.

 

i find it real hard to find those satin finish guitars anymore for some reason.

[bowlingshirt]

I was looking at a Peavey Predator in a shop. It nailed that sound stock

 

 

Sounds like you already answered your own question :poke:

[archofmusic]

My first guitar was a Peavey Predator. I have mixed emotions about it. I mean, I love it. It was my first guitar. It plays great, sounds great, and I'm still playing it.

But man, don't I wish it was a strat. I'd have to do an apples to apples comparison of a Mexican Strat vs a Peavey sound wise. But my Peavey has been great. And after 15 years, it's still going strong. I'll never get rid of it. There's just no reason to.

[Jeremy Skrenes]

Rono music has some pretty decent budget guitars. Check them out.

[triplover64]

No, go with a Mexican. I had a Squire once and it certainly was "stratty," but it wasn't a Strat... the Mexicans sound pretty good, I think, though the feel and finishing is way less than perfect.

Better yet, save your money and get an American Standard used. My wife got mine for about $500 on ebay - a gorgeous tobacco burst - and I love it so much!

[Noise...]

No, go with a Mexican. I had a Squire once and it certainly was "stratty," but it wasn't a Strat... the Mexicans sound pretty good, I think, though the feel and finishing is way less than perfect. Better yet, save your money and get an American Standard used. My wife got mine for about $500 on ebay - a gorgeous tobacco burst - and I love it so much!

I don't have any issue with the feel or finish on my MIM Strat. The frets are dressed perfectly, and the finish is flawless.

On a side note, I prefer the feel of the MIM necks to the MIA necks. That's just me though.

[melx]

No, go with a Mexican. I had a Squire once and it certainly was "stratty," but it wasn't a Strat... the Mexicans sound pretty good, I think, though the feel and finishing is way less than perfect. Better yet, save your money and get an American Standard used. My wife got mine for about $500 on ebay - a gorgeous tobacco burst - and I love it so much!

......sure that's only $300 over his 'very most'

probably for under 200 at the very most.

[IvIark]

I played a Yamaha Pacifica 112 recently and thought it was unbelievable for the money. Sounded great and looked fantastic.

 

Not a verbatim Strat copy but close enough

[melx]

I played a Yamaha Pacifica 112 recently and thought it was unbelievable for the money. Sounded great and looked fantastic. Not a verbatim Strat copy but close enough

yeah, they are very well made guitars.

[Holey Lint Trap]

I don't have any issue with the feel or finish on my MIM Strat. The frets are dressed perfectly, and the finish is flawless. On a side note, I prefer the feel of the MIM necks to the MIA necks. That's just me though.

+1

I prefer my MIM Strat over any MIA Standard that I have played. The neck is the perfect shape and size for me. Try em out. They are cheap and pretty damn awesome.

[FedExPope]

I like the Mexicans strats. I had one and it was only about $250 from the local store.

[FedExPope]

+1 I prefer my MIM Strat over any MIA Standard that I have played. The neck is the perfect shape and size for me. Try em out. They are cheap and pretty damn awesome.

 

 

Ill join the boat. MIM feels way better.

[triplover64]

......sure that's only $300 over his 'very most'

OK, maybe I missed the point. But I've learned over the years that it's better to save up for something really good than buy stuff that's cheaper but just ok and not what you wanted. In the end it'll gather dust and be a waste of money. I've got a closet full of cheaper alternative pedals that I'll never use. If I added all the money I spent on them, I could buy a nice amp that didn't need too many pedals to get the sound I wanted.

But for $250, you definitely can't beat the Mexican strats. I thought they sounded pretty damn good and played really well. Mind you it was about five years ago when I last touched one. When I held the Mexicans up to the Americans, though... I really could tell the difference - especially around the fretboard. I guess they got a little better at QC since then.

[fuzzface71]

 

I'm interested in picking up a Strat copy, probably for under 200 at the very most. I mostly use a Tele but I would love to occasionally have that 4th setting (bridge/middle) on a Strat. I was looking at a Peavey Predator in a shop. It nailed that sound stock, so I was thinking, 100 for the guitar, maybe a bit more for some p/u's and tuners and off I go. maybe a Fender neck sometime. Are there any other brands anyone's had luck with?

 

 

Check out my thread from a week or so ago.

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1901901&highlight=fuzzface71

[Noise...]

OK, maybe I missed the point. But I've learned over the years that it's better to save up for something really good than buy stuff that's cheaper but just ok and not what you wanted. In the end it'll gather dust and be a waste of money. I've got a closet full of cheaper alternative pedals that I'll never use. If I added all the money I spent on them, I could buy a nice amp that didn't need too many pedals to get the sound I wanted. But for $250, you definitely can't beat the Mexican strats. I thought they sounded pretty damn good and played really well. Mind you it was about five years ago when I last touched one. When I held the Mexicans up to the Americans, though... I really could tell the difference - especially around the fretboard. I guess they got a little better at QC since then.

After the 2006 upgrades the differences are minimal. The pickups are better, they have alder bodies, and the necks are much, much nicer.

IMO, the MIA and MIM Strats are less of a "which is better," and more of a "which sounds better for my needs." I find the MIM's to sound more vintage-y, while the MIA's sound more like a modernized Strat. I prefer that vintage sound, and I really preferred the neck on the MIM to the MIA.

Even if I had the $1000 that a new MIA costs, I'd still go for a MIM because in all honesty, I like them better.

[the Dust]

I own a Samick Strat-like guitar and it nails exactly the strat tone. compared to my American Standard it sounds less bright and less treble. but if ya change the pickups guess ya can fix that.

my American std has maple neck and the Samick is rosewood (or sumthing). the body shape is also not similar, the american has some more "refined" shaping. the american is much heavier than the samick. guess the wood quality matters on this one. but for a guitar made in Indonesia its pretty reliable for beginners.

also, I dont like to compare high end stuff with low end stuff... if the guy can get himself an American Strat, why would he bother in buying a cheap copy? when the guys says he can't have then, let'him be happy with a good copy.

[The Villano Dude]

stick to fender/squier!

[triplover64]

I find the MIM's to sound more vintage-y, while the MIA's sound more like a modernized Strat.

That was my impression, too.

[grayeyes777]

if you spend a little bit more on a g and l tribute (around 500), you'll be getting twice the guitar. i have never played a nice mexican strat. i'd say go with the peavey over that.

[ChuckNorris1982]

modern squiers are really very good.