Members arrowhen Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I ended up with a little unexpected bonus in the ol' tax refund this year, so in addition to the usual music gear and computer upgrades I think I'll pick up an unexpected bonus guitar. I've never really been a fan of Strat-style guitars, so I think it's time I got one, just for variety's sake. Is something dirt cheap like a $119 Squier Bullet or an $89 SX Hawk going to give me a vague approximation of Strattiness? Or at least not completely suck? Or should I kick in a few extra bucks and look at something a little higher up the food chain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thatsbunk Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 Used fender mim or American standard... Not too expensive & you'll be hard pressed to loose too much if you decide to sell down the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Floyd Rosenbomb Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I wouldn't, $89 on a guitar that you don't like and don't play is like burning 89 dollars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Doctor Morbius Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I say kick in the extra buckage. However, you'll have to change your cat to guitar ratio. Anyone who takes care of a dozen cats is alright in my book. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members cratz2 Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 This is always hard to answer. I absolutely think that a $250 used recent MIM Standard is two times as good as a current $120 Squier Bullet. Having said that, I also believe that a nicely modded $700 upper level MIM with upgraded pickups or a stock used MIA Standard is worth close to three times as much as the $250 MIM. Having said that, if I were almost broke but had $120 to spare and wanted a strat, I have no doubt I could get along just fine with a current Bullet... even in stock form! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members mockchoi Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 Well I don't know about the SX guitar, but I've not played a Bullet yet that I've liked. Plus the frets will wear out in a year or so and then the guitar will be worthless. I'd second the used MIM suggestion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wrongnote85 Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 short answer: everyone needs a strat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jrfan Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I don't suggest going the SX route unless your good at mod and setup work.The tuners are junk and will also need the cheap plastic nut replaced.The SX's are a ton of fun and turn into nice budget players with some work.As others have suggested it's hard to go wrong with a Mexican made Fender. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members dunning-kruger Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 check it!!!!! 150$ plus shipping, its a squier body with a fender neck, used from guitar center! send you the link if your interested? what say yeh!?@? Im in shop for a new guitar and found this, but i came upon a better deal locally. Im still shoping cause i havent bought it yet but hey this ones looks like it has your name on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members scott944 Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 Perfect opportunity to spend a Saturday afternoon trolling pawn shops, which are always full of cheapy Strats. Take cash. Practice your negotiating skills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members reverberlayed Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 If you don't mind thinner necks, USA Peavey Predators can be had for ~$150 or less and they are awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members vintage clubber Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 My $70 pawn shop special Squier Bullet is actually my "go to" strat these days. It really depends on how good you are at set ups and upgrades. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peskypesky Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 i have two Squier Bullets that i've modded a bit, and they're damn good guitars. the reason most people think Squier Bullets are bad is because they've never played one that was properly set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members peskypesky Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I don't suggest going the SX route unless your good at mod and setup work.The tuners are junk and will also need the cheap plastic nut replaced.The SX's are a ton of fun and turn into nice budget players with some work.As others have suggested it's hard to go wrong with a Mexican made Fender. yep, SX tuners and nuts are godawful. at least the ones on my two SX guitars were. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members wagdog Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I like sx's, but I always change the nut and tuners on 'em. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Woody_in_MN Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I never had a SX Strat. I had a Squier Affinity - it played nice but the stock PUP's sucked. You might want to consider a used Squier Vintage Modified Strat. I think mine was around $200 and it is a wonderful strat. The thing about strats - you might need to play a couple dozen until you find "the one". Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BoneNut Posted February 14, 2012 Members Share Posted February 14, 2012 I ended up with a little unexpected bonus in the ol' tax refund this year, so in addition to the usual music gear and computer upgrades I think I'll pick up an unexpected bonus guitar. I've never really been a fan of Strat-style guitars, so I think it's time I got one, just for variety's sake. Is something dirt cheap like a $119 Squier Bullet or an $89 SX Hawk going to give me a vague approximation of Strattiness? Or at least not completely suck? Or should I kick in a few extra bucks and look at something a little higher up the food chain? Play a bunch of Strats and find out which neck you prefer. Then, buy a Strat with that neck. The rest of the guitar can be easily modded to your taste. You could also buy the neck you prefer and build your guitar around that with the features you want. That's how I put my parts Strat together and I love it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bro Blue Posted February 15, 2012 Members Share Posted February 15, 2012 Affinity Squiers are well worth the cash, as are the Standards and Classic Vibes. The LTD ST-203 is also a nice guitar. Used ones can be had for good prices. Bullets can be pretty good players with some work and decent pickups. I have dropped many a GFS pickup in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members chimi Posted February 15, 2012 Members Share Posted February 15, 2012 Honestly i would recommend a jay turser. Got one of those blowout ones a while ago for my godson and the fretwork was perfect. For around 100 bucks you really can't go wrong in terms of looks and quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Funkwire Posted February 15, 2012 Members Share Posted February 15, 2012 Nothing wrong with a MIM Strat, and there are deals to be had out there. However...I bought this no-name copy for $42 new in box. Sounds like a Strat, plays like a Strat, and although I'll be modding the hell out of it, I've gigged it stock and it worked just fine. So don't be afraid to fish for cheap deals. After all, Leo designed the Strat to be assembled quickly and cheaply. It ain't rocket surgery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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