Honestly, best starting platform for strat project?

[Steve the Hero]

Must:

Be a standard strat S-S-S pickup configuration.

Be easy to find replacement parts for.

Not be plywood

Be able to give that classic strat sound

Sub $200 price range.

 

I plan on taking the project slowly and replacing pickups, electronics, tuners, nut, whatever it needs to become a great player.

 

Any suggestions? Squier Bullet, SX, Xaviere? Others?

 

Is the Squier Classic Vibe series worth the few extra dollars for a better starting platform?

 

Please no comments such as "Why don't you just buy a guitar you like that you don't need to modify?" Because honestly, screwing around with the guitar and making it my "own" is half the fun. (Playing is the other half)

 

 

Feel free to post pictures of your cheap strats as well.

[BG76]

Look around for a MIM in rough shape.

To be honest, I would save some more money and buy some nicer then $200 parts. If you don't have the money now save for a bit. In the end it will be worth it.

[webwarmiller]

Used Squier STD for $100-25. 22 Fret neck, full body thickness, and 2 point trem.

[Steve the Hero]

Look around for a MIM in rough shape. To be honest, I would save some more money and buy some nicer then $200 parts. If you don't have the money now save for a bit. In the end it will be worth it.

 

 

I'm talking about buying a guitar for around $200 then buying new pickups and whatnot to upgrade from there. The reason being is that I am typically a telecaster and les paul player, I just want a guitar I can grab to give me that distinct strat sound without spending an arm and a leg.

[BG76]

I understand, but for a few dollars more you could do something really nice instead of something you won't want to grab.

It's your money though.

[_pete_]

Used Squier STD for $100-25. 22 Fret neck, full body thickness, and 2 point trem.

 

 

 

+1

The one I bought continues to surprise me.

[Belva]

What is your total budget? Or do you have one? Do you have a guitar to play now? The neck is the crucial part here. Different people like different necks. I recommend playing a bunch of guitars until you find one you like. If you plan on getting something and replacing the neck as well....................
http://www.kneguitars.com/vint_bod.php

[Steve the Hero]

What is your total budget? Or do you have one? Do you have a guitar to play now? The neck is the crucial part here. Different people like different necks. I recommend playing a bunch of guitars until you find one you like. If you plan on getting something and replacing the neck as well.................... http://www.kneguitars.com/vint_bod.php

 

 

Don't really have a total budget, just wanted to start around the $200 range and move up as I replaced with some nicer parts. Thanks for the link I will check that out.

[cross.bones]

You'd be surprised to know that the Affinity series are solid wood not plywood.

 

Also if you can find a Korean Squier they are good too!

[BoneNut]

Used MIM that resonates well. Doesn't matter what shape it's in. Just rap the body with your knuckles, you'll hear the wood.

[Belva]

You'd be surprised to know that the Affinity series are solid wood not plywood. Also if you can find a Korean Squier they are good too!

 

For that matter, if you like thin necks the Korean Hamer Slammers are quite good. Great fretwork, great setup and {censored} pickups. But they go around a buck & a half new. I have one w/ash body, 2pt trem & a hipshot trem stabilizer installed. I just don't like the thin neck. PM me if interested.

[symphonictank]

Xaviere XV870 gets my vote, as it's exactly what I was looking for 2 years ago when I wanted a solid strat mod platform. www.guitarfetish.com

[d_dave_c]

Used Peavey Predator USA

[webwarmiller]

Xaviere XV870 gets my vote, as it's exactly what I was looking for 2 years ago when I wanted a solid strat mod platform. www.guitarfetish.com

Word of caution......unless GFS has changed things, the XV870 does NOT have a standard heel/neck pocket width. It's 2 1/4" which doesn't sound like much until you actually try and swap necks.

I really like the body on my sunburst XV870 (despite being 4 pieces) and would love to use a really nice Squier 50th Anniv neck I have (22 fret, chunky profile, and 1 11/16th nut) but the fit is just way too sloppy.

I would rec the Xaviere more as an 'as is' guitar than a modding platform.

[trashedlostfdup]

if you look hard enough you can find a mim for ~$220. nice place to start.

and believe me you will still want to replace plenty of things on it.

[Steve the Hero]

Cool guys, thanks for the suggestions so far. Leaning more towards the Squier or MIM Fender route.

[Guitar Heel]

I don't know if this would appeal to you or not, but I recently purchased a used Carvin Bolt kit (assembled) for $350. I'm going to spend a little bit having the frets professionally dressed, but it's a great guitar for not a lot of money.

[Dougie.Douglas]

Squier Std Strats are nice. I was going to buy one before I bought my tele... still sweet though.

[wagdog]

I love the SX necks, so that's the direction I'd go in.

[noisebloom]

Squier Standard Strat, as mentioned. Good quality, standard-sized body, two-point trem, and a decent neck. You can find those for ~$150 easily. The cheap hardware keeps the price down, and for a project guitar you're gonna change them out anyway.

[DaleH]

Used Classic Vibe. Starting to see quite a few on my local CL.
Just gut it and get new hardware and electronics.

[flummox]

90s MIM Strat - $300
Used American Standard alnico pups from eBay - $80/set or less.
Wiring mod to give bridge pup tone control - $0

You now have an excellent Strat that's closer to the spirit of the classic models than the new Standards are. Some people like to get a heavier trem block, but I think the stock one is fine.

A lot of players find they like the ceramic stock pups a whole lot more after the tone control mod.