Help me decide between two Strats

[maxtheaxe]

I think you answered your own question, since you identify the biggest difference being that you like the tuners on the Classic Player, but like the pups and trem best on the American.

Those tuners are really easy to swap out, although would cost you another $60-ish from Stewmac. I would also submit that you will need locking tuners if you plan to use the trem, so...American Special with the Gotoh locking tuners...best of both.

I have the Texas Specials on my '95 American Roadhouse and they're really nice, especially if you like your tone along the SRV/Hendrix/Ritchie Blackmore continuum. I happened to put Schaller locking tuners on that ax, since I do use the trem a lot and non-locking tuners just won't cut it, but would also use the Gotohs in a heartbeat.

[Jerry D]

Originally Posted by maxtheaxe

I think you answered your own question, since you identify the biggest difference being that you like the tuners on the Classic Player, but like the pups and trem best on the American.

Thanks for your comment. But, I didn't say I like the pups and trem best on the American, I said from what I've read, they win out.

[stevecuss]

Originally Posted by Jerry D

Looks like it might come down to that, although it's a 70 mile round trip to a place where I could A/B them.

But if the neck radii are the same, as Eric M pointed out, it seems to me it still just boils down to a hardware/aesthetic difference, basically. Tuners, trems, and the pickups (which of course directly affect sound).

Well, you're asking for our specific opinion and you're leaning toward some testy answers to folks trying to help you. I think you're wanting a very nuanced answer that can only come by playing them in hand. Especially since you're wanting feedback on two good guitars, no clear winner/neither having same features. Nothing beats feel and a/b'ing (which, if it is any help, I typically do 8 - 12 times back and forth. The more I a/b/a/b/a/b the more clearly I can tell what I like and what I'm looking for.

[rrgguitarman]

The texas specials are available on a few CPs. Like the Jimmy Vaughan.

The J. Vaughn comes with these

http://shop.fender.com/en-US/accesso...t-0992131.html

Not these

http://shop.fender.com/en-US/accesso...pecial&start=1

[Jerry D]

Originally Posted by rrgguitarman

The J. Vaughn comes with these

http://shop.fender.com/en-US/accesso...t-0992131.html

Not these

http://shop.fender.com/en-US/accesso...pecial&start=1

Wow. Thanks for this. The Texas Specials sound great, to my ears.

[Telejonz]

You are correct - It is the Classic '50s Stratocaster (as opposed to the Classic '50s Player Stratocaster) that has the 7.25" radius.

[Jerry D]

Originally Posted by Telejonz

You are correct - It is the Classic '50s Stratocaster (as opposed to the Classic '50s Player Stratocaster) that has the 7.25" radius.

So, the two links I posted to open the thread - both these guitars have a 9 1/2" radius neck, right?

[ataylor]

Those both look like great options. You might think about making the trip to try both out, if you can swing it. That way you'll not only get to hear the pickups first-hand, but also -- and perhaps more importantly -- get a feel for the neck shape of either guitar.

While both guitars have the maple neck/fretboard and the same radius, they've got different profiles. The Classic Player has more of a vintage-style soft-V (if it's like my Classic Player Baja Tele that V-shape is very subtle), whereas the American Special has a C-shape profile that I believe will be a bit slimmer and "modern."

Fret size looks to be slightly different as well, the American Special has jumbo frets, whereas the Classic Player has medium jumbo frets, which I find personally to be a great mix between modern and vintage.

It also looks like the American Special has a matte finish to both sides of the neck, while the Classic Player has a gloss finish. That may factor into your preference as well.

Good luck with your choice -- either way you're going to end up with a cool guitar!

[Telejonz]

Yes the two you posted links for are 9.5" radius

[RP]

I really like the MIM Fenders, but in this case I'd opt for the American Special...

[Jerry D]

I would like to thank everybody for their inputs on this thread. They have been very helpful.

I've decided on the American Special. I think all I will have to do is change out the tuners (which I can do myself) to locking ones. Also, the Classic Player has a one-ply pick guard, which I don't want to have to deal with (I've read that they warp and I would want to replace it), and I don't like the looks of the two-point trem (looks less stable to me than the six-point).

And, I LOVE that Olympic white!

[Jerry D]

Well, like a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind (sorry if that's not PC!). I've now switched over to the American Standard, even though it has the two-point trem which I earlier said I didn't like as much as the 6-point.

But the Standard has an upgraded trem block, and I believe I'll like the fat 50's pickups better in the long run than the Texas specials.

BUT, to further complicate things, yesterday they sold out of the white Standards. Then, they sent me an email today saying they now have them back in stock. BUT, they don't have the pictures ready at Sweetwater, so now I have to wait a couple of days on that, so I can pick the one I want.

Maybe someday...........