Fender Strats

[Yoder]

Do what John Mayal does! Buy a Squire, cut it down so that it looks like a Steinberg, refinish, then play. I have not read about whether he modifies the electronics, but he does have some great tone.

[sarNz]

Originally Posted by Yoder

Do what John Mayal does! Buy a Squire, cut it down so that it looks like a Steinberg, refinish, then play. I have not read about whether he modifies the electronics, but he does have some great tone.

I do want to do that, but after I look at everything (such as getting nicer tuners, etc) it turns out to be as much as a strat from the factory! paint is expensiveeeee

My friend says that Fender has very inconsistent quality and that he wouldn't order one offline. I'm thinking of going through guitar center, placing an order for a Sienna Burst w/ Maple Neck American Standard, then I can play it once it gets there. Do you think that would be my best bet?

[zb0430]

That might be a good option for you. I would say the inconsistency is worse on their lower end models, the Squire's, IMHO, are awful. The MIM's occasionally are very good, occasionally very bad, from the ones I've played. The MIA's are, for the most part, all pretty good, and the deluxe/custom shop models are generally spot on. That's a generalization from my personal looking/playing experience.

[DenverSteve]

I've played Strats for decades and have not seen them to be inconsistent at all. There are different models and within those models they are very consistent. As mentioned the American Standards, American Deluxe, and most of the Made in Mexico guitars are superb. Most people (read all) who down-talk Strats - don't play Strats. There's a reason such a large number of well-known professional guitarrists play Strats. You won't go wrong with one.

[zb0430]

Originally Posted by PastorSteve

I've played Strats for decades and have not seen them to be inconsistent at all. There are different models and within those models they are very consistent. As mentioned the American Standards, American Deluxe, and most of the Made in Mexico guitars are superb. Most people (read all) who down-talk Strats - don't play Strats. There's a reason such a large number of well-known professional guitarrists play Strats. You won't go wrong with one.

Well, the only two electrics I own... are both strats...

An MIA, and a Clapton...

Just trying to give him my honest assessment regarding his concerns...

YMMV, as always.

[trpullen]

Agreed,

I have owned 4 Strats over the years. All American. Some Deluxe, some Standard. I played 25-30 looking for those 4. Each and every one was different. Some better, some worse, some just different.

[steamfurnace]

I also own several Strats, and with the recent use of CNC machines by most American guitar manufacturers, the inconsistencies, if there are any, are usually in the set up, not in the necks themselves.

[KPV]

I have a MIM Strat and it's a great guitar. I've also had an American to compare it to...the MIM still holds up nicely.

[Antonio Salieri]

Originally Posted by Seagull Lover

4. Go Canadian and buy a Godin.

+1! Maybe one of these....

http://www.godinguitars.com/godinpassionp.htm

[EverythingMusic]

I've found most of Fender's products to be pretty consistant, although you sometimes find one that is exceptional. I ran across a squire the other day that felt and played like an American Standard. I've also run across a number of MIM that were every bit as good as the American counterpart.

But umm... let me throw in another option, Schecter.

[sarNz]

Thanks for the advice, I'll have to tell my friend this. It seems liek the American Deluxe is the better deal, but I can't find it in Sienna Sunburst. I want the SSS with Sienna Sunburst and Maple neck. Is there any way to sort of 'custom order' this?