Fender Japan

quote:

Originally posted by Nime:
My lad played a Squier Strat

The latest Squier Strats are great value. Only real complaint is the trem which is a bit shite. I ought really to have one meself but I'm afflicted with wanting more. I think a standard Jap strat might have to do but I'll be pissed if it arrives and it's crap...!

EW

EW;

I see that 'Sound Control' are currently selling (solid finishes) USA Strats for £599, with 12 months interest free credit.

That's a pretty good deal for the genuine article.

Have a wang, and you'll be sunk.

John.

.. it is, but I've pretty much set me heart on a sunburst, whihc makes a Jap Strat seem even better value...

You can only see it's a sunburst if you're posing in front of a mirror. In which case you can't even see your willy anyway!

Im a gibson man all the way, flatout.

Gibsons are o.k. provided you don't have to play too many chords. You can't beat that strat neck for comfort.

Just seen this - looks convincing value:



http://www.thomann.de/thoiw2_artikel-178767.html

EW

Has anyone here got or played a recent sample of the Mexico Standard Strat? Looking at the detailed specs, although the bodies are Alder, they may be made up of 5 - 7 pieces, and apparently, in times when materials are in short supply, they use "Alder cores", whatever that means. I dare say they sound OK(?)

I must say I'm tempted to that Texas Special Strat. Maybe not as good as the American Strat, but it's half the price...

EW

quote:

and apparently, in times when materials are in short supply, they use "Alder cores", whatever that means. I dare say they sound OK(?)

The bridge is mounted to the "core" with other veneered woods bonded to the core as a "shell". I haven't taken one apart to examine first-hand, though. The outer veneer affects the resonance of the guitar, which can be tailored to suit different kinds of electronics/pickup configurations (where ever have we heard THIS before...?).

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
The bridge is mounted to the "core" with other veneered woods bonded to the core as a "shell".

Oh right. So although it says, "Alder body" in the spec, in reality you could end up with absolutely anything?

As always you pay your money and takes your choice. If saving some cash is a priority then I can say that the overall standard of manufacture and playability of the mex strat is very high. I am certain the US made is a better guitar but you will be paying a significant portion of the difference for the differnce in labour rates between the two countries.

The special mex strat offers fantastic VFM. Go into a guitar store that stocks both types and give them a try.

The money saved in getting a s/h mex strat allowed me to pick up an epiphone sheriton. You can't have too many guitars ( )and it's nice to have the variety in sound.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
You can't have too many guitars ( .

A man after my own heart.

quote:

Originally posted by Rasher:

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
You can't have too many guitars ( .

A man after my own heart.

I remember when I had the old London Bass, and I found a spledid, but slightly derelict, Paul Claudot bass (French mid 19th cent), and tried like mad to get it. My father said that he thought one was certainly enough - though he was certainly 'thinking' one too many! - so I pointed at the four corners of the room. Basses naturally lean into corners when not being played, with their backs facing the room! All that got was raised eyebrows!

Fredrik

PS: A friend of mine who used to be on the front desk of basses at Covent Garden till he retired twenty years ago, had five historic basses, and two modern ones. He decided to rationalise when he retired. He sold three historics, and one modern, plus a splendid bow, and bought his retirement house! All those old instruments he bought for less than twenty ginuees apiece, when instruments were as cheap as chips, in the 1940s and '50s!

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
The special mex strat offers fantastic VFM. Go into a guitar store that stocks both types and give them a try.

I have done, and I generally approve of the Mex; the one Thomann offer with the custom shop pickups is a real bargain - it's just that, looking at the spec, I am concerned that not all Mex Strats are made equal.

Mind you, Texas Special pickups in the context of a £300 guitar, I don't suppose there're any real grounds for complaint. The American Strat is better, but it's twice the price...

(I'm talking myself into this!)

Thanks guys,

EW

If you have a change of heart I saw one I fancied in a NY store. A beautifully beaten up 56 or 56 strat. Yours for $16,000.

There's a bitched up old '58 on ebay for £15,599:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1958-FENDER-STRATOCASTER-WITH-ORI...QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Think I'll stick with Texas Special Mex idea...!

EW

I have saliva on my keyboard looking at that lovely example. Thinking back, I think the one I saw was a 58. Very beaten up - but in a good way.

I have a brother in the states who earns too much cash for his own good. As much as for a pleasure as an investement, he has been collecting guitars for the last ten years or so. Visiting him recently was a total kid in a sweetshop moment. He has over 60 of all varieties and about a dozen different amp combo's. Total guitar porn.

Strats, telecasters, broadcaster, les pauls, 335's, gretsch, rickenbacker, barmy acrylic flying V's, Martin acoustics etc etc. Nearly bloody everything!

Well guess which one he puts the most playing time into? A mid seventies US strat. He is adamant that it is the most comfortable guitar to play in his collection.

quote:

Originally posted by Simon Matthews:
Well guess which one he puts the most playing time into? A mid seventies US strat. He is adamant that it is the most comfortable guitar to play in his collection.

Yeah, there're few guitars I'd rather play than a well-sorted Strat with a modern C-neck. That said, if money was no object...

Earwicker, had a go on a Highway 1? USA Strat but with a basic finish to cut costs, not recommended for gigging because of this.

C

quote:

Originally posted by Sir Cycle Sexy:
Earwicker, had a go on a Highway 1? USA Strat but with a basic finish to cut costs, not recommended for gigging because of this.

C

Yeah, I imagine they sound good too - all that laquor can't be good for the tone.

Believe Simon was looking for a good amp. I can heartily recommend Sheldon, your search engine should find this ok. I heard them at music live in 2004 and ordered their baby amp + reverb, sounded better than Matchless (imo) at the show and better than my silverface twin at home.

Went out and played a load of Fenders yesterday - and was very disappointed. However, I had a play on some of the new (ish) Korean PRSs, and was EXTREMELY impressed! They quality just blitzes anything Fender can offer at anything anywhere near the price, so I'm going to have me one of these:



I always wanted a McCArty Soapbar but can't really afford one. (Well, I suppose I could but it's still too bloody expensive.) These can be had for around £370, and are just wonderful. As are all the SE range guitars. Highly recommended if anyone's after a new axe that won't break the bank.

EW