or this one
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340405129.jpg

No, buy this one:

http://www.historicstatetheatreticke.../buddy-guy.jpg

Perhaps this is to your liking?
 

Im craving an Eric Johnson strat lately. I hate the single ply pick guard but thats an easy change. Great guitar!

I feel the same about the Nash. Played a few of them and they do feel nice but I think most of their relic jobs are way over done. I have seen a few Nash teles that were quite nice looking though, when not over done

I loved my standard american strat. If i couldnt get an Eric Johnson model I would get the std American model and make a few changes to it

my main amp is a vox ac-15 handwired. i find that it has great tone at lower volume if you wanna use the 7watt mode or master volume. you can also bypass the master volume all together if need be. keeps up with a drummer no problem. so far its my favorite amp. i have always lived in small apartments or in homes close to neighbors and have been able to squeeze good tone at reasonable volume with tube amps that are 15 to 22 watts...i even got good tone out of my Twin Reverb at low volume but that thing had to go. Twins are just not practical in my opinion

Anything less than 15 tube watts is crap for playing with a drummer

Heres my favourite, 1991 62 JPN reissue. Used to be horrid poly tri-burst, now its nitro sonic blue. Cant remember how many p/ups have been in and out of this guitar, or how many times its been rewired, on its second set of frets....its been extensively meddled with. I think its has Suhr pups in neck and mid and Fender CS Fat 50 in the bridge at the moment. Every little trick I know for strats has been applied to this guitar- trem set up, bridge block, springs.....i think it sounds and plays pretty good. Strats have come and gone, this one has stayed.....


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1340420349.jpg

yup thats a perfect strat, at least it looks that way from here. sonic blue is my fave color for them. nice job

I've only played a few so far, but this is my favorite as of last weekend.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1347158034.jpg

I live in driving distance from Sweetwater.

Nash is good stuff.
Want really, really, REALLY, serious?
D'Pergo Custom Guitars

Insanely pricy...

I've owned this guitar since 1997 as part of a love for the guitar. I don't really play as much as I should so this is just sitting in its case. Some day!:)

* VINTAGE '62 BODY AND NECK STYLE

* NITROCELLULOSE LACQUER FINISH

* TINTED NECK

* MEDIUM JUMBO FRETS

* PEARL DOT INLAYS

* SPECIAL OVAL PEARL INLAY "1997" AT 12TH FRET

* BROWN SHELL PICKGUARD

* THREE TEXAS SPECIAL SINGLE-COIL PICKUPS

* SERIALIZED NECK PLATE

* GOLD HARDWARE

* 3-COLOR NITRO SUNBURST FINISH

* SERIAL NUMBER 0332 OF 1,997 MADE
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1347193141.jpg

Few things on earth are cooler than Fiesta Red Stratocasters...

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-t...0/IMG_3172.JPG
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Here's one of the Masterbuilt 50th Ann. of the '54 that Fender did in 2004. These were pretty awesome replicas of the originals. Fender did a great job with them. They collaborated with the big time early strat collectors to get all of the little things that were unique to the prototypes and early production '54s dead nuts right on these. Probably the best effort to date by a large guitar company at a faithful recreation of an original. Beautiful strats.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-O...0/IMG_4337.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2...0/IMG_4911.JPG

The realities with Fenders (and in fact all production instruments) is that you really should play a bunch of them and buy the one that you like - ideally with no regard to other factors such as logo, color, etc. Of course color does make a difference. We're humans and some people care about aesthetics, so it is a factor.

I've played great MIM Strats and lousy ones. I've played great MIA Strats and lousy ones. I do tend to take a "prefer to buy one made in the US" approach but that is up to the individual (especially when it comes to the low cost Asian builds). Without getting parfy, there are some issues with some of the factories overseas.

Fwiw I also do not like the trend to jumbo frets. I vastly prefer the "vintage" size small frets. Those are only available on the plain reissues, both MIM and MIA. Actually the MIM 60's reissue can be a nice guitar - I've played some great examples and new it can be had for way under $1K. Most guys seem to love the jumbo frets though so ymmv.

If you're really into it though, I'd plunk down more money and get something from a small builder like Tom Anderson, Suhr, Lull, etc.

I was reading this guitar discussion on a Facebook page for local blues players and afficionados the other night... seems like it would fit right in here...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1347214159.jpg

HJ - The Outt Saloon w/Lil' Jimmy F August 2012

AL - digg'in the Les Paul! what year is it?

HJ - It's a 2006? Model 1960 Classic - one of the few I have ever loved... It has Harmonic Design Z90s (Very strong bucker sized P90 type single coils) which accounts for the cool cream color on the pickups... great playing and sounding...

AL - Very cool...post up some sound clips!

HJ - If I ever get any... ;)

JB - That is one heavy guitar.

HJ - Lighter than most of them.... ;)

HJ - With the Z90's, the effect is kinda retro, more like an old Jimmy Page/Zeppelin thang...

JB - The grimace says "heavy" unless it is shocking the piss outta you.

AL - ...the grimace is due to the amp...he should be using a Bogner....

JB - HJ is experienced with pricey amps. The magic is not in the box.

AL - Hmmm...i guess i know nothing about tone...right HJ?

HJ - The two men making these comments are both frighteningly good players. Mr JB (The Voice) is sort of a traditional Soul/Rythym & Blues player with an encyclopedic knowledge of chords, who's natural frugality requires him to take inexpensive instruments and a Champ Amp to even the stadium venue. Mr. AL is his polar opposite, and would have to cut Eric Johnson & Eddie VH some slack should they happen to be in the neighborhood. His weapons of choice include obscure boutique guitars and Bogner amplifiers. Myself, I am a Classic Rock hack, lucky to be able to put two notes together via a Custom Shop Tele, the pictured LP, and a much worked on Fender Vibrolux. In either case, both gentlemen are incorrect as to the nature of the expression on that face - it is designed to cover a flub, and deceive the audience into believing I play with 'feel', when in reality I am totally lost while performing during a graciously invited sit-in with the Lil' Jimmy blues band...

AL - HJ...too kind...however i doubt you flub...get someone to vid the face & playing during a set so we can all hear the vibe!

JB - Thanks, HJ. My frugality also helps make those cheap asian guitars sound good with rootless chords, movable shapes, and pedal tones--my favorite tricks.

JB - You know this Mr. Pricey shi+ gets me riled up, and it has been a constant source of irritation to me that you think only an expensive guitar is capable of making music. If that is the case, I should be hearing a helluva lot more music from all these US Gibsons and Fenders. What I do hear is the bragging.

HJ - I simply like the style, feel, and weights of American Gibsons and Fenders, and some of the accurate reproductions. These just happen to be rather pricey - but that's after trying out all the both cheap AND expensive ones that I didn't like or turned out to be pieces of crap! It's hard to find any guitar that suits... only Paul I ever really liked for example... Never professed to be able to play one... :)

JB - It is a subjective matter, and I have never had the money to indulge in speculative purchases of high end instruments. I have to make do with what i have--and I have done damn well at it. I get tired of being singled out as flawed by my instrument choices. I wish that could be dropped as a subject of discussion.

HJ - It was a compliment regarding what you can do with almost any stick of wood - I don't do as well with everything I have tried... :)

JB - Ok, thanks, I just get so much of this dumba$$ "but it's an Epiphone" stuff that I could puke. They wouldn't say that about a 60's Epi, which I have played, too, but with less satisfaction--a certain dullness of tone and response in the electrics. The worst SG I ever played was an American 1969 I had. I'd pick any Tokai or Epi or Vintage Icon over that. My motto is 'suit yourself'--I don't prescribe rigs, just the willingness to try, to connect.

AL - Ok...time to weigh in...although 1 guitar on my wall is pricy...the one that makes 75% of the tracks is a modified pos ibanez...scalloped neck and 1961 fender single coils...i use the high end guitar for when its required...no bragging here and i dig the sound...not the instrument...matter of fact...i typically get tweaked when i get handed a coors lite vs. A real beer...so mr. JB...keep up killin it with what YOU like...dont listen to anyone puttin you down...for me..if you think i have passed judgement...i did and do not...i am thankful for what gear i have and continue to search for tone...regardless of what the headstock says...

JB - No, Alan, it's OK. I am poor and work unskilled labor jobs, so I need advice on everything, and get it. I listen to people trying to beat their PRS's into emitting something listenable, without success. They are on top of the world looking down on guys who play basswood guitars.

HJ - PRS is very good at marketing to people that believe guitars should look, feel, and sound like generic pieces of high end FURNITURE. You can get a beautiful $3000 coffee table, or a really nice actual wood one for under $200 at World Market. Having been in the unfortunate position of having enough money to buy a PRS, and several of the SE models, I found them to be heavy, colorless, flat sounding and without body resonance or character - and frankly quite useless and ugly. You will only find the very rare successful professional (in a specialized genre) that prefers them - but you will see plenty of both new and old Fenders and Gibsons, even Epis on the big stage. Isn't it funny how that famous guy you admire is usually holding some old piece of well crafted, well aged junk that happens to have a certain voice to it, rather than the latest flamed/bookmatched/highly stylized piece of eye-candy crap? My guitars are individuals I have searched for for years, which felt right at the outset, had 'something in them', and then were painstakingly worked with to try to bring 'that something' out. Notice - the Paul has a very ordinary, plain, unfigured top - geez, and what a surprise - the whole body resonates when played... ;) I happen to like the ugly blue Relic Tele because it feels like the real wood I learned to play on, and has a familiar, friendly sound & character to match... :)

HJ - Finallly, to me and me only - money is no object in the quest for a wonderful instrument that I feel good about playing - but I have taken a $99.00 Dan Electro to a job, and it gave me a night to remember... ;)

JS - it ain't the bat, it's the batter. dollar signs just don't matter.

AL - Yep...I've had a custom PRS...and it ain't part of my collection anymore...was a very overrated guitar...I basically have 4 guitars...a Tak acoustic - sounds phenomenal in front of a ribbon mike...the Tom Anderson Custom (pricy)...middle of the road Ibanez neck through the body...for that heavy rock riff stuff, and then my favorite...the cheap 200 Ibanez in which I scalloped the neck and single coiled it to death as I stated earlier...the rest of the herd has been sold because I don't need it...I'd rather put the $$$ towards mic preamps and studio gear...still runnin my 2002 quick silver dual processor, DP 4, MOTU converters and an API preamp...

JS - some of the jap-o-casters i've seen over the years had the ability to sound better than the real thing. i saw chuck prophet recently and he was making incredible music on a fender squire tele. i am very fortunate to have found my les paul when i did, back in '74. a band mate had bought it in '72 and paid all of $200 for it. i have ruined what ever collector value it might have but, it sounds great to me. my favorite amp is my little electro M-8. it's 8 watts of 1950's single ended class a hell. i got it from a guy at fort jackson for $150 and wouldn't take anything for it.

My son plays an American Standard Strat (recent model) though a Vox AC15. I've mainly been learning acoustic but borrow his rig once in a while. Great combo and the Vox sounds sweet at at-home practice volumes but is still plenty loud for studio practice or gigs with his band.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/10/a3yge2ys.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/10/ma2ymu2e.jpg

My son in his gigging days. See if you Strat guys can tell me what it is.

My 57ri strat has been the best guitar I have owned to date in tone and playability. I will never get rid of this one.

http://a3.ec-images.myspacecdn.com/i...8184031f/l.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/09/10/yry6usa3.jpg

50th Anniversary 2004

So to resurrect an old thread, I was in Guitar World last night playing guitars and I could not believe how much I loved playing the Squire Classic Vibe Telecaster '60s version. It is made in China, Rosewood fret board, medium Jumbo frets, light weight, double binding, sunburst, and price is $399. Sweetwater has the same deal.

I have to agree with you Nostatic. It seems all the guitars are different. Play as many as you can, and hopefully you'll find the right one for you.

I'm still paying off the garden shed, so I hope to have this by Christmas.

Wish you were local to me, I would ask you to come over take this for a test drive:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382626472.jpg

From what I have heard/read, the Classic Vibes are very good guitars. I don't know personally.

A couple of friends of mine documented a really thorough strat shootout years ago on a guitar forum. The guitars included an early prototype '54, '55, '56, '60, '64, a couple of modern reissues, a '50s ash/maple replica, and a cheap Made in Mexico guitar w/'50s pickups. Same strings, same amp, same cabinet, same settings on the amp, etc.. I loaned the newer guitars for the recordings and my friends used the '50s and '60s guitars from their collections. This is serious guitar nerd stuff, but if anyone has any interest in listening to how different the guitars can sound the .wav files from the shootout are posted here:

Index of /strats

I have a Jap too. Really like it. :D

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After watching one of my favorite local guitar players and a few too many barley pops. I came home that night rather inspired and bought a Strat I'd been admiring on Ebay. It's a super nice guitar that someone with my skill level has no business owning. I've been on the fence about selling it, but I fear I might regret it.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382667951.jpg

I just sold my 2006 Highway 1 strat. It was ok but I think the MIMs are just as good for half the money. I too have heard lots of good things about the Classic Vibe Strats and teles. I have a MIM strat in Olympic White currently I got off Craigslist for $250. Ill probly tinker with it and upgrade the electronics sometime.

I'd like an early reissue strat but I'll wait a few years before I buy another gee tar.

As far as amps, the Vox Valvetronix models are good for practice amps. I just upgraded mine to some low watt tube amps but it served me well for 3 years.

If you want a cheap low watt tube amp that does great cleans and is easily modifiable check out the Blackheart amps in 5 or 15 watts. They aren't made anymore but are pretty easy to find on Craigslist or ebay. I got mine for $125 and it sounds great!

Birdseye...smacks of Custom Shop...what is it? (very nice, btw)

If I had $800 laying around I'd be tempted by this:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382671505.jpg

Fender Pawn shop series strat. Certainly not classic but pretty cool!

Good eye on the neck... It's a custom ordered 56' Custom Shop NOS Strat w/ birdseye maple neck and 1 piece ash body. It was never played when I bought it. The seller actually wanted to buy it back. The guitar sounds really nice both plugged in and acoustically. It usually stays in the case as I have a nicely modded Epiphone Dot I practice with. I think I'm going to spend a little more time with it this winter.

I look at that and get tempted....Ive had a couple of custom shop s/s/s strats over the years. But then I snap out of it and remind myself that no Strat is worth more'n 500 bucks...that surely is beautiful tho....

Here are 2 amps I find good for in home use. A 68' Fender Champ original everything with speaker upgrade and a Tweed Deluxe 5E3 clone w/ nos tubes and reconed Jensen c12q.

They both can get loud, especially the 5E3. The Champ keeps the wife happier, but they both sound good at a reasonable volume.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382674542.jpg
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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382674826.jpg

That's beautiful.

My main amp is a original '60s Deluxe Reverb.

here's my Strat.. MIM, brass bridge and block with Sperzels. Vintage Noiseless in the bridge and wired for master tone.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382677366.jpg

And the new Wall of Sound I'm building..

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1382677430.jpg

Well, I still don't have a Strat, but I decided to get the Squier Tele Classic Vibe. Crafted in China and it's a Squire, but WOW it isn't a toy.

Demo model was $300 plus tax @ Sweetwater.

Now I'm thinking of getting the Mustang III Ver2 amp. 100 watt solid state modeling amp. $329.

I really like the '50s style tele too. There is one I played I just loved. I might just pick that up.

Thanks LWJ and Astroboy for the tip.

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http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1384467100.jpg

Before you get the Mustang 3 try out a Blackstar ID15 or ID30. They're running a rebate on them.

I put all my tube heads in storage after getting my ID15.

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The Classic Vibe Tele is sweet, great choice! You'll also find the teles seem to keep their value more than the Strats, probably because everyone buys a strat so there's more supply.

I was working on Hey Joe by Hendrix on my Tele tonight, what a great song...

I'll be giving my MIM strat a makeover soon with new '69 custom shop style pickups, a new volume pot and a sweet custom pickguard I found. I'll post pics when I'm done.

Doug, if you're looking into modeling amps, check out the Vox Valvetronix line. They come in several wattages and have pretty nice features. You can find them in good shape used on Craigslist for $120-150. New they're around $300. Great amp.

These cheap copies are very good.

But I don't understand why you guys are screwing about with cheap chinese import copies of vintage American icons. We are all old enough and ugly to have the real thing. Why not buy a new USA instrument and keep your countrymen in jobs, or find a yourself a real vintage Tele?

cheap chinese "fender" at big box guitar sellers. The reason the US economy is in the ****.

[QUOTE=Nostril Cheese;7721671]That's beautiful.

Thanks... I'm very happy with that amp. I took a chance on it and bought it off Ebay from a small amp builder(I couldn't build it for what it cost). He definitely did a nice job, used nos tubes along with other high end componentry including a
60's reconed Jensen C12Q.

BTW... Nice wall of sound! A Blackface Deluxe Reverb is on my wish list, I'm jealous(I think it's the amp to own)!

Well you have to ask yourself..."Do I want a Fender guitar made in Mexico by Mexicans" OR "Do I want a Fender guitar made in America by Mexicans" With all respect to my Mexican brothers. MIM or MIJ is a nice start. Also don't kid yerself. Fender hasn't used nitro finish in a VERY long time,,like the 60's. If you want nitro cellulose, (it's illegal according to the VOC act), you have to do it yourself and you can get rattle cans here;ReRanch Guitar Refinishing

be warned, it is a ton of work. I have done two basses this way a Fender and a Gibson. You had better like sanding. Oh and good luck getting Fenders under sealer off.. Get a heat gun and an orbital sander ready. The "relic" and "roadworn" series is just over buffed and tinted whatever they use for paint these days.

The cheap Chinese copies play as well and sometimes better than the American made ones.

The reality is that most "American made" Fenders are simply assembled in the US, the parts are manufactured at their main plant in Mexico.

It ain't about the label, it's oh it sounds!

Oh, and I think Doug was looking for a first electric, I think a MIM or a Squier are great first electrics. Why spend a grand on a guitar when you don't really know what you like yet?

IM not sure that's right....certainly Fender Custom Shop stuff is all nitro- but its not the nitro they were using in the 50 and 60s. Are Fender USA gits poly finished?

Yeah, youre correct about stripping poly bodies. If I ever do that again, Im sending it off to be chemical dipped and stripped. You get a better result too....no matter how much filling and sanding you do after a heat gun strip, the nitro shows every defect in the wood under the new paint.