|
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1483
Location: Michigan | Before I go any further with my plight I will
O.F.C.-ially apologize to anyone who may take offense to this question about the Fender Stratocaster on the OFC site.
It seems that I have seen alot of OFCers that show that they have a Stratocaster in their collection.I re-strung a freind of mines Korean made Lite Ash Stratocaster this weekend and when I got it done I plugged it in & started playing it and Ive got to tell you I couldn't put it down .
I have never been a fan of solid body guitars but this one blew me away.I recently sold my Gibson Historic Reissue Les Paul Custom Shop SG because it was a very heavy uncomfortable hard to handle guitar & the list price was over $3000.00.The strat I played cost my freind $550.00 and its alot more user freindly. I know the quality is quite different between the two but I now buy what I enjoy playing and the SG was just a novelty thing so it went away. I have BAD GAS for one of these Strats right now & I would like to know if any of you can give me a rundown on what is the difference is in the price & quality of the
Japanese made stratocaster
Korean made
Mexican made
American made
I have trust in you guys on this so tell it like it is , so if you can share a little bit of info on this subject please FIRE AWAY!!! Thanks G.W.B. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2004
Posts: 13303
Location: Latitude 39.56819, Longitude -105.080066 | American strats are better made but the mexican strats are very good for the money....probably a better value for most.
I don't know much about the Korean or Japanese made versions.
On a budget, I would go with the mexican made. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2002
Posts: 863
Location: Central Florida | The only Japanese Strats I'm familiar with personally are the 50's Reissues. I've owned a couple of them and they are fine guitars. The bodies are made of either poplar or basswood(?). The build quality on them is excellent. The only downside is they've stopped distributing them in the US within the last ten years or so, so unless you can find a used one on eBay or something, chances are you'd have to buy from a Japanese dealer.
I believe all the Korean made Strats bear the "Squier" moniker, and are up and down in terms of quality. They're considered entry-level instruments.
The Mexican Strats are pretty good bargains, especially used. I've often thought about buying a used Mexi-Strat and dropping in a set of Vintage Noiseless or Lace Sensor Gold pickups to have on hand as a back up.
Now, for my money, the American Series Strats are the bee's knees as far as production line electrics go. If you're only gonna own one electric guitar, a US Strat, IMHO, is the way to go. They're very well made, have solid electronics and hardware, and are setting the industry standard for fingerboard and fret work right out of the box. Up until about a month ago, I owned the Strat you see in my sig line, and a gorgeous honeyburst Les Paul. But sinc I play acoustic roughly 98% of the time anymore, I decided to pare down to just one electric solidbody. Although the LP definitely won in the eye candy category--and was, by far, the more expensive of the two, I decided to keep the Strat and sell the LP because I felt the Strat was the more versatile guitar, sonically.
A bit long winded, but I hope this helps a little. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
August 2002
Posts: 8307
Location: Tennessee | MIJ Strats are the cats meow when you can find a good one. They are arguably better made and better sounding than their American counterparts from the same era (mid 80's to early 90's). But I don't think they've brought any MIJ strats into the US for about 10 years. There are eBay sellers who specialize in these, including some Japanese dealers who make a business out of selling MIJ strats to Americans.
MIM Strats are very decent for the money. Fender has a major presence just south of the border ... close enough to Corona California to keep a close eye on quality. They make a lot of amps there, too. But like all guitars, check it out in person if possible before you buy.
Korean made strats are for the birds, imho. Jeff has got it right ... want a cheap guitar that looks like a strat and has the Fender name on it? Go for it. Want a good guitar ... pass. Mass production for the masses.
There is nothing quite like an American made Strat. I have had mine since the mid 80's and whenever I pick it up, there is something just so right about it. I really like the newer models ... the quality has really picked up over the past few years. If I was going to buy a new one, I'd spend the extra $$ and go for the ash American Deluxe. Although there is definitely something missing from the new ones ... the classic 60 cycle hum is comforting in its own wierd way.
The thing to remember is that all of these guitars are mass produced. Leo figured out how to make the parts stand alone and introduced the Henry Ford method of manufacturing to the guitar world. They just pay attention to detail and materials in varying degrees depending on where they're built. If you are looking, the biggest issue you're going to face is which one to buy ... there are SO MANY different models, finishes, reissues, artist series, styles, etc. that it'll make your head spin. But it is also like owning an old Volkswagen ... there are tons of places where you can buy quality replacement parts and change/upgrade/replace things around to your heart's content without breaking the bank. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2006
Posts: 171
Location: Oregon | I own a fender fat strat, mexican. Great for blues, rock, and jazz. Metal is harder for some reason to get a good sound. The jack is always loose on it. I can't stand that.
I customized mine a bit with a Borris Vallejo picture behind the bridge and my family coat of arms on the pickguard. Even switched the original knobs for knobs from my fender frontman 15g amp. It's held up to my mutilations. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2002
Posts: 14127
Location: 6 String Ranch | Get Warmoth parts and make your own. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
March 2002
Posts: 14842
Location: NJ | I've seen/played a couple of Bill's Warmouth creations, and I have to attest that they DO play rather nicely . . . |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 766
Location: New Hampsha | For about the same money as a MIM Strat you can get a G&L Tribute Legacy and for the same $jing$ as a US Strat you can get a G&L Legacy made in the USofA. Either are way better products than the Fender counterparts. Leo did a great job keeping what was important and updating what wasn't with these G&L products and they deserve a hard look before purchasing a Fender. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | They have the 'Players Strat' now, which is a mexican made guitar with USA pickups, and they look real nice. Never played one though. Play lots of them, find what you like, then get a deal on eBay. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 5881
Location: Colorado Rocky Mountains | I have three Strats, all American made, all ash. My favorite is a '99 with SRV Texas Special pups. The "feel" you speak of is just right for me.
My advice would be to look around and play a bunch of different models if you can. The set up on each can very tremendously. You can find very good American models with original HSCs for less than $600 on the Bay, about the same price as a new import without a case. Deluxe models go for about $100 to $150 more. My Deluxe model has the Jeff Beck upgrades, but I'm not all that thrilled with the locking tuners. They seem to be more trouble than they're worth.
There is a reason the Strat continues to be the number one all-time best-selling guitar of performing stage musicians. Now, it will never match the tone of our A/O models when you're playing an acoustic set, but they're just superb for what they've been designed for.
Some folks believe the Ovation solids from the 70's match up well against the Strat. I have four different Ovation solids (Viper III, Preacher, Breadwinner Ltd, and UKii) and they are o.k. against my Deluxe Strat, particularly the UKii, but none feel nor sound as good as my '99 Strat. Maybe if I spent some money and had each one preofessionally tuned and set up to match the set-up on the Strat the comparison would be much closer.
Buying sight unseen can be risky unless you plan on tuning and setting it up on your own if necessary. One player's perfect set-up can be another player's worst nightmare.
Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2003
Posts: 11039
Location: Earth·SolarSystem·LocalInterstellarCloud·Local Bub | I have an '86 JapStrat and it is a truly fantasic guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2004
Posts: 474
Location: Anchorage, Alaska | I have 3 Strats. 1 American Deluxe, 1 American Vintage '57 Reissue, and 1 Crafted in Japan. All are absolutly fantastic guitars. I have played dozens of other Strat models and have found the US models as a whole are on top followed very closly by the Crafted in Japan models. The Mexican ones would be third. I would not even consider one of the Korean Squires. Cheap, cheap, cheap in every sense of the word. The MIM are probably the BEST VALUE in the Strat line. Seriously look at the "Fat" Strat. Very versital with the humbucker PU at the bridge. My favorite Strat hands down. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I have two Strats that I've acquired since the first of the year, a current Mexican 70s reissue, and a 62 reissue that I built from a new CIJ (Crafted In Japan) body and neck that I got on eBay. The approach that cwk2 suggests is the best if you have the chops for building and setting it up. The 62 reissue, with Texas Special pickups, is a nicer instrument that the factory-built 70s reissue.
That said, the Mexican 70s reissue is my favorite of the Fender line right now. Might be that BIG headstock.
Roger |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2003
Posts: 4389
Location: Capital District, NY, USA Minor Outlying Islands | If your on a budget I'd recommend finding a MIM body on ebay, and then buying a warmoth neck, and tricking it out with a torres engineering pre-made pickguard with pups and electronics.
If that seems like too much work then go with a G&L. American Made and really nice. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2003
Posts: 1498
Location: San Bernardino, California | If it was lighter than an SG then it probably has an Agathis body, which is used on the Indonesian made models. The serial number usually can tell you where it was made. Indonesian made have an 'I' in the serial number. If I remember correctly they also have 'Manufactured in Indonesia' on them as well. Most of the MIM, MIJ & MIA are heavyer than an SG.
I recommend going to a store and trying out Strats until you find one you like. Try Telecasters as well. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 383
Location: Indiana | I have had 4 strats through the years(a 60, an Am. Stand., a 66, and a Japanese w/a hotrails in the bridge pos and a Kahler). The 66 as just a P.O.S.. The 60, well ....ooh la la is the only way to describe it. The Am Stand is a great guitar.I sold the Japan Strat(don't remember the model) years ago for absolutely no reason. Kicked myself in but for years. I agree that the Japan made Strats are at least as good as a U.S., maybe better.But always try them out.I've seen some really nice Mex Strats also.Great for the $$$. I also agree about the G&L's. IMHO they are Fenders taken to a higher level.
Bill |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | I just reread the original post and I have one other thing to ad....if weight is a consideration, I'd have a look at an Epiphone Les Paul Ultra....it has a chambered body and is around 5-6 pounds, plus has a good tone.
If you're set on a Strat, all you can do is try a bunch until you find the one that "speaks to you". In my case, it was the MIM 70s reissue.
Roger |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 1483
Location: Michigan | It is amazing how many different strats are made .They are like boats , every single one is different. I went to a GC this afternoon and could not beleive it , no one waited on me the whole time I was there. I spent a half an hour in the place looking around & playing a couple of their high end Taylors & Martins ( not impressed at all ) the way they are set up there, and only one person said hello when I came in ? This is a 1st for me as normally you cant get away from some type of ( ? manager ? )of some sort from the time you step thru the door.
Anyway I am going to take a look at the G&L brand at a store that is fairly close to me and see what is up with those.You fellows seem to speak quite highly of them so it is worth a look.
It sounds like as always the USAs are the best made still but the Japanese ones sound like they are a top notch one also.From what you say they must not have a plant in Japan that makes the Stratocaster anymore( must be to expensive to produce them there now )maybe thats why they went to Mexico & then Korea. I was told that the Korean made ones do have a higher end Strat called the American Deluxe & then the Squire models which is the absolute lowest end ones .Thanks for all of the info on this and keep it coming in I always like to hear what others think about different guitars . GWB |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2003
Posts: 13996
Location: Upper Left USA | You need a highly customized Viper!
I like the boat comparison though! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | There definitely IS a plant in Japan that makes Strats.....my 2005 CIJ body and neck were made there!!!! But CIJ Strats are not exported to the U.S.....don't ask me how the seller on eBay that sold me my body and neck got them. It's one of the sellers that part out new guitars, and he apparently has a source.
(I bought the body because it was a color not generally offered in the U.S., and I got a matching neck for the body to minimize build problems)
There are two North American plants that make Strats, the U.S. plant in Corona, CA, and the Mexican one 90 miles south of there. I don't see differences in build quality between U.S. and MIM Strats, mostly differences in quality of parts used. The U.S. plant generally gets the higher quality wood, the better pickups, tuners, etc.
Roger |
|
| |
|
Joined:
May 2002
Posts: 651
Location: Australia | Fender's from Japan are excellent guitars (particularly the vintages Ri's)
....buy'em here
http://www.ishibashi-music.com/fenderjp/ |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | Only 64,000 yen! wtf is a yen, anyway? Is that where eggs come from? |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2006
Posts: 1138
Location: CT | YEN! Now I get it! I looked at the exchange rate and here is the price.
64,000y = $549.75 (there are some cheaper models)
3,000y = 25.78 (bank wire fee in instructions)
14,500y = 124.60 (guit. w/hard case shipping to US)
81,500y = $700.13 total price for Japanese Strat. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
July 2003
Posts: 1922
Location: Canton (Detroit), MI | And probably worth it, if the quality of my body and neck are an indication.
Roger |
|
| |
|
Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 4832
Location: Campbell River, British Columbia | Originally posted by brainslag:
Only 64,000 yen! wtf is a yen, anyway? Is that where eggs come from? Aww, now there you you reinforcing that stereotype that Americans generally don't know anything outside their borders! |
|
| |
Fender Sratocaster Info ?? Go Ahead & Kick My Ass For Asking on The OFC Site
