Which strat for around 600?

[birv2]

Christmas is coming a bit late to my house, but my wife told me yesterday she'd like to get me a guitar, and the budget is $600. She even went to GC with me and listened as I explained strats, teles, custom shop, single coils, humbuckers, maple and rosewood, etc., etc.

I paid $75 for my Squier, and while I've upgraded it, the thought of actually buying a $600 strat is blowing my mind. :

So, what would you suggest? Bear in mind that I play almost exclusively blues. Favorite guitarists: the 3 Kings, Guitar Shorty, Walter Trout, Luther Allison... the list goes on, and you can see that I like everything from old-style Chicago blues to modern blues-rock.

I'm sold on a Strat, just don't know which one. And what about the G&L line? I've heard great things about them.

Thanks in advance,
Bob

[F_BSurfer]

I think I would pick the Jimmy Vaughan or the powerhouse strat

[birv2]

I think I would pick the Jimmy Vaughan or the powerhouse strat

Why?

[F_BSurfer]

For me it would be best bang for the buck!!! Local mom and pop place when they have one they have it set up properly and they play just as good as any American.

The JV has the Tex Mex pups have that dirty blues sound I personally think sounds best with low watt tube amps. The V shape neck plays good would take some getting use to for me,and the kicker for me would be oly white with maple neck.

Powerhouse has that nice vintage vibe c shape neck (which I prefer) add the db boost and you have a whole new instrument kinda Gilmore to metal.

The hard part around here is finding one when they get one it doesn't last long

[sunvalleylaw]

As you can tell from my avatar, I am partial to these in that price range. It is a bit cheaper even, and you could use the extra hun or two for something else. I like it because of the sound of the tex mex pups, I like the feel of the maple fret board, I love the interesting color, and it just sounds and feels right. If I did not get that one, I would say the JV, a similar guitar with tex mex pups as well, with the bridge being a bit hotter in some way if you find the specs on line and compare. The neck is a V shape on the JV rather than the modern C on mine also. The Deluxe Player's like Robert has seems a good bet too. I like my tex mex pups, he likes those vintage noiseless. Those are all Fenders. I have checked out a G&L, and they seem nice too, but I like mine better than the one or two I have put my hands on, mostly because of the paint and the maple fretboard.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FENDER-STRAT...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-FENDER-STRAT...sid=p1638.m118
I have seen 60th's at the Boise GC, and you might be able to get them to deal if you find one at yours.

This Musician's Friend link has the specs and reviews.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=517894

Here is the JV for comparison. I would click around here and find StingX clips to hear it.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=510057

Robert's Deluxe Player's is here. It has vintage noiseless pups and a 12 inch radius neck that Robert has switched out for a 60th style neck. Go to Dolphinstreet to listen to his great demos there. Here are the specs on that one.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...tar?sku=511597

Bottom line if it was me, I would go for my guitar, save a little, and use the rest on one of those Blackhearts!

[just strum]

I would consider Steve's advise except for the very end - save some money, pass on the BH and use it to treat that wife of yours to a really nice gift or night out. She deserves it!!!

[Justaguyin_nc]

+1 on the Jimmie Vaughan, I feel it's my second real guitar..
I had an earlier version of the Vintage 60's mexstrat..
it was a very nice guitar too..
but the pickups I didn't get excited about..
and the c neck although nice, fell short to "me" compared to the soft vneck..

checkout e-bay.. get a nice used JV...

it's the only one I mess with anymore it seems..
I love the soft v neck.. love the bridge pickup controlled by tone knob..
love the pickups.. quite content with the vintage tuners..
heck.. Just love the Sound, Looks and Feel overall!

:

[hubberjub***]

Buy a used G&L. For the money Fender can't touch them. You can easlily get a Legacy or maybe even an S-500 for less than $600. Just make sure it isn't a Tribute model.

[just strum]

Hmmm, maybe I would pass on my own advise

http://www.sweetwater.com/guitargall...l/sMSN7213701/

GAS 2008

[sunvalleylaw]

Oops, I should have mentioned Justa's clips with his JV too. He has some good ones around here too! If your GC has a 60th, like the Boise one did last I was there, you can compare it to the JV, and decide for yourself. I bet you could save $150 or so with the 60th versus the JV, and then decide about a little tube amp or a nice night out!

[wingsdad]

Nice post by SVL outlining Strat options in that price range. :

Since you're partial to the vintage C neck shape, besides Fender's models that offer it, I'll suggest looking a bit at G&L's Legacy ('traditional Srat') or S-500 (more pup switching combo options). The standard neck config is called a #1, a 12" radius C w/ rolled edges and a 1/5/8" nut. USA-made G&L Legacys turn up on the used market in your price Range. In fact, there's 2 right now , in white/Pearl white, one with rosewood board, one with maple, and they're right there around $599.

The G&L Tribute Series offers the same models, well in your price range with room to spare brand new. They sport the same USA-made G&L pups, Gotoh hardware, with basswood bodies in the Standard Finish, and Swamp Ash in the Premier Finish. But your color choices are limited (no white)

I know a bit about G&L's, owning one (an ASAT, Leo's improved Tele model), having previously owned one of their Tribute Series (Korean imports) and I've played several at my local GAS Station G&L dealer. I'm of the opinion that G&L, as Leo Fender's final business venture and guitar building destination in life, although owned now by BBE, is still, after his death, more true original, vintage Fender than Fender Musical Instrument Corporation.

Here's their website, still in an-old-school Frames design.... Go to 'Insturnments' to see the models, or to go to the Tribute Series...have a look at Leo at work and maybe you'll get the vibe I'm talkin' bout.:
G&L

BTW, probably means nuthin' since he probably gets them free as an endorser, but Guitar Shorty plays Legacys, not Fenders.

[just strum]

GAS in 08 is going to be tough to fight off. I knew nothing about G&L until reading this thread (again, cave syndrome) and I follow the link to see the first photo of this
http://www.glguitars.com/

Day one and already Gas'ing for....

[wingsdad]

I knew you were online, knew you're dreamin of that color config, and wanted to wish you a Happy New Year, Strumster...

[sunvalleylaw]

Here is a really quick, dirty and sloppy clip of my guitar I just made using the Toneport with the '58 Bassman setting, some tubescreamer, gate, EQ, and reverb thrown into the mix. Neck pup. The Guitarport online stuff isn't working but you can tweak your own toneport settings. Not sure I like this one all the way yet but you can get an idea. Please excuse the rusty sloppiness.

http://www.box.net/shared/24ljiluecg

EDIT: This link now dead. See below.

[just strum]

http://www.box.net/shared/24ljiluecg

What do I need to listen to this? It won't let me download.

[sunvalleylaw]

try this one

http://www.box.net/shared/zmuoq9zocg

[oldguy]

Sunvalley-- nice job, man!: Glad you're posting some clips, kudos!
You've got that J. Rivers thang goin' on, bro.

Bobbirv2,
I think any Strat you find for around 6 bills is going to get you into nice toneland. The JV is exceptional, IMO, the Deluxe Player's, also very nice, and if you want to spend a little time on ThE-Bay, I'm sure you can find a better bargain, or better axe for the $$$.
Wingsdad is right on about the G&L's also. I personally think they're a better quality, nicer feeling, hotter sounding guitar w/ more clarity throughout the lower and mid register. So why'd I end up w/ a MIM Strat? It was cheap. I did a complete setup, fret polish, the works, and I've got a nice Strat. For what blues I play, I'd probably sound like me on most Strats anyway.
This is what mine sounds like, w/ some delay, and some ZYS OD partway through.

[just strum]

try this one

http://www.box.net/shared/zmuoq9zocg

got it - you and I are at about the same point in our progress. One of us has to move closer to the other so we can practice and keep each other moving forward :

Ok, who moves? We'll flip for it - call it in the air.

Nice job Steve. I'm going to have to start recording, if for nothing else, but to gage progress.

[just strum]

Sunvalley-- nice job, man!: Glad you're posting some clips, kudos!
You've got that J. Rivers thang goin' on, bro.

Bobbirv2,

Wingsdad is right on about the G&L's also. I personally think they're a better quality, nicer feeling, hotter sounding guitar w/ more clarity throughout the lower and mid register. So why'd I end up w/ a MIM Strat? It was cheap. I did a complete setup, fret polish, the works, and I've got a nice Strat. For what blues I play, I'd probably sound like me on most Strats anyway.
This is what mine sounds like, w/ some delay, and some ZYS OD partway through.

OG, sounds good. What song is that or are you improvising. Your speed selection would fit me perfectly if I knew some songs up in that ole noggin (sp) of mine.

I think you released more videos than Neil Young