One more thought I had - a G&L Legacy. G&L make awesome guitars. Anyone tried a Legacy?
+1 for Rockinger. Robert, I think that you would be excited if you had the chance of trying one of them...Originally Posted by Robert
Elias
One more thought I had - a G&L Legacy. G&L make awesome guitars. Anyone tried a Legacy?
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
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Although I haven't tried them (I believe you are talking about the American Series, not the Korean made ones), all reviews speak of very well made and sounding instruments.Originally Posted by Robert
One catch though: considering this one, you are drifting a bit away from the "standard" of the Stratocaster, both tone-wise and as far as parts/philosophy are concerned.
In that sense, I believe the best "modern" incarnation of the "Strat Ideal" to be the Musicman Silhouette Special. It comes in a version with 3 single coils as well as H-S-S config. Cost should be about the same as a Legacy. And I guarantee, should you try one, you will not be able to put it down.
In case everyone hasn't heard...Music 123 has a pre sale going on for the new Standard series Strats (MIM). $399 for regular colors and $35? more for Sunburst. They come with choice of fretboard.
As of 8-29-2006
"No Tele For you." - The Tele Nazi
Ha! Tele-ish now inbound.
Before you rush out and buy, I would also check out another "Fender," and that one is the G&L Legacy, in either USA trim or, if money is shy, a Tribute version. If money is not the issue, I'd also look at the George Fullerton Signature. Now we're talking Fender!
Rob Smith
I AM the bass player!
GUITARS: '93 ZON Sonus 4, '85 G&L L-2000 (Mahogany), '05 Schecter Stiletto Custom 4, '06 SX SJB-62MG (Fretless), '07 Squier Bronco (project), '06 Ibanez AEB10E-BK acoustic bass, '70s Epiphone OO-sized acoustic, '94 Peavey Reactor (extreme makeover edition)
AMPS: '03 Ampeg BA115 bass combo, '86 Peavey MkIV Series 400 bass head, SWR Workingman's cabs, 2x10" & 1x15", '00 Peavey Micro Bass
I know this was an older post, but the HW1's are American made...Originally Posted by Katastrophe
Hmm, WideAwake? That is exactly what Katastrophe originally stated, and you quote, if you will take a moment to reread his post. He states that the HW1 is "a relatively decent value for a 'Merican (not Mexican) made Strat."Originally Posted by WideAwake
Yes, the Highway One series is American made. I almost laid down money on a HW1 Jazz bass until I checked out my ZON. I got such a great deal on the Sonus, and it is just so much more bass than even an American Fender, that I could not possibly pass it by.
Oh, I just noticed, I need to update my sig file. Later folks!
Rob Smith
I AM the bass player!
GUITARS: '93 ZON Sonus 4, '85 G&L L-2000 (Mahogany), '05 Schecter Stiletto Custom 4, '06 SX SJB-62MG (Fretless), '07 Squier Bronco (project), '06 Ibanez AEB10E-BK acoustic bass, '70s Epiphone OO-sized acoustic, '94 Peavey Reactor (extreme makeover edition)
AMPS: '03 Ampeg BA115 bass combo, '86 Peavey MkIV Series 400 bass head, SWR Workingman's cabs, 2x10" & 1x15", '00 Peavey Micro Bass
I humbly stand corrected, I read it wrong.
Way to go for my first post!!
Nothin' to it! Keep comin' back. Do you have an HW1? I can't speak for the Strat, but the Jazz bass is quite an instrument for the bucks.Originally Posted by WideAwake
Rob Smith
I AM the bass player!
GUITARS: '93 ZON Sonus 4, '85 G&L L-2000 (Mahogany), '05 Schecter Stiletto Custom 4, '06 SX SJB-62MG (Fretless), '07 Squier Bronco (project), '06 Ibanez AEB10E-BK acoustic bass, '70s Epiphone OO-sized acoustic, '94 Peavey Reactor (extreme makeover edition)
AMPS: '03 Ampeg BA115 bass combo, '86 Peavey MkIV Series 400 bass head, SWR Workingman's cabs, 2x10" & 1x15", '00 Peavey Micro Bass
I do have a HW1.
I love it. It's got the best neck I've ever played, personally. When I was shopping for my strat, I tried just about everything in the store, and I kept coming back to this one. I even periodically checked back in during my 30 day return window to make sure I "shouldn't maybe spend a little more" but always left feeling I made the right decision. I was torn between and American Deluxe for a little while, it was a very nice guitar, but I still went back to the HW1. I did play a few other HW1's, and while I liked them all, none of them had as nice a neck as mine, I thought. Maybe I just got lucky and found THE ONE.
I did play some of the higher end strats, Eric Johnson and John Mayer, and I liked the Mayer, but thought it was a little overpriced, and I absolutely hated the neck on the EJ.
Bottom line, don't let the price of the HW1 trick you into thinking it's a cheap guitar. I may change out the tuners with the Fender/Schaller locking ones, but to be honest, I am having zero tuning issues with the Pings, so it would be more of a want than a necessity. I did have my tech add two extra springs and set the bridge flush, I don't use the bar at all.
My only real concern (and it's fading fast - the concern, not the finish!) was the finish. I've already got a shiny spot where my arm rubs, and some slight pick scratches where I seem to always hit the wood before the pickguard, you can't see them unless you really look, but I'd imagine over the years it will wear a little quicker. That said, it's not nearly as sensitive as some of the naysayers have reported either. If you treat it right, it should be fine.
Nice looking Strat there. I like the "zebra" look of the black p'ups and knobs against the white p/g. Did it come that way, or did you change it?
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Came that way, and I agree, that was one of the things that caught my eye also.
WideAwake,
Did you try a Jimmie Vaughan in your quest for a strat? It receives rave reviews 'round here & elsewhere.
I pick a moon dog.
WideAwake, I know what you're saying with the matte finish. My Schecter Stiletto Custom 4 has a matte finish, and it too is getting a shiny spot where my arm comes over the edge.
That's a sweet looking Strat. From what I've heard, some folks prefer the HW1's finish, saying that it lets more of the instrument's true woody tone through. Like I mentioned before, I really liked the blonde HW1 Jazz that I checked out.
Rob Smith
I AM the bass player!
GUITARS: '93 ZON Sonus 4, '85 G&L L-2000 (Mahogany), '05 Schecter Stiletto Custom 4, '06 SX SJB-62MG (Fretless), '07 Squier Bronco (project), '06 Ibanez AEB10E-BK acoustic bass, '70s Epiphone OO-sized acoustic, '94 Peavey Reactor (extreme makeover edition)
AMPS: '03 Ampeg BA115 bass combo, '86 Peavey MkIV Series 400 bass head, SWR Workingman's cabs, 2x10" & 1x15", '00 Peavey Micro Bass
No I didn't, but I've heard good things.
Sunburst Highway One all the way.
Ron Paul is like Kryptonite to Tyranny
Guitars:
MIM Fender Stratocaster, Ibanez AS73, Fender F210, Martin Backpaker Steel-String
Amps:
Behringer V-Tone 2x10 60W, Marshall G10 MkII, Danelectro E-Studio Honeytone.
Pedals:
Danelectro Corned Beef reverb, Johnson flanger, DOD FX25 envelope filter, Behringer Hellbabe wah, Digitech Bad Monkey
I was out looking at guitars over the past weekend (didn't buy any though) and here's what I liked for strats:
Jimmie Vaughan-awesome bang for the buck, great build, great tone.
American Series strat....a little bit more money, but the necks on them are sweet.
American Deluxe Strat-the finishes on these are great, but why did Fender put those crazy colored pickguards on them??
Guitars: 2003 and 2004 American series strats, Squier Classic Vibe 50's Strat, Squier Deluxe Strat.
Amps: Line 6 Spider IV 120, Vox AD50VT 212, and Peavey Transtube Bandit 112.
Pedals: Digitech Bad Monkey.
Hi Robert,
Here is my opinion for what it's worth:
Don't mess with the cheap guitars. Get yourself the best guitar you can afford, you won't be sorry. You're a great player and you should have a guitar that makes you play your best. (end of sermon)
I've heard that Shur makes great guitars, but I've never tried one.
From the ones that I've tried I would reccomend the Eric Johnson Model or the Eric Clapton model. Both are great guitars and have slight modifications that make them play very nicely. I own the Eric Clapton model and really like it. If I had to buy a new one I think that I would go for the Eric Johnson one.
my 2 cents. -- Jim
Electrics: Hamer Newport, Fender Clapton Strat, Ibanez AF86, Line6 Variax 700
Acoustic Guitars: Taylor 514CE, Martin J40-M
Dobro: Regal "Black Lightning Dobro"
Mandolin: Morgan Monroe Mandolin
Amps: Egnater Rebel 30, Vox AD120VTX, Roland Cube 60
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Thanks Jim, I appreciate the advice. I think you are right. I got a Fender Deluxe Players a while ago. Nice guitar, and I'm still excited to play it. One day I'll probably get a Suhr! It could take a while before then though, they ain't cheap.
The Law of Gravity is nonsense. No such law exists. If I think I float, and you think I float, then it happens.
Master Guitar Academy - I also teach via SKYPE.