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Bad choice of forum maybe, with all them offset threads floating around. But, I've been thinking about getting rid of my CV50 and/or Epi LP and going for one. Looking at the G&L Tribute series and the Fender MIM Standard right now. Things i want:

- I want a trem. One that stays in tune alright.

- I'm going for higher-output pickups either stock or aftermarket. The Tribute Comanche is looking good on that point but is more expensive than the Legacys and whatnot and doesn't seem to have any really great colors. There's a Tribute Legacy with humbuckers that might be for me, but I'm sceptical of "rail" pickups, they tend to sound thin to me. Might also slip a bit too far from a strat sound with them. Going for the Comanche might be justified if it saves me from getting pickups too.

It may or may not be dumb getting hung up on aesthetics, but I really don't want to get a "vintage-looking" (to me) color, like Surf green or the orangey Fiesta red. Most importantly, no Sunbursts! Thankfully the MIM comes in Lake Placid Blue now. Obviously not extremely important but I don't want to get a finish I hate.

No G&Ls to try locally either, I'm not even completely sure they have a dealer in Sweden.

So; Help! What should I be looking at? My price range is flexible but less is better obviously, and I can't really cough up a lot more than these models are.

What is this "Strat" you speak of???

Birthday Boy wrote:It may or may not be dumb getting hung up on aesthetics, but I really don't want to get a "vintage-looking" (to me) color, like Surf green or the orangey Fiesta red. Most importantly, no Sunbursts! Thankfully the MIM comes in Lake Placid Blue now. Obviously not extremely important but I don't want to get a finish I hate.

Regardless of my limited Strat knowledge, cosmetics are of utmost importance, imo, makes me want to play guitar even more Lake Placid Blue is pure sex, in paint form!

Sorry I can't contribute some helpful info but there's a few Strat players here that'll chime in when they wake up I'm sure.

I shall ignore the "I looked at offsets, and want a Strat" dichotomy that is disconcerting, and move on.

MIM Standards are perfectly serviceable and upgradeable if you want different pickups. Should be routed for buckers in the body typically as well in the MIM range. There are a variety of colors and whatnot available if you watch the used market, they rotate what's available every few years so there's a lot out there. From what you're describing, let's go simple. Find a color you like, hopefully used, and go to town with pickups. If you want buckers from the getgo, find a factory Fat Strat or one of the Blacktops.

Trem difference on 'stay in tune' is about the same on vintage, MIM, modern US, etc. as long as they're set up well and have no mechanical deficiencies.

G&L stuff is alright but you're paying for a name worse than you do with Fender, without the resale. This is especially true of the imports.

Can also (and probably should) look at the Squier Vintage Whatever series is out, or the Clasic Vibes. If you like the necks on them, they're a steal, especially if you intend to swap pickups anyway.

rfurtkamp wrote:Trem difference on 'stay in tune' is about the same on vintage, MIM, modern US, etc. as long as they're set up well and have no mechanical deficiencies.

G&L stuff is alright but you're paying for a name worse than you do with Fender, without the resale. This is especially true of the imports.

Both excellent points.

rfurtkamp wrote:I shall ignore the "I looked at offsets, and want a Strat" dichotomy that is disconcerting, and move on.

MIM Standards are perfectly serviceable and upgradeable if you want different pickups. Should be routed for buckers in the body typically as well in the MIM range. There are a variety of colors and whatnot available if you watch the used market, they rotate what's available every few years so there's a lot out there. From what you're describing, let's go simple. Find a color you like, hopefully used, and go to town with pickups. If you want buckers from the getgo, find a factory Fat Strat or one of the Blacktops.

Trem difference on 'stay in tune' is about the same on vintage, MIM, modern US, etc. as long as they're set up well and have no mechanical deficiencies.

G&L stuff is alright but you're paying for a name worse than you do with Fender, without the resale. This is especially true of the imports.

Can also (and probably should) look at the Squier Vintage Whatever series is out, or the Clasic Vibes. If you like the necks on them, they're a steal, especially if you intend to swap pickups anyway.

I should definately look into the Squiers more. I've played several Classic Vibe '50s strats that, compared to my CV50 Tele, were a disappointment but it may be different with the '60s ones or the Vintage Modified (which apparently have hotter "Duncan-designed" pups, which I have no idea about the quality of). I'm actually a fan of the pups in the CP Jazzmaster though. I really wanted one of those before, but I felt like I was paying for the name and image a bit too much, since they have yet to show up used for a decent price here.

On a side note, part of the reason for wanting a strat is the whole indie cred thing getting ridiculous and driving up prices on everything offset and old "mojo" stuff. At least here. The market is smaller, and strats are readily available used for sane prices unlike offsets. Mostly it's about sound, though.

Now leaning towards MIM pending testing of Squiers.

Don't know if they ever made it overseas but there are also MIM Squiers out there- US cut/shaped bodies and necks shipped to Mexico for final assembly (like the MIM Fenders of the era) with sometimes cheaper hardware/electronics (although I've seen some with identical out of the factory box).

Black label Fender with "Squier Series" on the ball headstock (which is often removed to make it just a black label Fender) are the early ones, post-factory fire are the transitional silver or gold Squier logos.

They sell here for a bit less than MIM Standards (often quite a bit less), but again, not sure they left the continent for Europe.

My main Strat and Jazz Bass are both MIM Squiers (Jazz is a black label '94 and Strat is a '98 I bought new) when I'm not playing offsets.

I own a MIM strat and it has been my main guitar for over 10 years,
It is well broken in and plays perfectly, in general I can pick it up off the stand and it is always in tune.
They are easy to upgrade and easy to find parts for and pretty indestructible. I don't use the trem much any more but I never had tuning problems when I did.
A few rules for MIM strats,
1. Play a bunch of em and take home the one that feels right. They are all different
2. Get the stock fender bullet strings off the guitar as quickly as possible
3. Add a trem spring or 2 and get everything set up well
4. Invest some time in the initial string change stretching and tune up (true with all guitars)
5. Before you change the pickups adjust the height a bit, I tend to lower em slightly to improve sustain.

I personally have some strat preferences, 21 fret neck, bent steel saddles, a small square of tape under the volume knob so that it doesn't get bumped and turn so easily and the older 6 screw style bridge, these all make MIMS perfect for me as they are still closer to vintage spec and even the new standards have gone to some upgrades that make them less of a strat. also take the back plate off and throw it away, just another personal preference.