Which Fender Stratocaster?

T

timewalker

New member
Hi all,
Really need some help over here.
I decided to get a Fender Stratocaster to kick start my passion but the problem is Fender have so many different models and I really have no idea which one is value for money. Can help me to recommend one good one that fit my bill?
and basically what are the main differences between all those models?
My budget is not more than $1400. Please help. :???:

Thank you very much! ;)
 
Hi, if you want something more affordable, i would suggest you get the MIJ fender stratocaster. Its less that a 1000 bucks, and in my opinion, good for a beginner because of the price. if you buy a 1000 dollar guitar and decide guitar isnt your thing, it will be a waste.
 
Whats your budget for amp?

I'd say go with MIJ stratocasters. Especially those in buy/sell on soft.

Some are really good value, and very good quality as well.
 
/\

He meant the CIJ fender stratocaster.(MIJ are no longer in production). models such as the st57,st62 and st77 are available from davis and music theme. There are various incarnations of each model (e.g: st57 with dimarzio,texas special, etc).And not all are available.

2nd option is to dig around soft or other forums for used ones.
 
Do you want to buy my strat???my one is a superstrat sure it'll good for beginners like you.u can pm me if ure interested....
 
Maybe u`d like to get a MIM Fender Standard Stratocaster for a start. I used to have a Crafted In Japan strat and as time went by, didn't feel good playing the polyurethane finish on the neck, which feels sticky if ur hands sweat easily unlike the MIM which has a satin, smooth feel that makes it easier for your fretting hand to glide. Also the CIJ is much heavier than a MIM.

But then again, its up to ur preference. Try them both and see which one u like the best.

Good luck for ur search :)
 
Last edited:
Thanks for all the replies! really appreciate it.

for the MIJ stratocaster, the body and pickups are the same with the others?
I guess those $1200+ i see recently in Yahama and others place are MIJ one..
Well maybe I will hunt for 2nd hand ones
 
When I meant MIJ i just meant made in japan, I don't mean the period at which they were made or from whichever factory. Just to clear up any confusion.
 
There are different flavors of Jap strats. I'm not sure abt the variations for mexican strats. I did some research some time ago when i tried to consider buying a strat.

Not to confuse you but do consider these options depending on your want/need/style of play.

body: basswood or alder
neck: satin, lacquer/poly
neck profile: D, C, V shape.
neck radius: 7.25 (vintage), 9.5. I would prefer 9.5 for better playabilty
pickups: vintage or texas (hotter)

there are also differences of these jap/mex guitars like tuners (kluson style, sealed tuners), big headstock vs. small headstocks. But mostly are cosmetics. Just PM me if u like more info. I'm not expert but maybe I can help u.

http://fenderjapan.co.jp/fender/2008fender/stratocaster.htm

In the end, it's still up to you. Go to some shops and try to play and feel if it is right for you. Then hunt for a 2nd hand guitar with the similar specs you like.
 
Topic starter, if I could suggest. Other than wanting to learn how to play the guitar, do you have a slight idea on what kind of genre of music you'd want to? I feel that the first guitar is very important and it sets you "on the right track". Like if you would wanna learn how to sweep pick and shred, you might want to consider an Ibanez cause it has more notes (frets).

But seeing as you have already decide on a Fender...hmmm...Davis guitar have CIJ ones. Or you can drop by SweeLee to look at the MIM ones. Oh, some of the MIA cost around a thousand-odd so you might wanna consider those too. Good luck, I hope you find the guitar that you'll learn to love.
 
Hi all, really thanks for all your replies so far. I guess there are really a lot of things for me to know.

Sorry I left out this part. I am going into Blues music, starting some private guitar lessons soon and so I guess Fender Strat will be a good choice for Blues.

However I not sure for the body, which is good? Basswood or Alder and all those pickups. Initally I thought of buying a Epiphone (can't afford to buy a real Gibson) but perhaps I am inspired by the guitarist in Crazy Elephant using a black and white Fender Strat. haha.
 
well, some people don't mind basswood or alder. To me it also doesn't matter but basswood has a reputation of getting DINGed easily, or causing the finish to crack (i think this will happen if wood is not dried well) . But most people prefer alder for a body due to it's weight and highs (tone that is). Try to google alder and basswood.

Since you're going for blues, you may consider strats with tex mex or texas special pickups.
 
If you intend to own it forever, i would suggest Fender Strat Highway 1.
The satin finish will wear very nice over the time like SRV's :D
 
Last edited:
hi, if i had a budget of SGD 1400, Id suggest to just get a 2nd hand MIA Fender Strat, it should cost around there, or just slightly bit more than a brand new CIJ strat. furthermore, if u decide to quit guitars, the resale value would be better too(correct me if Im wrong).

I know some older beginners who can only barely finger chords and cant strum well, but their guitars are above $2k. At the end of the day, you may be spurred on to play more if your guitar makes you feel special imho.

If you get a really low-end guitar now, and while learning to play it, you might think that the challenges you face might be because the guitar is not "good" enough and etc whatever excuses one can think of ..., and that you need a better guitar(it happens...we always blame the gear hahah), and then you'll end up paying more for a better guitar and the cycle keeps repeating and repeating itself. And then next thing you know, you're 40 , with too many expensive guitars ,with too many post counts on soft.com... but the passion will be stronger than ever.hahah good luck!

P.S

2nd hand MIA guitars may be risky if you do not know what to look out for when buying one, but same goes with 1st hand ones too.
 
so ask u all guys..if I looking for a brand new Strat, which one is the best? CIJ, MIJ or MIM?

I think I won't go for used guitar unless they are really in mint condition. Never know what might goes wrong in future.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
WTS: Fender Custom Shop Ltd Ed Red Hot Super Heavy Relic Stratocaster
Replies
0
Views
579
sirin
S
W
Band Looking for Bassist and Vocalist
Replies
0
Views
276
whatever
W
A
2018 Fender Custom Shop Michael Landau '63 Stratocaster Masterbuilt by Jason Smith
Replies
2
Views
2K
ATProdigy
A
Z
Fender American Vintage 52’ Telecaster
Replies
0
Views
2K
zakvalkyrie
Z
E
1983 Fender Stratocaster Elite (For Sale / Trade)
Replies
0
Views
953
ephan
E

Latest posts

Share this page

Back
Top