Which Strat?

[wahx]

I'm planning to purchase a Fender USA strat. I would like to know which model has the flattest neck radius and the thinnest neck (for faster playing, such as Ibanez wizard neck).
My priority is the thin neck coz I have small hands. It's quite hard to find out from the Fender website myself. thanks

 

[iwantdigimon]

I'd recommend Fender Japan for thinner necks actually, as they are made for asian hands. As for USA ones, I think the highway ones should be good enough. You do have to note tho that u will have compromised tones when the neck is too thin

 

[Danelectrico]

The Fender Strat Ultra (which ran from early to late 90s) has the thinnest neck profile of all the Strats i've played. It has a 9.5" radius and very substantial medium jumbo frets. Ebony fretboard too. End result is a very playable and comfortable fast neck. Mind you it's not nearly as thin as wizard necks (which I dislike immensely), but still noticeably thinner than a regular C. I think many players from both sides of the fat/thin neck fence would be able to reach a consensus with this.

The Ultra was the high end sister model of the Plus, which shares many features. I've played a Plus and I recall the neck was similarly thin as well, but on the Plus the fretboard's rosewood and somehow the smooth and slick ebony board of the Ultra contributes to the positive overall feel.

More info on the Strat Ultra - http://www.xhefriguitars.com/page4.html

You'll see both the Plus and the Ultra show up on eBay from time to time. Here's one with a decent price but the listing is expiring like in an hour - but it'll probably be relisted. http://cgi.ebay.com/1991-Fender-Ame...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

not too keen on the lace sensor pups? just do what i did and put in a new pickguard with pups of your choice (i love the Ultra's wiring where position 3 of the pickup selector switch engages the bridge and neck pickups, instead of the standard middle pickup - great tone!).

if you're really lucky, you might be able to score one for under 1k USD but the prices on these are rising as they're becoming more collectable over time.

 

[Danelectrico]

The problem I find with the Ishibashi reissued Fender Japan models that I've played is (1) small vintage frets are used; it's a vintage profile 7.25" radius i.e. bending notes often ends up with the notes fretting out and the rosewood on the fretboard is not the highest quality around. Also, the excessive lacquer on the back of the neck just makes it sticky, slow and generally unpleasant. Furthermore the neck is not that thin to begin with, on par with a standard american C.

A highway 1 has a great neck; very comfortable profile, and the unfinished back of the neck is an excellent touch. I think the Ultra still has a more playable neck if you're looking for speed and for some reason, the fret spacings seem just a little closer than the highway 1. I'm probably imagining things, maybe that's what my fingers have been tricked into thinking for some reason or other. Probably the fretwire is a tad wider on the Ultra.

 

[Whitestrat]

I'm planning to purchase a Fender USA strat. I would like to know which model has the flattest neck radius and the thinnest neck (for faster playing, such as Ibanez wizard neck).

The smallest neck I've ever tried from Fender was form Fender Japan, and it was an ST68, with a 40mm nut.

As for American Fenders and any other strats from that same brand, you really need to go try it out yourself. They ALL differ. The construction QC is so varied, that 2 guitars from the same make and same model can end up having 2 different types of necks. I've owned 2 Fender 57' Vintage Hot Rods both with completely different necks.

But thin? erm... Fender doesn't make thin necks. a strat is not about thin... you want thin? stick to Ibanez.

 

[Whitestrat]

The problem I find with the Ishibashi reissued Fender Japan models that I've played is (1) small vintage frets are used; it's a vintage profile 7.25" radius i.e. bending notes often ends up with the notes fretting out and the rosewood on the fretboard is not the highest quality around. Also, the excessive lacquer on the back of the neck just makes it sticky, slow and generally unpleasant.

The Japan models are trying to be vintage correct. And one thing is for sure: at least they are more consistent than their American counterparts.

 

[Danelectrico]

yes they are vintage correct, but they're probably not going to work for our TS who's already stated he wants thin neck, flat radius, fast neck etc.

now thinking back, i used to have a godawful MIJ Fender HM strat - those 80's fenders that tried to cop the superstrat vibe - the neck was pretty thin on that, slightly thinner than the Ultra which i had about the same time - but the HM was probably one of the worst guitars i've ever owned.

as for consistency, I'm not sure if this helps, but i've owned 2 Ultras (one from 91 with the wilkinson nut, and the other post 95 with the thinner LSR nut) and they both had thin necks and felt the same.

 

[wahx]

Guys,
What do you think about the Classic 60's strat, is this better the highway 1 with regards to my "thin neck issue"?

 

[Danelectrico]

hey wahx, i've only tried a Classic 60s in the store so i didn't get too much time to bond with it. I wasn't impressed, i thought the Highway 1 felt a lot better though sorry I can't provide you with more details other than just the very basic first impression. Give them both a try, hopefully you'll find one for you that works! For what it's worth, the post facelift (2007+?) highway 1s with the 70s style headstock are excellent guitars - love the neck. i'd take it over an american standard any day although i'd change the heck out of the pickups for sure

 

[Whitestrat]

yes they are vintage correct, but they're probably not going to work for our TS who's already stated he wants thin neck, flat radius, fast neck etc.

No they won't... heh.

The current American Standards or Deluxes won't cut it? I've always thought the modern C to be relatively thin.:mrgreen:

 

[wahx]

hey wahx, i've only tried a Classic 60s in the store so i didn't get too much time to bond with it. I wasn't impressed, i thought the Highway 1 felt a lot better though sorry I can't provide you with more details other than just the very basic first impression. Give them both a try, hopefully you'll find one for you that works! For what it's worth, the post facelift (2007+?) highway 1s with the 70s style headstock are excellent guitars - love the neck. i'd take it over an american standard any day although i'd change the heck out of the pickups for sure

Cool. Now I have an idea which strat to look for. Do the highway 1's have a small headstock version?

btw, i dig your Glaziers instrumental.

 

[Danelectrico]

another thing - if you're really looking for a thinner neck, i think you ought to give the Strat Plus / Ultra a fair chance as that'll more likely meet your needs. Lots of Pluses floating around on eBay, for very reasonable prices too. http://cgi.ebay.com/1995-Fender-Ame...5|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318|301:0|293:1|294:50

yes the Highway 1s do have a smaller headstock version - those were the ones before the facelift in 2007, so any pre-2007 should have that. having played both, i think the upgrades and improvement in quality on the post 2007 facelift models definitely make those better contenders though.

 

[Ized]

I'd recommend Fender Japan for thinner necks actually, as they are made for asian hands. As for USA ones, I think the highway ones should be good enough. You do have to note tho that u will have compromised tones when the neck is too thin

I beg to differ from that. The Japanese necks are about the same thickness if not thicker as Whitestrat puts it, vintage correct. My friend who is used to his thinner American strat neck also commented on that. Its all about preference, and i dont have a problem with playability or the lacquer (and i used to be from the Ibanez camp, playing thin wizard necks mind you).

QC-wise, i'd recommend you go try a few American guitars and pick the best among them. I remembered trying an American standard and an American Duluxe that sounded quite average and another one sounding really good. I guess thats where you can find the "mojo"...really go try a few guitars of the same make and model and you'll get what i mean. If you are new to this get someone who's really experienced and knows his strats well (like Whitestrat) to pick one for you.....

I still find the Japanese ones the most consistent though. I can go to anywhere and pick out the model i bought and it'll have the same basic tone as my 57 even though mine has quite a bit of modifications 8)

 

[Whitestrat]

If you are new to this get someone who's really experienced and knows his strats well (like Whitestrat) to pick one for you.....

Isn't it odd that I have only one strat and 9 other non-strats? Hahahahaha...:mrgreen:

 

[Ized]

it shows that you'r really picky about your strats....or you have too many EBMMs :mrgreen:

 

[NewGuy]

You should check the 2008 american std strat. I think they are great guitars with good tone. I tried a few american standard, deluxe and also one custom shop model. The american standard qc does varies. It's best if you try it out or if you've the appetite for risk you can order online. I was lucky in getting a nice strat with a perfect neck. I really like the neck of my strat. The internal wiring of an american is also good so is the resonance of the wood. Or maybe I was just lucky. I tried some mim and cij strats and I think my mia std has outdone them in the playability and tone deparment. I'm using the stock pickups and I think they are pretty versatile.

BTW, you can't get a real thin wizard kind of neck if you're aiming for a fender strat. You can try the ESP strats at davis, the neck is a thin U shape i think. I almost bought it if not for certain factors, eg it feels good but then the relic is abit artificial and I didn't have enough time to gel with it. I think the neck was abit sticky... couldn't really recall cos I tried it a long time back but it was thinner than a fender neck. You can really shred on that ESP strat.

Oh, I also realise that after I recieve my strat, it sounded kind of dead until after a month of intensive playing then did it open up sonically. The funny thing is as time pass by it sounds nicer. It's a keeper for sure. Good luck in your search.

 

[leecs]

Ask that dude to go down to shops & try then tell us what he likes. confirm never ending for strat topics, esp neck issues. How thick is thick? How thin is thin. My feel is different from yours.haiz........

 

[Ized]

You can really shred on that ESP strat.

Funny thing is i shred better on my 324 vintage radius strat than my wizard neck ibanez :mrgreen: and i sound better too (feedback from my friends and bandmates). Neck thickness also contributes a great deal to the tonal equation i guess.

to TS:
the CIJ strats are consistent quality wise (MIAs still have some catching up to do in that dept, there's a certain reason why CIJ strats are not sold in USA) and sport better aftermarket pickups like american vintage, texas specials and so forth. Much better sounding pups compared to the stock alnico fenders and tex-mex variety. Do a search on the forum, the CIJ vs MIA debate has been much discussed before, but the general consensus is japanese strats are definitely NOT INFERIOR to the american ones.

Both have their good and bad points to consider before buying, but in general MIA strats have better resale value and CIJ strats are more value for money.

Leecs: Sounds interesting man. Looks like i need to hang out with you and Mr Whitestrat someday :mrgreen:

 

[lightice]

Please go and try as many as you can.

Necks are really a personal preference.

 

[leecs]

Leecs: Sounds interesting man. Looks like i need to hang out with you and Mr Whitestrat someday :mrgreen:

Just let me know.