Help me decide....fender style....

[zeegler]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

After seeing all the stuff available on E-bay for Strats and Strat type guitars, I would probably build my own. That way you have ultimate control over what parts are used.

I would probably end up using a Jackon/Charvel neck on an ash body with a hardtail bridge and a Bill Lawrence in the bridge position. Just my preference I guess.

[toejam]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Or get a Carvin kit and put it together and finish it yourself. They will finish the body for you for a few bucks extra if you don't want to do that, though.

[j2379]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

if your going with an ash body i would go for SWAMP ash also be specific & ask for a LIGHT PEICE. like the OLD teles, i dont know why but lighter weight swamp ash has a great sound.

[zeegler]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

My best sounding guitar as far as tone goes is my old Aria Pro II CS400, and it is made of ash and is nice and light. I often sit around playing it unplugged, because it sounds so damn good.

[charvelguy]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Japan was THE factory for a period of time when CBS sold the Cali plant. I think the MIM are "ok" IMO, but very good guitars for the buck. I prefer the Japan necks, even the squire Japan stuff is recognized as higher caliber quality. So some people grab a MIJ as they're as good or better than a standard USA. The USA's can vary, but you can score a great USA..depends on how much you want to pay..mid-late 90's used ones are pretty reasonable..400-500 range.

[ September 05, 2003, 01:32 PM: Message edited by: charvelguy ]

[kremit]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Going to Guitar Center tomorrow armed with my card. Hopefully will either buy something to make the gas go away or drop this notion and pay some bills.....it's so easy to go broke with a wife who supports & encourages your habit [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Thanks for the info guys !

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Good luck....and don't pay sticker !!! NEVER pay sticker. Make them come down and good luck

[kremit]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

I normally give the guys there a good beating [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I'm in retail myself ( [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img] ) so I usually know the right combo of words to make it happen. In the meantime, I've been scouring the Warmoth site. Some good stuff. I'll probably try and make today an educational trip and at least try a few. Might give up the idea all together once one is in my hands. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img]

[kremit]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Well....I got to play ONE...

I'm not one for being hounded by the "friendly" sales guys, but the one "helping" me today deserves some kind of award. The guy simply would not stop talking even when I was trying to play it. (mexi strat, 1 hum 2 singles). It was nice. I'm going to pick a different day this week, go back and see if I can avoid this guy. I guess this is for the best cause I really don't need to be spending the money with the shape the old bank book is in right now.... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

I have Warmoth stuff too, defanitely a step up in quality materials over MIM Fender IMO.

Here's my Warmoth body (with a Delonge neck. Its a string-thru hardtail with Invader/59 pickups.

[kremit]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Nice ! Ya know, I think my whole obsession here is revolving around a maple board. It's a change for me cause every thing I own is ebony....

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

I find maple and ebony boards to be more similar to each other than either is to rosewood. Maple and ebony are both hard, smooth, and bright. Rosewood is porous, and warm.

[kremit]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

I associate rosewood boards with a Rhoads Pro I got in high school. The most uncomfortable and widest neck I've ever played. Not to mention I think they don't look too great [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[kremit]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

Ok. I caved in today. Picked up a brand new mexi fat strat (played the floor model then made the guy go get me one in the box in the back [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] ). Burgundy color (don't know the "pc" name for it). Got out the door at guitar center for $475 including tax on the guitar, skb case, bbe sonic maximizer and 2 monster patch cables. I got the guy to bend the price $131 !! Damn, I'm so proud of myself. That will leave some room for an EMG KH-20 pickup set, some Sperzels and a LSR roller nut. I'll post pics when it's done. BTW, anyone know the best way to block the trem ? It seems a bit flimsy... [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

[TattooedCarrot]

Re: Help me decide....fender style....

I always block my strat trems. Just tighten the springs in the back until the trem is flush against the body. Then fit a block of wood in the space like a wedge and then so a setup. They usually come with 3 springs, you can add 2 more making 5 and it holds pretty good without a block, but I just prefer the block because I don't like trems.