Help with Strats.

[Sinistas]

Alright, so I'm looking to pick up a Strat at some point, and with so many models, new and old, I'd love some help.

My preference is maple boarded with a bridge humbucker. I know I can swap pickups, but I'd rather not mod if I don't have to. I played a '97 California Series earlier that was fantastic, but pricey. Any suggestions for models I should look into?

[toxikdeth]

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-A...41-i1146719.gc This is my favorite strat that ive played. There is a couple options that includes a maple board

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-S...96-i1146430.gc This one you cant get with a maple board but...

[Grandturk]

How much money you want to spend?

$$$

[Musician78]

My preference is maple boarded with a bridge humbucker. I know I can swap pickups, but I'd rather not mod if I don't have to.

Strats with maple boards are sweet. I want one with all 3 singles though.

[Sinistas]

Sorry - I should have specified - NON American. I'd love one, but don't have the cash for that. So, better than the Mexi Standards, but not USA level.

[Axewielder]

I'd look at that Delonge Strat thread from a week or two ago. That's the one to get!

[Sinistas]

I do want the neck pickup, otherwise that would be cool.

[Dred]

If strat help is what you seek, my advice is to get something els.

Not that I have anything against strats.

[Jacksons Shred]

Make a mutt strat. Hunt down the parts on Ebay and it will be a lot cheaper.

[Grandturk]

Importance of Floyd or vintage trem or hardtail? I wouldn't touch anything MIM other than the classic series - the 50s 60s and 70s RIs.

[Sinistas]

Vintage trem or hardtail, no Floyd. Understood on the RIs. 50s maybe? Hmm.

[warlok]

Ummmm.... What the hell is wrong with the MIM's? Just curious, as the 2006 and later ones (I have an '06) are made with the same woods, necks and bodies are cut on the same machines, in the same factory (calif..), same jumbo frets, different electronics, but assembled in different places. Although I'm completely positive that the USA ones are assembled by all americans.... in southern california.... not too far from the border.... Yeah, factory is definitely all americans there...

Other than the electronics that are somewhat better on the USA's (debatable, but swapping is easy), I like the MIM's better. I like maple necks and personally like the lighter clear satin, less glossy MIM finish over the USA "vintage" (yellower looking) glossy finish. Both are EXACTLY the same other than that. For the price, there isn't anywhere near enough better on the USA to make me buy one over a MIM. But that's just my opinion....

[Super_shredder]

the classic player MIM strats are pretty nice for the money

[Grandturk]

Ummmm.... What the hell is wrong with the MIM's? Just curious, as the 2006 and later ones (I have an '06) are made with the same woods, necks and bodies are cut on the same machines, in the same factory (calif..), same jumbo frets, different electronics, but assembled in different places. Although I'm completely positive that the USA ones are assembled by all americans.... in southern california.... not too far from the border.... Yeah, factory is definitely all americans there...

Other than the electronics that are somewhat better on the USA's (debatable, but swapping is easy), I like the MIM's better. I like maple necks and personally like the lighter clear satin, less glossy MIM finish over the USA "vintage" (yellower looking) glossy finish. Both are EXACTLY the same other than that. For the price, there isn't anywhere near enough better on the USA to make me buy one over a MIM. But that's just my opinion....

I hear ya. Go with what works for you. I said I wouldn't touch them.

[VitaminG]

of the MIMs, my fave is the Deluxe Player. medium jumbos & a flatter radius - feels almost like my Models....