Best low cost S-Type

PaulRR

My guitar collection is predominantly made up of two humbucker guitars. Recently though I've started hankering after good Strat tones, in part inspired by Mick's custom shop Strat on That Pedal Show. I only play as a hobby at home so I can't justify custom shop prices but I'm wondering which brands/models of S-type guitar people here rate in the £400-ish price zone. New or used. Cheers!

olafgarten

PaulRR said:

My guitar collection is predominantly made up of two humbucker guitars. Recently though I've started hankering after good Strat tones, in part inspired by Mick's custom shop Strat on That Pedal Show. I only play as a hobby at home so I can't justify custom shop prices but I'm wondering which brands/models of S-type guitar people here rate in the £400-ish price zone. New or used. Cheers!

You can get a Mexican Standard for that quite easily.

Richardj

Used Fender Classic Player '60s is a very fine guitar and well worth a look, especially in Sonic Blue.

Jack_

This one looks good if you can up your budget to £500.

bbill335

Old tokai from the 80s 

ennspek

Squire Classic Vibe and loads of change to mod if you want. Fine without though for home use.

DrBob

Richardj said:

Used Fender Classic Player '60s is a very fine guitar and well worth a look, especially in Sonic Blue.

What he said !

Modellista

I got a Bacchus from here a while back for just over £500. '60s vintage something. Spectacular. 

thermionic

Jack_ said:

This one looks good if you can up your budget to £500.

He wants a Strat, not a Jaguar.

Classic 50s or 60s definitely worth a try as well.

usedtobe

If it was my money, classic player!

Jack_

There's a 50's Classic on here at the moment in Surf Green for £325.

http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/93636/fs-surf-green-classic-50s-strat-price-drop#latest

Whitecat

Are any of those stupid cheap Levinson Blades left on eBay? Would be worth a look. HSH though I think, so not super traditional but high bang-for-buck. Search this forum and you can find a link under a PSA headline. 

thomasw88

Levinson Blade - by a country mile.  2nd hand they go ridiculously cheap.
Or if you can find a Tokai - get one of those.

both far far better than any fender you will get for the money.

xscaramanga

ennspek said:

Squire Classic Vibe and loads of change to mod if you want. Fine without though for home use.

I agree with this. When one of my students showed up with a Classic Vibe Strat, I ended up selling my American Standard because I was so annoyed his car boot sale find was the better sounding guitar.

McToot

I echo those above that suggested the 60s Classic Player.  I have had a Squire Classic Vibe and put in a steel trem block and some USA pickups and it was a belter (it was actually fine a stock too), but the CP 60s would be a step up.  

The 80s Tokais are nice too but I didn't get along with the vintage radius (7.25) - I much prefer a more modern neck shape.  

DiscoStu

Grab an 80s Ibanez Roadster. It was their attempt to out-Strat a Strat and having bought one I'd say they did a bloody good job. Brass trem block too which makes for a great tone. Bargain.

crunchman

Richardj said:

Used Fender Classic Player '60s is a very fine guitar and well worth a look, especially in Sonic Blue.

I'd go for the Classic Series rather than the Classic Player - 50s or 60s depending on your preferences on maple/rosewood board and neck profile.  It has a vintage style trem rather than the 2 point modern style one.  The vintage style ones normally sound better.

https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/0131002340/solid-body-electric-guitars/fender-classic-50s-strat-electric-guitar-fiesta-red-maple-neck
https://www.andertons.co.uk/p/5251504941/solid-body-electric-guitars/fender-classic-60s-strat-in-vintage-white

They are around £600 new so should be in your budget second hand.  Mine isn't for sale though.

PaulRR

Brilliant! Thank you everyone. I hoped that avoiding specifically saying "Fender" would help dig up a range of manufacturers, and there are a couple there that I wouldn't have checked out otherwise. 

ElectroDan

+1 for Levinson
There's a HSH brand new on Ebay now.. Candy Apple Red too.... Sexy!!:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEVINSON-BLADE-TEXAS-Player-in-Candy-Red-BRAND-NEW-OLD-STOCK-BARGAIN-RRP-549-/322329249979?hash=item4b0c5208bb:g:G8MAAOSw44BYKyCB

crunchman

HSH??

That's not a Strat.

Whitecat

ElectroDan said:

+1 for Levinson
There's a HSH brand new on Ebay now.. Candy Apple Red too.... Sexy!!:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEVINSON-BLADE-TEXAS-Player-in-Candy-Red-BRAND-NEW-OLD-STOCK-BARGAIN-RRP-549-/322329249979?hash=item4b0c5208bb:g:G8MAAOSw44BYKyCB

Thanks, that's the one I was thinking of above! Awesome deal.