Strat on a very low budget

melod

Can you school me on what would be a passable strat for under 400?

I used to have a CS so I don’t expect miracles but I miss a strat a bit and need to resist getting into suhrs etc as I am recently favouring the Gibson scale.

mikeyrob73

This is surely worth a look 


https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/189039/fs-beck-style-partscaster-parts-prices-added

545454

With a bit of luck you might get one of the Mex Classics for about £400 - I had one of the 60s ones are it was an excellent vintage style strat (as opposed to the Classic Player with the modern tweaks, which tend to be a bit pricier). 

gazrichards

Squier classic vibe
g&l tribute
vintage brand
all good. 

You’d be lucky to get a fender classic at under £400. For £500 easily (in fact I know of a few that are available). Fender mex stds at £400 easily but I’d personally save some cheddar and go for one of the ones above and maybe put the spare into better pickups or something

robgilmo

You can easily get a Mex Standard for that. I gave 250 for this mid 90's Fender, it was a great guitar, ended up swapping it for a Baja Tele, Im not a Strat fan but that was a nice guitar.

DLM

You have posted in "Guitars £" in the "Classifieds" section, and are sure to get more advice by moving your post to "Guitar" under "Gear".

KDS

You should get a decent strat for £400. If you save up few hundred more and get a 2nd hand US G&L which is on par in my opinion to a  Fender CS, as long as you like the gloss finish and don't mind the headstock. Other than that a CV squire, 2nd hand mex fender. My mate bought an affinity tele for £129 new.... I was amazed how good it was  

KDS

robgilmo said:

You can easily get a Mex Standard for that. I gave 250 for this mid 90's Fender, it was a great guitar, ended up swapping it for a Baja Tele, Im not a Strat fan but that was a nice guitar.

that looks nice. Candy Apple Red?

DrCornelius

I’m currently sitting here playing my daughters Squier fsr bullet Tele into a tweed amp and it sounds like a bloody nice Tele .

If the Strat version is as good then it’s a bargain at about £160

Fuengi

I paid £220 for my Mexican Strat. In hindsight that wasn't a bad price. 

Spent a lot more on it since though! 

stuagu

I’ve got an earlier blade which for £400 is a better playing and sounding guitar than any fender I’ve played for anywhere near the money. 

melod

Fuengi said:

I paid £220 for my Mexican Strat. In hindsight that wasn't a bad price. 

Spent a lot more on it since though! 

Looks fantastic. Good job. 

melod

DLM said:

You have posted in "Guitars £" in the "Classifieds" section, and are sure to get more advice by moving your post to "Guitar" under "Gear".

Oops sorry! I will move it there as i originally  meant to.

mark123

You get people saying get this£400 strat, put x £180 pick ups in put £50 steel block in,£60 locking tuners etc ,or you can just realise the old cliche is right and that why it gets rolled out time and time again
"Tone is in the fingers "
And the reason it  does is because its right.....
£120 squier bullet.

slowpilgrim

Get an early Squier Classic Vibe and a used set of 57 / 62 pickups and you're golden. Any other upgrades can wait til you can afford it.

DeeTee

If the Squier Classic Vibe isn't your thing, keep an eye out for a second hand Squier Deluxe. Similar quality, more modern appointments (2 point teen etc). Didn't catch on as well, so can be had for a bargain if you find one.

thegummy

mark123 said:

You get people saying get this£400 strat, put x £180 pick ups in put £50 steel block in,£60 locking tuners etc ,or you can just realise the old cliche is right and that why it gets rolled out time and time again ,but the reason it  does is because its right.....
£120 squier through a katana.....

What's the cliche that's right?

darthed1981

Nice Squier, second hand Mexican, or FOUR Harley Bentons...

dazzajl

There are quite a few really good Strat(like) options for £400 and under. And ones that don’t need a single thing changing, which is nice of you’re not a tinkerer. 

If you play a few, one will stand out 

mark123

thegummy said:

mark123 said:

You get people saying get this£400 strat, put x £180 pick ups in put £50 steel block in,£60 locking tuners etc ,or you can just realise the old cliche is right and that why it gets rolled out time and time again ,but the reason it  does is because its right.....
£120 squier through a katana.....

What's the cliche that's right?

ha can't believed i missed it out !  " Tone is in the fingers" 

I've edited my original post ,cheers 

thegummy

mark123 said:

thegummy said:

mark123 said:

You get people saying get this£400 strat, put x £180 pick ups in put £50 steel block in,£60 locking tuners etc ,or you can just realise the old cliche is right and that why it gets rolled out time and time again ,but the reason it  does is because its right.....
£120 squier through a katana.....

What's the cliche that's right?

ha can't believed i missed it out !  " Tone is in the fingers" 

I've edited my original post ,cheers 

ah lol cool

That video sounds like balls though; as would a 10 grand guitar and amp combo when recorded on a phone from from a distance.

If the amp was miced in the normal way though, would anyone be able to pick it out from a selection of expensive guitars through expensive amps?

If they couldn't it would make a total mockery of the whole world of pursuing tone through electric guitar gear.