WTB: Something a bit special for my 40th - possibly high-end Strat?

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · February 2022

My 40th is approaching with terrifying, relentless, steam-engine-like speed. I've said for a few years that I would like to buy something a little bit special for my 40th, so now's the time to start giving it some serious thought.

I think I might want something vintage Strat-shaped with relicing (don't judge me!). Doesn't necessarily have to be a Fender (though a Custom Shop would be nice, and probably more likely to hold its future value). I'm thinking along the lines of K-lines, MB Guitars, Smitty's, Kauffmans, possibly Maybachs etc.

Main problem is that at the minute I don't have a fixed idea of a budget. At the moment I'm in the running for a fairly big promotion at work, which would come to fruition at the same time as my birthday, so I could end up in a much better financial position than I am currently very soon. Or I might not!

£1600 is the most I've ever spent on guitar, and that was a bit of a wild and reckless purchase! I think realistically, mid-£2k budget is the highest I'd want to go if all pans out work-wise (the thought of spending more than that on a single guitar makes me feel sick!), but if I can find something that tickles my fancy for a lot less than that then great.

Just testing the water to see what's potentially out there for when I might want to make a once-in-a-lifetime splurge in the next couple of months.

I would probably prefer a rosewood board, and I'm not a fan of baseball bat necks or 7.25 radius boards. Other than that, I'm open to any/all suggestions!

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · February 2022

*Clarification - I should have said initially that I'm after a S/S/S set up. I'm already sorted for humbucker guitars!

BlueStrat · February 2022

That budget will get you a Suhr or (used) Tom Anderson, Strat Ultra, so may awesome options - baest of luck choosing

liamon · February 2022

Maybe a nice AVRI Strat?

jasonbone75 · February 2022

Shame about the humbucker...

jasonbone75 · February 2022

With that little row of dip switches you get to choose if it's a humbucker or a single coil so you can run it as S S S or any combination you desire!

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · February 2022

@jasonbone75 that's certainly an eye catching guitar, but not quite sure it fits the "vintage, relic" brief!

jasonbone75 · February 2022

@Dontgiveupyourdayjob ok you got me there! But I do know how much better it plays than anything that ever had an F on its headstock

Suitably chastised I shall set up stall elsewhere

inthesky729 · February 2022

Second rec for the AVRIs, though they're all 7.25 in radius. This looks like a *lot* of guitar for the money, and aside from the maple board might be up your alley? Especially with the Abby pickups: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/218448/fender-custom-shop-heavy-relic-strat-abbys-car-upgrades-reduced-2500/p1

RevMatt · February 2022

Just a slightly out of the brief suggestion based on my recollections of my own 40th...

For a birthday like that, there is something special about getting something a little bit unique to you.Generally, I'm a big fan of buying second hand, but for my 40th I was lucky enough to have an acoustic built for me with some personal preferences included in the spec - as such, it's a guitar I will never part with no matter how bad the GAS gets.

Of course there's the budget issue and assumptions might be that a custom order would need a second mortgage, but what about the lesser known or up and coming makers?

Fraser seem to specialise in relic Strats and seem to have a great reputation and competitive pricing.

Then there's PJD who have been a regular feature of recent Guitarist reviews and again offer some custom spec possibilities at sensible prices.

All this reminds me, I get another zero at my next birthday so time to start dropping hints...

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · February 2022

RevMatt said:

Just a slightly out of the brief suggestion based on my recollections of my own 40th...

For a birthday like that, there is something special about getting something a little bit unique to you.Generally, I'm a big fan of buying second hand, but for my 40th I was lucky enough to have an acoustic built for me with some personal preferences included in the spec - as such, it's a guitar I will never part with no matter how bad the GAS gets.

Of course there's the budget issue and assumptions might be that a custom order would need a second mortgage, but what about the lesser known or up and coming makers?

Fraser seem to specialise in relic Strats and seem to have a great reputation and competitive pricing.

Then there's PJD who have been a regular feature of recent Guitarist reviews and again offer some custom spec possibilities at sensible prices.

All this reminds me, I get another zero at my next birthday so time to start dropping hints...

Yeah I have thought about the idea of a custom build, but the punitive resale values of custom builds is what puts me off.

There was a nice looking Fraser Strat on eBay last week that got snapped up pretty sharpish. It did look very nice! inthesky729 said:

Second rec for the AVRIs, though they're all 7.25 in radius. This looks like a *lot* of guitar for the money, and aside from the maple board might be up your alley? Especially with the Abby pickups: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/218448/fender-custom-shop-heavy-relic-strat-abbys-car-upgrades-reduced-2500/p1

Yes that one is on my radar. Slightly put off by the suggestion of a fat neck, but can't deny that it looks a proper bargain!

wesker123 · February 2022

I have this strat for sale. Nice guitar.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/3186326#Comment_3186326

RevMatt · February 2022

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:
Yeah I have thought about the idea of a custom build, but the punitive resale values of custom builds is what puts me off.

But if you want something special for your 40th does resale matter, as per my acoustic experience, if it was made for you you're far less likely to be tempted to sell it which over time will make it all the more special - I only say this knowing my own fickleness which would have me declaring undying love for the best guitar ever one day and then selling it the next...

A sensible second hand purchase will always feel easier to part with if something shiny catches your eye which presumably defeats the point of having something that commemorates such an occasion?

TDubs · February 2022

RevMatt said:

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:
Yeah I have thought about the idea of a custom build, but the punitive resale values of custom builds is what puts me off.

But if you want something special for your 40th does resale matter, as per my acoustic experience, if it was made for you you're far less likely to be tempted to sell it which over time will make it all the more special - I only say this knowing my own fickleness which would have me declaring undying love for the best guitar ever one day and then selling it the next...

A sensible second hand purchase will always feel easier to part with if something shiny catches your eye which presumably defeats the point of having something that commemorates such an occasion?

This is a good point.

I had my 40th recently and my family clubbed together to give me a decent guitar fund. As it was my 40th and the money was from loads of family, I wanted to get something special that I would keep. I ended up commissioning an acoustic made to my exact spec and my son is called Coda and I have a Coda symbol added to the heel stop. I always try and buy carefully in terms of guitars and prices so I can cover myself if I need to move it on. In this respect, this guitar is probably the worst investment (if you look at it cynically) but I don’t care. I have a beautiful guitar, to my spec, with a large portion of it funded by the most important people in my life!

As the poster above says, it makes it more special!

BlueStrat · February 2022

No affiliation at all but this would be a dream guitar, you could contact TA and get an SSS pickguard and pickup

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/223198/fs-ft-tom-anderson-classic-s-hss-tobacco-burst-maple-2200#latest

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · February 2022

wesker123 said:

I have this strat for sale. Nice guitar.

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/comment/3186326#Comment_3186326

Very nice! Little bit 'cleaner' in terms of finish than I'd ideally want, but very nice spec otherwise!

BlueStrat · February 2022

Just play it hard for ten years, it’ll be a true relic then

nonconnnection at all, would just love to have it myself

eatapeach · February 2022

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

Second rec for the AVRIs, though they're all 7.25 in radius. This looks like a *lot* of guitar for the money, and aside from the maple board might be up your alley? Especially with the Abby pickups: https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/218448/fender-custom-shop-heavy-relic-strat-abbys-car-upgrades-reduced-2500/p1
Yes that one is on my radar. Slightly put off by the suggestion of a fat neck, but can't deny that it looks a proper bargain!

I don't think 0.87 is an especially fat neck? It does say "Fat 50s pickups" but an 0.87 neck isn't a Nocaster neck by any means! It's a great colour with a good spec and sensible additions.......

J.P · February 2022

LSL Saticoy if you can find one. For your budget you’ll get a used one with some change and they’re awesome. Super organic and resonant, all made by hand with brilliant pickups. I’m not sure there’s better guitars for the money *shots fired*, lol

Dontgiveupyourdayjob · February 2022

J.P said:

LSL Saticoy if you can find one. For your budget you’ll get a used one with some change and they’re awesome. Super organic and resonant, all made by hand with brilliant pickups. I’m not sure there’s better guitars for the money *shots fired*, lol

Interesting suggestion. Gotta be honest I don't really know much about them but I'll keep an eye out!

Anyone know much about these, or played/owned one before?

https://www.soundaffects.com/electric-guitars-c95/rock-n-roll-relics-blackmore-in-surf-green-over-sunburst-pre-owned-p18303

kswilson89 · February 2022

Dontgiveupyourdayjob said:

J.P said:

LSL Saticoy if you can find one. For your budget you’ll get a used one with some change and they’re awesome. Super organic and resonant, all made by hand with brilliant pickups. I’m not sure there’s better guitars for the money *shots fired*, lol

Interesting suggestion. Gotta be honest I don't really know much about them but I'll keep an eye out!

Anyone know much about these, or played/owned one before?

https://www.soundaffects.com/electric-guitars-c95/rock-n-roll-relics-blackmore-in-surf-green-over-sunburst-pre-owned-p18303

Never played a rock n roll relics guitar but they've always been on my radar. Sound Affects are new dealers for Kauffmann guitars by the way, a brand I can definitely vouch for as I currently own one of their 59SC Les Pauls (which is coincidentally on commission sale at Sound Affects as I want a tele or strat). Kauffmann make a guitar that is easily on par with the Fender custom shop stuff at a fraction of the price. Also, Mike Bowes of MB guitars is one of these nicest guys I've had the pleasure of dealing with, so definitely consider his offerings as well. Hope this helps.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

WTB: Something a bit special for my 40th - possibly high-end Strat?

Comments