Best Strat style guitar for $2,000-ish

[Badronald]

SRV and Jimi on a $2,000+ Strat? People recommending guitars other than Fender Stratocasters for Jimi and Stevie? Seems kind of silly doesn't it?

Fender American Standard.

Fender American Standards can be good, but many I've played have been dogs. The Custom Shop Fenders are far closer to a true SRV or Jimi guitar than any American Std.

Plus, an old beat up nitro guitar looks far better than one with a plastic finish!

Really? If you've been around a while like I have you'll have played many old guitars and while I can be nostalgic like many of us can, you'd know that many of those old guitars were pure crap. Just like many old Marshall or old Fender amps. Having read ton's of info on Hendrix, he just played standard Stratocasters. Nothing special. The guitar shop owner that sold SRV his main Stratocaster said it was a dog and no one wanted it. Stevie picks it up and BAM! lightning!

It's the indian not the arrow man.

 

[joepete77]

i've been a humbuckin fool for quite a while, and I'd like to have a guitar capable of SRV and Jimi tones. What should I be looking for now? I recently bought a Suhr Modern that I love, and I know Suhr makes great single coils. I wouldn't mind another Suhr, but what' should I be on the lookout for in the $2K to $2,500 range? I'm extremely happy with used guitars, no need to buy new.

Thanks.

One of my favorite online shops to find great gear deals is Daves guitar , they always have new and used custom shop fenders and charvels amongst others, It seems they handpick their stuff

 

[TheMagicEight]

It's the indian not the arrow man.

I don't think SRV would have bought a dog. I think he probably saw something most others didn't.

You're right though; it's definitely more the player than guitar. But why limit yourself to an American Standard if you don't have to? After all, they're NOTHING like the old guitars.

 

[Jimmie]

i've been a humbuckin fool for quite a while, and I'd like to have a guitar capable of SRV and Jimi tones. What should I be looking for now? I recently bought a Suhr Modern that I love, and I know Suhr makes great single coils. I wouldn't mind another Suhr, but what' should I be on the lookout for in the $2K to $2,500 range? I'm extremely happy with used guitars, no need to buy new.

Thanks.

Pick up a Suhr and sound like this fellow:

 

[Badronald]

It's the indian not the arrow man.

I don't think SRV would have bought a dog. I think he probably saw something most others didn't.

You're right though; it's definitely more the player than guitar. But why limit yourself to an American Standard if you don't have to? After all, they're NOTHING like the old guitars.

The guitar worked for 'him'.

I know many players love the EJ Stratocaster. I HATE the neck on those things. I'd take an American Standard with a Modern C over one any day. It's what works for you.

And anyone playing an American Standard is not 'settling' at all. My #1 Stratocaster is an American Standard (stacked Dimarzio in bridge, locking tuners and tone pot wired to bridge pickup) and it's without a doubt the finest Stratocaster I've ever played. I've played a few.

Admittedly I'm not a vintage guy. I hate the skinny frets on vintage instruments and cannot use unpotted pickups.

Whatever. It doesn't matter.

 

[Doug]

i've been a humbuckin fool for quite a while, and I'd like to have a guitar capable of SRV and Jimi tones. What should I be looking for now? I recently bought a Suhr Modern that I love, and I know Suhr makes great single coils. I wouldn't mind another Suhr, but what' should I be on the lookout for in the $2K to $2,500 range? I'm extremely happy with used guitars, no need to buy new.

Thanks.

One of my favorite online shops to find great gear deals is Daves guitar , they always have new and used custom shop fenders and charvels amongst others, It seems they handpick their stuff

Wow, thanks for the Dave's Guitar recommendation. Great site.

 

[The Hoff]

Used Tom Anderson. For sure

 

[Jimmie]

Fender Eric Johnson signature strat.

This is what I would go with too. As much as I love Suhrs, they say that if you want that "true" strat sound, that you've got to go with Fender, as Suhrs have their own type of sound that is similar but not the same. I'm not a single-coil strat kinda guy myself, but this is what I hear repeatedly. And, as most already know, the EJ strat is a great guitar. Although, it wouldn't hurt to try out some Suhrs (maybe the Pro Series C models or Classic) in your area just to see what you think of them.

have you tried, and if so, would you recommend a Suhr BPSSC Silent Single coil System? They're about $250 last I heard.