Best Strat style guitar for $2,000-ish

[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.

 

[stratotone]

Fender Eric Johnson signature strat.

 

[TheMagicEight]

LOVE my Fender Custom '56 Reissue. They can go for under $2k used. Something about nitro finishes really does it for me. Loved my Suhr when I had it, but I bond a little better with the Fender.

EJ as mentioned is great too.

 

[Tone Zone]

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.

 

[hawkeye17]

For that kind of money I'd go for a Fender Custom Shop from Wildwood Guitars. Something like this:

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electric ... r45277.php

or this if you want something for a little less money:

http://www.wildwoodguitars.com/electric ... e04022.php

 

[Ayrton]

Vintage HotRod strat is another choice.

 

[threadkiller]

G and L ? A little different tone but a good one.

If you buy a Fender, even the custom shop stuff, I suggest you play it first. Goes for any brand really but Fender especially IMO

 

[Lance-a-not]

-

 

[Ventura]

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.

I'd keep my eyes out for a used Suhr, classic models...there's a mess of them on the net. I picked up a new Suhr S4 - the single coil performance is outrageously sweet. In fact, if it was stuck on the single coil neck position for life, I think I'd love it all the same

V.

 

[roodboy]

Tyler studio elite

 

[Gitfiddler]

check out stratboy's videos with his g&l. less than $2k too

 

[JimmyDoomsday]

i'm partial to G&L myself. and tom anderson guitars *swoon*

 

[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.

 

[sdrootsman]

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/prod ... sku=580421

 

[TheMagicEight]

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!

 

[Chubtone]

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.

Well, this is a gear forum. We can't be bothered using just regular guitars. We have to have something that is hard to get or built in small numbers. Something that one person every third gig will know what it is and ask about it. Something that not a single person at the gig or listening to the recording will be able to tell the difference between the $2k one and the $1k one. Plus, some of these production line guitars can give guys like us with delicate skin a rash. You wouldn't want that now, would you?

I recently saw local hero Kurt James play a gig. Kurt is the guy that replaced Yngwie in Steeler and is a monster and a great tone guy. He was just tearing it up and had great heavy rock, strat tone. I went up closer to take a look. He was using early 80's, MIJ Squier strats. After the gig I asked him what was up with that and why he wasn't using his vintage strats and he said that he loves those early 80's Japanese Squiers. And he probably buys 6 of them for $2k.

 

[Gitfiddler]

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.

Well, this is a gear forum. We can't be bothered using just regular guitars. We have to have something that is hard to get or built in small numbers. Something that one person every third gig will know what it is and ask about it. Something that not a single person at the gig or listening to the recording will be able to tell the difference between the $2k one and the $1k one. Plus, some of these production line guitars can give guys like us with delicate skin a rash. You wouldn't want that now, would you?

I recently saw local hero Kurt James play a gig. Kurt is the guy that replaced Yngwie in Steeler and is a monster and a great tone guy. He was just tearing it up and had great heavy rock, strat tone. I went up closer to take a look. He was using early 80's, MIJ Squier strats. After the gig I asked him what was up with that and why he wasn't using his vintage strats and he said that he loves those early 80's Japanese Squiers. And he probably buys 6 of them for $2k.

i have a late 80's MIJ squier with all the "vintage" appointments: yellowed pickups, rusted bridge, and a funky smell. since it's late 80's and not early 80's, i'll knock off $600 and sell it to you for $3500

 

[Ventura]

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.

Well, this is a gear forum. We can't be bothered using just regular guitars. We have to have something that is hard to get or built in small numbers.

How very sad AND true...

V.

 

[70strathead]

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.

Well, this is a gear forum. We can't be bothered using just regular guitars. We have to have something that is hard to get or built in small numbers. Something that one person every third gig will know what it is and ask about it. Something that not a single person at the gig or listening to the recording will be able to tell the difference between the $2k one and the $1k one. Plus, some of these production line guitars can give guys like us with delicate skin a rash. You wouldn't want that now, would you?

I recently saw local hero Kurt James play a gig. Kurt is the guy that replaced Yngwie in Steeler and is a monster and a great tone guy. He was just tearing it up and had great heavy rock, strat tone. I went up closer to take a look. He was using early 80's, MIJ Squier strats. After the gig I asked him what was up with that and why he wasn't using his vintage strats and he said that he loves those early 80's Japanese Squiers. And he probably buys 6 of them for $2k.

Yep exactly Kurt. The early Jap 80's Squiers were the shit. Trower was also also playing those in that period. I owned a couple of them actually and sold them like a dumb ass. the necks were unbelievable. As much as I'm a Vintage Fender Strat snob, You can buy a good new Fender Strat at any music store at a reasonable price and get SRV and Jimi tones as long as you dont butcher it and slap humbuckers in it which defeats the purpose in acheiving those traditional tones. IMO

 

[Meathead]

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.

Well, this is a gear forum. We can't be bothered using just regular guitars. We have to have something that is hard to get or built in small numbers. Something that one person every third gig will know what it is and ask about it. Something that not a single person at the gig or listening to the recording will be able to tell the difference between the $2k one and the $1k one. Plus, some of these production line guitars can give guys like us with delicate skin a rash. You wouldn't want that now, would you?

I recently saw local hero Kurt James play a gig. Kurt is the guy that replaced Yngwie in Steeler and is a monster and a great tone guy. He was just tearing it up and had great heavy rock, strat tone. I went up closer to take a look. He was using early 80's, MIJ Squier strats. After the gig I asked him what was up with that and why he wasn't using his vintage strats and he said that he loves those early 80's Japanese Squiers. And he probably buys 6 of them for $2k.

When a guitar sounds great and feels like home, grab it.
My drummer has a mid 80's MIJ Sunburst Squire that I used on some rehearsals. I wasn't expecting much from it, I just was glad I didn't have to bring my own guitars out. I was so surprised how great it played and sounded and it was completely stock. I asked what he wanted for it, but he wouldn't sell it.
I find the Road Worn Series strats and teles are a great bang as well for the buck at under $1000. Every one of them I've touched has played and sounded great. No need to swap pickups or change anything about them, I even dig the vintage tuners.