My 12-year-old daughter (who is already a pretty good pianist) picked up guitar a year and a half ago and has made significant progress. When she was starting out I bought her a bottom-of-the-barrel Squier Bullet Strat, since I wasn't sure she would stick with it. It was an OK guitar for the price, but now that she's demonstrated a real interest I'd like to get her something better as a Christmas gift. She's partial to the Stratocaster body style, so I'm limiting my search to Strats.
I've heard very good things about the Squier Classic Vibe series, and they are right at my desired price point ($350 at MF). The main alternative I am considering would be a MIM Fender Standard Strat for $100 more.
Can anyone recommend one of these over the other, or point me in a different direction altogether?
Seeking advice about Strats
Moderator: jingle_jangle
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
Hi, I bought a candy apple red Squire Classic Vibe 60's Strat about 3 weeks ago. I changed the strings to a set of Slinky Hybrids. This is the only Fender guitar I have ever played that does not chew up my fingers. It has a very nice build quality and stays in tune fairly well. The stock pickups sound fine, too. I would highly recommend anyone who's looking for a cheap Strat to pick one of these up. I got mine for less than $300, shipped. These guitars are exceptional for the price. You can hear my new Strat on my recording of "Wicked Game" at http://beatbyrd.com/chris_isaak
All the electric guitar tracks are the Strat. The acoustic in the background is a Taylor 416 LTD.
My guess would be that the CV 60's is head and shoulders better than the bullet Strat. She'll love the guitar. Tom
All the electric guitar tracks are the Strat. The acoustic in the background is a Taylor 416 LTD.
My guess would be that the CV 60's is head and shoulders better than the bullet Strat. She'll love the guitar. Tom
It's a Byrd, it's a playin'..........
'73 4001 MG
'09 360/12 FG
'10 360/6 FG
'09 360/12 FG
'10 360/6 FG
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
If you've got a tight budget, I'm echoing what Tom said. If you love your daughter enough that money is no option, then get her one of these:
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0141100300
Simply, hands down, my favorite Strat of all time. I almost wished I had picked one of these up instead of my '62 AVRI Sunburst. Not that I don't love my guitar, I absolutely do, it sees a LOT of action, but in retrospect, if I could do it over, I'd have gotten the Classic Player, simply because one gets his bang for the buck.
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0141100300
Simply, hands down, my favorite Strat of all time. I almost wished I had picked one of these up instead of my '62 AVRI Sunburst. Not that I don't love my guitar, I absolutely do, it sees a LOT of action, but in retrospect, if I could do it over, I'd have gotten the Classic Player, simply because one gets his bang for the buck.
-
sloop_john_b
- Rick-a-holic
- Posts: 13843
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:00 am
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
The Classic Vibe 60's Strat is a professional grade instrument and way better then the MIM Standard stuff IMO. My CV 60's Strat is undoubtedly the best Strat I've ever owned and I've had vintage ones and expensive American reissues. Clearly I can't say enough good about it and everyone who plays mine is blown away.
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
pm sent!
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
Another option if you're prepared to go second hand are the Squier JV Strats - They were Fender's response to all the good quality copies coming out of Japan in the 80s.
Take a look at http://www.21frets.com/ for more info.
I've got one, bought it in 1993 and it was nicer to play than the US standard Strats that were made at the time, and a quarter of the price. It's aged well, and the hardware is first rate. Also there is a growing demand for them, so it should at least hold it's value for the future.
Cheers
John
Take a look at http://www.21frets.com/ for more info.
I've got one, bought it in 1993 and it was nicer to play than the US standard Strats that were made at the time, and a quarter of the price. It's aged well, and the hardware is first rate. Also there is a growing demand for them, so it should at least hold it's value for the future.
Cheers
John
-
sloop_john_b
- Rick-a-holic
- Posts: 13843
- Joined: Tue Jan 25, 2005 6:00 am
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
Oh yes - Jason also has a VERY good quality parts Strat that I traded to him. Worth looking into!jdogric12 wrote:pm sent!
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
Thanks a lot, guys. As usual, that was extremely helpful. I love this place.
The Squier CV sounds like just the right combination of price and quality I'm looking for.
The Squier CV sounds like just the right combination of price and quality I'm looking for.
Re: Seeking advice about Strats
I'm resurrecting this thread to thank everyone again for their advice. I just returned from my local guitar shop with a CV 60s Strat and am extremely impressed with it. It needs some minor adjustment (the low E is fretting out a bit), but the action and playability are excellent and the sound is just right. For a $350 Chinese-made instrument (less a $25 rebate!) the quality is remarkable -- as good if not better than my MIK Fender Tele, which sells for around twice as much new.
I've decided to give it to my daughter as a birthday present rather than for Christmas (her birthday is in early January), so it will still be a few more weeks until she actually gets to play it, but I think she's going to love it. I'm starting to wish I'd picked up one for myself while I was at it ...
I've decided to give it to my daughter as a birthday present rather than for Christmas (her birthday is in early January), so it will still be a few more weeks until she actually gets to play it, but I think she's going to love it. I'm starting to wish I'd picked up one for myself while I was at it ...