Best Stratocaster copy?

[_MKK_]

Hi to all..
I'm happy with my Ibanez, but now i'm searching something with fatter neck to play different genres without spend a lot of money (I'm ready to change the pickups).
The question is..what is the best strato copy to buy, also in the used market?
Thanks!

[rty13ibz98]

new mexican strats are really great. only thing that sucks is the pickups. i have a deluxe players strat that i adore. they can be had for around $500 in the used market. regular mexi's are around $300 used. make sure you get the newer mexi's. alder and big steel trem block are a huge difference in the days of poplar and zinc.

rich

[alex10]

Uh....
he said Strat copies
The yamaha pacifica range is pretty good

[m3csl2004]

tokai

[elcid]

Originally Posted by alex10

Uh....
he said Strat copy's

Actually I think it was Strat copies.

[Jing]

suhr .

[Dee]

An older MIJ Squier might be worth looking into. Tokai too, of course.

[jim777]

The better question might be "I have X amount of dollars and am considering Strats and copies as well, what's my best bet?"
Just a thought...

[_MKK_]

Originally Posted by jim777

The better question might be "I have X amount of dollars and am considering Strats and copies as well, what's my best bet?"
Just a thought...

That's a good point.
I'm searching for some cheap guitar (i've a rg2550 on the way..), so maybe used it's better..
There's million of brands that offers cheap strato-clones, i was thinking that maybe amongs them there's something good (pickups excluded)

[rty13ibz98]

Originally Posted by jim777

The better question might be "I have X amount of dollars and am considering Strats and copies as well, what's my best bet?"
Just a thought...

that's what it should state. considering the used market...and price for a copy. you may as well get one with fender on the headstock. if you decided that you weren't into it. you can get what you put back into it-generally. for me, i wouldn't drop alot of cash into strat clone unless it is just a crazy deal like the fernandes i got. but those deals are few and far between.

rich

[ryanb]

I think you are going to have a hard time finding a better price on something of equal or better quality than a recent Mexi Strat -- particularly a used one. Those are pretty darn good guitars for the money. Why buy a copy when you can have the real thing? But there are plenty of other good deals out there too.

[bluealien]

Actually my 2006 MIM Deluxe Strat played and sounded better than the 10 USA Strat models I tried at the time. However I did have to adjust the neck while at the store - heheh

[NeglectedField]

In terms of cheapo strat copies, if Yamaha Pacificas don't count...

My mate's black Aria strat copy was pretty good, probably good to stick a hotrail in the bridge.

[LuredMaul]

I have a Newer MIM Strat (Blue Agave) that I scalloped and put a brass nut on (ala Yngwie) then put a Tone Zone Single in the bridge ( ala Fender Vintage HotRod )

It blows away the old 90`s Malmsteen signature I once owned in Every aspect ( yes I know the TZ is 20 times hotter,but even with HS3`s in it.....same thing)

[jazzedout]

You also might want to consider the Levinson Blade Texas Standard Pro. Bought one new for appr. 500 euros. Excellent craftmanship, very lively sound (even unpluged), very nice pickups as well, along with an active circuit that can be used for boosting up bass+treble, midrange or left passive. There is also a cheaper model without the active circuit, but with the same very nice pickups (I think it is called vintage 62 or something).
IMHO it stands face to face with the american strats. (everytime I say this I feel a little strange, because people might think I am saying this lightly, but try one and you'll see).