I don't believe it

tTz · #1 03-19-2006, 03:22 PM

I was in a fairly large guitar shop yesterday morning, looking around, trying to determine what my next purchase will be (if I'm still playing guitar by the time I get the money). I was thinking of a PGM, something like that, just a contrast to my RG550, but something that wasn't too different. I wanted something with a fixed bridge and humbuckers, so that I could downtune it easily and play some heavier stuff, since it's a pain to do that on the RG with a floating bridge.

Note that I didn't hve time to plug any of these in, I'm judging themm purely by feel.

I went in there determined to try out some Ibanez guitars, some Gordon Smiths, Les Pauls, SGs, PRS, Parkers, ESPs etc etc to look for 'the perfect one'. Tried the GS guitars, and I thought the necks were awful. Tried an OLP MM4, which I loved, a Jackson 7 stringer (hated it), an SG (didn't get on with the neck), even a cheap Parker P42 (neck was too small). Hell, I even tried an RG-something, the cubed-black finished one, and instantly put it back down, it was hurting my hand (tenosynovitis). Even the JEM555 got a brief play, but I didn't like the neck on that either (not that I was considering buying it, mind, I just wanted to pose with a JEM for a minute

).

On a whim, I tried out a Fender Strat, a guitar I knew I was going to hate, since everybody has Strats, and I'm not a fan of their tone (generally speaking). And guess what?

I'm in love - http://www.fender.com/products/searc...tno=0265106537

I know this is totally unsuitable for what I wanted another guitar for, and that every man and his dog own Strats, and I prefer to be individual...but it was just so 'right'. I suppose that's a reason why everyone owns Strats.

The Koa top and Birdseye maple neck looked great too. I'd seen pics of it before and been less than impressed, but in the flesh, it's actually quite nice. It pretty much shattered every negative belief I had about Strats. Like I say, I didn't have the time to plug it in, but if the pickups it has are any good (Seymour Duncan somethings), it's going to be high on my list of guitars to buy.

I just thought I'd share that with you all. Moral of the story? You never know which guitar feels right to you until you try it.

shredfreak · #2 03-19-2006, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tTz

I just thought I'd share that with you all. Moral of the story? You never know which guitar feels right to you until you try it.

That is very true! I used to hate RR style guitars but once I tried ESP LTD MMV(Jackson RR style) because local guitar stores salesman recommend me to try it and said it's actually nice guitar. Well suprisingly I liked it, it was very good feeling and sounding guitar and easy to play.

If you really like that Strat maybe you should get it. You can always block the trem and change the pickups.

tTz · #3 03-20-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shredfreak

If you really like that Strat maybe you should get it. You can always block the trem and change the pickups.

I dunno, I always feel that a Strat without the jangly single coils isn't really a 'true' Strat. Then again, I might as well try it and see if I like it.

**elcid** · #4 03-20-2006, 12:51 PM

I know what you mean, I picked up a Japanese 60's Custom Tele with a Bigsby because I figured I should have a tele just in case and I can't believe how much I love to play it. It's doesn't really sound right for most of the stuff I play but it plays so nice, it has found it's way into the rotation.

red5 · #5 03-20-2006, 05:27 PM

Koa? Nice!

Strats are the best practice guitars. If you can play it and make it sound right on a strat, then you're probably playing it right

tTz · #6 03-21-2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red5

Koa? Nice!

Yeah, it was a Koa top on an (I think) alder body. I didn't like the pics I saw online, but in the flesh it was pretty nice...birdseye maple neck too.

Definitely a candidate for purchase in a few months time.

Acidhouse · #7 03-23-2006, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tTz

Yeah, it was a Koa top on an (I think) alder body. I didn't like the pics I saw online, but in the flesh it was pretty nice...birdseye maple neck too.

Definitely a candidate for purchase in a few months time.

The link states Koa topping basswood. Either way, very nice guitar.

tTz · #8 03-23-2006, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acidhouse

The link states Koa topping basswood. Either way, very nice guitar.

Basswood, was it? I was sure I saw something saying it was alder, somewhere. Meh, never mind, wood type doesn't make any difference to me as long as it sounds okay.

frankfalbo · #9 03-24-2006, 10:05 AM

It looks like a neat guitar. I'm no fan of Fender, and your assessment is probably correct about Strats in general. To me it's more likely that you found the exception rather than the rule. The Koa top is just a veneer, so imagine tonally that it's a thick coat of "Koa paint" with 99% of the sound coming the Basswood. Basswood with the Duncan Alnico Pro II pickups will be very smooth and warm for a strat. You won't have to fight the brittle, thin sound typical of strats. I consider the fact that it has Duncans to be a huge upgrade. Even if you don't like them, they're probably worth more on resale than stock Fenders.

fettouhi · #10 03-24-2006, 11:29 AM

Sweet anyway

.

Regards

André

tTz · #11 03-24-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frankfalbo

You won't have to fight the brittle, thin sound typical of strats. I consider the fact that it has Duncans to be a huge upgrade.

As I say, I never actually plugged it in, but it's that 'brittle, thin sound' that tends to put me off Strats, so that could be good news.

Andelusion · #12 03-28-2006, 07:59 PM

A strat, sweet,

They always seem to push a button nothing else can touch. Lately i've been gassing after one as am really digging the single coil tone into my amp at the mo.

Definately different to your RG aswell although I don't think they'd be as suitable for drop tuning

btangel · #13 03-28-2006, 08:15 PM

I use to avoid the strat for the same reason. Then when I laid my hands on a MIM 57 reissue strat, I went on to try a player's strat USA CS, and finally bought a 1980s Japan Strat on ****. Strat's clean tone is just so unbelievable. Everyone needs to have one.

SonataGuitarist · #14 03-29-2006, 03:26 AM

A mim fat strat was my first guitar, and many years later, after so many brands and styles of guitar, I still hold it in highest regards (the Evolution helps

). Fender makes quality instruments, and their rosewood puts so many others to shame. Plus, strats have been around a while to say the least.

Impellitteri and Yng cant be wrong.
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