Other strat brands opnions

bammbamm · #1 03-15-2006, 02:47 PM

I'm contemplating a couple different options for a Stratocaster. (non Fender)
I'm not 100% on a Fender.
My ideal is the G&L Comanche, noone has them in stock around here as the one I want is around 1500 discounted, 2200 list.
My other alternative is assemble my own out of parts from Warmoth.

Who has dealt with either or both brands, and which way would you lean?

Another option is maybe adding a Graphtech Ghost piezo system down the road.

Thanks!

Oh yeah, anyone have experience with the Levinson Blade strats?
They seem nice too.

Rotti · #2 03-15-2006, 03:11 PM

Probably not what your looking for but I was tempted to try one of these Agile strats. Check out the specs....

Quote:

By customer request, Agile now offers this traditionally styled model with a 2 point Wilkinson tremolo.

The guitar features a solid alder body, a Canadian maple bold on neck with adjustable truss rod, a rosewood fret-board with 22 jumbo 2.7mm frets, and Grover 102-18C tuners with 18-1 turn ratio for ultra fine tuning. I white pearloid pick-guard and back plate gives the guitar a classy finished look.

Three single coil pickups, two tone controls and one volume control, as well as a five-position pickup switch give you the standard control over your sound.

Scale length is 25.5" Width of the neck at the nut is 1 11/16".

Model Agile ST-802RW LPB

For $259.00 how bad can it be? It looks good. The trem is VERY nice, it's made of alder, grover tuners. Maybe swap the pickups and electronics and make it a decent guitar.

Item number: 7397663922

**jim777** · #3 03-15-2006, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

For $259.00 how bad can it be?

The obvious answer is "really, really bad". The question should be "for this little money how good can it be?" I don't see anyone going from a $2200 G&L to an Agile; they're opposite sides of the spectrum. The Agile might make a nice guitar for a beginner to learn on, but it is not a pro level instrument.

I'd start with a Fender and replace the neck with either a Warmoth or a USACustomGuitars neck. I personally like the sound of the USA Fender pickups through a decent tube amp, and the bodies are fine and plentiful. Just pick a color, and get that one

You can eventually upgrade the trem block or any other part of the Strat you choose until you're completely happy with your one off.

jim

Rotti · #4 03-15-2006, 05:22 PM

Look at the specs, swap the pickups, electronics, maybe a fret level.... I don't think it would be that bad. Maybe someone here has actualy tried tried one.

I think $2200.00 for a G&L is grossly overpriced.

bammbamm · #5 03-15-2006, 05:50 PM

2200 is list, actual is aronud 1500 out the door.
http://www.glguitars.com/instruments...honeyburst.jpg
Tell me this doesn't look worth $1500.00 ?

**jim777** · #6 03-15-2006, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bammbamm

2200 is list, actual is aronud 1500 out the door.
http://www.glguitars.com/instruments...honeyburst.jpg
Tell me this doesn't look worth $1500.00 ?

That's gorgeous, but you'd be stuck forever with the thing in dead stock shape

As long as you like the sound of it, and can get a replacement bar just in case, that would do me!

**jim777** · #7 03-15-2006, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rotti

Look at the specs, swap the pickups, electronics, maybe a fret level.... I don't think it would be that bad. Maybe someone here has actualy tried tried one.

Swapping the pickups and electronics is at least 100 bucks. A fret level (grind and polish) in NY is $200. Now you've got 550 into the guitar, and for that you coulda bought.....

Again, great (possibly) for a beginner, but you could likely get an old 550 for less at that price point, with a s/s/s pickguard and lace sensors for it. I've got a S/S/S pickguard for a 550, and it cost me 30 bucks. Then you'd have a great strat without any tuning problems.

David McCarroll · #8 03-15-2006, 06:35 PM

If you want to spend large amounts of cash, I have to say the Suhr is hands down the nicest "strat" I have ever played, playability, tone and sheer quality were unbeatable - referenced against my own Fender Custom Shop '65 relic, the Suhr won hands down (but I'd already spent all the milk money on the Fender!) - if you can swing it, give one a try.

jaken777 · #9 03-15-2006, 08:07 PM

Blade not as good as the say bro I own one , but if you want a top strat go Bacchus MIJ they also make some very hot guitars & will not disapoint you! all the parts are made by Bacchus in house picups the lot! my bacchus strat just kills all the strats here I own & I'm thinking to buy some of there new models as well,

look in to it bro there top guitars! Cheers-Jake

Rotti · #10 03-15-2006, 08:48 PM

That G&L is nice but I don't like the pickups at all. $1500.00 sounds a bit more reasonable. As far as a strat goes I think it's hard to beat a plain old Fender Strat.

**elcid** · #11 03-15-2006, 09:33 PM

I've had a G&L ASAT and Commanche, and they were both great guitars.
The Commanche has the nicest neck I have ever seen, I got it dirt cheap because it sat around for a long time ($1025). I would reccomend a G&L anytime to anyone that wanted a great strat. You can easily get a replacement pickguard if you ever wanted to change the pickups out. Mine had the Z coils but I replaced them with regular single coils, I think the custom pickguard was like $35-40. I sold my G&L to pay for my Eric Johnson strat otherwise I would still have it.

gu1tar · #12 03-16-2006, 01:44 AM

Warmoth all the way. I've got one full Warmoth and a Fender MIM that I upgraded with a Warmoth neck. The all Warmoth is way better than any Fender or G&L or Anderson I've played.

shredfreak · #13 03-18-2006, 07:49 AM

I would try Tokai Ast-50 or some more expensive Tokai strats.

frankfalbo · #14 03-22-2006, 12:00 AM

Definitely stick with the G&L. The Comanche is not a strat alternative per se, because the pickups sound different. But even if you wanted the vintage strat sound, the Legacy or Fullerton is way cooler IMO than a Warmoth build, unless you absolutely have to keep the price down.

In the lower price range, the Tributes are really fantastic. The bridges and pups are great, and the fit and finish is as good as anyone else's Korean import. They're a great value.

My Comanche is blue burst, but the only other color I would have wanted is honey burst. If you haven't seen their HB in person, it's absolutely stunning. The burst pattern is great, and the color around the edge is deep, yet totally transparent. That's a tall order for any sunburst, and they do it perfectly every time. The colors seem to blend together "wet" rather than actually seeing the atomization, or being able to see the multiple layers of color, one on top of the other.