Help with Strats.

[toejam]

of the MIMs, my fave is the Deluxe Player. medium jumbos & a flatter radius - feels almost like my Models....

The Deluxe Player is a great guitar. Why did I get rid of mine again?!?

[toejam]

Other than the electronics that are somewhat better on the USA's (debatable, but swapping is easy), I like the MIM's better. I like maple necks and personally like the lighter clear satin, less glossy MIM finish over the USA "vintage" (yellower looking) glossy finish.

My '01 USA Double Fat Strat has a matte satin finish on its neck.

[broken_fusion]

I started out looking at Mexi strats.Played a few. Some were ok.some were bad. I played a few USA models.They were nice but I tried this USA deluxe that was incredilble. Then I tried a few more Mexis and it just wasn't the same. I had to have it Its now my favorite. I don't know if its just the setup or what but there was a difference between every one I played. I couldn't find a mexi that I could live with or I would have bought it. I wanted a hum in the bridge but didn't like any of them that I played. I bought this one and I put a Dimarzio fast track 2 in the bridge.Love it! The satin neck is heavenly. S1 switching option is great as well.

[Hellbat]

If you are willing to look at stacked/single size humbuckers, I'd recommend checking out the Billy Corgan sig below. Spec-wise I like the features. (Big headstock, fixed bridge, nitro finish, stacked buckers.)
http://www.fender.com/products//sear...tno=0115002806

[Grandturk]

My preference is maple boarded with a bridge humbucker. I know I can swap pickups, but I'd rather not mod if I don't have to. I played a '97 California Series earlier that was fantastic, but pricey. Any suggestions for models I should look into?

I would check out the roadworn 50's. Or the Classic 50's and drop in a rail Super Distortion in the bridge.

The Roadworn got bigger frets, but I think the relicing they did on the maple board looks like complete shit. If you were open to rosewood, then go with the roadworn 60's and drop in a bucker - the 60s roadworns look 100x better to me.

If you can deal with the tiny vintage frets, then get the regular classic 50's or 70's.

You also get a nitro finish on the roadworns, if that matters to you. The regular classic models are poly.

[atdguitars]

The Robert Cray hardtails are pretty nice strats and really don't command a huge price last time I looked. I think they are either medium or medium jumbo frets though.

[Grandturk]

Musicians Friend had the black 50's road worn for $600 something (between 600 and 699 - i forget) last Friday for "Fender Friday." Definately do not pull the trigger for MAP.

[Sinistas]

If you are willing to look at stacked/single size humbuckers, I'd recommend checking out the Billy Corgan sig below. Spec-wise I like the features. (Big headstock, fixed bridge, nitro finish, stacked buckers.)
http://www.fender.com/products//sear...tno=0115002806

That looks cool - not the biggest fan of Corgan's tone, but worth a look, eh?

Thanks for the suggestions, everybody!

[84sups]

Get a Jap Strat. I've play more than a few USAs and the Crafted in Japan strats blow the USAs away in playability IMO. I have 2, an 80s with a Kahler Spyder and a Iron Maiden Strat and love them both. They both play amazingly and I have never found a USA that played as good as either of these. You may have to put a bucker in the bridge but you'll be happy with the quality and playability if a CIJ or MIJ strat.

[straycat]

I agree find an old MIJ strat and drop a little 59 in the bridge and use a 500k vol pot and off you go.The old MIJ strats are the tits.

[toejam]

That looks cool - not the biggest fan of Corgan's tone, but worth a look, eh?

Thanks for the suggestions, everybody!

I forgot about the Corgan model. Those look sweet.

[Grandturk]

Get a Jap Strat. I've play more than a few USAs and the Crafted in Japan strats blow the USAs away in playability IMO. I have 2, an 80s with a Kahler Spyder and a Iron Maiden Strat and love them both. They both play amazingly and I have never found a USA that played as good as either of these. You may have to put a bucker in the bridge but you'll be happy with the quality and playability if a CIJ or MIJ strat.

There's plenty of MIJ turds out there. Exercize caution.

I've got an amazing MIJ neck that came on a POS fotoflame body.

I had a complete dog floyded '62 RI style.

[straycat]

Good point GT stay away from the Floyd model because the used the vintage radius necks and that with a Floyd is not a good combination.
The foto flames are nice to look at only a few are worth any money.

[84sups]

The ols MIJ I have has a Kahler Spyder on it and the radius seems really flat for a Fender. My Maiden Strats seems the same. I bend notes like crazy on them and I dont fret out.

[DonP]

The ols MIJ I have has a Kahler Spyder on it and the radius seems really flat for a Fender. My Maiden Strats seems the same. I bend notes like crazy on them and I dont fret out.

Well, if it's an HM Strat the radius is 17" and yes, that is flat.