I need a little advice...

[dubstyle5000]

I don't know too much about guitars but I'm finally buying a decent one and I was hoping some of you guys had some advice for me. I was looking at either a MIM Strat, or an American Strat. I can afford the American but I'm not sure it's worth the extra 600 bucks or so. I can tell it's a better guitar but I'm tempted to buy the MIM and spend the rest of the money on a new amp.

Then I found a used G&L for $500. Do any of you have a G&L? It seems like a really nice guitar and a worthy comprimise between the MIM and the American. I don't know anything else about the G&L in terms of what model it is. It's a little dinged up but it plays nice. I'm going back to the store today to take another look and possibly buy it.

Anybody have an opinion on this?

Thanks in advance.

[Armistice]

Check the resurrected Fender vs G&L post for info on G&L. If you like the G&L better than the others to play, I'd buy it and spend some money at a good luthier's getting whatever can be fixed, fixed. It's probably better than the MIM Strat and many would argue it's probably better than the MIA Strat as well.

I've never played one, however.

Just My $0.02

Cheers

[IronFlippy]

What kind of music will you be playing with it? Tell us a little about your playing style. Maybe a strat isn't right for you? Do you ever plan on selling it?

[jfrog]

G&L's are nice guitars, but they don't sound the same as Fenders. I recently bought a MIM Tele, after trying Tele's & G&L's. The MIM is good quality (as the G&L's appeared to be) and sounds great. both are cheaper than the MIA Fenders. Try them out & see what sounds the best to you. Spend the extra $$ on an amp.

[jfrog]

Since you're looking at Strats...check out the Nashville Power Tele or the Deluxe Nashville Tele...they have 3 p/u's and switching like the strat, but sound "punchier." I haven't touched my strat since I got it.

[astoebe]

if you like how the G&L plays go for it, guitars will play different. you might want to find out what kind of wood it is made out of and other details...

what is your skill level? if you shop around you'll find a good MIM strat that you will like, but if you are using this as a workhorse and playing lots of places you might want to spend some time shopping around to find a quality MIA strat

I personally am not a huge G&L fan, but many would disagree with me...buy the guitar you feel most comfortable paying for

[dubstyle5000]

Thanks for the help guys. I play mostly blues and rock but also the occasional reggae. I'm probably looking for one of the last guitars I ever buy (famous last words) so I want something pretty nice. I think I'm just going to go by feeling.

Strangley, I played a Squire the other day that I really liked. It's almost as if I didn't buy it just becasue it was so cheap. Is that ridiculous? Seems so.

[Clive Hugh]

Some of the early Squires were made in Japan and they were good quality, from what I've seen with the newer ones quality varies from instrument to instrument but I would personally steer clear of them as I haven't a clue what they are made of.
I played a very nice MIM Tele a while back and as everyone will tell you - find one that feels good and get it.

[Moonrider]

Originally Posted by dubstyle5000

Then I found a used G&L for $500. Do any of you have a G&L? It seems like a really nice guitar and a worthy comprimise between the MIM and the American.

Playing my MIM Fender Tele is like getting a warm, friendly hug from a world reknowned model.



Playing my G&L ASAT is like having lustful, crazed, hot, sweaty sex with the unknown babe next door that leaves you spent, exhausted, maybe with a few scratches or love bites, and oh so satisified.


Guess which one I spend MY time with.

[travelin travis]

I have owned all three, mexi strat, american strat, and G&L legacy strat.

The mexi feels like a cheap guitar (which it is) and the sound is subjective. The G&L and american strat are both well built, solid guitars. If you can find a good deal on an american, I would get it. The resell value is better than a G&L and it plays and feels alot better than a mexi. I know you said that you're looking for a lifetime guitar but obviously you have'nt had alot of playing time on strats and you may end up wanting something a little different or just different all together later on. If you are set on a strat and don't give a damn about resell value, the G&L legacy's are just as good as an american strat.

Above all else is how the thing sounds and plays to you.

Just to confuse you on what I said above, the mexi strat that I owned was my favorite of all three of those guitars that I owned. Go figure........