Standard Strat..relabeled Squier?

[Shoeman]

I'm looking for a Strat in the near future and see that prices have come down since I was in this game many years ago. The standard strat is all I'm after, but are they any good still or a NAFTA cheapo? I know Fender has a more expensive line, but I don't need better wood grain and I don't play out with it so if the standard plays well it'll be all I need.
Anybody got one of these in the last few years?

 

[gvarko]

Bought one a year ago

I bought one just before the Highway 1's came out. I think the quality is excellent for a guitar in that price range, probably the best out there IMO. That said I would probably have bought a Highway 1 since they are only a few hundred more and are USA made. I have since sold that standard, but I still have a 92 standard that I will never part with. Worn in like an old shoe if you know what I mean...

 

[bongolation]

Re: Bought one a year ago

I would probably have bought a Highway 1 since they are only a few hundred more and are USA made.

The H1 Stratocasters are only very dubiously "USA made." Most of the parts are MIM or MIM-grade. It's very similar to a MIM '70s Classic in terms of the component parts. The pickups are MIM and the entire "pickguard assembly" is built in Ensenada.

Funky finish and final assembly is done in the US.

 

[Shoeman]

Umm.. What's a MIM? It's been 20 years since I last bought a guitar (Schecter bodied P-bass with a mid '70's Fender neck and Dimarzio's, before Schecter sold complete instruments) and I stopped reading Guitar Player a long time ago too. Last Strat in my possesion was a late '70's model. They were about $800 back then as I recall.
So some of this stuff is new to me.

 

[AcidRain]

Umm.. What's a MIM?

Made In Mexico

 

[Shoeman]

So I'm guessing the standard strats are all MIM.

 

[kid klash]

So I'm guessing the standard strats are all MIM.

Yes, they are, but IMHO, they're damn good guitars for the money. There's NO comparison between a Standard Strat or Tele and a Squier "Strat" or "Tele"... the Standards today are truely amazing, even compared to the Standards built a few years ago... much better hardware, finish, assembly, tone, frets, setup, everything. New, off the wall at GC, they're running around $349. Try one out and you'll see what I mean. There's no reason to buy a cheap, "look-alike" copy (including a Squier) of a classic.

 

[AcidRain]

Yes, they are, but IMHO, they're damn good guitars for the money. There's NO comparison between a Standard Strat or Tele and a Squier "Strat" or "Tele"... the Standards today are truely amazing, even compared to the Standards built a few years ago... much better hardware, finish, assembly, tone, frets, setup, everything. New, off the wall at GC, they're running around $349. Try one out and you'll see what I mean. There's no reason to buy a cheap, "look-alike" copy (including a Squier) of a classic.

Well said.

 

[Shoeman]

Cool. That's what I needed to hear. I'm gonna audition one Tuesday after hearing this.

Thanks!

 

[Charva]

I have a Mexican 70's reproduction Strat. What a wonderfull guitar. It plays like buttah!

I have played the more expensive strats and if your lookin for bang for the buck, the MIM's are the way to go. Charva

 

[mixmkr]

I've got a mid 80's American standard Strat, and my MIM strat of the late 90's is reeeeaally close in many ways. I give a two thumbs up the the MIM strats nowadays.

 

[fruney]

I have American Strat 1991. I was once scared that it was a dog of an axe. But that is all behind me now. I have played other US and many many of my friends mim's and squier's. They are good guitars for beginners, but not comparable to a good US. The basic sounds are there (very there) , but the subtleties of tone are not.

 

[gvarko]

True

I have American Strat 1991. I was once scared that it was a dog of an axe. But that is all behind me now. I have played other US and many many of my friends mim's and squier's. They are good guitars for beginners, but not comparable to a good US. The basic sounds are there (very there) , but the subtleties of tone are not.

But nothing that a change of pickups can't fix...

 

[Shoeman]

I agree. As long as the neck and action are good and you can get the intonation etc. set up to your liking, the electronics part is a breeze to modify. This goes for any guitar/bass, not just the MIM stuff and the like.

 

[pennylink]

I have a MIM Strat made in 2000. It has a poplar body, but I think the newer ones use alder now, which is a harder tone wood than poplar.

The neck is excellent and it has great action. Some of the hardware isn't quite as good as the USA-made Strats, but really nothing you can't live with. I would definitely recommend it to anyone on a budget.

The weakest part I found were the pick-ups, but I replaced those with Kinman Blues (I know, the pick-ups cost as much as the guitar, but it has given me a great sounding and playing instrument for under $700).

 

[Shoeman]

I ordered a Standard today. White w/maple neck. Gonna look great on the stand next to my P-Bass.
Thanks for all the input!

 

[kid klash]

I ordered a Standard today. White w/maple neck. Gonna look great on the stand next to my P-Bass.
Thanks for all the input!

Congrats!!!

 

[Shoeman]

It came in today. Have not plugged it in yet, but over finish looks nice. The neck is not as nicely cleared as my old ones were, but for the $$ it appears to be a good value. Live audition later tonight!

Geoff