Fender Strat Q...

[Locarius]

Get an Epi SG or a Tele. You should be able to get either in that price range.

...or save up for an Epi Les Paul.

Just do some research and know how the Humbuckers and Single Coils sound and what you want out of the guitar.

[mangold]

if you must get a strat then get it with maple/rosewood

[kcw]

Ok Strats are crap because for one the pickups that fender uses arent very good quality. They tend to buzz more than Gibson humbuckers.

The neck is oddly shaped. Its like flat and wide which is weird for an electric guitar. Its something you have to get used to if you dont play them often.

The input jack isnt very good quality either. I have seen those kind of input jacks get torn out at concerts all the time.

The tuners arent very good which is the same as other low end guitars.

I guess if you were to get like 600 or more dollar one than it wouldnt be that bad but the lower end ones which is the ones that everyone has are pieces of crap.

[i am sam2]

Ok Strats are crap because for one the pickups that fender uses arent very good quality. They tend to buzz more than Gibson humbuckers.

The neck is oddly shaped. Its like flat and wide which is weird for an electric guitar. Its something you have to get used to if you dont play them often.

The input jack isnt very good quality either. I have seen those kind of input jacks get torn out at concerts all the time.

The tuners arent very good which is the same as other low end guitars.

I guess if you were to get like 600 or more dollar one than it wouldnt be that bad but the lower end ones which is the ones that everyone has are pieces of crap.

that was very detailed and specific. i have a question tho, are epiphones at the same price as these crappy fenders, are they any betteR?

[Locarius]

I would say yes. The only bad thing I have experienced on my Epi Les Paul is the pickup selector, but mine is 10 years old and just going now. A replacement from Gibson is like 30 bucks.

[filmdude100cms]

Ok Strats are crap because for one the pickups that fender uses arent very good quality. They tend to buzz more than Gibson humbuckers.

The neck is oddly shaped. Its like flat and wide which is weird for an electric guitar. Its something you have to get used to if you dont play them often.

The input jack isnt very good quality either. I have seen those kind of input jacks get torn out at concerts all the time.

The tuners arent very good which is the same as other low end guitars.

I guess if you were to get like 600 or more dollar one than it wouldnt be that bad but the lower end ones which is the ones that everyone has are pieces of crap.

that was very detailed and specific. i have a question tho, are epiphones at the same price as these crappy fenders, are they any betteR?

its not really even the same thing. Epiphone is around to make cheaper versions of gibsons... fender is suposed to be the good company, squire is supposed to make the cheap stuff, not the big guy fender... and youll meet many more dis-satisfied lower end fender owners than epiphone, cause when an epiphone is just ok, you knew that when you bought it, its not the gibson version, the fender is supposed to be the good one, not the "well save up more money to get the goods, but well give you fender on your headstock, thats all that matters" bullshit.

[kcw]

Epiphone isnt bad depending on what you get. But just imagine taking a $2000 Gibson Les Paul and making it out of cheaper wood crapier pickups and low end tuning knobs and electronics. Thats what an Epiphone is. I think almost every guitar company has something like an Epiphone. Its just a way for people who cant afford expensive high end guitars to play what the pros play.

But to answer the question the Epiphones at that price are going to be much better. But not the best.

[snapoffmode]

[quote="kcw"]Ok Strats are crap because for one the pickups that fender uses arent very good quality. They tend to buzz more than Gibson humbuckers.

all single coils buzz to a certain degree...(with the exception of some aftermarkets)...it's inherent to the nature of the single coil beast.....not trying to be a smart ass or anything.

[filmdude100cms]

Ok Strats are crap because for one the pickups that fender uses arent very good quality. They tend to buzz more than Gibson humbuckers.

all single coils buzz to a certain degree...(with the exception of some aftermarkets)...it's inherent to the nature of the single coil beast.....not trying to be a smart ass or anything.

their humbuckers fuckin suck too.

[Mogan]

I play an american, and it's like butter, no complaints here...

[mayersnakeskin]

I play an americsn deluxe strat hss, amazing, tuners are locking, and the pickups are silent.....they sound like they are off. Great feal. The humbucker in the bridge is awesome.

[Tranman66]

get an ibanez... try other brands. I wouldnt go with fender or epi.

[dmbguitar718]

get an ibanez... try other brands. I wouldnt go with fender or epi.

ooooo, stealing the avatar too.

[Tranman66]

get an ibanez... try other brands. I wouldnt go with fender or epi.

ooooo, stealing the avatar too.

lol i know, i am changing it, its too much like yours

[jeffro]

its not really even the same thing. Epiphone is around to make cheaper versions of gibsons... fender is suposed to be the good company, squire is supposed to make the cheap stuff, not the big guy fender... and youll meet many more dis-satisfied lower end fender owners than epiphone, cause when an epiphone is just ok, you knew that when you bought it, its not the gibson version, the fender is supposed to be the good one, not the "well save up more money to get the goods, but well give you fender on your headstock, thats all that matters" bullshit.

If you buy a freakin $400 strat you should know that it isn't going to be anything like what Eric Clapton or SRV plays(ed) and fender doesn't advertise that way. And gibson doesn't advertise Epiphones as "the crappier gibsons." So to me your argument makes no sense. I don't see why putting a different name on your low end guitars makes them better, or makes any difference at all.

What it comes down to is personal preference. If you like the way a cheap ass fender MIM sounds, good for you, buy it. If you prefer an Epiphone, good for you, buy it.

What I did when I was looking for an electric guitar:

1. Researched on the internet
2. Went to a couple guitar stores with a price range and a few guitars that I wanted to try.
3. Tried every guitar in my price range, a few below, and a few above.
4. Narrowed it down slowly and surely.
5. Picked out my favorite,
6. Paid
7. Left Store

I ended up with a Fender U.S. Highway 1 strat which I absolutely love. I paid $700 and haven't looked back since. That doesn't mean I hate Epi's though, I played a few and enjoyed them. I prefer the feel, versatility and sound of my strat though. So fuck you all who say strats suck.