Best bang for your buck strat

[Fretwired]

A used Fender US strat.

I think they're about £5-600 s/h in good nick, they come with a case, and they play great and have good pickups. You could get 'better' pickups, but a Fender US Standard Strat with Fender US standard pickups sounds as stratty as you'll need. They're generally pretty consistent and they hold up to gigging fine.

Most importantly, they'll hold value better than anything else you'll buy in that price range that is also a Strat. If you want a gigging Strat and have that kind of money, I wouldn't look anywhere else. If you've got less cash look at some lower range US or higher range MIM models.

This .. done it myself three or four times. Got a great guitar for not much money.

[Tuscan777]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Godin-Prog...item337f6b02c8

£350 for an excellent guitar (probably). That one also has an active boost circuit to kick in to help you with driven tones, or to add a bit of a boost to solos.

Ooh, I like the look of that, RW fingerboard aside. Shame it;s in Wales and I'm in Kent otherwise I'd be popping round for a looksee.

[evilmags]

Given the massive growth in Gibson and Fender products in the past 15 years, I doubt Fenders will keep on holding their prices. There are tonnes of the things in circulation these days.

For a strat alike, I was utterly amazed at the quality of the Japanese Charvels. Rolled edges, nicely made, great necks and under £550 new on Denmark st.

[guitarfishbay]

There have always been cheaper (and sometimes 'better') alternatives, especially in the past two decades. I still don't see US Standards dropping in price though, they're still top of most people's lists and they've never stopped selling well in the s/h market even with all the alternatives. In this economy Fender Strats are a pretty safe bet, because people still want them.

Just being pragmatic... I'm under no illusion that it is the best guitar around, just that it is a good guitar and it will cost you just repair/maintenance/strings to have one if bought s/h at a sensible price. They sell quickly and they hold their value. I don't think they'll drop from £5-600, even if they don't rise further. That to me makes them the best bang for buck. If the new price keeps rising, the used price might slowly follow though, as this has been happening for several years now.

IMO of course

[Fusionista]

Actually those Tuscans look nice www.tuscanyguitars.com/ Never seen one in the flesh mind

[Deadman]

Forget the Strat. Get a tele!

[AuldReekie]

Levinson Blade all the way, have a RH4from 1990, Texas Vintage 62from the mid90s and an early Blade Tele. Great instruments that are so underpriced, particularly second hand

[snailspace7]

http://www.berylguitars.co.uk/studiost.html

This, yes it's called Beryl and the headstock divides opinion but they are top spec and play better than any Strat I've owned, and I've owned a few. The heel is shaped and the rear of the lower cutaway is dressed away for easy upper fret access. The body is actually slightly smaller than a Strat.

[paultheoneyoulove]

http://www.berylguitars.co.uk/studiost.html

This, yes it's called Beryl and the headstock divides opinion but they are top spec and play better than any Strat I've owned, and I've owned a few. The heel is shaped and the rear of the lower cutaway is dressed away for easy upper fret access. The body is actually slightly smaller than a Strat.

Oh my. Never heard of those, but on paper they look great. And that headstock is a wonderful design! Perfect surf guitar

[dean2371]

Squier CV 50s Stratocaster as an earlier poster suggested; and I just happen to have one for sale...