First picked up a guitar a year ago and have been learning on an acoustic but my intention was always to get an electric. It will be a Fender Strat because of Mr Hendrix and Wayneās World and frankly I just love the look of them. I may never buy another Strat so my question is which series? Basically what is worth paying more for? Player looks good but is it good enough or should I go Player Plus, Pro, Performer Ultra Luxe? Iāll never be in a band and not sure Iāve got the patience to tune a floating bridge.
Oooh, Iāll get my popcorn.
Seriously though, thereās no right answer. Thereās a real law of diminishing returns at play here. The Squire series make great guitars which might serve all your needs and never look back. From there every price point gets some upgrades, but you pay significantly more for each ālevelā. Having a āmade the the USAā stamp means a lot to some people who are willing to pay more for that.
FWIW, Iāve got both ends of the spectrum (Squire and silly high end) and sure thereās a difference, but itās not as large as the price might lead you to believe.
If you possibly can, get to a shop and try some out.
One last thought, if you secretly have your heart set on a particular model or feature then in my experience (and assuming you can afford it) then I would go for that, because youāll always be looking over your shoulder thinking āI should trade upā.
Oh, and another last thought (?!) ā¦ I always buy second hand if I can. Much more value for money, and a possibility of getting more of your money back if you ever sell.
ps - I donāt have any issues tuning a floating bridge, but if you donāt like it, then set it up with 5 springs and itās wonāt be floating!
Vintera Road Worn has a lot of appeal for me.
I have a hard time with the upper end, stupid money for a bolt-on neck guitar so Ultra and the like donāt do it for me.
I guess the thing is as well with getting a Squire, you could always do some upgrades yourself along the line if you wish to. A great way to gain guitar knowledge.
For me I would only ever pay that sort of money for a guitar if I was making a living from it.
Welcome to the community, Graham. Why donāt you pop on over to here and introduce yourself and spill some of your backstory.
I really would agree with the buy second hand idea, you can get a lot for your money. I have a Squire and a Fender Clapton Strat. One thing I will say though is, if you can try a few out at a shop as the neck shapes among the strats can be quite different. The older types seem to have a narrower neck than the later versions. There is not a lot of difference, but you might find you prefer the thicker neck than the narrower neck, especially coming from an acoustic.
Yes, the Player series is good enough. In the Fender line itās probably a sweet spot as far as value for the money.
(Doesnāt sound like youāre on a tight budget, but Squire Classic Vibe is good value for money on the budget end of the spectrum.)
You can certainly go for more expensive strats, too ā nothing wrong with that. And the quality does usually increase with the price, but understand that you get diminishing returns on the higher end of the price range. That is, a $2000 guitar is 100% more money than a $1000 guitar, but itās not 100% better than the $1000 guitar. With that said, my advice if you want an expensive strat that is within your means is to just get it. āI can afford it and I want itā is a valid justification.
A year in with guitar, it would be highly unusual if you buy your only-electric-forever-guitar. There might be things you like, and others you donātā¦ my first electric was a Squier strat, and after a year or so of that decided I would prefer a fixed bridge so ended up with an HH Tele.
You can always change your mind and get something else. Keep or sellā¦ etc.
Lot of good points so thanks for that. Initially I was keen on the Made in USA but it does come at quite a premium and I have heard good things about the Mexican models so Iām leaning that way now. I hadnāt really considered upgrading components (which is crazy as Iām a cyclist and doing that all the time) but that makes the decision a bit easier. Player Series is looking better all the time. Comments on floating bridges is interesting but if Iām honest I wouldnāt really need it (and Player doesnāt have it anyway).
āYou can always change your mind and get something else. Keep or sellā¦ etc.ā
Good point. Iām always selling my old tech etc. so thatās definitely an option.
" my advice if you want an expensive strat that is within your means is to just get it."
Many people have said this and I agree as itās very likely to make me just want to pick it up and play it.
" buy second hand idea, you can get a lot for your money. I have a Squire and a Fender Clapton Strat. One thing I will say though is, if you can try a few out at a shop as the neck shapes among the strats can be quite different."
Second hand IS a good idea as is trying several in a shop. I live in the Lincolnshire Fens in the UK which is a bit like the Great Plains in the US & Canada. Its been described as a bit of a cultural desert and guitar shops are a bit few and far between. However they do exist and maybe I should make the effort to seek them out. As for neck shapes a thinner one might be a good idea for my little stubby fingers.
āWhat price range are you considering? And does it have to be a Fender, or just a Strat-type?ā
I am pretty flexible on price but value is still important and donāt want to buy something that is way beyond my ability just because I can. I want to play it. And āyesā I do wanāt a Fender. Itās just something I want
Hello Graham.
Welcome to the Community.
Wanting a Fender (not a looky-likey) is a fine desire. Choosing the model is a minefield as there are so many.
Although you are instantly dismissing some quality instruments - including G&L which Leo Fender designed and made after he leftt he Fender company. G&L Legacy = Strat for all intents and purposes, at a lower price point. Check the Legacy Tribute.
You need to consider amplification too and factor the balance of guitar and amp to a total budget.
All Strats have a floating bridge - unless they are specifically designed and sold as āhardtailā (which are few and far between).
Second hand is a great way to go - there are hundreds and thousands of Strats on ebay, marketplace, reverb etc.
ā¦ they are all typically set up to float at the factory , but they can all be set up to not float by adding springs / screwing in the claw.
The best reason Iāve heard to not have float is when playing a bend alongside another note. Bending a note on a floating bridge will cause a little detuning of all other strings. Itās not typically dramatic, but can be heard.
Indeed. Including the Player series.
The design feature can be totally bypassed if the bridge is ādeckedā by tightening the spring screws or adding more springs or inserting a block of wood cut for the purpose. And not inserting the tremolo arm.
I have always decked my Strat bridges.
Re: All Strats have a floating bridge. Probably my misunderstanding reading specs online where some specify a floating bridge and some donāt mention it. I understand they can be decked. Maybe Iām overthinking it.
It seems the best advice is to get to a shop and try a few before deciding so thatās what Iāll do.
If you are serious about never buying another then you should go to the Custom SHop and get what makes you happy. The quality will be there and you will be happy for the next 50 years.
Why donāt you pop on over to 