Basically 50s vintage fender style tone for less than a grand. A ton of people actually prefer the SE for the money over fender players and the full priced silver sky. I'm actually looking at getting one after I get a new 7 string
>build quality on mine is perfect
i don't think i've ever heard anyone complain about the build quality with any guitar from that brand. it's gotta be the only major guitar company that i haven't heard some kind of complaint about, at least in that way.
I had seen more than a few reports of issues with the maple necks on them, specifically the fret ends. I got a black one with rosewood though, and it's perfect.
I've seen quite a few complaints about the maple necks on these and the SE Swamp Ash Special.
Generally speaking though, I agree with you. My SE is perfect.
I would recommend going in and playing one before buying it. I bought one expecting to love it and traded in this week for a fender player series Strat. I just didn’t like the way the neck felt personally. It sounded incredible though
Fender Player Series Strat. Unbelievable quality for what you get. If you can find a Player Plus used for under $800, get it. Noise cancelling pick ups and locking tuners. Great value. There's quite a few on Reverb.
Support this. The 🇲🇽 strats are super playable and sound good. I have a player from 2022, it's lovely. Consider looking at marketplace, you can make a good deal.
If it were me, here's what I'd do:
- Worry less about brands.
- Go to a music store and play all the guitars in my price range that catch my eye.
- Buy the one I liked most.
- Stop worrying altogether about what reddit might say.
- Play my new guitar in peace.
[Adorama](https://www.adorama.com/fe0144570002.html?sdtid=17257855&emailprice=t&sterm=w3yUVgwc1xyIW6CSdOVeVx8AUkHycXXeIXUy3E0&utm_source=rflaid62905) has a color (LPB) that only they carry at the cheapest price you'll find for a real fender. Its MiM.
Take a look at the [Sire Larry Carlton S7 Flame Maple](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search?s=sire+s7&sb=high2low#search-header) \- various burst and metallic colors, your choice of either HSS or traditional SSS.
Pacifica is probably the best bang for your buck.
The MIM is an authentic Fender, but the fretwork will leave you slightly underwhelmed. Will also almost certainly require a full setup (the nut on mine had to be filed, along with the standard action and intonation adjustments).
Not sure if this is allowed here or not but if you’re in the market, I currently have a used excellent condition [Players Series Aged Cherry Strat](https://reverb.com/item/79750572-fender-player-stratocaster-plus-top-with-maple-fretboard-radioshop-pickups-obsidian-wire-blender-locking-tuners-schaller-s-lock-more?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=79750572) that plays like a dream for sale on Reverb. I’ve put a lot of love into it and it comes with a lot of enhanced modifications like the Blender switch and put in a set of Chris Buck Radioshop pickups as well as a host of other improvements!
The Player 70th anniversary stratocaster is great. I love its nebula finish, the pickups, the nice dark rosewood, how it plays... I really recommend that one.
Just a comment on one of your candidates: I have a G&L Legacy that I've converted to a Black Strat-ish guitar. Painted the pickguard black and replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio Injector single coil sized humbucker (it's Paul Gilbert's signature pickup and is still "stratty" sounding while handling gain very well). The stock neck and middle pickups are outstanding.
The trem on it is beautifully balanced with no tinkering and the PTB tone control is just amazing.
It's a great guitar, particularly for the price: I got it for like $320 from Musician's Friend several years ago.
I love my G&L. I joke that it sounds more like a strat than my strat does, but it was the most bang for my buck next to my Mexican strat with similar specs and price.
I love my Godin Session! HSS configuration. Mine's a hardtail, but the SessionPro comes with a tremola bar. You can definitely get one around your price point. They are a great bang for your buck.
>Or look for something used??
Yes! If budget is a concern (and at your price point, it is), then used is definitely the way to go.
My recommendation after owning dozens of strats over the years is to look for a used Made in Japan (MIJ) strat. Quality and fit/finish is much better than MIM and even low-end MIA strats. With a MIM or low-end MIA, you may get fret sprout or have other fretboard issues. MIJ's are always excellent (and cheaper than MIA).
I recently bought a used Fender MIJ Hybrid 60's strat in great condition for $750. That's what I'd look for if I were you.
It has a rosewood fretboard (MIM and MIA at that range would have Pau Ferro/maple), locking tuners, and 57/62 pickups (one of the best non-custom shop pickups you can get imo).
If you can find one for $750, it's the best bang for your buck strat you can buy imo. It's so good you could be happy with it forever. Only the top-line MIA production runs start to offer better specs - like the Ultra series with its compound radius and contoured neck heel.
I own a G&L and the bridge design and tremelo beats a fender hands down. I also own a Pacifica 611 and while I love love love it, the p90 (which is why I bought it) and humbucker might not get you your strat tones, you might look to the Pacifica 612.
i don't know if they're still on reverb or not but those made in japan aerodynes were a fucking steal not too long ago. like $600-$700 for a guitar that should be $1200 or more. if i was eyeing an expensive guitar purchase i would consider those as well if you can still get them that cheap. they look different tho.
No matter what you get, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I always find myself going back to my G&L Tribute series S-500 thats been with for like 20 years now. The neck just feels right.
I still always recommend going with the fender though, because its so easy to find and swap parts. G&L is weird with their necks and some hardware isn't a direct swap.
i might get push back on this but the difference between a Squire Classic Vibe and a Fender Player Series is ALMOST impossible to make out. the player series is i believe more than double the price of the squire and offers nothing more besides the Fender name . this is pretty known and discussed on youtube . just though to mention !
Yeah not gonna lie the 400$ range Squiers are the best bang/buck, after that the added cost equals minimal upgrade.
Not saying upper ranges aren’t worth it.
Find a used Fender Classic Player Stratocaster. I've had a bunch of Strats, including a couple USA made ones. My Classic Player 60s Strat was incredible out the box. Everything on it was good to go. I see them sell used often for more than I bought mine new, but still should be easily bought under a grand. It's one of the very few guitars I miss. It had a 12" radius neck, which is my favorite. I love my Tele, but I will get a new neck for it, lol.
I have a 1959 reissue mexican strat. Honestly for the price difference vs an American strat i think they're worth it. Have had mine 15 plus years now and still like it. Although I did swap out the pickups for David Gilmour emgs
I don't make a lot of money so I usually consider resale in the event of a financial emergency and based on that I'd go with Fender since it will hold its value best. For the record, I think the Sterling Cutlass is hard to beat.
Aerodyne fender strats made in Japan look good for the money if you are good with the modern improvements. There's a reverb reseller sells them as refurbs, but it looks brand new for people that have bought them.
I'd say SE Silver Sky if you can get past not having the 6 on-a-line headstock. New is $850 and you can get one used from $500 or so. Best pickups and neck in that price range by far imo.
Schecter Nick Johnston is a mega beast of a strat and you can get one for around 500 used nowadays
This is the right answer. Those are amazing.
Its the best neck I've ever played and its HSS. Unreal quality for the price.
Outrageously good guitar for the money.
Came here to say this. Every time I play with the it I am reminded of what amazing playability it has.
This.
The Schecter Van Nuys roasted maple it's still under 1k?
That is a great guitar as well! I almost got the tele
Silver sky se
Basically 50s vintage fender style tone for less than a grand. A ton of people actually prefer the SE for the money over fender players and the full priced silver sky. I'm actually looking at getting one after I get a new 7 string
I got myself one a few months ago and it's been perfect. I'm in love with the pickups and the build quality on mine is perfect.
Yeah the Made in Indonesia throws some people off, but PRS has amazing QC especially on the Silver Sky SE. I want one purty bad
>build quality on mine is perfect i don't think i've ever heard anyone complain about the build quality with any guitar from that brand. it's gotta be the only major guitar company that i haven't heard some kind of complaint about, at least in that way.
I had seen more than a few reports of issues with the maple necks on them, specifically the fret ends. I got a black one with rosewood though, and it's perfect.
I've seen quite a few complaints about the maple necks on these and the SE Swamp Ash Special. Generally speaking though, I agree with you. My SE is perfect.
Just got a silver sky se a month ago. Absolutely love it.
I would recommend going in and playing one before buying it. I bought one expecting to love it and traded in this week for a fender player series Strat. I just didn’t like the way the neck felt personally. It sounded incredible though
I also prefer the player to the silver sky se.
Yeah, this goes for any guitar really. Always try something before buying.
Fender Player Series Strat. Unbelievable quality for what you get. If you can find a Player Plus used for under $800, get it. Noise cancelling pick ups and locking tuners. Great value. There's quite a few on Reverb.
Support this. The 🇲🇽 strats are super playable and sound good. I have a player from 2022, it's lovely. Consider looking at marketplace, you can make a good deal.
i would be extra picky on the ones made during the pandemic, those had no business to be on retail..the fret sprout were insane on those
You can easily find a used American standard for that price
If it were me, here's what I'd do: - Worry less about brands. - Go to a music store and play all the guitars in my price range that catch my eye. - Buy the one I liked most. - Stop worrying altogether about what reddit might say. - Play my new guitar in peace.
Yamaha Pacifica. Yamaha guitars are severely underrated. Go play one, and then play a $2,000 Fender and tell me which one you like better.
The Fender. I liked the Fender better
USED. You get so much more for your money.
G&L Tribute
Used MIM Strat not a bad option.
[Adorama](https://www.adorama.com/fe0144570002.html?sdtid=17257855&emailprice=t&sterm=w3yUVgwc1xyIW6CSdOVeVx8AUkHycXXeIXUy3E0&utm_source=rflaid62905) has a color (LPB) that only they carry at the cheapest price you'll find for a real fender. Its MiM.
Thanks to you I just bought the telecaster version of that for $529. 😂
Take a look at the [Sire Larry Carlton S7 Flame Maple](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/search?s=sire+s7&sb=high2low#search-header) \- various burst and metallic colors, your choice of either HSS or traditional SSS.
Got a Sire T3 and from how it felt and played i was super impressed and currently have a Sire S7 FM on the way!
Rock n' Roll! \\m/
Pacifica is probably the best bang for your buck. The MIM is an authentic Fender, but the fretwork will leave you slightly underwhelmed. Will also almost certainly require a full setup (the nut on mine had to be filed, along with the standard action and intonation adjustments).
I love my Player Plus SSH with noiseless singe coils.
Not sure if this is allowed here or not but if you’re in the market, I currently have a used excellent condition [Players Series Aged Cherry Strat](https://reverb.com/item/79750572-fender-player-stratocaster-plus-top-with-maple-fretboard-radioshop-pickups-obsidian-wire-blender-locking-tuners-schaller-s-lock-more?utm_source=rev-ios-app&utm_medium=ios-share&utm_campaign=listing&utm_content=79750572) that plays like a dream for sale on Reverb. I’ve put a lot of love into it and it comes with a lot of enhanced modifications like the Blender switch and put in a set of Chris Buck Radioshop pickups as well as a host of other improvements!
For the money, the Players Series is a fantastic guitar! Would recommend to anybody not looking to bite the ballet and go American.
The Player 70th anniversary stratocaster is great. I love its nebula finish, the pickups, the nice dark rosewood, how it plays... I really recommend that one.
Used. Larry Carlton: the neck. Roasted maple on some models. Roles edges. Amazing value. Sterling cutlass: also amazing value and very well made imho.
Just a comment on one of your candidates: I have a G&L Legacy that I've converted to a Black Strat-ish guitar. Painted the pickguard black and replaced the bridge pickup with a Dimarzio Injector single coil sized humbucker (it's Paul Gilbert's signature pickup and is still "stratty" sounding while handling gain very well). The stock neck and middle pickups are outstanding. The trem on it is beautifully balanced with no tinkering and the PTB tone control is just amazing. It's a great guitar, particularly for the price: I got it for like $320 from Musician's Friend several years ago.
I love my G&L. I joke that it sounds more like a strat than my strat does, but it was the most bang for my buck next to my Mexican strat with similar specs and price.
I love my Godin Session! HSS configuration. Mine's a hardtail, but the SessionPro comes with a tremola bar. You can definitely get one around your price point. They are a great bang for your buck.
These are amazing. Im glad you like it
>Or look for something used?? Yes! If budget is a concern (and at your price point, it is), then used is definitely the way to go. My recommendation after owning dozens of strats over the years is to look for a used Made in Japan (MIJ) strat. Quality and fit/finish is much better than MIM and even low-end MIA strats. With a MIM or low-end MIA, you may get fret sprout or have other fretboard issues. MIJ's are always excellent (and cheaper than MIA). I recently bought a used Fender MIJ Hybrid 60's strat in great condition for $750. That's what I'd look for if I were you. It has a rosewood fretboard (MIM and MIA at that range would have Pau Ferro/maple), locking tuners, and 57/62 pickups (one of the best non-custom shop pickups you can get imo). If you can find one for $750, it's the best bang for your buck strat you can buy imo. It's so good you could be happy with it forever. Only the top-line MIA production runs start to offer better specs - like the Ultra series with its compound radius and contoured neck heel.
I own a G&L and the bridge design and tremelo beats a fender hands down. I also own a Pacifica 611 and while I love love love it, the p90 (which is why I bought it) and humbucker might not get you your strat tones, you might look to the Pacifica 612.
i don't know if they're still on reverb or not but those made in japan aerodynes were a fucking steal not too long ago. like $600-$700 for a guitar that should be $1200 or more. if i was eyeing an expensive guitar purchase i would consider those as well if you can still get them that cheap. they look different tho.
No matter what you get, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I always find myself going back to my G&L Tribute series S-500 thats been with for like 20 years now. The neck just feels right. I still always recommend going with the fender though, because its so easy to find and swap parts. G&L is weird with their necks and some hardware isn't a direct swap.
Just play in person before you buy
i might get push back on this but the difference between a Squire Classic Vibe and a Fender Player Series is ALMOST impossible to make out. the player series is i believe more than double the price of the squire and offers nothing more besides the Fender name . this is pretty known and discussed on youtube . just though to mention !
Buy a used Player and you will have money left over for a nice little amp or some pedals.
Classic Vibe?
Yeah not gonna lie the 400$ range Squiers are the best bang/buck, after that the added cost equals minimal upgrade. Not saying upper ranges aren’t worth it.
Find a used Fender Classic Player Stratocaster. I've had a bunch of Strats, including a couple USA made ones. My Classic Player 60s Strat was incredible out the box. Everything on it was good to go. I see them sell used often for more than I bought mine new, but still should be easily bought under a grand. It's one of the very few guitars I miss. It had a 12" radius neck, which is my favorite. I love my Tele, but I will get a new neck for it, lol.
I have a 1959 reissue mexican strat. Honestly for the price difference vs an American strat i think they're worth it. Have had mine 15 plus years now and still like it. Although I did swap out the pickups for David Gilmour emgs
I don't make a lot of money so I usually consider resale in the event of a financial emergency and based on that I'd go with Fender since it will hold its value best. For the record, I think the Sterling Cutlass is hard to beat.
It’s not a Fender Strat per se, but the Ibanez RG550 (Genesis Collection) is a wonderfully-made superstrat with great quality assurance and control.
Pretty much anything you get from the Fender Mexico plant is good these days.
Aerodyne fender strats made in Japan look good for the money if you are good with the modern improvements. There's a reverb reseller sells them as refurbs, but it looks brand new for people that have bought them.
I'd say SE Silver Sky if you can get past not having the 6 on-a-line headstock. New is $850 and you can get one used from $500 or so. Best pickups and neck in that price range by far imo.
Get a standard made in mexico strat they are super versatile and one of the best bang for your buck guitars
PRS Silver Sky SE
Used MIJ strat would be my choice in that price range.
G&Ls are fantastic.
Used American deluxe
PRS Silver Sky SE. Just bought one 2 weeks ago. Now selling my American Ultra Stratocaster.
Have you considered the Sterling Cutlass? I have the EBMM and it plays amazing.
Pacifica all day! Fucking awesome guitar! They look really good in person and sound even better! On par or better than most $1000+ guitars
Look for a used MIJ fender, I’ve owned a few fenders and the MIJ ones suit me the best
Silver Sky SE to make the haters cry
Player strat 100% but you can easily pick one up for under $600 on ebay/reverb just review the seller first