Used or Brand New Stratcasters ???????

Rubens Távora · #1 Jun 27th 2010, 07:43 PM

Dear friends,

Actually, I am not a solid body expert. But my son is now searching for a Stratocaster and I am trying to help him. I started to read reviews and there is some issues not answered yet; and here it goes:

The deluxe strat has more than finishing and SCN pickups against standards. What about wood? ( 02 pieces against 03 or more … makes any difference? )

The special strat is a cosmetic model or comes in first over standard? How?

How come the new American Strats 2010 models can cost the same as the used ones; if you take a look, seems really to be a original American with American Special and Alder.

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender-A...69-i1502368.gc

If you go to E-bay or any used department, the Standards are around U$ 650 thru 750 and Deluxe from U$ 700 thru 900.

What is going on? Is this only due a market strategy from Fender or the new models hasn’t the same quality anymore??? Can I go to the new models?

Thanks for Help. Rubens

poeman33 · #2 Jun 28th 2010, 05:15 AM

Rubens
If you search the forum you will probably find a discussion about each of your questions. And a hundred different opinions too! The new American Deluxe use N3 pickups, not SCN's...I don't know if anyone here has heard them yet. The deluxes have better everything, and I personally think the extra money is well worth it, but others disagree.

Rubens Távora · #3 Jun 28th 2010, 04:07 PM

Thanks Poeman, and about the new prices from fender? Regards, Rubens

BFro · #4 Jun 29th 2010, 08:07 PM

If i recall correctly, Fender dropped their prices to help spur some sales during the "recession." Unless you have your heart set on getting something brand new, you'll find a cheaper price on the used ones (as you've researched), and will most likely find one in the "like new" condition. I bought my 2008 american standard brand new for the same price i could buy a used for for at the time (a buddy at guitar center got me the sweet hookup). I dropped in a set of the SCN pickups a couple months later, and other than a few minor details, it's basically the same as the Deluxes were at the time. I might also recommend checking out some of the Players Series MIM strats. With a few simple upgrades, those things can sound and play as nice as the American series.

Rubens Távora · #5 Jul 1st 2010, 04:11 PM

Thanks for two replays. Help me! regards, Rubens

nypd8718 · #6 Jul 1st 2010, 11:44 PM

IMO I would get a nitro finish and the right neck with quality wood. It could be mim or Mia or non fender! New or used. Pick ups are easy to swap!

nypd8718 · #7 Jul 1st 2010, 11:51 PM

Also it's a buyers market! Gotta be a seal out there for u. I got my Mia STD in 2001 for a steal new at GC, but am not happy with it simply becuase I didn't know stratsr to save my life! I played les pauls for 14 years prior. I did put emg gilmours in and it reinvented for me. Enjoy the journey. PS if u like strats I love my 30 street guitars RUST strat!