the well known auction site Strats and EFTP

[mikedowns]

I have a couple of questions and would be welcome some advice. I’m in the process of looking for my first Strat and there have been some nice secondhand ones being auctioned on the well known auction site. Most advice suggests that you should try a guitar before buying and this often isn’t possible with an the well known auction site sale. If, for example, I’ve tried out a Classic 50s model and I’m happy with the action, can I assume that if I see a Classic 50s up for sale on the well known auction site will the action be the same or will it vary from guitar to guitar?
I appreciate that I also need to check out as far as possible that the guitar is genuine.

Also, I’m interested in finding out more about EFTP. Which effects units will it run on (for home use only), which effects are on the software, cost etc.

I’ve only just joined the forum so apologies if the questions seem somewhat naïve.
Thanks
Mike ;D

[BarryH]

Hi Mike,

Welcome to Charlie's site.

I fully agree with you that you should try before you buy and, as you say it is not always possible to do this. I recently bought a Fender Vintage Reissue strat from Scotland as it was the only one in stock in the country.

All guitars differ, even ones of the same model. Actions will generally be different, set to the way players like them. the well known auction site can be a bit of a minefield but you can also get some good bargains on there.

There is an earlier thread where Charlie mentions which effects will take his EFTP programmes and what each programme costs. Remember when buying the programme, you may also need some kind of device to get the programme from your PC to the unit.

charliehall.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1110

Cheers
Barry

[Deleted]

If you don't try before you buy you may be bitterly dissapointed.
If you are really serious about playing guitar take time out and go to the shops with a good selection and I bet you if you try two guitars which appear exactly the same you will find they probably wont play the same.
Tony

[olemuso]

In 2003 I bought a new Japanese `62 reissue Strat on the well known auction site from a guy in Scotland. I know I took a chance but I wasn`t disappointed. It plays and sounds exactly like my old `69 Strat (which I sold last year). But it`s better, cos it`s RED!
Now, five years on I would certainly think twice about buying an the well known auction site guitar unless I was really convinced that it was the genuine article.
Like the man said:.... "Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chance!"

[Charlie Hall]

Most of the answers have been given but I can add my thoughts.
If I was looking for a new guitar I would buy from a shop and try it first and if I didn't like it I would move on. If a guitar speaks to you in a way that you like as soon as you try it then most likely it will be a good one. You need to know what to listen for as the woods vary from one to another. You must try it acoustically as well to see if it has a nice ring and resonance. If it does not, it will work against you every time you play. If the action is higher than you like, this may not be as simple as correcting it by adjustments without further work to the frets and truss rod setting. I also prefer the sound of Fenders that have nitro cellulose finish but you usually have to pay top money to get that.
I also would avoid custom shop models at the high prices they are (even if it was the only way to get nitro cellolose finish) and I think I would be more likely to consider building a good quality replica or having someone build it for me. But to do that you have to know exactly what you want. If paying someone to do it for you, you want to choose a builder that is reasonably well known so that there is a chance of it having some value if you decide to sell later.
Regards,
Charlie

[kipper]

hi all, iv`e been away for a couple weeks holiday, so ready now to start the new year afresh. mike you dont say if you have played any type of guitar before if any. if you havent it would be hard to know what you are looking for. your best bet is to get the help of someone who plays so they can help you choose. i brought my first guitar a fender standard strat new on line. i new nothing at all about guitars so tried to shorten the odds by buying a new one, a well known make at a decent price. i had no regrets in doing this it was a really good buy. i later sold it on the well known auction site and upgraded to a mexician made strat, then a usa made one on the well known auction site. and the well known auction site is a great place to get a decent guitar but it is a bit of a gamble if you are not sure. it depends on the price a lot. going to a shop is no grarandtee as i have known first timers to be taken advantage of buy being sold top price gear they dont need to start playing. you dont want to buy a cheap copy thats badly set up as that makes it really hard when starting out. my advice would be a fender squier standard stratocaster new if possible you wont go far wrong. hope this helps peter

[tonybiker]

Some great advice is being given. And i will add my thoughts.

Go to any guitar shop and speak to a nice sales person who is going to show you a few. But it is better to have an idea what you want to do with it. Try and take someone with you that can play and make sure they know what you want to do with it. If its a Shads sound you want, then stick to a Strat. You wont go far with the Squire being suggested. £180 for a new one and £100 approx for a very new used. Its then almost certain unless you have a low budget that you are going to change it and then change it again. And I would think most members here had their first guitar a matter of months before moving onto the next. So consider used rather than new if this is the case because less money will be lost.

An interesting point is the few Hank Marvin strats for sale. This one was sold a few days ago for £480.

cgi.the well known auction site.co.uk/ws/the well known auction siteISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=260348947975

This is a good investment, you wont loose any money on one. So sometimes by paying more at the start works out cheaper than paying less in the long run.

You will also have to consider other bits you will need. Amp, effects, leads, tuner, picks, strap etc etc. And then your costs start to mount.

When you first get it and start to read the books how to play it or take lessons you will want to throw it out of the window soon after. You fingers will almost bleed after the first 20 minutes, but once you have got past this stage and swore more times than you care to remember, and we all have and still do that, then it will control you! But thats when the fun starts!

The great thing now for new players is the internet. A wealth of experience and advice is available at a click of a sent post. And never fear of asking for any advice.

Whatever guitar you buy expect to have it set up to your needs. And take this as an investment. But you wont know this until you start to play. There are few players that like the same set up.

I wish you all the success.

[mikedowns]

Many thanks to all for the great advice. In response to kipper and tonybiker I'm afraid I did omit to tell you what level of player I am. For a few years in the 60s in played bass guitar on a semi-professional basis but gave it up in order to get a 'proper' job! I owned an early 60s Fender Precision bass then - should have kept it, it would have been a great investment!
I've owned a six string guitar for a few years but I've really only started to play this more seriously since I took early retirement last year. I'm not a beginner and guess I'd call myself an intermediate player at present. As I want to concentrate mainly on Shadows stuff that's the sound I'm after so I guess a Strat is what I need to look for. As recommended I'll be doing a tour of the music shops to get the feel of the things.
Many thanks again to all for the advice.
Mike