Which Stratocaster?

[crossfire655]

Hi there

which stratocaster would you recommend for shadows tunes?

It doesnt have to be in fiesta red, the cheaper the better.

Thanks for the help, its much appreciated.

Kindest Regards

[asimmd]

Hello

I have to say that it's not just the guitar that matters in playing Shads stuff.As the saying goes it's the sum of the parts.
The Amp you use and the echo both contribute to the sound.

Having said that,there is not really any Strat in particular that will sound more Shads than another.
Shads stuff is played on all Strats, from a £100 Squier to a £2500 Custom Shop,best thing is to go to a shop and try some out.
Have you been playing long?

Alan

[bill]

Hi,
Are you trying to get an 'exact' sound and if so, is it the very early Shadows recorded sound or later?

Personally I am happy playing them on any single coil equiped guitar but I am not trying to sound exactly like the records.

[Charlie Hall]

I don't think you have to pick a Strat that sounds like Hank. By that, I mean that a lot of the sound isn't just the guitar.
If you find a guitar that you like the sound of (try several of the same model if possible, they can vary a lot). You should stay with 3 single coils. Just listen for classic Strat tones, if in any doubt, move on and look for another.
Regards,
Charlie

[crossfire655]

Hi all

Thanks for the replies.

been playing for about 3 years , i currently use a fender super reverb with q20 eftp and a burns marvin.

Although i enjoy playing shadows stuff , I also play alot of blues.

I only own two guitars at the moment , a burns marvin and a burns marquee.

Would really like to get stratocaster but not sure which one to get.

Not really looking for getting that exact sound , just want somthing thats in the ball park.

Any ideas of what stratocasters I should try out?

Thanks
Crossfire655

[asimmd]

OK,now we are getting somewhere.

Depending how fussy you are about the finish and the hardware,look at a Mexican Strat.Highway One's are supposed to be good,but try one first?

Fender Standard USA is a nice guitar,but according to reviews I have read,the Fender 50's Classic Player Strat is more than worth a look.

www.dv247.com/invt/41613/

Available in Shoreline Gold or Sunburst,Guitarist Mag raved over them.

Same advice as always,try before you buy.

Alan

[kipper]

crossfire there are loads of strats that would fit the bill, to many to name. it depends a lot on your budget. it could be a made in japan squier early ones are better. then the made in korea pro tones which i think are as good as the jv squiers. the made in mexico strats are good value for money. but to my mind the usa ones are tops. having said that my favorite at this moment is a jv made in japan 1983. as long as you stick to 3 single coils its just a matter of personal taste really. the usa vintage series are great. i am talking about fender strats now not copy`s. my adice would be set a price you can afford. decide new or used. decide on neck type maple or rosewood finger board. then enjoy looking thats half the fun i think. loads of people say the mexican classic series is best value around at the moment. the early shads stuff was with heavy strings 14 i think, to heavy for me. good luck peter

[Deleted]

Hello Charlie and all friends, I am disillusioned because my strat is I think a cheaper Custom Shop I bouth from a shop in Oklahoma last year VIA the well known auction site. Well; never buy what you can not try... the higher strings E and B have less volume !. Before I had a cheap Burns marqée and that steel was match better. Both steels are maple but from different maple woods and I played seven years on it. I think Charlie was right when he said that grain maple was a good sort of wood. I come to the conviction a guitar is good when she sounds what you like when UNPLUGGED. Cheap or expensif...THE INSTRUMENT IS THE "MOST" IMPORTANT IN THE WHOLE CHAIN. There are good maple woods and HANK has this ones, and I personaly like a dark quality Rosewood. I have set my guitar for sale on Kapaza, a Belgium site where we can sell.
This tread is very interesting and I like to read your opinions and messages: THANK YOU for it.

[Deleted]

Dear friends, In this interesting topic, I would like what are your experiences with ASH and ALDER BODYWOODS. -And so far the combination with maple or rosewoods- That makes the question more difficult maybe
Thank you for reply.
Ivan

[Charlie Hall]

That's right, a guitar must be played unplugged to test it. It needs to sound lively, and like the sound is going to make you feel that the instrument will play itself, with you there to help it along. If it sounds boxy and cheap, it will make playing hard work and not sound as good.
This could happen with cheap or expensive instruments. I do not believe that price alone guarantees anything.
Pickups are different, they can be changed.
The body and the neck combination is everything. Remember that Eric Clapton's Blackie was made up of the best parts of several old Strats, and I think he gave the surplus parts away to friends.
Regards,
Charlie

[shadfan4]

I have two stratocasters, my first is a US standard bought new in 1976 now fitted with Kinman HBM vintage pups. The other is a 50's Classic Player with 57/62 pups bought last year for about £350 inc delivery. I cannot recommend these guitars highly enough as nearly all my postings on here & SMCP are done with the Classic.

But as Charlie says it's the "Synergy" that makes the sound IE the guitar, the amp, the echo, the player, etc all coming together to get somewhere near "That Sound"

Mike