[pjchappy]

What do you guys think of this:  http://www.fender.com/vgstrat/home.html

I, for sure, would like to hear it.  As far as processing power has come, I'm thinking it can do everything it attempts to do.  For $1500, it's not much more than a signature series strat. Also, it's a lot less than many customs.

p

[Pez]

It looks nice, but not so unique in a way.  I prefer humbucker pickups for a rich tone, but the clarity of a strat single pick is pretty nice.  What kind of amp do you have?

[jackman]

It looks nice, but not so unique in a way.  I prefer humbucker pickups for a rich tone, but the clarity of a strat single pick is pretty nice.  What kind of amp do you have?

Not to pick on Pez, but if you want humbuckers or like the sound, don't get a Strat, or a Fender for that matter!  I lean towards the Gibson sound and love humbuckers, particularly the Seymour Duncan Seth Lover PU's I have on my Heritage 535 (a made in Kalamazoo version of the 335).  The Duncan PU's are high output and, paired with the right amp setup, have amazing tone.  I am not a fan of humbucker PU's in Fender guitars.  I have seen certain tele's and strats through the years with humbuckers but I think it defeats the purpose.  When GOD invented the Fender sound, he intended it to have single coil PU's! 

Putting humbuckers in a Fender is like putting a wing and spinners on your Prius...

Check out this website with some really good sound clips of various guitars played through Victoria amplifiers.  Victoria makes the best, most realistic recreations of classic Fender amps from the 50's.  They use actual schematics, materials (hand wound trannies, carbon resistors, hand wired point to point, etc.) and baltic birch cabinets with the exact tweed Fender used to use 50 years ago.  I used to own one but unfortunately sold it when I bought my Martin.  Still regret it!  Very expensive but worth every penny.  Anyway, here is the link:  http://www.victoriaamp.com/soundclips.htm

My former teacher Brian plays many of the riffs on the attached link.  He's a great guitarist and good guy. 

No comment on the Fender guitars listed in the original post.  Haven't seen those guitars in person and don't know much about their quality.  You should go to your local Guitarcenter and check them out.  Good luck!

more cool clips of guitar riffs through victoria amp:  http://www.victoriaamp.com/model20112.htm

J

[Pez]

Jackman, I agree actually on the Humbucker issue. I do not like Fenders sound with Hums.  I do like the Gibson's more (especially the hollow body variety) with hums. I have a great appreciation for both styles though.

[jackman]

Jackman, I agree actually on the Humbucker issue. I do not like Fenders sound with Hums.  I do like the Gibson's more (especially the hollow body variety) with hums. I have a great appreciation for both styles though.

Hey, cool.  I completely agree with you!  I thought you were recommending a Strat with humbuckers.  I am a HUGE fan of semi hollow body guitars like the 335.  There are some cool clips on the Victoria site that really highlight the differences in sound.  I love all kinds of guitar but really like the heavy fat sound of the 335.  Been playing more and more these days.  More than listening to my system.  It's funny because the guitar I play the most is my old Danelectro DC59.  It's a cheap guitar but it always stays in tune and has a cool twangy sound.  Totally opposite of the 335 but I like it.

Cheers,

J

[jackman]

Hey, since you mentioned amps....

I just purchased an Epiphone Valve Jr. combo.  It's a 5 watt all tube combo that sells for around $139 at Guitar Center.   There are some very cool mods available for this amp and I plan to implement them very soon.  A guy named Bruce Hutcheon sells mod kits for very cheap on ebay for this amp.  They are called BitMo and Spanky mods (bit mo tone, etc.).   You can do a search on google for more into.  For around $50 you can add a boost control and a tone knob, etc.  Looks pretty easy.  I took my amp apart and there is a lot of room to operate.  Will take pictures and post results. 

http://cgi.ebay.com/BITMO-BRAT-Mod-Kits-for-Epiphone-Valve-Junior-Amp_W0QQitemZ140083034198QQihZ004QQcategoryZ10171QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

There is also a mercury magnetics mod for this amp but it's a bit pricey at $280.  includes all american made transformers which are very nice:  http://www.mercurymagnetics.com/pages/specials/ValveJrPjt/EVJ-01.htm

Link to amp: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Valve-Junior-Combo-Amp?sku=480260&src=00633

In stock form, it sounds pretty good.  Breaks up at low volumes (a good thing) and plays louder than you ever thought 5 watts would play. 

I'm going to do the Bitmo mods and add a larger alnico Weber speaker, probably 12".  Weber speakers are a real value and sound great. 

[pjchappy]

It looks nice, but not so unique in a way.  I prefer humbucker pickups for a rich tone, but the clarity of a strat single pick is pretty nice.  What kind of amp do you have?

I currently just have a very basic practice amp right now.

My Strat is a Mexican made one, but I replaced the pickups w/ Texas Specials and upgraded the electronics.  I have a TBX tone control and a push pull knob at the first tone control.  When pulled out, it controls the volume of the neck pickup and lets me blend it in w/ any other pickup. . .and I can run all 3 pickups at once for some different sounds.  Fun to mess w/.

[fredgarvin]

I've always liked a humbucker in the strat bridge. The bridge has no tone control and is just too thin and trebly for me. One can add a tone control, which does sound quite good, but a highoutput humbucker adds a nice punch to what I consider the weakness of a strat. Fender has models with a 'fat' button to beef up the mid for soloing, which is also nice.

[Daygloworange]

I've been playing (only)Fender Strat's for over twenty five years, and have always used single coils. I love them. I've never had a hard time getting a beefy sound out of them. They have some peakyness to them if your not careful, but are much more versatile and responsive to right hand picking input and dynamics. They also can also get that "bell" like sound, and that "tubey" sound that humbuckers can't.

All my Strat's have single coils in them. I have used the stacked single coil DiMarzio HS-1's and HS-3's for years, as well as Fender Lace Sensors (Gold, Blue and Red). I used to have a Strat with a PAF out of an old Gibson ES-335 in the bridge position( The classic EVH setup).

I'm curious about this auto tuning gizmo they're talking about here on this new model. I might have to take a trip to my local Fender dealer and see what it's all about. 

Cheers