Metropoulos Forum

I have come across a set of Texas Specials, and I want to get a decent Strat, but not too expensive, to put them in.

I'm more of a humbucker/LP man but I figure I need some sort of Strat in the stable.

Suggestions? I'm looking for something along the lines of a "diamond in the rough", something that just needs a little fret dressing or something and its pretty amazing. Anything like that out on the market today?

Lets say I have $500 or so to spend.

Get a second hand American Standard!

Unless it has to be an actual Strat, I have (new, unused) a Warmoth 1 piece mahogany soloist body, and a Warmoth neck (with the Warmoth 3x3 headstock shape), with mahogany neck wood, brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and Dunlop 6100 frets. The neck has never been used, but was mounted on a body once, and mounting holes filled because it was an unconventional neck bolt pattern. It has since been redrilled for the soloist body (std 4 bolt pattern). No nut or tuners were ever mounted to the neck. The body is totally unused--never drilled, pickups never mounted, control plate (included) has never been mounted.
Neither piece has ever had a finish. The body is routed for Strat neck and bridge pickups (no middle pickup), and is rear routed for controls (no holes drilled for pots or switches), and drilled for a standard Strat hardtail bridge, and a large (tele style) side jack. The body also has the 'contoured heel' option. The neck and body cost me over $500.
If you're interested, PM me. I would sell the pair WAY cheaper than that.
(Like half of that, plus the shipping)

The Warmoth sounds interesting but I want a Strat that's pretty much ready to go.

Any opinions on the "Classic 50's" line that Fender currently offers?
Will I be pissing someone off by putting the Special's in there?

I'll keep my eye out for a cheaper Standard in the meantime. They seem to be going for ~750 depending. Any bad years to be avoided?

Sam

basisfunction wrote:The Warmoth sounds interesting but I want a Strat that's pretty much ready to go.

No prob. I've had this neck/body sitting around for a while, and have not had the time to get the project going, so I figured I'd put it out there if you were interested.

you might want to try the fender classic player 50's strat. they go for 800 new but you might find something closer to your ballpark. Finding a diamond in the rough for 500 is going to be a bit tough, youd probably do better for around 700. Waiting an extra bit to come up with an extra couple hundred will be worth it I promise. A second hand american standard would be cool, or maybe one of the american highway 1's might be decent. If you dig the 50's though check out those classic player strats theyre real nice for the money.

In that price range the "Made in Japan" Stratocasters are killer.
Crafted in Japan" nice too...
I would look into a '65 Slab board w'/ transitional logo.
A MIJ '68 big headstock is nice if you like a slimmer feeling neck.

a 50th Anniversary is a great find as well.

Alder or light ash have sweet tones. Rosewood or maple neck shouldn't make a difference in your hands...you'll know

Throw in a set of Samarian Cobalts and you've got a million dollar vintage Fender Stratocaster tone...
Inexpensive couldn't sound better...

FWIW I like the sound of Texas Specials with RW necks...

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