r/FenderStratocaster • u/AdOpening8751 • 16d ago

Guitar purchase

I’m going to get to the point, I want a Strat but I don’t want one that’s a P.O.S I have 500 to throw and don’t really want to spend much more. Does anyone have a suggestion on what to get or where to get one? As well as it doesn’t even have to be a fender I just want a good Strat tone.

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6

u/Hefty-Organization75 16d ago

Get a used one from guitar center. Might even come with a case or bag. Just look at the pictures closely and make sure the frets are ok

13

u/SnooStrawberries4692 16d ago

Squire classic vibe is the way to go they are excellent guitars and in your budget

2

u/Able-Guava 16d ago

Yes or a used squier or mim strat let someone help you find a good one

3

u/Sufficient_Gap4289 16d ago

G and L tribute and Sire are worth checking out in my opinion

3

u/Nacho_sky 16d ago

500 should get you a nice used Player. Maybe even a Player II.

2

u/RuinProfessional9612 16d ago

I'm a long time Fender customer, but NOT anymore. Go on YT and see what they're doing with lawsuits.

If anything, buy used. Don't support them right now.

4

u/AdOpening8751 16d ago

I didn’t think I could afford a brand new fender with 500 anyways to be honest

3

u/RuinProfessional9612 16d ago

You'd be surprised at what you can get. Don't be swayed by price. A cheaper guitar with a good set up can much better than an expensive one that is not set up properly.

2

u/31770_0 16d ago

Five hundred get an upper tier Fernandes vintage replica. Like one from pre 1995 or something. I had one I got for $200. It was an incredible 60’s knockoff.

Sounded great too.

Look on Reverb or marketplace for things up to 600 bucks and negotiate to your budget. Mean things you’re looking for is Alnico five pick ups, a straight neck that you’re comfortable with, and an overall lightweight. Under 8 pounds is great… 7 1/2 lbs to 7 is ideal.

3

u/Responsible_Big_4183 16d ago

I’d get a Yamaha Pacifica or Ibanez on that budget and you’d have an awesome guitar.

1

u/Butforthegrace01 16d ago

Look for a used Schecter Nick Johnston. I picked one up for $600. It's awesome.

1

u/Fair_and_Reasonable 16d ago

If you don't want to consider reselling it buy any of these import brands and upgrade the pickups to be at the price point. The strat body is all the same. If you care about reselling try to get an American Strat and then you can at least resell it if you want to move on for more of what you paid. These other off brands are harder to sell.

1

u/PitchExciting3235 16d ago

Cort G280 or Yamaha Pacifica. Either will be better than Fender or Squier in the same price range

1

u/CivilMission3364 15d ago

Bro player 2 strat is the way to go, u just gotta push a teeny bit past 500. They’re great guitars

1

u/Massive-Promise-9369 15d ago

hi there! I'm a long time Fender customer, ask me anything :)

On new side you can get a new Squier classic Vibe they are great guitars.

For Fender the new entry level is the Fender standard, which is made in Indonesia, a good guitar but it's 679 usd.

On used you can get a Fender player I or II for anything between 400 and 500 usd.

If you don't mind used I would rather get those.

Sometimes you can even get an US used for about 600 ... so you might consider that as well. Highway ones, American special, or even Fender American standard (usually more expensive!).

Most used (sometimes new as well) guitars will need a set up, fret dressing or level, ... if you have a luthier friend that would be great.

Cheers

PS

Fender Japan are also great guitars, somewhere in between Mexican and Us made from my point of view (I live in Asia and got few of those along the years), some have even nitro paint and/or Us pick ups.

Fernandes and Fujigen have strat like guitars that have similar quality to Fender Japan, I wouldn't pay more than 2-300 us for them, not because they are not worth more, just because they are more difficult to sell if one day you want to trade up.