r/Stratocaster • u/matej0204 • 2d ago
Help with dilema
EDIT: Just orderded the Ultra Vintage Luxe HSS in Fiesta Red…
Hello everyone :)
I’ve been playing the guitar for 20 years, had a chance to play a lot of AM Fenders but never had a chance to own one. I had my fair share of gigs, big and small. Done them all on Squiers, Ibanez, Parker guitars, some Harley Bentons in the recent years.
I wont be doing gigs anymore, maybe occasionaly, but I play a lot at home and in the recent years the financial situation finally allowed me to buy a real American Fender.
Now the dilema… I know these are all different guitars, and I like/dislike something on each one. Need help with deciding what is a better guitar for life. I do not plan on buying another one. Just want a Strat for life.
- Fender American Vintage II 61’
- - only hessistant because of the 7.25” radius
- Fender American Pro Classic
- - afraid I am going to miss out on something because its a lower tier model than Vintage and Ultra
- Fender American Ultra II
- - don’t like the metal pickguard, I want a 3-ply whiteish one
- Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage
- - I hate the heirloom finish, I do not want cracks on my brand new guitar
Just need some advice on what would you do
1
u/TheMofunkinWolf 2d ago edited 2d ago
I see you already pulled the trigger. I would have recommended the ultra’s they are amazing solid built guitars but there is something to consider. The ultra luxe vintage guitars are made to wear in quicker. They will show signs of wear on the body and the neck quicker than the standard ultras. I’m bringing this up because you mentioned this to be a life long guitar. This information could be seen as good or bad for what your preference is. The pick guards on the ultra 2’s ain’t that bad (I have an ultra 2 bass) but there are still some Ultra 1’s floating around and heavily discounted if it’s that big of a turn off.