Mod a cheap strat copy or save up and buy a new one ?

[bonga]

Hey,

I have a cheap strat copy. I like this guitar. The acoustic tone of the guitar is quite good, which leads me to believe that this is not a bad guitar. I was wondering if it's worth upgrading the pickups and tuners on this guitar.

Or should I just invest in getting parts like a neck and a body first.

Or should I just save up and buy a new guitar. Now I have to be realistic. If I do go in for a new one, my budget will probably be able to get a Mexican Fender. That's it, nothing more ' High end ' than that.

So what should I do ?

Thanks.

[RomanS]

How does it feel/play? If it's nice, sure, try better pickups, they are the most important factor for the tone, anyway...

[speedemon]

For what a "nice" strat copy costs, I would go there 1st. You can get a Fender Std. strat 2nd hand really cheap. My really nice ash Std. that I had put US pickups in fetched a whopping $260, which is about what your upgrades will run you. That will carry you for a while, and you can save up for a really nice one down the road. $600 to $1000 will get you into a variety of 2nd hand USA strats, which are rather nice. I am climbing that "Strat ladder" myself, having gone from a Std. to a HWY 1, on my way to a John Mayer or Nash. I am still learning what exactly it is I want from a Strat; I have been a Gibson guy for all these years.


Have fun and good luck!

[edward]

FWIW, I think a decent strat copy is not a bad thing to have in your back pocket. But I suspect you want "more" (reading between your lines) than just this. In which I'd agree ...get the "better" guitar.

If your budget is MIM new, then you can definitely afford a good Strat used. Easy ...especially in today's economy. Be patient and wait for the right one.

Edward

[Rock Johnson]

Check out the Squier Classic Vibe strats.

[GibsonLives]

If you dig it, mod it to make it even better. Remember, all those parts you put on can be taken off and reassigned to another guitar down the line if you choose, and unlike buying, say, an American Strat and possibly modding it, you won't devalue your present instrument no matter what you do. Again, I stresss that it's only worth investing in some parts if you already like the feel of your present axe.
Steve

[bonga]

One question - the guitar does not stay in tune very well. Is it because of my crappy tuners or is my neck moving around way too much ?

In any case, I have decided that that I'll probably go the way of a partsocaster i.e. get a neck and body and then customize everything to my taste.

Thanks.

[sergiodeblanc]

I suggest buying a nice used partscaster, nobody ever gets their money out of them if they are selling, but buying on the other hand......

[edward]

I suggest buying a nice used partscaster, nobody ever gets their money out of them if they are selling, but buying on the other hand......

Winner!

Add up the cost of all parts your truly want and you are squarely in "new-guitar price" territory ...not to mention no guarantees it will play and sound how your specs "suggested" it would. One may argue that at least you get exactly what you want: fair enough. But if it ends up not turning out exactly as you wished, you're taking a bath on resale.

If budget is a concern (and it always is with me), then used is the way to go. Either with a nice used MIA or MIJ Strat, or a well-executed partscaster, buying a guitar from someone else that has "moved on" is almost always the best bang-for-buck method.

Oh, and if you're having tuning issues, that is almost always attributable to the nut. Though inexpensive guitars also are plagued with the cheapest tuning machines possible, so that, too, may be compounding your problem. Sell it on craigslist or keep it as a backup, then move on to what you really want ...you'll be happier in the long run, IMHO :)

Edward