Strats... MIJ 50's RI vs JV strat vs MIM 50's strat

[bluesbreaker59]

Ok, so to preface I have to say I wasn't "born a strat guy". More of a Tele guy for single coils. However a few of my blues guitar playing heroes have used the strat in ways that really tickle my ears.

Namely, Jimmie Vaughan's early Fabulous T-Birds sound on the first two records, AND Mike Morgan's strat tone. I love the really loose, floppy bass sound that Morgan gets playing shuffles on the strat through the Bassman, and still has a fuzzy, round, yet stinging character to his solos. Then Jimmie has a little of the sloppy bass sound too, but his sound seems to have a little more "body", still with great detail, and a little less distorted than Mike Morgan's. Another favorite is Anson Funderburgh's tone, which is cleaner and brighter, but still tons of body, and a thick character.

Tonight I tried out a MIJ 50's reissue in cream about 8.8/10 condition, and it played really well, nice neck, and the pickups were pretty good, but could be a little nicer, the weight was on the light side, which was nice, and the guitar was lively. Its $499 with no case.

Over the weekend I tried out a JV strat, it was a medium weight, nicer pickups really detailed sounding, neck was perfect, but the guitar wasn't really "lively". Its brand new and $570 with a gig bag.

There are also a plethora of 50's reissue strats around, and some play nice, others the neck seems to cause me pain, some are lively, and some are dead.

BTW, my price range, currently for a strat is about $600 total. I know I want a 50's look (maple board, tinted parts, 50's color, etc.)

[utterhack]

Correct answer would be used Classic Player 50s.

There was one in the emporium yesterday (not mine) :AOK

[bluesjuke]

+1 on that!
A very nice neck too.

[bluesbreaker59]

Other opinions??? Thoughts???

[Dirk Diggler]

I have a JV strat with noiseless DiMarzio pups and it RAWKS in every imaginable way.

[in a little row]

Im a big fan of the MIJ/CIJ guitars from the 80s/90s...had an RI tele in particular that was strong performer...




j

[johan]

To me a JV Strat is a Squier or Fender Strat made in Japan between 82-84. I've got two of them (I've had a couple of CS Strats but not anymore). Try to find one. They are usually GREAT guitars.

[bluesbreaker59]

To me a JV Strat is a Squier or Fender Strat made in Japan between 82-84. I've got two of them (I've had a couple of CS Strats but not anymore). Try to find one. They are usually GREAT guitars.

huh???? Are you referring to a Jimmie Vaughan model strat being like a Squier or Fender MIJ between 82 - 84???? Just trying to make sense of all this.

I have access to a used MIJ 50's reissue, appears to be a 54 reissue after doing some research, OR I could purchase a brand new JV strat.

[Timmo]

huh???? Are you referring to a Jimmie Vaughan model strat being like a Squier or Fender MIJ between 82 - 84???? Just trying to make sense of all this.

I have access to a used MIJ 50's reissue, appears to be a 54 reissue after doing some research, OR I could purchase a brand new JV strat.


I have an '86 MIJ Fender '54 reissue Strat..............
Magical guitar!

:RoCkIn

[dougb415]

Personally I prefer Japanese made Strats, I believe they're better than MIM Strats, but's that's just my opinion.

I have a mid-80s MIJ Strat that I've been playing for the past 10 yrs or so. I recently tried out a MIM CP '50s Strat that BLOWS the MIJ unit away in all respects. My wife said "Let's get it!" Okay honey ;)

When I got home I pulled out the MIJ and tried it again. I had recently had this guitar at the local shop for a setup/tune-up, so it's as good as it's gonna get.

NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE - the CP 50s has won me over totally. The MIJ has now been moved out of the studio and is now hanging as wall art.

[Mike9]

In my opinion as a builder the MIJ Strats are probably the best bang for the buck going. The contours are right on - I have both MIJ '62 reish and a 60's MIM reish bodies in Burgundy Mist and the MIJ has "the" contours and is all around a better made body.

Many of the 50's reissue MIJ bodies are shot in nitro lacquer and are generally two, or three piece bodies. I have MIJ '57 reissue bodies in two tone tobacco and "old" lake placid blue. Both are spot on in terms of accuracy and build quality. I highly recommend these Japanese built Fenders over any MIM and many USA made ones.

[bluesbreaker59]

Well I got the '54 reissue MIJ last night, and had a couple things done to it, new nickel strings (11's), medium action set up, new switchcraft jack and switch, and moving the tone control from the middle to the bridge, ala the Jimmie Vaughan strat. I took in my Vicky Bandmaster last night, and heard one of the most lush, full clean tones, I've ever heard. I'm sure eventually I'll do something about pickups, but for now, I've spent enough.

With the guitar, the mods, and parts, done by the tech I was out the door for $560.