Disappointed with Vintage Hot Rod. :(

[mdoyle]

So, I played the 62 Vintage Hot Rod strat the other day. I had really been trying sell myself on it -- but after comparing it to a couple Custom Shop strats, I just can't bring myself to buy it. Yeah, it's half the price of a custom shop strat, but man , the tone and feel are miles apart. SHIT.

I was hoping they wouldn't be that drastically different. I was wrong.


Better start saving.

[nitehawk55]

Get out and try a bunch of others of the same model and other models too . I've got higher end Strats but i've got a Robt. Cray MIM model that is killer too so it doesn't have to have a high price tag . I find getting a good Strat or any guitar very subjective and one must go out in search of one that works well for them . You'll only achieve that by looking and trying .

[Maven]

I would look at a Bill Nash strat. Basically the same price as Vintage hot rod but on par or better than most custom shop strats. I've yet to play one that wasn't killer. Check em out.

[JackButler]

I second the Nash! Or try a K-line.
I played a Hot Rod strat and really thought it felt good for sure. I did not plug it in, but I am one who never worries about stock electronics as I usually swap them out.
At the price (I think $1600, that right?) I would certainly find a used CS instead. But, if a used one popped up as they are bound to eventually, I would have no gripes about snagging one.

[SMOKEY JOE]

I played one today, the guitar kicked ass, and I put it up against any C/S in the store, one of those one in a hundred finds. The guitar was brand new. ( new 62 hot rod )

[mdoyle]

Wow. The one I played was a pig compared to the two custom shops I played.

It felt totally different and sounded waaaaay different.

[walterw]

to be fair, chances are the production-line hot rod '62 was probably not set up as well as the small-shop built custom shop models.

[MartinC]

Originally Posted by nitehawk55

Get out and try a bunch of others of the same model and other models too . I've got higher end Strats but i've got a Robt. Cray MIM model that is killer too so it doesn't have to have a high price tag . I find getting a good Strat or any guitar very subjective and one must go out in search of one that works well for them . You'll only achieve that by looking and trying .

Definitely. I ended up with an American Deluxe strat which is a gem ... I've played custom shop guitars that felt ordinary (to me!) in comparison. On the other hand, I still remember playing a c/s relic'd guitar (not really my thing) about 4 years ago that I regret not buying ... playability and tone floored me. Like the proverbial old slipper. Keep trying til you find the one.

[Teleman]

I've played three of them so far (been looking to pickup another strat)
the first one I played was probably like the one you tried. Dull, lifeless, no sustain, poorly cut nut. the other two were really great. A night and day difference between the guitars,

Someone here on TGP said it that strats are guitars where the sum of the parts is greater on some guitars than others.
Try a bunch of 'em

[Stk1520]

I bought a ’62 Hot Rod Strat recently via mail order. At first, the guitar was less than impressive . . . . . the pluses were that it was fairly light weight and loud unplugged, but it sounded a little thin when plugged in and had some nut issues. I have a relative who’s a Fender rep and I let him know about some of the ‘QC issues’, lol. I filed the nut down a bit and lowered the pickups . . . . much better. After deciding the guitar was a keeper, I sent it out for a good set up (thanks Phil Jacoby!) and now it’s top notch.

I bought the guitar for the features (early 60’s vintage style, big neck, big frets, thin nitro finish) and had to work at it a bit to make it shine. I realize some folks just want to pull a fairly expensive guitar out of the case and go at it (I don’t blame ya!), but I don’t mind tweaking a little on a new guitar. I guess I’m not much of a believer in ‘mojo’ ----- I think if a guitar has decent wood and a nice neck, a good set up and a little tuning and tweaking will get you nice results.

[Phil M]

Sorry to hear that. I think you need to try a bunch (like all Strats).

I own a Nash and it is my benchmark guitar, but there are nice '62 VHRs our there. I just wish Fender used nicer pickups. I love the necks and other features on those though. Also, the '52 Hot Rod Tele that I played was a REALLY nice guitar.

As for the cost, the online prices seem a little high and I know you can get these for more like $1300-$1400.

[CNP]

You can find Custom Shop dogs and MIM gems. You just won't know until you're playing them. That's the risk you take buying sight unseen, and why it may be worth it to spend a few more bucks to get something local that you know is killer. The other option is to buy from someone you can completely trust and/or with a generous return policy.

[Mike Duncan]

I have been through DOZENS of guitars in the past few years...Custom Shops, Reverends, PRS, Gibsons and have not found the perfect guitar until the '62 Hot Rod Strat. I couldn't be happier! Too bad it's not working out for everyone, but mine is the best Strat I've come across in YEARS!

[duaneallen]

I also played a few because of the great specs. Didn't dig it at all. The neck was too fat for me and it just felt uninspiring. The Eric Johnson feels like a much more solid guitar. I'll tell ya what, I just played a guitar the other day that was just killer for way cheaper. The ESP vintage plus strat. Just like a custom shop strat with relicing and all for $1000. Played, sounded, and felt unbelievable. Check it out.

[Alex Law]

I visited the local store recently to buy a Vintage Hot Rod I saw on the website. Up close, it looked and felt very cheap. I walked out with a Grosh Retro Classic.