Long time strat player with GAS...what to choose??

[quadrophenia]

Greetings all...I've been playing guitar on and off for about 12 years now, fell out of it for awhile and have been back into it full swing for about a year. In '97 I got my first electric guitar -- a Fender "Squier Series" strat, which was my lone axe until earlier this year when I got a new MIM strat (big upgrade from the Squier!).

While I'm happy enough with the new strat, I'm now suffering from GAS and am close to buying a proper guitar. But, I can't decide if I should go for a nicer strat (Hot Rod '62 and John Mayer Signature have caught my eye) or something else entirely. I play classic rock and blues, and am a big fan of the usual suspects...SRV, Hendrix, Mayer, and Clapton are my favs (all strat guys).

If I go beyond the strat route, I'm leaning towards a nice tele. I've played a few of the large "C" strat necks and definitely want something comparable on my next guitar (hence the Hot Rod and Mayer yearnings). So, should I go the safe but somewhat predictable strat route again? If so, would I be missing out on some awesome guitar experience that I know nothing about??? If not, what Tele would you recommend? Or should I go with something else entirely??? (Also considering and SG or 339).

Many thanks for your recommendations!

[stratman89]

Definately look at a Tele, maybe a '52 RI Hot Rod Tele or if you can find one a '52 RI Tele with Humbucker like I've got...............covers a lot of ground.

I own three Strats and Les Pauls and the Tele fits in very well.

[Tubebender]

I have a 'bought new' 93 MIM strat with a hotrails in the bridge. Still have and play it. Branched out into some other guitars, ibanez, schecter, played some gibsons,,,,....
Finally dumped the cash on a beautiful MIA Strat, and was blown away what I'd been missing. I love it, and in turn, still use my MIM at home and live as well. If you dig strats, it's the only way to go. I don't dig the S1 switching on the newer ones, but that's me. The Sig series read on this forum as very nice, I just feel they are way over priced to glamorize another musician. I wouln't mind an SRV strat geared with 12s thou....

[shark_bite]

Sent ya a PM with more info, but the short version is that I was also a longtime Strat guy, and seem to be into the same general sort of music. I say you need to spend some time with a Tele. I still love Strats, but man do I love a good Tele.

[small axe]

good look at some american strats....stick with what u like