Super strat suggestions?

[Wolfie677]

So I'm in the market for a super strat type guitar and I'm interested to see if anyone has any suggestions for me that I haven't come across. I've looked at models as cheap as the LTD Vintage Plus with a Floyd, mid priced models like the Charvel American Pro-Mods, all the way to Used Suhr Pro series guitars. (The Suhr is a long shot as I have hardly seen ANY used and I would have to buy it used to fit it in my price range)

Pretty much my only requirements are that it has to have more than one pickup, have a locking trem (or a trem with locking tuners) and a relativity flat fretboard radius. (12"-16") Good quality of course is a plus.

I've learned a lot by reading this forum and there is always something I don't know or haven't thought of, so hit me with your ideas and give me new things to gas over.

[vds5000]

Here are a few:

Zion (They don't come around too often with Floyds, but do exist)
Anderson (See note above about Zion)
Hamer (Californian, Chapparal, Centura, Diablo, etc.)
Jackson

[steviekool]

For price and best bang for your buck, there is no beating the Charvel Promods. Top quality at a great price. You can find them new around 800 on the 'bay.

[Tobacco78]

Used...I would look for either a Kramer Baretta or a Focus 1000.

Both have single Pickups and come with OFRs.

I have a Baretta and a Focus 3000 (HSS) and both are great guitars.

Look around, with the market the way it is right now, you can probably find either one for a good price.

[cardinal]

I'd pick Anderson, but I also like some of the Ibanez stuff. The J-Custom's are phenomenal guitars all around, particularly in light of their cost (used) relative to guitars like Andersons and Suhrs.

[ducatisteve]

I agree with cardinal that the J-Custom's (and really many of the the Prestige's) offer your best bang-for-the-buck when it comes to super strats. Other ones to look out for are the old Yamaha Pacifica super strats. They come up for sale every now and again and are typically very high quality (factory DiMarzio's, Warmoth necks, great neck joints).

[gulliver]

I had one assembled from parts in the emporium, always nice Warmouth necks in there.

[MOJO]

you could check out the Mcnaught D Series...

start around $1600, couple of different body shapes, lots of options

[Wolfie677]

Thanks for the replies everyone, still haven't made up my mind but I'm still shopping. The McNaughts look interesting as do the J-Customs. Now just need something to pop up on the 'bay for the right price.

[tjmicsak]

If it were me I would seriosly check out a Tyler.

[The Kirbster]

I own a `90 Strat Plus. In spite of the locking tuners & the trem setter, I had tuning problems. I tried adjusting it multiple times, plus took it to two reputable luthiers to adjust, it just kept going out of tune with heavy whammy use. Then the bass side post for the trem started pulling forward in the body. That's probably my fault, I was using GHS Thick N Thin sets, 10-52. Then while performing at an outdoor festival, the wind blew my amp over on it, sending it in 3 pieces... I salvaged the neck & electronics, dropped `em in a cheap Affinity Squire body with a standard trem. I did have to deepen the control cavity to accomodate the TBX tone control. As long as I just use the trem for tremolo, no dive bombs, it stays in tune as well or better than the original setup, plus the body is LOTS lighter. After 20 years, I still play it a lot.

Someone mentioned the Kramer Focus. I have one of those, too. It's a great guitar for the price. Really fast, flat neck. Plywood body, BAD tuners, cheap electronics. If you don't mind upgrading a few components, they're hard to beat--for the price.

What I play the most these days is a Peavey Limited Edition. Similar to a Strat, flat top, 2 single coils & a humbucker, Grover tuners, with a Hipshot trem bridge. Like the others, it's OK for tremolo, won's stay in tune thru dive bombs.

If you're gonna dive bomb, I strongly suggest a Floyd & a locking nut.

Good luck in your search!

[Gnarlly]

+1 for the Charvel Pro Mods. I like mine a lot.

[Eric Pykala]

If you want new, definitely checkout the PRS SE Torero. Korean, but built at World, the best factory there. Real Floyd, flat board, real EMGs...a total sleeper but kickin' guitar.

[cvansickle]

Originally Posted by steviekool

For price and best bang for your buck, there is no beating the Charvel Promods. Top quality at a great price. You can find them new around 800 on the 'bay.

+1 I've got two, and these are better than anything I ever used back in the 80s!