Tyler Classic vs lentz Strat

[Keifer]

Getting ready to place an order for a Lentz Strat simply based on reviews. Played a Tyler Classic a few days ago and loved it. Looking for ash body. maple neck combo. i know both are great builders but was wondering if anyone has played both and could give an opinion. Thank You.

 

[tylerfreak]

This is going to be a hard one. I have played and owned both. Here are some obserations:

Lentz - 21 frets, nitro finishes, some of the best traditional color in the biz, non-rolled fingerboard edges, smaller fretwire, large "C" necks, tone is very extremely organic and springy + chimey but clear at the same time (See the Youtube vid with the baby blue strat...that nails the Lentz tone), very useable tone knobs through the whole range. I would go with Lentz if you want a truly remarkable "vintage spec'd" Stratocaster that sounds stunning.

Tyler - 22 frets, poly finishes, trad + non-trad finishes, rolled fingerboard edges, larger fretwire, large but slightly assymetrical neck shape, tone is slightly more hollow ie. fat but with a high presence sparkle to the notes with a dip in the midrange (I would call it more modern sounding than the Lentz, but not in a bad way), not very useable tone knobs. I would go with Tyler if you need the versatility of the 22 frets and possibly a humbucker with larger frets.


In summary the Lentz is THE BEST Strat I have played in terms of tone, but sometimes I miss having 22 frets, a humbucker, rolled fingerboard edges, etc... The Tyler is the best option if you want this versatility, it too is killer sounding axe, and it has a cool headstock. What can I say...save your pennies and buy both!

 

[rgsss14]

The above is a great comparison! Spot on.

 

[crosse79]

This is going to be a hard one. I have played and owned both. Here are some obserations:

Lentz - 21 frets, nitro finishes, some of the best traditional color in the biz, non-rolled fingerboard edges, smaller fretwire, large "C" necks, tone is very extremely organic and springy + chimey but clear at the same time (See the Youtube vid with the baby blue strat...that nails the Lentz tone), very useable tone knobs through the whole range. I would go with Lentz if you want a truly remarkable "vintage spec'd" Stratocaster that sounds stunning.

Tyler - 22 frets, poly finishes, trad + non-trad finishes, rolled fingerboard edges, larger fretwire, large but slightly assymetrical neck shape, tone is slightly more hollow ie. fat but with a high presence sparkle to the notes with a dip in the midrange (I would call it more modern sounding than the Lentz, but not in a bad way), not very useable tone knobs. I would go with Tyler if you need the versatility of the 22 frets and possibly a humbucker with larger frets.


In summary the Lentz is THE BEST Strat I have played in terms of tone, but sometimes I miss having 22 frets, a humbucker, rolled fingerboard edges, etc... The Tyler is the best option if you want this versatility, it too is killer sounding axe, and it has a cool headstock. What can I say...save your pennies and buy both!

Very nicely worded. I have note have the pleasure of playing a Lentz but here is my observation of the few Tylers I have had the opportunity to play. Tyler's Strat is his take & improvements on what he feels are the classic design. Purists might not like this as the instrument is not true to vintage specs. However a number of the things while not vintage correct, has added a "better" feel, "better" versatility, "better" playability. "Better" because it's subjective.

 

[trucks]

Lentz - 21 frets, nitro finishes, some of the best traditional color in the biz, non-rolled fingerboard edges, smaller fretwire, large "C" necks, tone is very extremely organic and springy + chimey but clear at the same time (See the Youtube vid with the baby blue strat...that nails the Lentz tone), very useable tone knobs through the whole range. I would go with Lentz if you want a truly remarkable "vintage spec'd" Stratocaster that sounds stunning.

You can get rolled fretboard edge now. My Lentz S has a medium roll.

OP, Scott also offers a choice of neck size and shape. You can also discuss what tone you are after. Scott Jr winds to taste. I would suggest you call and talk to Scott Sr and/or Jr before you make a decision. They are extremely helpful and may ultimately provide information that will help you make a more informed choice whichever guitar you choose.

 

[The bear]

I believe TPG member Suckamc has first hand experience with these two guitars.

 

[jiml]

I sold off Tylers I owned, loved the feel and mojo, didn't like the tones I got out of them, a bit too modern, even the Classic I had. The necks feel amazing, still want one because of that feel...

 

[lifeson1]

I love my Tyler Classic more than anything, but I am a bit more of a modern player. I demand a lot more bite out of my attack, and that's what it gives me. The minor scalloping in the upper frets is worth the price of admission alone. I've never heard more compliments live about the tone using any of my other arsenal than the Classic.

That being said, I've never played a Lentz, but I'm' sure you can't go wrong with either one.

 

[Keifer]

Thanks for all responses so far. I guess I fit in the modern camp myself as I do have the blues in my playing but would not be considered a straight blues player. Hybrid of jazz, rock and blues. maybe the Tyler might be the way to go. I wish i could play a Lentz because I love the YouTube clip with the placid blue lentz strat.

 

[esoteric pete]

once you play a lentz, you'll wonder why you played anything else...

YMMV, of course =)

 

[Scott Whigham]

I believe TPG member Suckamc has first hand experience with these two guitars.

Yep. He went from being a Tyler nut to a Lentz nut. PM'ed.

 

[suckamc]

Looks like I have been summoned. I like Tylers (some were very dull, though... there's a big variance in them between individual pieces). I love Lentzes. Once I played one, I didn't like my Tyler anymore (a Tyler Classic which had eaten every Tyler I put up against it). Every Lentz I've played has been amazing. If you want a vintage vibe, I don't see a comparison. For a more modern vibe, the Tyler may be the way to go (big rout, zinc block)... just make sure you find a good one. Keep in mind that, when weighing them, the zinc block is shaving plenty of weight off that guitar, so if (by weighing them) you're looking for low-density wood, then grade them on a curve.

Fwiw, I do think Tylerfreak did a great job in getting to the specifics, above. But last year I played what is probably the best Tyler I've ever played (an alder BW that a friend now owns). Great guitar. And I still prefered my Lentz by a long shot. YMMV, though.

 

[boogieman90]

Tyler - 22 frets, poly finishes, trad + non-trad finishes, rolled fingerboard edges, larger fretwire, large but slightly assymetrical neck shape, tone is slightly more hollow ie. fat but with a high presence sparkle to the notes with a dip in the midrange (I would call it more modern sounding than the Lentz, but not in a bad way), not very useable tone knobs. I would go with Tyler if you need the versatility of the 22 frets and possibly a humbucker with larger frets.

Lentz makes a 22 fret bucker guitar, the Croyden, that slays LP's, 335's, PRS, etc. He can install the size frets you want.
As to the Strat you will not find a better tone in a single coil guitar anywhere @ anyprice.

 

[SKYHIGH]

Build method is so different....from finish, routing, hardware, wood, etc. i think these two builders are at extreme end of the spectrum from one to another.