I want to buy a Fender Stratocaster guitar but it's too expensive. What is the next best thing?

Answer 1

Buy a cheap Squire, but get a pro to check out the neck -- The pickups are ok-ish, so change the bridge pickup for a stacked Seymour D. Next step, download a wiring schematic, and solder in some decent pots to the correct values -- 20 minute job. Plug it in and lay some notes down.

Answer 2

You're paying for the quality. A Squire is made by the Fender people outside the US, they're OK, but it's not a real Fender (different quality of wood and electronics). But then again, if you're not a serious player or a beginner, those are perfect. The idea is to up grade later. My new thing is building my own guitars.

Answer 3

Let me recommend an outstanding strat copy from rondomusic.com, their Agile ST 1000 has a killer Alder body, Maple neck, rosewood fretboard, Wilkenson tremolo and tuners,American made Alnico V single coil pickups and lots of little extras like High voltage pots with brass shafts to reduce that dreaded 60 cycle hum that you get from strats. How much?
$300 bro! DO NOT BUY A SQUIRE! Spend your cash on something that plays better than that. Who cares what the name is on the headstock, buy something of quality.

Answer 4

Get a Japaneese or Mexican Strat. They are still Fenders, but since they are not USA made, they cost less. There are also plenty of "other" brands that rip of the strat design mercilessly, so you should go to your local Guitar Center and check them out.

Answer 5

I owned a Strat once. It wasn't that great. The fingerboard action was muddy. Try a Les Paul. How much is a new Strat nowadays?

Answer 6

saving up for one.

Answer 7

A fake one!!!