Stratocaster

[SamusChief]

I'm starting to save money, and I want to make versatility my goal. So, I'm going for Stratocasters, because they have two key differences with my current guitar: Whammys and single coils. The only problem, is that I need 22 frets, and most strats I've seen come with 21. I only have a budget of about $500, and I'd prefer some leftover money to replace the nut.

[Scott_F]

I kinda got a little chuckle out of part of that. What is it that you need the 22nd fret for that you can't get done on the first 21?

Okay, I've been looking at Strats and Teles again. It's like once I get free of the addiction, it comes back again every so often.

From what I can tell, with your budget in mind, Squier is making a Classic Vintage series that is supposed to be highly resonant and pretty nice for the money. Otherwise, you can find a Fender Strat (mexican) for right at 500.

[DonP]

I kinda got a little chuckle out of part of that.

+1 LOL!

[gilaltom3]

[QUOTE=Scott_F;2820757]I kinda got a little chuckle out of part of that. What is it that you need the 22nd fret for that you can't get done on the first 21?
/QUOTE]

My thought's exactly

[sbecker67]

....From what I can tell, with your budget in mind, Squier is making a Classic Vintage series that is supposed to be highly resonant and pretty nice for the money. Otherwise, you can find a Fender Strat (mexican) for right at 500.

This. Squire Classic Vibe series at $349.00, new, are a steal and they are the only 'budget' guitar that I have which is not buried under 2" of poly; it's only 1" . Stock pickups weren't horrible either.

[SamusChief]

The solos That I improvise, cover, and write have a tendency to go up, up, up, and bend up on the 22nd fret. Going that high up from the 21st fret would certainly break a string, and pinch down on other strings. I play metal. That's basically what I need the 22nd for.

[tc]

The only way you'll get 22 frets on a Fender Strat around that budget is a Blacktop I think. Everything else will have 21. Obviously the problem there would be that you'd be stuck with a HH setup, which is not what you're going for.

I guess you could look for other brands. There's plenty of S-style makers in the world.

[SamusChief]

I guess you could look for other brands. There's plenty of S-style makers in the world.

Thank you. This reminded me that ESP does, in fact, make Strat style guitars. They have vintage trems, single coils... and 22 frets. Just found those and they're cheaper than I thought.

[ImmortalSix]

The only way you'll get 22 frets on a Fender Strat around that budget is a Blacktop I think. Everything else will have 21. Obviously the problem there would be that you'd be stuck with a HH setup, which is not what you're going for.

I guess you could look for other brands. There's plenty of S-style makers in the world.

[tc]

He said $500 budget...the Blacktop's $499

[Scott_F]

Or coil tap the HH set up? (I'm not a huge fan of that)

[Kam]

Or coil tap the HH set up? (I'm not a huge fan of that)

A set of hum-sizedP-90s could be cool.

[Stratman]

Bend the string to Very HIGH D..

You don’t really need that 22 fret!

Such a note only gets play once in a blue moon, and even then it’s too darn high, especially since you probably are using the bridge pup…

NOTE to SamusChief: Metal is dead!

[Bludave]

If you really feel the need for the 22nd fret you could buy the Squire, then replace the neck. I have a few Warmoth necks on two of my Strats that are awesome. Very stable & 22 frets. The major problem with the 22nd fret on a Strat is if the truss rod is at the heel, you have to remove the neck to adjust it. Its a huge PITA. So my latest build I ordered a neck with the rid at the top. much much easier.

[Nagash]

There's one thing I don't understand... you say you want a Strat for versatility, but want it to have 22 frets for playing metal.

Can't you just play metal on your metal guitars, and use the Strat, with 21 frets and single-coil sounds for everything else but metal ? I have already played the ESP strats, they sound awesome but not for metal, and you have metal guitars anyway ! So just get a regular strat and go versatile on this one, you don't need it for metal.

Just my 2 cents...

[SamusChief]

There's one thing I don't understand... you say you want a Strat for versatility, but want it to have 22 frets for playing metal.

Can't you just play metal on your metal guitars, and use the Strat, with 21 frets and single-coil sounds for everything else but metal ? I have already played the ESP strats, they sound awesome but not for metal, and you have metal guitars anyway ! So just get a regular strat and go versatile on this one, you don't need it for metal.

Just my 2 cents...

As good a point as this is, My only response is that Metal is not the only genre of music that can use the 22nd fret.

[Scott_F]

As good a point as this is, My only response is that Metal is not the only genre of music that can use the 22nd fret.

We're just bustin' your ballz

[JohnnyGuitar]

I have 22 frets on my Highway 1 and I don't remember the last time I went for this note... I don't even go for them on other guitars... the 22 fret on a Strat, BTW, is not really comfortable to play...

[IanBallard]

I'm starting to save money, and I want to make versatility my goal. So, I'm going for Stratocasters, because they have two key differences with my current guitar: Whammys and single coils. The only problem, is that I need 22 frets, and most strats I've seen come with 21. I only have a budget of about $500, and I'd prefer some leftover money to replace the nut.

Good Strat body: $100
Good 22-fret Neck: $100
Decent prewired pickguard: $200
Premium bridge: $100

You'll probably go a little over $500 with the hardware, but you could build a pretty good Strat if you have the skill.

Otherwise, most of the 22-fret Strats are in the "Deluxe" or other "custom" categories.

[MojoMonster]

Good Strat body: $100
Good 22-fret Neck: $100
Decent prewired pickguard: $200
Premium bridge: $100

You'll probably go a little over $500 with the hardware, but you could build a pretty good Strat if you have the skill.

Otherwise, most of the 22-fret Strats are in the "Deluxe" or other "custom" categories.

+1 This.
Absolutely no reason is *has* to say Fender on it.

MM