Hey.. I've been playing for a while now, and I'm in the market for a second guitar. I've got around 900 bucks.. So my choices were narrowed down to a Fender American Strat and a Strat HH. Problem is, I've never actually played both.

Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of both guitars? What kind of sound do they give off? Playability? Quality in terms of price? Etc.

Playablity is basically identical. A strat is a strat is a strat. Mexican made, American made, makes very little difference. Whcihever you get, play several of the same model, every one of em will feel different.

Typically American made pickups tend to be better in the Fender line. That being said I would agree with what was said and try a ton of them out. You will find the one that works for you.


The primary differences with an American vs Mexican made strat are:

Finish type, American has cellulose and the mex has polyurethane

Depending on the model of american guitar they have wax dipped pots.

The tuners used are different, typically american have vintage tuners, standard Fender tuners or Schaller Tuners...depending on the model. Mex usually have a version of those or Gotoh tuners.

The pickups are wound differently, Am usually have Seymour Duncan or Dimarzio or there own signature pickups. Mex have Duncan Design or ones that are slightly cheaper made versions of the Fender signature pickups..OR something that emulates the brand name ones used on the American series.

Those are the primary differences. All of the above is all subjective as to which is better. Play as many as you can and find the one you love. Theres nothign wrong with a good Mex made Fender.


Any more questions let me know!

-Lyman

If I were you I would buy really good MIM and change electronics... Mexes are well finished guitars and sometimes they're better than Americans... Try aslo Japan Fenders. My friend has one and it has amazing sound.

RobertLeeKing wrote:

Playablity is basically identical. A strat is a strat is a strat. Mexican made, American made, makes very little difference. Whcihever you get, play several of the same model, every one of em will feel different.

......i play a strat HH....there is a big difference....mine is back loaded, which means no pick guard, there isn't nearly as much would cut away like a regular strat....this gives you a beefier tone and way better sustain. the regular strats are bright if not twangy some times. so i would check out the showmaster and look on ebay for some older ones(they had better colors a few years ago) but like i said the big difference is wether or not it is back loaded or top loaded....i will agree however that american versus mexican not that big a deal, mainly just accessories...and the difference between alder and swamp ash...not that much im affraid. also i tend to like the tone of a bridge humbucker better than combinations of single coils. it is bright enough for leads but beefy enough for rythem without having to switch around.








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