Guitar players help

[Titan]

I want to bid on this guitar. What do you guys think? Would that chip be able to be fixed in a shop or something?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230013047621&indexURL=1#ebayphotohosting

What chip? The guitar looks flawless.

I would not buy this guitar.  Here\'s why:

1.  Most important:  Why does this guitar have a toggle switch where the second tone knob should be???  It looks awful.  I know the description says it\'s wired as a tap to the humbucker, but WHY?  Apparently Fender did offer a model like this in the past, so perhaps it is stock, but damn it is ugly.  I would seek a traditional Stratocaster design and avoid one of these ugly "mistake" models that Fender has since corrected.

2.  I know Fender offers a few Stratocaster models that have one or more Humbucker pickups, but I personally feel that is wrong.  The classic Stratocaster design is three single coils.  You can use any kind of single coil-shaped pickup in those slots, including a stacked humbucker, but it should look like a single coil.  If you\'re going to invest in a real Fender, even a mexican-made entry level model like this, why not get one that looks right?

The chip near the strap lock is insignificant compared to the above concerns, in my opinion.  Get a pure classic Strat.  I browsed Ebay briefly, and there are many used MIM strats in this price range to choose from.  Just wait for something better to come along.

You can also buy a NEW 2005 model sunburst Standard for $405.00.  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar-2005?sku=510000

[Viper_Fujax]

how much you looking to spend? 300 bucks? can get a way better, new guitar for that money.

then again, im not a fender person. I like jackson, ibanez, ESP..

Just avoid b.c. rich like the plague.

[Titan]

I would not buy this guitar.  Here\'s why:

1.  Most important:  Why does this guitar have a toggle switch where the second tone knob should be???  It looks awful.  I know the description says it\'s wired as a tap to the humbucker, but WHY?  Apparently Fender did offer a model like this in the past, so perhaps it is stock, but damn it is ugly.  I would seek a traditional Stratocaster design and avoid one of these ugly "mistake" models that Fender has since corrected.

2.  I know Fender offers a few Stratocaster models that have one or more Humbucker pickups, but I personally feel that is wrong.  The classic Stratocaster design is three single coils.  You can use any kind of single coil-shaped pickup in those slots, including a stacked humbucker, but it should look like a single coil.  If you\'re going to invest in a real Fender, even a mexican-made entry level model like this, why not get one that looks right?

The chip near the strap lock is insignificant compared to the above concerns, in my opinion.  Get a pure classic Strat.  I browsed Ebay briefly, and there are many used MIM strats in this price range to choose from.  Just wait for something better to come along.

You can also buy a NEW 2005 model sunburst Standard for $405.00.  http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-Stratocaster-Electric-Guitar-2005?sku=510000

I\'m not looking for a traditional Stratocaster. I want one that is different and with the humbucker pickups.

[nO-One]

having the humbucker and a coil tap is a plus in my opinion, I\'ve liked the strats I\'ve played with that config, however I do agree with Core on missing the 2nd tone knob. You might not use it a while lot but when you start experimenting having that kind of control over is a big plus.

Personally I\'m not a big Fender guy, but it\'s a good deal imo.

I\'m not looking for a traditional Stratocaster. I want one that is different and with the humbucker pickups.

As I said, you can get the benefits of the Humbucker sound & noise reduction with a stacked Humbucker that would fit in a normal single coil slot.  That is what I would do if I wanted a Fender Stratocaster with a Humbucker pickup.
 
Do you just want it to look like it has a Humbucker?  If you want a strat-shaped body with humbuckers, why don\'t you just buy one of the non-Fender models like Viper_Fujax suggested.  You could save some money that way also.

[Titan]

As I said, you can get the benefits of the Humbucker sound & noise reduction with a stacked Humbucker that would fit in a normal single coil slot.  That is what I would do if I wanted a Fender Stratocaster with a Humbucker pickup.
 
Do you just want it to look like it has a Humbucker?  If you want a strat-shaped body with humbuckers, why don\'t you just buy one of the non-Fender models like Viper_Fujax suggested.  You could save some money that way also.

There are a couple others on ebay I\'m looking at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stratocaster-Alder-Body-Awesome-Sunburst-Finish_W0QQitemZ190011695710QQihZ009QQcategoryZ38082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/Fender-Stratocaster-H-H-with-70s-Style-Neck_W0QQitemZ290012503749QQihZ019QQcategoryZ38082QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

I like the blues player\'s guitar.

I want an actual Stratocaster to be honest so I know its a quality Fender and not a cheap knockoff.

I might be wrong, but I think if you\'e wanting a mellow and warm tone, stay away from humbuckers and go with single coils.

[Titan]

I might be wrong, but I think if you\'e wanting a mellow and warm tone, stay away from humbuckers and go with single coils.

I\'m not at this point. That\'s why I want humbuckers. I kinda want a harder sound. But there are times I\'m sure I would want to play mellow and stuff.

Personally i don\'t like the look of humbuckers on a strat, it just ain\'t right lol. You don\'t need to buy a Fender just becasue they are the "best" guitar makers, yeh they will be better but if you\'re just starting out theres no point buying a top of the line guitar when you might get bored after a few months. I bought a Stagg (~$180) about 2 years ago and I still use it and Iv\'e played lots of other guitars and still love mine the best, just personal choice i guess. Although i am saving for my Gibson Les Paul

Oh yeh and get a good amp before getting a good guitar, makes more sense to have a good amp and not so good guitar rather than an amazing guitar and an amp that doesn\'t do it justice.

[CHIZZY]

. Although i am saving for my Gibson Les Paul

Oh yeh and get a good amp before getting a good guitar, makes more sense to have a good amp and not so good guitar rather than an amazing guitar and an amp that doesn\'t do it justice.

there\'s a good lad.....

:thumb:

[Titan]

Personally i don\'t like the look of humbuckers on a strat, it just ain\'t right lol. You don\'t need to buy a Fender just becasue they are the "best" guitar makers, yeh they will be better but if you\'re just starting out theres no point buying a top of the line guitar when you might get bored after a few months. I bought a Stagg (~$180) about 2 years ago and I still use it and Iv\'e played lots of other guitars and still love mine the best, just personal choice i guess. Although i am saving for my Gibson Les Paul

Oh yeh and get a good amp before getting a good guitar, makes more sense to have a good amp and not so good guitar rather than an amazing guitar and an amp that doesn\'t do it justice.

I know the humbuckers don\'t just look right but they do set the strat I want to buy apart. I originally wanted to get a Showmaster with HH pickups but I lost the auction by 5 bucks. That was a top of the line though and I wouldn\'t have bothered if it wasn\'t a good deal. Went for 493 and it had top of the line humbuckers, Floyd Rose tremolo system, barely played and was American made. My bro said it retailed for over a grand. I figured I would never find a deal like that again so I went for it but lost. Now I\'m looking for a Strat since they\'re cheaper and easier to find than Showmasters.

As for your concerns of me getting bored with it, I highly doubt it. I know this is something I\'ve wanted to do for a while and now I have the money to throw at it. Also, I don\'t want to buy a 100 buck guitar to learn on. I\'m musically inclined so I just really need to learn how to play it and how to play the notes and technique. I think I can pick it up fairly easily so I don\'t want to buy a 100 buck guitar or less when I know I would want something better in like 2-6 months when I pick everything up.

I\'m scouring Craig\'s List for amps. I found one guy selling one but I\'m sure its gone by now. It was a Fender amp going for fairly cheap. Too bad the listing is like a week old. I\'m sure its gone by now.

Hmmm, it looks like you definitely want a sunburst with black pickguard and hardware.  That is what all three of your links looked like.  That is not exactly the color combination I like best, but it looks OK.  
 
Why don\'t you just buy a new (or used) Fender Standard HH like this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-Stratocaster-HH-Guitar-with-Tremolo?sku=511336
 
$404 NEW for the sunburst, and you don\'t have to replace the pickguard and hardware.  They\'re already black.

[Titan]

Hmmm, it looks like you definitely want a sunburst with black pickguard and hardware.  That is what all three of your links looked like.  That is not exactly the color combination I like best, but it looks OK.  
 
Why don\'t you just buy a new (or used) Fender Standard HH like this:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Standard-Stratocaster-HH-Guitar-with-Tremolo?sku=511336
 
$404 NEW for the sunburst, and you don\'t have to replace the pickguard and hardware.  They\'re already black.

Hmm. Very interesting. I\'ll definitely think about it. I was hoping to find a barely used one on eBay to save some money so I can buy the HDTV I want to get but I would gladly sacrifice that for a sweet guitar. Actually, me and my room mate are already talking about starting a band but I told him I need to learn how to play first so he\'s gonna teach me.