GRM Guitar Rehab - Squier Strat

RossD wrote: .... I'm looking for a cheapish strat. Whether it's a squier or just a strat made in mexico or some other country, I don't really care. I just want a decent single coil guitar in a Strat format. I don't have a budget since I don't know what money will bring what kind of quality. And keeping with the Rehab portion, I'd be in for cleaning pots and soldering new caps and what not...

If you are looking for used, keep your eyes open for a Peavey Falcon. I have one I love. They are one of the more under appreciated strat clones out there. I think they get overlooked because they are same size and shape as the Peavey Preditor, which was an cheap entry level instrument. I think the Falcons generally had better matierals and electronics.

Yeah, I had a Predator tele copy that wasn't a bad guitar at all, but it would pop high E strings like crazy; to the point where I got accustomed to soloing without it and tuning on the fly. Could never figure out why it was happening. I looked for metal burrs everywhere but never found anything. Anyway, with stock pickups through a twin reverb, it sounded almost as good as the real deal. I've got a goofy pic of a skinny ass 17YO poop playing that thing. I should dig it up and post it.

I don't buy the whole Agile/Rondo thing. The people that say those guitars are the bees knees are the same folks who claim that a Squire Affinity is every bit as good as an American Deluxe. I was 100% convinced I wanted one of those from all the gleaming reviews, but man, what a CHEEEEEEAP piece of E36 M3. If that was all I could afford, I'd save my pennies till I could afford something better. Makes me wonder if the people who like them have ever touched a $1k guitar.

DAMNIT DAMNIT DAMNIT!!!

WHY did I even look

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/3466338573.html

poopshovel wrote: DAMNIT DAMNIT DAMNIT!!! WHY did I even look http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/3466338573.html

Meh. You want a Cherry burst. Or I want a cherry burst anyways.

Another thing: when it comes to stringed instruments, I've only had one of them since new (my Ibanez TR70 bass, was a Christmas gift when I was 15, how appropriate!). Like cars, most guitars depreciate fast and rarely go up in value, so sometimes for the price you pay for one of those knockoffs when they are all said and done, you could get the real deal, or at least a lower priced licensed model.

SilverFleet wrote: Another thing: when it comes to stringed instruments, I've only had one of them since new (my Ibanez TR70 bass, was a Christmas gift when I was 15, how appropriate!). Like cars, most guitars depreciate fast and rarely go up in value, so sometimes for the price you pay for one of those knockoffs when they are all said and done, you could get the real deal, or at least a lower priced licensed model.

However, unlike cars, guitars depreciate fully very quickly. You can buy used and not have to worry too much about it going down in value.

poopshovel wrote: DAMNIT DAMNIT DAMNIT!!! WHY did I even look http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/msg/3466338573.html

Nice. I have the same pick-up at the bridge position of my Strat. The funny thing, I want a Tele shaped body with Strat bevels. I've had normal Tele's (actually still have one) and don't like them much.

Tim Baxter wrote: Ross, these Rondos are generally considered very good for the money, and they're very cheap: http://www.rondomusic.com/electricguitar.html

http://www.rondomusic.com/interceptorpro625ebemgbkquiltkah.html

Not a bad looking guitar for $700. Weird to see a new guitar with a stud-mount Kahler and double-weird they surface mounted it w/o the front posts.

In reply to Ian F:

My tele deluxe has the belly cut. I some times wish it had the forearm cut too.

poopshovel wrote: Yeah, I had a Predator tele copy that wasn't a bad guitar at all, but it would pop high E strings like crazy; to the point where I got accustomed to soloing without it and tuning on the fly. Could never figure out why it was happening. I looked for metal burrs everywhere but never found anything. Anyway, with stock pickups through a twin reverb, it sounded almost as good as the real deal. I've got a goofy pic of a skinny ass 17YO poop playing that thing. I should dig it up and post it.

Interesting. My Falcon did the same thing with Ernie Ball strings. When I started using GHS or D'Addario strings, the problem went away.

Type Q wrote:

poopshovel wrote: Yeah, I had a Predator tele copy that wasn't a bad guitar at all, but it would pop high E strings like crazy; to the point where I got accustomed to soloing without it and tuning on the fly. Could never figure out why it was happening. I looked for metal burrs everywhere but never found anything. Anyway, with stock pickups through a twin reverb, it sounded almost as good as the real deal. I've got a goofy pic of a skinny ass 17YO poop playing that thing. I should dig it up and post it.

Interesting. My Falcon did the same thing with Ernie Ball strings. When I started using GHS or D'Addario strings, the problem went away.

I can't stand Ernie Ball strings. I have bought them a few times in various configurations and for various instruments, and I've either popped a string on installation or popped one within a day of putting them on the instrument.

I've never had an issue with Dean Markley, D'Addario, or DR strings. I have DR's on just about everything now, and they have been fantastic.

Nice job on the guitar! That's a hell of a gift! I almost posted about my goofy gear, but then decided to start a new thread instead of hijacking yours.

Type Q wrote: Interesting. My Falcon did the same thing with Ernie Ball strings. When I started using GHS or D'Addario strings, the problem went away.

Strings are funny. Because I played a guitar with a Kahler for so long, I would only use Ernie Ball RPS10's (Reinforced Plain Strings) since they seemed to be the only ones that could hold up to Kahler abuse (like grabbing the guitar by the bar and shaking it). I would buy them by the case. Even today I tend to buy Ernie Ball strings, but I'm less picky now.

poopshovel wrote: Yeah, I had a Predator tele copy that wasn't a bad guitar at all, but it would pop high E strings like crazy; to the point where I got accustomed to soloing without it and tuning on the fly. Could never figure out why it was happening.

My Cort would pop A strings like crazy, always at the saddle. I tried filing and sanding, and it just kept happening. I finally bought a set of string saver saddles and just about never broke a string again. They paid for themselves pretty damn fast.

...And it comes full circle.

Today was my nephew's 15th birthday, so that means it was time to give him the Strat! I had it all tuned up and ready to go, and then we surprised him with it after giving him a few joke gifts.

He was really happy and completely surprised, which was exactly what we wanted to happen. Here's a pic of us after he calmed down a little bit:

It was an Iron Maiden themed birthday, so he got a ton of other Maiden items, including a songbook for the guitar. He will be taking lessons starting after the New Year. Now I have to get his younger brother a bass and we can start a family Metal band!

BTW, my nephew shares a birthday with this dude, which makes it all absolutely perfect:

Happy Birthday Dave Murray of Iron Maiden!!! LOL

Sweet.

Oh, and up the irons!