Better Guitar

player opinions

Name: Jules Tarrant
Band: Jules Tarrant
Model Year: -----
Price Paid: $370
Performance
I have to say that I have always been impressed by Fender, and the “Mex” Strat is no exception. I really like the sound I get, especially when you have the right effect pedals. The action is good, the neck is smooth and fast, especially for the price. Good bang for the buck. My only complaint is that when you’re getting into your performance, beware of accidentally turning down the volume mid-swing (think Pete Townsend of The Who.)
Performance Rating: 8
Sound Quality
I think the sound is good for the money. I highly recommend that if you don’t want to shell out the dollars for the American Strat, at least shell out for great pedals.
Sound Quality Rating: 7
Construction
I haven’t had any problems with my Strat. The construction is good, the paint is excellent (very shiny and nice on the eyes). The neck is very smooth. It remains dentless and has held up very nice (I obviously baby it though.)
Construction Rating: 10

Name: Charlie
Band: -----
Model Year: -----
Price Paid: $309
Performance
Great fast playing neck, frets are decent for bending. The major flaw, the noisy pickups, which can also put the strings out of tune (Stratitis). The solution, replace the pickups. Everything works perfectly, tuners still tuning, whammy bar still whamming.
Performance Rating: 8
Sound Quality
Original pickups are not very good, but that’s to be expected for the price. I replaced one of my Strats with Texas Specials and another with Seymour Duncan hot rails (one in neck one in bridge.)
Sound Quality Rating: 6
Construction
Very solid and reliable. I took the pickguard off about 20 times so 1 screw mounting (out of 10) got stripped. However, I think this is unavoidable, my fault — no complaints. Love my two Strats, almost as much as my Gibson, not quite though.
Construction Rating: 8

Name: Alan
Band: -----
Model Year: -----
Price Paid: $260
Performance
The guitar performs very well. It has great action (original) and the whammy bar works fine. Even the neck plays pretty fast for me. The p/u selector switch and control knobs all work fine with no noise during adjustment. The only thing I don’t like about the guitar is that the strings don’t stay in tune very well after sharp finger bends or whammy bending, even when using bullet-ends.
Performance Rating: 6
Sound Quality
The sound quality is good, but I like the sound of the American made Strats much better. The electronics are just so-so in the Standard Strat, which I think is justified by the selling price.
Sound Quality Rating: 6
Construction
My Standard Strat is very well made. I’ve had it for 2 years (although it doesn’t get played much anymore) and it looks like brand-new. The paint is a very high-gloss type (black), and is actually shinier than my American Strat. The neck and fingerboard (both maple) are good quality, too (although I prefer the medium-jumbo frets). All in all, for the price, the guitar is a solid product.
Construction Rating: 8

Name: Gareth
Band: -----
Model Year: -----
Price Paid: £320
Performance
This was an upgrade from my squire Tele (Jap.) and it is a great jump but it is still not as nice as an American Fender! The only consolation is that it is in an amazing metallic purple, which I love! It really could do with a pro setup but as it is it has a decent action.
Performance Rating: 6
Sound Quality
I can’t tell the difference between this one and an American made machine! Funky to the last!
Sound Quality Rating: 8
Construction
I keep it in a hard case and after owning it for 3 years not a scratch has been made and for me that’s amazing! Tuff, yet the maple neck is starting to show a little wear!
Construction Rating: 6