I searched a few old topics about guitars and I saw that some people here have extreme knowledge on guitars,so I would like their opinion.For example if you have a guitar like a mex strat, does it worth to spent money on it so as to become better(pickups,tuners etc.) or is it more wise to save your money to buy a better guitar?

If the guitar is made of good resonate wood and has a good neck on it, then it's worth it to upgrade the pickups and hardware.

In the case of a Mexican strat I`d say that it`s definetly worth it. They`re fine guitars and with some good pickups, tuners, strings, etc. half the work is done. Also, you can have every little screw in your guitar tuned to perfection at a guitar shop for not all too much money, which will also drastically increase playability. If it`s a guitar you love, I mean, you get to know guitars and learn to love them over time, than yes, I would say ìt`s 100% worth it.

It`s like people: getting your girlfriend a new haircut and a new outfit, and perhaps a work-out at the gym, can drastically increase her fuckability. However, if she was a bitch to start with, why bother increasing her fuckability (I could think of numerous reasons, but you kind of get my drift)?

Save your money.

If I remember correctly, you have being playing not for many years. Let some time pass, build up some experience.

The Fender Mex can an ok guitar for the price it costs, but for me it is useless to spend big money on new pick ups and bridge and tuners for it. It will improve, of course, but don't expect a dramatic revolution from any customization of you guitar.

For the time being just be sure that the neck is straight, and the action and intonation is well done.

C

I own a Mexi Tele and an American Strat. Both are good guitars. The American Strat is, of course, a bit nicer but it costs a bit more. I have also owned two Mexi Strats. Liked them both. Sold one to a friend of mine and if he ever sells it I'm gonna buy it back cause there was just something special about it.

Upgrades? Never did any cause I was happy with them as they were. If you want to, go ahead. Or leave it alone and save money to buy another guitar but keep your Mexi as a backup. Just my very humble opinion.

sorry carlo, I'm with king snake.

(also regarding the "fuckability" issue ehehe)

ciao

bardo

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..five strings, three notes, two fingers, one @#$%&..

take a look at my RS tribute band:
[www.stickyfingers.it]

[www.facebook.com]

get to know and love her and you'll find that even the most basic of models will give you years of good playability. ive been soldering on with an Epi 355 for a couple of years now, by far from the best guitar, yet ive learnt to play her well - and friends and audience tell me it sounds good. and all the little dents and scratches were created by me at various places which hold a significance. getting rid of it for a better guitar i will do at some point, but it'll be like putting down a pet....

or something

:-D

Thanks a lot for responding.I also have an issue with the guitar some months now.I tried 2 different cables and I noticed that some times I loose the sound of the guitar and I unplug and plug it again.Also I think it has more noise sometimes than it used to have.

Personally I wouldn't bother unless you plan to hang on to the guitar for years. Upgrading 3 pick-ups can in itself be quite pricey and you wouldn't get it back if you sold the guitar - in fact, most buyers like their used guitars in original condition.

There's nothing wrong with Mexican Fenders. Use it and learn to love it while you keep an eye out for your next guitar.

My opinion only. A lot of people like tinkering with upgrades and if you're into that, go ahead. Me, I find it easier to buy guitars than to part with them!

A quick question so as not to start a new thread.Villanova junction is played on standar tuning or half step down?

Depends on what you want to do with it. Play at home? Don't bother, mex Fender guitars are great guitars. Record with it? Replace the pickups for something better, maybe change the bridge as well. Want to play 50 gigs a year? Then I would save some more money and buy an American Fender, unless you really want to spend big bucks on pickups, hardware, refrets, new nuts, new tuners.

Mathijs

Ah, an American Strat, the guitar you keep! Even after my wife got mad at me one day about 8 years ago and threw my strat in the swimming pool. It survived, The thing floated, I took it in for a set up, and it is still my main Axe (when I am not playing bass).

Did you throw her in the pool?

I play at home and I don't think I will ever play a single gig.But in my opinion this doesn't matter because you want to hear greater tone for yourself and not the crowd.Unless you mean something else.Can you answer me also for the problem that the guitar has?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-07-19 21:59 by StratoGR.

Strats do tend to have a ceretain buzz from the pick-ups. I have had techs tell me this is most common in the 2nd and 4th positions although it seems to be even in mine. Also the moise doesn't come through when I record, if it does, then the problem is not the guitar (at least in my case). StratoGR. What kind of amp do you play through?

I know the problem that single coils have.My amp is a Marshall MG 15cd r which I like to change with a much better quality amp but to remain suitable for home use and I don't have to spend a small fortune.

I don't know where you are at, but you could pick up a new Deluxe Reverb (tube amp) for under $600, and less for used. That combination with a strat is a fantastic sound. Check out the Cream reunion DVD. In the old days Eric used Marshalls, now he uses several twin reverbs.

other amp suggestions for home use
a roland Microcube, it runs on bateries and has a variety of sounds, it is a bit pricy at $225. but it's small enough to take anywhere.
If you want a bit more power, for about $300 you can get a Peavy with one 12" speaker, very loud, too loud for an apartment, fine for a home, but an excellent value. Again, for me, playing a strat, I love the Fender Tube amp sound.
Check out the photo on my band sight www.blueszoneband.com click on BZB Pix and look at the second photo down, you will see our singer/guitarist playing a (Mexican) Strat (he won't use my Americanone)with a delux reverb amp. fine for home use, and when gigging at a club, stick a PA mic on it and it will fill the room. (I'm the clown on bass)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-07-19 23:37 by BluzDude.

I don't have any effexts yet.Tubescreamer is a good choice to start with and if yes which one?Thanks for all the responses so far.

I personally like the Boss overdrive, or to spend a few more bucks a line 6 POD

First you need the right Mexican Strat. Some are potentially as good a guitar as you could ever want. You can tell a lot about a solid guitar from the way it responds unplugged. If it feels lively and resonant in your hands..it's well Worth an upgrade to some top notch pickups and a USA trem with a machined steel block.
The trem block is quite a significant factor in getting a top quality tone from a strat. The cast mazak blocks employed in most lower cost models and copies tend to damp the response and rob the guitar of some life. It's not that a guitar so equipped won't sound good...it's just that a steel block will make it better.
Probably the biggest single improvement you can make...bigger than pickups !

Seymour duncan texas specails pick ups are excellent same as stevie ray vaghuan's thats what i have on mine and it is an early 80's tokai Strat
Cheers kennydice

I never new that trem block is such an important upgrade.I never thought that you can upgrade it.Thanks for the info.Can you provide a link for trem block to check prices?Because I don't want to ask over and over the same things again can you suggest the best upgrades for it's part of my guitar?If it can be better why not?

The Gotoh vintage trem or the Fender USA trem are both reasonably priced but require the spacing of the six screw holes to be altered. That's because the modern Mexican Strat employs the narrower 52mm or so string spacing. The Vintage bridge has the traditional 55mm spacing. The holes in the body need to be plugged and re-drilled. Not a job for the ham fisted ;^).
The alternative is to go for the Callaham trem block upgrade. They do a variant to bolt straight up to the Mexican bridge with the correct string and bolt spacing. They also do a set of narrow stamped steel saddles to replace the cast saddles fitted to earlier "Mexicasters".
These products are easily located on the respective makers web sites. The Gotoh and Fender items are widely stocked by dealers. The Callaham stuff is only carried by a few select agents but can be ordered direct over the net.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2007-07-20 10:45 by Spud.

All three are the same quality>

The Callaham is arguably better. A lot of marketing emphasis is on the quality of manufacture from the original "vintage" materials, "better" engineering etc etc.
No big deal. The Fender USA and the steel block Gotoh "vintage" bridge are both just fine and the engineering perfectly good.
The Callaham is arguably the best bet to upgrade a Mexican Standard Strat though, because it bolts straight up to the existing bridge[which is itself fine]. You can buy the block alone...which is cheaper than the whole bridge assembly from Fender or Gotoh ;^).
The Mexican Classic Strats have the "vintage" spacing. Callaham do a block for those too...or the complete Fender/Gotoh bridge will drop straight in.
Hpe this helps ;^)



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2007-07-20 10:38 by Spud.