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It's time for some guitar shopping. The main thing I'm shooting for is a very comfertable smooth neck with really low action. I mean like super low, not to always stay in that position, but just to know it can go about as low is it ever needs to without buzzing horribly. Pretty much I'm shopping for comfort. Now my price range varies from 600-1000, which isn't much to deal with but I'd like to make the best out of it. I used to play strictly metal until recently I've been getting into new things such as Blues and even some classical peices, and looking for the right comfertable neck to help ease my progressing. I'm trying to stay away from Gibson Les Pauls if possible. I didn't like the necks to much, the pickups sounded somewhat fuzzy and classic rockish, and I don't find it comfertable sitting down, it seems to dip backwards. I'm really after a strat body guitar. I find them most comfertable.

My main choice so far is maybe a USA Deluxe Fender Strat, but they may be out of my price range. Also I'm still sceptical on how it would sound for jamming some random metal songs with my buddies. I know Iron Maiden gets great tone out of theres and also Mikeal from Opeth, but the thought of having to tune to C standard to jam some In Flames riffs on a Fender Strat kind of bugs me. Pretty much I'm just looking for some Fender stories and possibly even some clips of them in any style of music. Also any other recommendations are welcome, and stories of comfertable necks you have tried in the past. Hope to hear from you guys.

Welcome to the forum!

First off, don't be afraid of playing metal on a Strat. If it works for Dave Murray, who are we to argue?

I personally think you might be better off going with a used guitar. A US Strat will easily fall into your price range and leave you some extra money for modding it. You'll have even more money left over if you can find an old US Peavey or Kramer. Both have great necks and are going for just a few hundred bucks. (I have personally bought two Peaveys for under $100 each, though on seriously needed a new paint job) Of course, all of this assumes you're comfortable with doing a little work yourself or you'll probably have to pay a tech to fix a few things.

If you insist on new, definitely check out Godin guitars. They have excellent necks and some of the models come with Duncans. They've got a good variety of models and are very reasonably priced. You should still have some money left over for modding.

An American Standard Strat with either the Everything Axe set or just dual humbuckers in a different pickguard should fit the bill.

Not only Dave Murray but Adrian too and in Priest's early days, they used Strats. Gotta love a good Strat. So many uses, so many styles.

I think the Fender Deluxe necks are a cut above regular Americans. I'd suggest looking for a Fender Am. Deluxe Strat in the HSS configuration, and trying to find one used, then make sure the setup is spot-on.

GJ, I'm pretty sure the necks on the Deluxe's are the same as the Am Standards. All they do is slap some locking tuners, upgraded pickups, maybe and LSR nut if it's the HSS without the locking trem, and call it a Deluxe. That's been my observation anyway from playing them.

usacg. your choice of wood, finishing and almost everything! tommy is a gem to deal with. their 7.25 to 9.5 compound radius coupled with 62' neck countour is da bomb!

www.usacustomguitars.com

If you are thinking of Fender think of the guitar you want, and the aftermarket neck you love. All my Fenders have Warmoth of US Custom necks. Buy another guitar? Swap the neck keep the neck neck.


Originally Posted by ErikHGJ, I'm pretty sure the necks on the Deluxe's are the same as the Am Standards. All they do is slap some locking tuners, upgraded pickups, maybe and LSR nut if it's the HSS without the locking trem, and call it a Deluxe. That's been my observation anyway from playing them.

The newer model Deluxes have the fretboard edges quot;rolledquot; IIRC.


Originally Posted by gOgIverThe newer model Deluxes have the fretboard edges quot;rolledquot; IIRC.

They do, and the Am Standards do as well. The specs on the neck for both models are the same. The Deluxe has one model with a different neck, a vintage 'V' shaped profile instead of the modern 'C' shape.


Originally Posted by ErikHThey do, and the Am Standards do as well.

'Kay. How 'bout the quot;Highly Detailed Fret Workquot;?

I grabbed a cheap used and abused 1988 American Standard strat and added a different pickguard and a JB in it.... great guitar for Maiden.... In fact it is almost too thick sounding for Maiden..


Originally Posted by gOgIver'Kay. How 'bout the quot;Highly Detailed Fret Workquot;?

Sales pitch. They may check them over a little more but nothing extraordinarily more than the Am Standards. The inlays are different too but that is about it.

I'm not big on abalone inlays on maple so if I wanted a Deluxe, I'd get an Am Standard, toss some Schaller locking tuners on it, maybe an LSR nut, some BL L280/290 pickups and there ya have it. The reason I say the L280/290 is because the SCN's are not available aftermarket (well, there's eBay for those that pull 'em and sell 'em).

Sure, the Deluxe models are nice, but if one is planning on changing pickups anyway, save the extra cash and get an Am Standard. Use the extra cash for replacement pickups.


Originally Posted by ErikHI'm not big on abalone inlays on maple

I think those look quite classy...