software

I went to GC on sunday, and got all jonesing for a new USA Strat... Then I remembered something about Gamp;L...
Currently there are 2 front runners.
1: USA Strat Hardtail
2: Gamp;L Legacy with a Hardtail Option.

Which one has better sounding PUPS out of the box? Which one is of higher quality? Does the Gamp;L sound stratty enough?
Any and all thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Loudriver

The one thing you take into cosideration is resale value. IMO a hard tail is harder to sell than a trem style strat. Most people when looking for a Strat will want the Whammy. That being said if you don't use it its still there.

Gamp;L makes great guitars....... I just don't know what kind of value they will bring in the event you ever try to sell it. I like the necks and the way they sound. I am not a big fan of the headstock, so If it were me I would probably buy Fender.

Now the real question is there are so many models of quot;Stratsquot; out now which one to choose......... Decision, decisions, decisions!! Good Luck!

I hear ya there, I thought of getting the trem for resale purposes, but i've never liked/had good luck with any trems. Also, since I have no intentions of ever selling any of my guitars I really don't worry about resale value.

As for the Gamp;L Headstock... that's truly the main reason I pause about getting a Gamp;L.. but the buzz about them is so good .....
C There I go again Flip Floppin like trying to sleep with 16 Cafe' Latte's in my bloodstream!!!

I don't really notice the headstock on mine, just a fabulous guitar. I had a Fender Strat Plus/Legacy shoot a few months ago, and as you can see, the Gamp;L won.

robert cray sig is hardtail has great pickups and costs less than both


Originally Posted by guymanpersonrobert cray sig is hardtail has great pickups and costs less than both

Are you sure about that? The Robert Cray is a custom shop model.


Originally Posted by ratherdashingAre you sure about that? The Robert Cray is a custom shop model.

There is a Custom Shop Robert Cray. And there is a RC sig edition that is $579 brand new. Robert Cray Strat

If you don't want the Robert Cray, look hard at the Jimmie Vaughan. It is a great strat with trem for the same money as the Cray strat. Very nice strat. JV Stat

I went with a used Gamp;L Legacy, blocked off the trem, and couldn't be happier. Consensus seems to be they're better built than Fenders but don't retain their value as well. I kinda didn't mind that because I paid $840 (no tax) for a mint Legacy and would have had to pay $1,300 15% tax for a new one.

P.S. I've owned a Fender Strat Plus and find the Gamp;L much nicer to play and the workmanship is certainly better than Fender's IMO

Hey Loudriver, you live pretty close to me! I used to work in Simi, and it's my favorite city in California. I've had a bunch of strats, from cheap ones to Custom Shops, and I still think my favorites are American Series (the current Am Stds w/rolled fretboard edges). I'd recommend alder bodied ones in sunburst, because the tone is a bit better than a painted body, in my experience. The pickups are pretty good too, although Duncan Ant. II Surfers are my faves. I also think you'd be best off by buying a trem version, then tightening in down firmly, then do a final setup. If you ever need a basic setup, you're welcome to come over, and I'll do it for a 6 pack.

Tough one there...I've always consider Gamp;L to be quality stuff but Fender, even on the standard models, has achieved decent quality.

I'd check out the fretboard radius-es. The standard Fender is a 9,5quot; and the Legacy is a 12quot; (if I'm not mistaken).

I find the standard Fender pickups a bit whimpish. The Gamp;L are better, but I'd replace both of them! :-D

I'd say: play them both if you can and pick up the one which feels better.


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadThere is a Custom Shop Robert Cray. And there is a RC sig edition that is $579 brand new. Robert Cray Strat

If you don't want the Robert Cray, look hard at the Jimmie Vaughan. It is a great strat with trem for the same money as the Cray strat. Very nice strat. JV Stat

I didn't know about the Mexican version. That would be a sweet guitar with some Surfers in it!

Also, don't get ripped off at World Music, Simi. haha

Spend a Saturday down at guitar row on Sunset, because GC has a ton of strats, and Sam Ash/Manny's across the street is a Gamp;L dealer, so you can A/B.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserHey Loudriver, you live pretty close to me! I used to work in Simi, and it's my favorite city in California. I've had a bunch of strats, from cheap ones to Custom Shops, and I still think my favorites are American Series (the current Am Stds w/rolled fretboard edges). I'd recommend alder bodied ones in sunburst, because the tone is a bit better than a painted body, in my experience. The pickups are pretty good too, although Duncan Ant. II Surfers are my faves. I also think you'd be best off by buying a trem version, then tightening in down firmly, then do a final setup. If you ever need a basic setup, you're welcome to come over, and I'll do it for a 6 pack.

Hey Gearjoneser.....
Yeah I just noticed how close you are, I actually work in Sherman Oaks, so I could swing by on the way home with some BREWS someday. If for nothing else a nice jam.
I currently have a MIJ strat which I love, but has lost some of the MOJO over the years. Besides I want a 3tone burst.... Which neck wood would you recommend? My current strat is Maple and I love it, the rolled fretboard edges is very comfy to me.
Anyhow Thanks again,
And thanks to everyone for their suggestions and the suggestions still yet to come.
Loudriver

and this from a guy with fender strats, schecter strat heads, a charvel strat head, a wayne and two charvel strat head clones in the works lol. the headstock alone makes me stay away from Gamp;L but that's just me.

anyway, get a fender!

-Mike

Nothing else really nails the Strat sound like a real Strat, but Gamp;L make some pretty badass instruments. Those single coil pickups with the huge polpeices on them are ridiculously loud and fat sounding, but still have sparkle!

i agree with those who said a real fedner will sound like a strat. G and L and amazing guitars dont get me wrong, but if you want the exact tone of a strat what better way to get it than go with a geniune fender strat? Plus its an american strat so the value will hold and you just cant go wrong with such a classic instrument! besides i love my strat and mine is merely a mexican fender!

ONe mroe thing even though my strat is black, i really dig sunburst strats they just give off so much mojo!

NONE ! get a les paul standard faded !!!!!


Originally Posted by XSSIVEand this from a guy with fender strats, schecter strat heads, a charvel strat head, a wayne and two charvel strat head clones in the works lol. the headstock alone makes me stay away from Gamp;L but that's just me.

anyway, get a fender!

-Mike 1

And hardtails don't retain as much of the quot;stratynessquot; that the trem models do. So keep that in mind.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserAlso, don't get ripped off at World Music, Simi. haha

Spend a Saturday down at guitar row on Sunset, because GC has a ton of strats, and Sam Ash/Manny's across the street is a Gamp;L dealer, so you can A/B.

I don't have to worry anymore as world doesn't carry anything but entry level instruments. I was there just the other day looking into a small tube amp like a Fender Blues JR. The sales BOY gave me tude because I wanted to pull a squire strat off the wall and have him furnish me with an instrument cable.

That place has always been a jip joint, but at least back in the day they had some real instruments. I think they lost their deal with Gibson, and PRS. Now they just seem to carry Squire's.

So a trip to sunset I shall make as the GC in Sherman Oaks didn't really blow up my skirt either.
Loudriver


Originally Posted by guymanpersonrobert cray sig is hardtail has great pickups and costs less than both

1 CS pickups and a sweet guitar all around.