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Jimmie Vaughan model VS. American Series.

Is it worth paying 400 more for the American Series Strats???

I want to hear some opinions =D

Even if the cost were the same, I go for the JV. To be 100% honest if the JV was more I'd still get it. I prefer the vintage trem to the AS, I prefer the 21 fret neck, I prefer the vintage keys, the stock JV pickups are IMO the best pickups Fender is making right now, and the JB has my favorite Fender neck period. The Jimmy Vaughan Strat is IMO the best NON Custom Shop Strat being made right now, and it is one of the least expensixe Strats being made right now!


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireEven if the cost were the same, I go for the JV. To be 100% honest if the JV was more I'd still get it. I prefer the vintage trem to the AS, I prefer the 21 fret neck, I prefer the vintage keys, the stock JV pickups are IMO the best pickups Fender is making right now, and the JB has my favorite Fender neck period. The Jimmy Vaughan Strat is IMO the best NON Custom Shop Strat being made right now, and it is one of the least expensixe Strats being made right now!

See, I'm the opposite. I prefer the American Standard trem (put some GraphTech saddles in there and it's even better), I like having 22 frets, and I prefer the look of the Schallers (although I prefer Sperzels in a Strat if given a choice). I also love the matte finish on the neck, and you can't argue with a three-piece body. I replace the pickups in every guitar I own, so I don't really factor those into the equation.

The Jimmie Vaughan is an excellent guitar, especially considering the price, but IMO a good American Fender is the one for me.


Originally Posted by ratherdashingSee, I'm the opposite. I prefer the American Standard trem (put some GraphTech saddles in there and it's even better), I like having 22 frets, and I prefer the look of the Schallers (although I prefer Sperzels in a Strat if given a choice). I also love the matte finish on the neck, and you can't argue with a three-piece body. I replace the pickups in every guitar I own, so I don't really factor those into the equation.

The Jimmie Vaughan is an excellent guitar, especially considering the price, but IMO a good American Fender is the one for me.

Save some money go with the JV strat. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this strat. Great high quality guitar for a few less bucks.

Edit: (edgy question)
Ratherdashing, why do you like the American standard trem? What's the diff?


Originally Posted by Guitar ToadRatherdashing, why do you like the American standard trem? I know that I don't know any better, but that seems like trivial item to base guitar selection on. What's the diff?

I never said I would base my selection on it ... it is merely one of the many things I prefer about the American Strats (see above post for the complete list). It's mainly the bridge that I prefer, since I block my trems regardless. I've always found vintage Strat saddles tend to eat through strings. My experience has also shown me that American bridges intonate better, but again, that's just my experience.

That doesn't mean I don't like Mexi Strats - most of them are great guitars. The JV in particular is pretty sweet, as are the Highway 1 series. I do think, however, that to a certain extent you do get what you pay for with the Americans.

Anway, to the poster: let your ears and hands decide, not your wallet. Whichever one feels and sounds best to you is what you should get.


Originally Posted by ratherdashingI never said I would base my selection on it ... it is merely one of the many things I prefer about the American Strats (see above post for the complete list). It's mainly the bridge that I prefer, since I block my trems regardless. I've always found vintage Strat saddles tend to eat through strings. My experience has also shown me that American bridges intonate better, but again, that's just my experience.

That doesn't mean I don't like Mexi Strats - most of them are great guitars. The JV in particular is pretty sweet, as are the Highway 1 series. I do think, however, that to a certain extent you do get what you pay for with the Americans.

Anway, to the poster: let your ears and hands decide, not your wallet. Whichever one feels and sounds best to you is what you should get.

Thanks Ratherdashing...I was simply curious about why you like the American standard Trem. Either strat will be ready to rock.

The tremolo is very important! In fact, very important, and IMO a vintage trem sounds better by far.

The vintage trem I think has more mojo to me. But really that all that I find to be the difference.

I think what will make up your mind about the JV strat is the neck. The Soft V neck you either love or hate it seems. That and the pickups, as they are pretty good stock.


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireThe tremolo is very important! In fact, very important, and IMO a vintage trem sounds better by far.

I don't agree with quot;betterquot; but the 2 bridges sound different...I use and love both...

i had a 2003 AmSe and i found it to be heavy, plastered in clear cloat and overall thin sounding. i don't know why, i just did. i'm sure there are some great ones, but in my neck of the woods, it's rare to find a dealer that has a 100 strats you can play through to find quot;the one.quot; so i built my own and have never been happier. also, FWIW, i used to have a Highway1 before the neck broke and i think it is a far superior instrument to the AmSe. Plus with the money you save on the Highway1 you can rip out the electronics and put in a nice wiring kit from GuitarPartsResource and some Anitquities under the hood, oh yea and a nice mint green guard. just my 2 cents but a hot rodded highway will smoke any AmSe I've ever played.

charlie

I agree with GWIF's assessment of the JV strat....it's the only MIM strat worth buying IMO. My own preference is still for American strats, and my favorites are 2001 American Series, only because most from that year seem to have the thickest C necks that ever came on an Am Strat. Plus, the rolled edges are nice and comfy.

I like vintage and Am Std trems, but in my experience vintage saddles tend to snap high strings more, because of the sharper break point. You'll still get a more 'true to vintage' tone out of the traditional vintage bridge though.

The main thing about strats, and guitars in general, is that you get used to a certain feel, then tend to stick with it. I've owned and played SO many American Std's that it's really the only one's I buy. If I had my choice of any strat, the new John Mayer strat would be my first choice. It's the best non-Custom Shop I've ever played.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI like vintage and Am Std trems, but in my experience vintage saddles tend to snap high strings more, because of the sharper break point. You'll still get a more 'true to vintage' tone out of the traditional vintage bridge though.

The main thing about strats, and guitars in general, is that you get used to a certain feel, then tend to stick with it. I've owned and played SO many American Std's that it's really the only one's I buy. If I had my choice of any strat, the new John Mayer strat would be my first choice. It's the best non-Custom Shop I've ever played.

May I ask with regard to strats, what is quot;true to vintage tonequot; that the vintage bridge produces that the Am Std bridge doesn't?

I'd get a MIM Strat in a heartbeat and it would probably be the JV model too. But I'm with GJ, I like American Standards better. That's what I have, that's what I like. The frets are bigger, it has 22 frets, the neck feels more comfortable to me. I actually like the dual-pivot bridge, never had a problem with it and rarely rarely break a string on it. They wear out first usually.

Mine is a 1994 40th Anniversary Commemorative (like they all were in that year), 3-piece alder body, maple board, Midnight Wine color. I've tossed around the idea of selling it but I've had it since it was new, still in the case in the back of the store (not on the rack) and I bought it right there. She's aged right along with me and not going anywhere.


Originally Posted by GearjoneserI agree with GWIF's assessment of the JV strat....it's the only MIM strat worth buying IMO. My own preference is still for American strats, and my favorites are 2001 American Series, only because most from that year seem to have the thickest C necks that ever came on an Am Strat. Plus, the rolled edges are nice and comfy.

I like vintage and Am Std trems, but in my experience vintage saddles tend to snap high strings more, because of the sharper break point. You'll still get a more 'true to vintage' tone out of the traditional vintage bridge though.

The main thing about strats, and guitars in general, is that you get used to a certain feel, then tend to stick with it. I've owned and played SO many American Std's that it's really the only one's I buy. If I had my choice of any strat, the new John Mayer strat would be my first choice. It's the best non-Custom Shop I've ever played.

I agree too! The JV is a great Strat with medium jumbo frets, great neck shape, great tone and decent pickups. The Tex Mex pickups are good...but you might want to replace them someday with something even better. My buddy AJ went with Duncan SSL-1's and a Fralin Steel Pole 43 bridge pickup in his JV...IMO, his JV sounds as good as my '63 Strat. Lew

See, when it comes to trems, I really don't care all that much, however, I can't bring myself to buy a hardtail Strat just in case I ever get to a point where I want to start using the tremolo arm. Though if I ever did want one, I'd probably have an OFR.

Back on topic though, I would be conservative with my $$$ and buy a JV model. As ratherdashing said, the stock pickups would make little difference to me. The necks both have their merits, but the MIA Strat probably has the edge. But for an extra $400, I'm not sure that it's worth it.

Again, I agree with ratherdashing when he says 'let your hands and ears decide'. It's the best way.