software

I'm really considering grabbing one of these now, as I've been looking to find a nice Strat. I've heard great things about the neck, hardware, and electronics. The only problem is, none of the stores in my area have one in stock to try out. I'd like to try one out before I buy, but the stores (understandably) won't order one into the shop for someone to just try it out.

What I'm getting at is: Since it is a MIM guitar, is the quality fairly consistent. I've only heard good things about the JV, but I know that the rule of thumb for MIM guitars is try before you buy. This isn't possible. What do you guys think? Shall I take the plunge?

I have played several of them and to be 100% honest they all feel, play and sound about the same IF you get a newer one...there was a while in the 90's where they were made from either Alder or Poplar bodies...I actuallt put a poplar and my alder one head to head and the difference was pretty drastic IMO. Starting in around 01 they are ALL alder...so if you order a new one it will be alder. Other than that they are very constant. If you want to buy used, get the serial number and call Fender with it and they can date it for you...that is the only way to date them, they use a different serial number than almost any other Fender guitar.

Lew has a buddy with one...he loves it, I have one and would not let it go for more than twice what I paid for it, Guitar Toad has one and loves it, Alvin Lee fan has one and also loves it, if you go to the Telecaster forum you'll see LOTS of guys that have one and love them...in fact I have never talked to a guy that played one and was not floored. To be honest, Im looking for another one in sunburst!

I bought mine on-line without playing it, and it's been a great guitar. Very well made and the factory set-up was very good. I don't think that you'll have a problem. You will get a great guitar when you order a JV Strat.

If you like real strat tone, then you will love the pickups in it. But, if you want more drivin' tone, more crunch, simply drop some hotter ones (SSL-3's or SSL-5's) in and be ready to fly.

Thanks for the quick replies. Looks like I'll be going with a JV, then. Might have to wait a month for some extra holiday cash, but soon, she will be mine. Oh yes, she will be mine. Yeah, I love the neck and middle tones associated with a strat. I'll leave the pickups for a bit to see if I like them, but I'll most likely just switch out the bridge for a Hot Rails, or maybe get a new pickguard and put in a full size HB.

good luck bro...keep us posted!


Originally Posted by the guy who invented firegood luck bro...keep us posted!

For sure. When I grab it, I'll definetely post some pics too. My brother's got a digital cam and he's a whiz with the thing.

Ocifer, Did you see this thread?

When you get it make sure you post pics and such. And what colour are you going for?

GT: No I did not, sorry. My bad.
Kamanda: Will post pictures for sure. I'm thinking either black or sunburst.

Nice, I do recommend trying it out before you buy, just incase you get a lemon or something. (or don't like it in the first place?)

dude...I have played a dozen or more JV Strats and they all feel almost exactally the same...I say ordering online would be OK in that case...

I dunno if I'll order online, I can get one of the stores in my area to order it in, so I won't have to pay shipping or anything. I was just wondering: What's it routed like? SSS, HSS, or HSH?

Yeah...they're great guitars. Even the stock Tex Mex pickups are very good. I'd eventually change the pickups to Duncan Antiquitys or something equally excellant...but they're great guitars right out of the box without making any changes. Lew

it is routed H/S/S and the middle route is a big bigger than normal.

Nice, I'm thinking I'll eventually go to an H/S/S route. A Seth, APH-1, or a Pearly Gates in the bridge. Surfer II's or Fralins in the middle and neck.

I may look into a JV Strat if i decide to go for a second strat, they sound like their pretty cool I just wanted to say that if your looking to order one online, musicians friend usually has free shipping if you spend over like $99. Thats usually a better deal considering stores have to charge tax, and also alot of stores try to stiff you by making you buy something like a case or gig bag for extra thats supposed to come with a guitar. When you order online you get everything your supposed to get for that one price.

FenderBender

I love my JV Strat. Mine is an '04 and came with CTS pots and a CRL switch, they work great. Another nice thing about the JV is that they use the American Vintage hardware. Not just the same size stuff like the MIM Deluxes series, but the actual same hardware, steel trem block, vintage bridge assy, etc.
I've still got the Tex-Mex p'ups in mine, but I'm gonna go for a totally different sound like CS '69s or Surfers. If it weren't for the drastic sound change I want, I'd keep the Tex-Mexes in there. They're really pretty nice pickups.
Let us know what turns up!Nice JV there, I love the tortoise-shell pickguard.

Fender Bender: Long and McQuade (the CDN equivalent of GC) is pretty fair. They give you everything that's supposed to come with it. It's 799$ (CDN) plus tax here. That comes to about $920 (CDN).

If I were to get it from MF, their price (US) becomes $688 CDN. At the border, customs will make me pay tax on it (at least I think so. I know people ordering of Warmoth were subject to our standard tax rate of 15%). This bumps it up to $791 CDN. Furthermore, international shipping isn't free. So I'll have to look into it to see how much it'll end up costing.