New Guitar

[Ed Rooney]

I just got this MIM 2009 Strat at Guitar Center. My brother set it up and said surprisingly just about all of the specs were dead-on from the factory. We had to adjust the action on 1 or 2 strings. I got a discount so it was only $300. I think it's a good choice for a hobbyist. I didn't notice any difference between the MIA Strats, while it's noticably better than the Squier Strats.

This is my first electric. Previously I only had acoustics. I would classify myself as still a beginner. I know most of the open chords, can fingerpick a little and can play the Beatles "Blackbird".

[swissautopro]

That's a beauty. I have always wanted a Strat, but wasn't sure about the MIM's. I didn't want to spend the money on an MIA as I am a "beginner", too. I might reconsider a MIM. Keep us posted as you play it and let us know how it works out in the long run.

[generic0]

great color choice! And $300 is a fantastic price...I've always heard that the Mexican strats are surprisingly good. Send us some updates as you keep playin!

[AIKO]

Nice axe. My son who is 11 has played for 6 years prefers Gibsons, I kinda like the Fenders. I suck though, need some real lessons.

[Ashley]

Wow, beautiful guitar! Sharp colour!

[Dan Pierce]

Ed, Hard to beat a Fender Strat. I take that back..................you can beat a Fender Strat but they keep on working anyway.
dP

[Ed Rooney]

I might get a darker pick guard to match the fret board.

[folexhater]

Nice Guitar! Upgrade this baby with Jeff Beck pick-ups and you will have the greatest guitar in the world! Congrats on your new purchase!

[roamer]

If you prefer the strat body to the LP body style I think the MIM Strats are great for first electrics, so nice guitar. If you prefer the LP style you can't go wrong with an Epiphone Les Paul. Same general price range (for most models) but gives you options so you can go with your own personal taste and preference.
Here's my babies:
On the left is my 2007 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
On the right is my 2008 ESP KH2 Neck Thru

[folexhater]

Originally Posted by roamer

If you prefer the strat body to the LP body style I think the MIM Strats are great for first electrics, so nice guitar. If you prefer the LP style you can't go wrong with an Epiphone Les Paul. Same general price range (for most models) but gives you options so you can go with your own personal taste and preference.
Here's my babies:
On the left is my 2007 Gibson Les Paul Standard.
On the right is my 2008 ESP KH2 Neck Thru

nice lp standardlove the action and especially when plug to a marshall amp! Except that it is heavy as heck!

[JJ Irani]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

I just got this MIM 2009 Strat at Guitar Center. My brother set it up and said surprisingly just about all of the specs were dead-on from the factory. We had to adjust the action on 1 or 2 strings. I got a discount so it was only $300. I think it's a good choice for a hobbyist. I didn't notice any difference between the MIA Strats, while it's noticably better than the Squier Strats.

This is my first electric. Previously I only had acoustics. I would classify myself as still a beginner. I know most of the open chords, can fingerpick a little and can play the Beatles "Blackbird".

WOW!! Congrats, Ed......make sure you wear a Bluesy when you play on that beauty!!

[roamer]

Originally Posted by folexhater

nice lp standardlove the action and especially when plug to a marshall amp! Except that it is heavy as heck!

Thanks. You are right it is very heavy, especially when compared to my ESP, but the clean tones you get from an LP can't be beat. I have a Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket 20 Watt amp that I play it through most of the time which sounds awesome. I will never understand why they discontinued the Subway series for the Express series.

The only Marshall I have is a little 10 watt solid state practice amp. Decent tone for what it is, but let's be honest...it's a 10 watt solid state amp. You won't be impressing anyone with it

[Leighton]

Perfect choice and a great price, Ed! Have you bought an amp , yet?

[ippon20]

MIM strats are highly underated. Many are dogs but if you find one that plays well it can sound just as good as an USA. Someone suggested changing out the P/ups and if your planning on swapping the pickguard, I would do the same. However, I'm a big fan of the Texas Specials as they sound to me as vintage as you can get. The Becks are good too, but I would put them #3 on my list with Texas Specials and Big Dippers (John Mayer) being #1 and #2 respectively. I would also suggest getting your new pickguard shielded and upgrading the pots too to knock it all out at once. My original 1962 strat sounded just as good as my 96 MIJ strat with texas specials added without having to worry about it every time I refret the neck (I've refretted my 62 3 times and I don't think it can handle anymore so away to the safe it goes). Have fun and enjoy that thing! Since your beginning, I would HIGHLY suggest a tube amp so you can get the true sound from your axe. Something like a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe or Blues Junior would be a nice match and decently priced. Bottom line, enjoy and have fun with your new axe!

[redshirt1957]

Is the neck rosewood? Speaking of picks, I started out with stiff picks then ended up with flexible picks and pick with the more rounded part instead of the point. Play around and see what you like. If I was at home I would take a picture of my '62 sunburst Strat. Well, it used to be sunburst. I like the sound of a Strat played through a Super Reverb. Blackbird is the only song I know the lyrics all the way through. Go figure.

[ippon20]

Originally Posted by redshirt1957

Is the neck rosewood? Speaking of picks, I started out with stiff picks then ended up with flexible picks and pick with the more rounded part instead of the point. Play around and see what you like. If I was at home I would take a picture of my '62 sunburst Strat. Well, it used to be sunburst. I like the sound of a Strat played through a Super Reverb.

Looks like it has a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. My guess by the truss rod nut being at the tuners is there is a skunk line on the back of the neck made of rosewood since maple tends to warp easier. Here's a pick of my 62 before I retired her since you can't post yours...I play through a Marshall Vintage Modern combo and honestly has been the best amp I've owned. As for picks, I use Ice Pics made of steel. Hard on the strings, but who cares when your ringin 9 gauge strings like their 11's!

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by ippon20

Looks like it has a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. My guess by the truss rod nut being at the tuners is there is a skunk line on the back of the neck made of rosewood since maple tends to warp easier. Here's a pick of my 62 before I retired her since you can't post yours...I play through a Marshall Vintage Modern combo and honestly has been the best amp I've owned. As for picks, I use Ice Pics made of steel. Hard on the strings, but who cares when your ringin 9 gauge strings like their 11's!

Thanks for pic and your '62 looks brand spankin new. My knobs are all green and their is a big hole in the pic guard becasue I was too lazy to remove it before adjusting the neck. To make it easier to change strings during a gig I removed the back cover over the springs and of course have lost it. I did install a five way switch and still have the original. I use three springs and play 10's. Used to use heavy strings and step down a half step, but who was I kidding anyway. When I play 9's I overbend and God does that sound just awful.

[ippon20]

Thanks man...yeah it's been babied. My dad owned it before me (he bought it new I for around $400 in 62) and never opened it till I started playing in high school, he gave it to me. The pics do make it look a little whiter than it really is but I've never taken it for a refret and not had my luthier give me an offer to buy it. I'll never get rid of the thing, and like I said before if I knew it could handle another refret (I'm a bend freak) I would play it till the very end. I just know that that old dog will probably crack the neck next time I throw some new frets in there. I'm kind of a psychotic with keeping it original though, I've even saved the original frets from the first job we did about 15 years ago! The back doesn't look too pretty from belt rash, but who sees it anyways?

[redshirt1957]

Originally Posted by ippon20

Thanks man...yeah it's been babied. My dad owned it before me (he bought it new I for around $400 in 62) and never opened it till I started playing in high school, he gave it to me. The pics do make it look a little whiter than it really is but I've never taken it for a refret and not had my luthier give me an offer to buy it. I'll never get rid of the thing, and like I said before if I knew it could handle another refret (I'm a bend freak) I would play it till the very end. I just know that that old dog will probably crack the neck next time I throw some new frets in there. I'm kind of a psychotic with keeping it original though, I've even saved the original frets from the first job we did about 15 years ago! The back doesn't look too pretty from belt rash, but who sees it anyways?

Good story. The reason I like the '62 is the small neck so that I can use my thumb on the big E. That way it is easy to play the base line with the thumb while adding the 9th to the chord with the pinkie (when needed). Have not played a barre or power chord since 1968.

[arneleo]

check out my other passion...

[Leighton]

Hey Joe (Couldn't resist the Hendrix pun)
Be sure to post a picture of that 62 of yours when you get home.

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by Leighton

Perfect choice and a great price, Ed! Have you bought an amp , yet?

I'm borrowing a Vox AD15VT from my brother.

[Wayno]

Any Gibson "Robot" owners here? I l played one yesterday..It was the new Dark Fire. Very sexy, and easy to play.......awesome automatic tunings A bit pricey....but I just have to own it

[Gerry]

Originally Posted by arneleo

check out my other passion...

Nice collection. What's the acoustic guitar?

[dubyatf]

Originally Posted by Ed Rooney

I just got this MIM 2009 Strat at Guitar Center. My brother set it up and said surprisingly just about all of the specs were dead-on from the factory. We had to adjust the action on 1 or 2 strings. I got a discount so it was only $300. I think it's a good choice for a hobbyist. I didn't notice any difference between the MIA Strats, while it's noticably better than the Squier Strats.

This is my first electric. Previously I only had acoustics. I would classify myself as still a beginner. I know most of the open chords, can fingerpick a little and can play the Beatles "Blackbird".

Nice guitar! I've heard good things about MIM Strats - and played a couple at my local GC (Rockville). I have a Lake Placid blue MIA Strat with rosewood that looks pretty close to that one (it's got locking tuners and a blocked trem - otherwise it's stock). I actually like the white pickguard on it a lot. $300 is a great price on it too!

[Ed Rooney]

Originally Posted by dubyatf

Nice guitar! I've heard good things about MIM Strats - and played a couple at my local GC (Rockville). I have a Lake Placid blue MIA Strat with rosewood that looks pretty close to that one (it's got locking tuners and a blocked trem - otherwise it's stock). I actually like the white pickguard on it a lot. $300 is a great price on it too!

Yeah, I got mine at Rockville.

[arneleo]

Originally Posted by Gerry

Nice collection. What's the acoustic guitar?

it's shaped like an ovation, but it's japanese. I got it in edinburgh in 1978. the brand name is Hotaka.

[yannis]

You can't go wrong with a Fender Strat! Good price for the Mexican one too! I prefer the sound of the Les Paul though! Also really liked the Tele when David Gilmour performed with it for Pink Floyd

[Jocke]

Great guitar Ed, nice you got it with rosewood wich is my favorite.

I've heard the guitar is good but the electronics is not. It have
some problems to keep the tune.

So a little custom will be in place.



Have fun.

Jocke

[Zman86]

I have three Fender Strats, A 1993 Mexican, a 1998 Mexican that looks exactly like the one you bought, and a 1998 SRV signature strat. The two mexicans blow the american made strat out of the water. Sure, I've played some crummy Mexican strats, but I've played alot of crummy american strats too. For the money you can pick one up for, they cant be beat.


I recently got my '75 Gibson Flying V back from the shop though, and I must say, the strats have been taking a little break lately....