A good, play-at-home strat?

[Fenceclimber]

Hello! I've been GASing for a strat-style guitar for a few years now, I used to own one and I really, really want one again.

I'm just going to use it for some simple home recording and just to play around with at home, maybe to some gigs with it, I'm not sure but I doubt it since I've gotten so in love with my sevenstring.

Anyway, I've listed three guitars that I've had my eye on for quite some time.

Jackson SDX Maple

ESP LTD ST-213FR

Fender Modern Player strat

Fender Squier Classic Vibe Strat 50's

If I get the Squier, I'm probably going to get a black pickguard and a humbucker in the bridge.

 

[Andromalia]

The SDX is a good guitar but *nothing* like a strat, neck is more reminiscent of a Les Paul and is pretty chunky actually.
Still the one I would pick because I like those kind of necks, but just know it beforehand.

 

[coffinwisdom]

I have nothing but good things to say about Squier. For the seriously budget-minded people (<$500) they have excellent quality control and playability. You definitely get the most bang for your buck going with them IMO

 

[Daf57]

^ this. If you just need a good player that's a strat you can't beat the Squiers for the money.

 

[HeHasTheJazzHands]

Get the Squier. Really solid guitar for the cash.

 

[wrongnote85]

squier

 

[MrPowers]

Personally I'd get the Jackson... But over all of those I would get a used Charvel San Dimas or So Cal

 

[TemjinStrife]

G&L Legacy Tribute or S-500 Tribute. $300 used, $500 new.

American pickups and trem (which is incredibly stable and has a great arm holder relative to the Fender screw-in type), versatile electronics (the second tone control is a surprisingly useful bass rolloff rather than a tone knob that affects just a few pickups) and jumbo frets with a flatter fingerboard radius for easy bending and vibrato.

I love mine; I played almost two dozen Strats ranging from $250 to $1500 across three stores, and none of them grabbed me playability-wise or tonally as much as this one:

 

[Daeniel]

If you want the classic Strato tone I would avoid anything with a Floyd Rose, it just takes away some sweet harmonics that contribute to the overall sound of the guitar when equipped with single coil pickups. Personally I would take the Fender, 'cause it's by far the easiest to sell if you get bored with it. Just my two cents and almost every Mexican strat I've played recently was a good deal in terms of quality\price.

 

[lemeker]

I'm not a big fan of the squire's. So I'd personally look into the MiM strats if you want the "Fender". The G&L's that were mentioned are really nice instruments as well. To be honest, G&L would most likely be the route I'd go.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

G&L Legacy Tribute or S-500 Tribute. $300 used, $500 new.

American pickups and trem (which is incredibly stable and has a great arm holder relative to the Fender screw-in type), versatile electronics (the second tone control is a surprisingly useful bass rolloff rather than a tone knob that affects just a few pickups) and jumbo frets with a flatter fingerboard radius for easy bending and vibrato.

I love mine; I played almost two dozen Strats ranging from $250 to $1500 across three stores, and none of them grabbed me playability-wise or tonally as much as this one:

I came in here to post just about the exact thing.

You REALLY can't beat the G&L imports in that price range, and even in a few brackets above.

 

[Herrick]

I hear Squiers are excellent for the price butt I'd go with the modern player simply because I like the finishes they have.