Buying a Strat!

mr biazzi

Ok guys i think the time has come to buy usa model.
Contemplating everything from a purchase abroad (cheap flights less tax), order of thomann or musicstore or musiciansfriend.com etc
Its looking like i'll just buy from ireland,
i think it was goodwins music store said they'd match any price thomann have. and xmusic have it the same price as thomann last i checked
might just end up going to my closest dealer and ask him to throw in a stand etc
i'm checking adverts.ie of course, something might catch my eye.
so where have ye got yours, what would the experienced strat purchasers recomend.
any advice or recomendations appreciated.
thanks
biazzi

Quattroste

I'd recommend you go to the UK sites like GAK.co.uk and get the price of it there. Convert to EURO and go to XMusic as they claim they will match any European price. The exchange rate is working in your favour at this time.

Bod1

Before you do anything, you should go to some of the shops and try different models. There is a big difference on specs depending on model, neck size, pickups, weight, finish, so do your research and decide what suits you. This will be worth it in the long run.

As the previous poster mentioned benchmark against the foreign sites and try to leverage that in the Irish shops. Keep an eye on adverts and e-bay, There is a really nice one up at the moment current bidding 570 and closing in 2 hours. Always check the feedback for reputible sellers.

Paolo_M

Yup, definitley try a few out first. There can be major difference across different models. Buying a USA strat is a bit of an investment anyway and not something that should be just haggled across different web-sites without even spending any time with the guitar.
I tried out a maple neck USA model in Crowleys in Cork, after trying a bunch of other strats in different places, and just bought it there and then. When you find THEE one, then saving a few quid becomes irrelevent IMO.
Even different sample of the exact same model can feel different.
I also bought a 2008 Les Paul in the same manner, different store though. Most people give out about newer LPs and I was put off by it, but this guitar..., I dunno. Anyone who's played it instantly comments on the tone and feel of it. It's all stock but it does not sound or feel like any other '08 Les Paul I've played.

_sparkie_

i dont play guitar but i know the basic's, i was in waltons the other day and im almost sure they had a usa strat (a selection actually) for 700-800 euro. they are having some sale at the moment. like i said i am not a guitar freak and i could be wrong but you should check it out.

as for buying abroad i cant speak more highly of GAK, i just spent alot of money on drums from them last week and their service is top notch. give them a ring.

_Arctic_

I bought a (Mexican) Strat from Thomann and they were great. I got the guitar, with a padded case about a week after ordering. It was in perfect condition too. And I got it for 575 euro. The best price I found in Ireland was 600 euro, without a case.

Ravelleman

Funny you say this as I found myself in a very similar situation just yesterday. I brought my friend Strat shopping yesterday in X Music. After a couple of hours playing everything they had in his price range he eventually settled on a nice black American Standard with rosewood fretboard. They had it marked as €999 but we found it for about €890 on soundslive.co.uk, with a free Champion 600 amp, and they matched the price and threw in the amp without any trouble.

So to be honest, and I never thought I'd be saying this, I really would recommend X Music if you can get to it. If they're going to sell at the same price as any of the UK or European stores I really can't see any reason not to buy from them.

And you have the added advantage of being able to try before you buy. I'm looking for an upmarket steel string acoustic at the moment and that's a really important factor for me so I'll probably end up buying something there.

bellg124

I bought an Eric Johnson signature strat a little while ago. It's a really class guitar. Best tone I've heard from a modern strat and all the reviews say it's custom shop quality without the custom shop price tag. X music have it in stock at the moment as far as I know. I was out there the other day. Well worth checking out. I bought mine from Thomann at €1790 but if Xmusic are matching prices I'd take them up on it. Mine is the three tone sunburst model. When I started shopping for the strat I tried all the models I could get my hands on; standards, deluxes, reissues etc. I knew I wanted a vintage looking strat but wasn't too keen on the vintage reissues because I wanted jumbo frets (which the E.J. has) that wouldn't wear out as quickly as the standard frets on the reissues. I'd strongly recommend giving one a whirl.

macfanatic

if X Music keep discounting prices like that, they may not be around for much longer! They wouldnt be far from covering their buying-in costs at that price. Great for all us, the customer, but I sometimes wonder is all this sustainable? I know lots of people dont care as long as they get the product for as cheap as they can, but I wonder how long can Irish shops go on price matching? Mr Thomann is a multi millionaire and a hugely successful business model that NO ONE even X Music can ever compete with. Alas the customer is reaping the benefits while the local music store puts on a brave face. but who cares? :rolleyes:

Ravelleman wrote: »

Funny you say this as I found myself in a very similar situation just yesterday. I brought my friend Strat shopping yesterday in X Music. After a couple of hours playing everything they had in his price range he eventually settled on a nice black American Standard with rosewood fretboard. They had it marked as €999 but we found it for about €890 on soundslive.co.uk, with a free Champion 600 amp, and they matched the price and threw in the amp without any trouble.

So to be honest, and I never thought I'd be saying this, I really would recommend X Music if you can get to it. If they're going to sell at the same price as any of the UK or European stores I really can't see any reason not to buy from them.

And you have the added advantage of being able to try before you buy. I'm looking for an upmarket steel string acoustic at the moment and that's a really important factor for me so I'll probably end up buying something there.

Kenny_D

I'd recommend trying out one of these:

http://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_50s_classic_player_strat_mn_sg.htm

Bought one second hand about a month ago and it looks, feels and sounds fantastic. They're very highly rated. Check out any review of the Classic 50's Player strats

Ravelleman

Just to say, I think soundslive.co.uk is still the cheapest for Fenders if you want to get a price match in x music

Kenny_D

I think that price match thing in xmusic is over. Only lasted until 2nd August I believe

Ravelleman

Pity.

shaneraff

id recommend getting the SRV sig strat- theres one on adverts for 1000,
the best strat and one of the best guitars ive ever played period.