I hate strats.
I know about squier jags and jazzmasters.

What's out there with a trem that is also affordable....meaning around $300 or so new or used?

You've probably been around long enough to have seen the question asked quite a few times, and it always gets the same answer: the Squier VM Jazzmaster & Jaguar (and let's not forget the Mustang!). There is a reason for that. Those guitars probably offer the best quality you'll ever find in that price range for a Surf-worthy guitar.

Yes, there are other choices, but if you're looking for quality chances are you will be disappointed. Take it from someone who owns (and has played) quite a few cheap guitars. A common characteristic of many guitars in the cheapest price ranges is the inconsistency of the quality control (in fact, loose quality control is one of the reasons why the prices can be kept low). Most of the time, buying a cheap guitar is a bit of a gamble -- you could get a very good one... or you could get a lemon. That means you may have to spend some extra money to make it acceptable. From what I've read about the Squier offsets, QC is pretty good on them. That is certainly true of the Squier Classic Vibe Strat I got last year -- it's miles above most guitars in that price range.

As for what is out there, try to identify what you're looking for in a guitar first. You said you hate Strats, what is it you hate about them (in other words, what features do you want to avoid in your new guitar)? What are you looking for in terms of pickups, neck profile, trem type, body shape? What are your expectations in terms of quality? Would you be ready to spend some extra time and money to upgrade your guitar or are you looking for something that should work as is?

Try to figure out precisely what you really want/need, it will make it easier to find it.

Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.

Last edited: Mar 17, 2014 14:05:56

Gretsch Silver Jet with Bigsby on the Bay. Buy it now for $333.33.

Here are a bunch of similar guitars.

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Last edited: Mar 17, 2014 15:58:56

Get that Gretsch!!!

Either you surf, or you fight.

CrazyAces wrote:

Is it just the setup on your strat vibrato possibly?
When setup properly and well, they work, feel, and stay in tune great BUT
many are not set up this way, especially from the factory

+1
I don't recall to have ever gotten my hands on a Strat that didn't scream for a setup on the vibrato. Most people don't seem to bother to tighten or loosen some screws and instead just say: "Nah, the thing just doesn't work, never did." But when it is properly set up the Strat vibrato actually has one major advantage over others: it works with medium gauge strings!

Los Apollos - cinematic surf music trio (Berlin)
"Postcards from the Scrapyard" Vol. 1, 2 & 3 NOW available on various platforms!
"Chaos at the Lobster Lounge" available as LP and download on Surf Cookie Records!

Strats are great, but I still think you should buy that Gretsch!!!

Either you surf, or you fight.

I replaced the vibrato on my Am.Std. Strat with a Supervee Bladerunner. It's much better. I've also read that the Callaham vibrato is a big improvement.

https://striciizozadja.bandcamp.com/

Stratocaster slick shift vs Jag pudding stick, i'll take the Strat any day of the week.

As for a cheap guitar I'm looking into the present day Hofner Galaxie which is based on their 1960s models but not quite sweet looking IMO. They are said to play quite well Youtube Demo and retail at about £300 ($390) or as little as £120 ($200) used. It would probably make a great tool for 1960s European Instro with those weird Humbuckers, they look about P90 size so changing them might be and easy mod.

I think your mileage varies depending on the year and setup of Strat (coming to the defense of strats here). I bought my 2007 Am Std strat new, had a pro set it up (told him I'd be using the trem for surf style music) and I never had any problem with tuning or intonation. One of the best guitar purchases I ever made.

I couldn't tell you what a good $300 range guitar guitar is. Perhaps look at a Ibanez hollowbody with trem. I owned one and it stayed in tune pretty well. You might want to swap the pickups for something more "surfy", like a single-coil of some kind. I picked up a similar used Schecter Corsair hollowbody with trem for about $400, much better quality guitar.

Also - you might look at Xaviere guitars. There's a Jag/JM clone that might be good, but I have no experience with them. Very reasonable price.

(defunct) Thee Jaguar Sharks

Plus! Other stuff not surf: https://soundcloud.com/jamesmileshq
Enjoy every minute

Last edited: Mar 19, 2014 10:25:39

I"ve had the VM Jag, etc., and loved it.
However, ahd to sell it at one point.

I'm wondering if p90's would work just fine...I recently picked up
an Agile AL-3000 les paul style with p90's that is quite surfy sounding, but alas, no trem.

I'd have to get a bigsby put on it or something...think that would work?

I mean, I also have a Fender Tele, Agile AL-2000 les paul with humbuckers, and a 1966 Gibson SG Jr with p90...

Don't know how I got away from all my fender types and have ended up wti mostly gibson types.