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Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
a decent amp with good reverb.
So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
should get the HSS for $60 more.
You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
it's worth it.
Stand by for Pipeline....
Thanks,
Will
Do not get the HSS. Never ever get the HSS. I don't see how a
humbucker is worth $60 unless it is a Gibson '57 classic or similar
Gibson/Duncan humbucker.
As for colors I would go with the Blue Agave or the White. Blue Agave
looks like it could have been a Fender custom color back in the '60s
and white is classy and a common surf guitar color. Blue Agave would
be my first choice to use in a surf band.
Regarding Rosewood vs. Maple fretboards. I don't like maple necks
unless they have a lot of gloss on them. Most surf guitarists use
rosewood fretboards. They produce very different sounds. The only surf
song I am sure of that was played with a maple neck is Daytona Mona by
Slacktone. Not a good example because it is a '58 and Dave Wronski was
playing it. Now that I think of it the Cocktail Preachers have quite a
few on maple necks. But that is figured or birds eye maple neck and
would sound different. The guitarist for our band just got a '57 RI
Strat and that has a maple neck. There is not rosewood strat to
compare it too.
--- In , "anotherquixote"
<willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
> Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> a decent amp with good reverb.
>
> So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> should get the HSS for $60 more.
>
> You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> it's worth it.
>
> Stand by for Pipeline....
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
I've become a fan of the maple necks in recent years. My hands have become
accustomed to the palm-filling necks of the '50's. I do prefer 'em glossy as
well. I hear people say they sound different but I am extremely skeptical and
doubt that opinion would pass a blindfold A/B test given a guitar with the same
pick-ups and wood. I think the Ventures are pictured with maple-neck Strats on
the earliest of their albums.
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: jacobdobner
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 06, 2005 10:04 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Thanks for the advice!
Do not get the HSS. Never ever get the HSS. I don't see how a
humbucker is worth $60 unless it is a Gibson '57 classic or similar
Gibson/Duncan humbucker.
As for colors I would go with the Blue Agave or the White. Blue Agave
looks like it could have been a Fender custom color back in the '60s
and white is classy and a common surf guitar color. Blue Agave would
be my first choice to use in a surf band.
Regarding Rosewood vs. Maple fretboards. I don't like maple necks
unless they have a lot of gloss on them. Most surf guitarists use
rosewood fretboards. They produce very different sounds. The only surf
song I am sure of that was played with a maple neck is Daytona Mona by
Slacktone. Not a good example because it is a '58 and Dave Wronski was
playing it. Now that I think of it the Cocktail Preachers have quite a
few on maple necks. But that is figured or birds eye maple neck and
would sound different. The guitarist for our band just got a '57 RI
Strat and that has a maple neck. There is not rosewood strat to
compare it too.
--- In , "anotherquixote"
<willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
> Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> a decent amp with good reverb.
>
> So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> should get the HSS for $60 more.
>
> You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> it's worth it.
>
> Stand by for Pipeline....
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
.
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bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I just bought a Mexi Strat with a two-tone sparkle finish. It's green, but when
you turn it
sideways, it turns blue. Awesome to behold in stage light. Only 180 were made,
so it
would be tough to find. Some dealers, realizing they would not get more, have
already
upped the price to $600. Mine sold for $400. It has the mint green pickguard and
a
painted headstock (two tone) and a maple neck. Coolest guitar I own.
I, personally, love maple fretboards. I have several guitars with rosewood, my
Carl Petteys
Surfmaster is birdseye maple, and the Mexi Strat is maple. I always find myself
reaching
for the maple neck guitars, partly because both play well, but also because I
like the
necks. Feelwise, the only advantage I can find with the rosewood necks is when
bending
notes, there's just a little different resistence. But one doesn't bend much for
surf.
I'd say, try both and see which you like. But don't bite on the H-S-S, sounds
like your
dealer a) knows nada about surf b) has some H-S-S guitars he is having trouble
moving c)
is gouging for more $$$.
G
_____
--- In , "anotherquixote" <willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
> Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> a decent amp with good reverb.
>
> So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> should get the HSS for $60 more.
>
> You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> it's worth it.
>
> Stand by for Pipeline....
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
Will,
skip the humbucker - the true surf sound is all about single-coil
pickups. Single-coils have a much broader frequency response and
sound more dynamic when played clean or slightly overdriven (of
course, humbuckers work much better when played heavily overdriven,
but very few self-described surf guitarists use heavily overdriven
tones). As Leo Fender said, humbuckers sound like somebody threw a
blanket over the amp!
The color is totally up to you, though you may want to take a look at
some vintage colors, if you want it to 'look surf'. The most common
colors back in the sixties were just plain sunburst, which was the
standard finish. Dick Dale's and Jim Messina's Strats were white.
The Surfaris lead guy (as well as Hank Marvin of the British instro
band the Shadows) had a Fiesta Red Strat, which was creamy, orangish-
pinkish red and today considered one of the classic vintage colors.
Most of the other 'custom' colors were rare back then, but today are
accepted as traditonal looking: lake placid blue, candy apple red
(dark metallic red), surf green (very light green), foam green
(slighly darker, creamy-looking), shoreline gold, etc....
Finally, fretboard wood: I'm a huge fan of rosewood. Rosewood has a
slightly darker, fuller tone which is a benefit when playing Fender
amps with heavy reverb which tends to make the tone very bright and
give you 'ice-pick-like' highs. The fact is that back in the sixties
all surf guitarists played rosewood fretboard guitars - that's all
that Fender was making from '60 until '65, the surf music years. In
addition, Jazzmasters and Jaguars only ever came with rosewood
fingerboards. Myself, I'm a big fan of rosewood also cause maple is
a soft wood and must have a lot of lacquer on it to protect it.
Well, rosewood is much harder, and therefore comes with very little
finish so you can actually feel the wood under you fingers - I prefer
that feel to the plasticy, heavy finish maple. But it's a personal
preference, and the tone differences are subtle.
Hope that helps. Good luck with your decision! It's very exciting
to be purchasinig your first serious guitar. Though I agree with
what the others said that spending more money on an amp than a guitar
will get you a better tone, to me the guitar is not just an
instrument but an object of admiration and a companion, even a
friend. It's important to find a guitar that you really enjoy
playing, as well as one that gives you great satisfaction when you
just look at it! My personal recommendation would be to get a '60s
Classic Mexican Strat - great, great guitars, very affordable price,
and it will last you a long time.
Ivan
--- In , "anotherquixote"
<willbaumann@h...> wrote:
>
> Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> a decent amp with good reverb.
>
> So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> should get the HSS for $60 more.
>
> You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> it's worth it.
>
> Stand by for Pipeline....
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
Yo G,
Thanks for stickin' up fer the maple fretboards. I was beginning to feel alone
here! So I take it that the Mexi-Strat you purchased is what Fender calls a
'50's Strat?
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: Gavin Ehringer
To:
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 2:46 AM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Thanks for the advice!
I just bought a Mexi Strat with a two-tone sparkle finish. It's green, but
when you turn it
sideways, it turns blue. Awesome to behold in stage light. Only 180 were made,
so it
would be tough to find. Some dealers, realizing they would not get more, have
already
upped the price to $600. Mine sold for $400. It has the mint green pickguard
and a
painted headstock (two tone) and a maple neck. Coolest guitar I own.
I, personally, love maple fretboards. I have several guitars with rosewood, my
Carl Petteys
Surfmaster is birdseye maple, and the Mexi Strat is maple. I always find
myself reaching
for the maple neck guitars, partly because both play well, but also because I
like the
necks. Feelwise, the only advantage I can find with the rosewood necks is when
bending
notes, there's just a little different resistence. But one doesn't bend much
for surf.
I'd say, try both and see which you like. But don't bite on the H-S-S, sounds
like your
dealer a) knows nada about surf b) has some H-S-S guitars he is having trouble
moving c)
is gouging for more $$$.
G
_____
--- In , "anotherquixote" <willbaumann@h...>
wrote:
>
> Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> a decent amp with good reverb.
>
> So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> should get the HSS for $60 more.
>
> You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> it's worth it.
>
> Stand by for Pipeline....
>
> Thanks,
>
> Will
.
Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
No, it was a limited edition. It's a standard Mexi Strat with a fancy paint job,
skunk-stripe
maple neck and mint pickguard. I don't know much about it, but everyone at the
local
Music Exchange thought it played well, and it does! Maybe I will post a pic, the
paint job is
just unreal.
Gavin
--- In , "Marty Tippens" <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> Yo G,
>
> Thanks for stickin' up fer the maple fretboards. I was beginning to feel alone
here! So I
take it that the Mexi-Strat you purchased is what Fender calls a '50's Strat?
>
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gavin Ehringer
> To:
> Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 2:46 AM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Thanks for the advice!
>
>
>
> I just bought a Mexi Strat with a two-tone sparkle finish. It's green, but
when you turn
it
> sideways, it turns blue. Awesome to behold in stage light. Only 180 were
made, so it
> would be tough to find. Some dealers, realizing they would not get more,
have already
> upped the price to $600. Mine sold for $400. It has the mint green pickguard
and a
> painted headstock (two tone) and a maple neck. Coolest guitar I own.
>
> I, personally, love maple fretboards. I have several guitars with rosewood,
my Carl
Petteys
> Surfmaster is birdseye maple, and the Mexi Strat is maple. I always find
myself
reaching
> for the maple neck guitars, partly because both play well, but also because
I like the
> necks. Feelwise, the only advantage I can find with the rosewood necks is
when
bending
> notes, there's just a little different resistence. But one doesn't bend much
for surf.
>
> I'd say, try both and see which you like. But don't bite on the H-S-S,
sounds like your
> dealer a) knows nada about surf b) has some H-S-S guitars he is having
trouble
moving c)
> is gouging for more $$$.
>
> G
>
> _____
>
>
>
> --- In , "anotherquixote" <willbaumann@h...>
wrote:
> >
> > Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> > budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> > big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> > a decent amp with good reverb.
> >
> > So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> > owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> > prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> > should get the HSS for $60 more.
> >
> > You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> > regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> > it's worth it.
> >
> > Stand by for Pipeline....
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Will
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
> a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yeah, I'd like to see what that thing looks like.
-Marty
----- Original Message -----
From: Gavin Ehringer
To:
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 7:50 PM
Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Thanks for the advice!
No, it was a limited edition. It's a standard Mexi Strat with a fancy paint
job, skunk-stripe
maple neck and mint pickguard. I don't know much about it, but everyone at the
local
Music Exchange thought it played well, and it does! Maybe I will post a pic,
the paint job is
just unreal.
Gavin
--- In , "Marty Tippens" <mctippens@e...> wrote:
> Yo G,
>
> Thanks for stickin' up fer the maple fretboards. I was beginning to feel
alone here! So I
take it that the Mexi-Strat you purchased is what Fender calls a '50's Strat?
>
> -Marty
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Gavin Ehringer
> To:
> Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 2:46 AM
> Subject: [SurfGuitar101] Re: Thanks for the advice!
>
>
>
> I just bought a Mexi Strat with a two-tone sparkle finish. It's green, but
when you turn
it
> sideways, it turns blue. Awesome to behold in stage light. Only 180 were
made, so it
> would be tough to find. Some dealers, realizing they would not get more,
have already
> upped the price to $600. Mine sold for $400. It has the mint green
pickguard and a
> painted headstock (two tone) and a maple neck. Coolest guitar I own.
>
> I, personally, love maple fretboards. I have several guitars with
rosewood, my Carl
Petteys
> Surfmaster is birdseye maple, and the Mexi Strat is maple. I always find
myself
reaching
> for the maple neck guitars, partly because both play well, but also
because I like the
> necks. Feelwise, the only advantage I can find with the rosewood necks is
when
bending
> notes, there's just a little different resistence. But one doesn't bend
much for surf.
>
> I'd say, try both and see which you like. But don't bite on the H-S-S,
sounds like your
> dealer a) knows nada about surf b) has some H-S-S guitars he is having
trouble
moving c)
> is gouging for more $$$.
>
> G
>
> _____
>
>
>
> --- In , "anotherquixote" <willbaumann@h...>
wrote:
> >
> > Hey--thanks for the advice; I've decided to re-think my Surf Guitar
> > budget and direction. I'm getting a new Fender Mexi-Strat (now the
> > big problem--choosing body color deciding on maple or rosewood) and
> > a decent amp with good reverb.
> >
> > So, should I get a Fender Strat HSS, or the basic Mexi-Strat? The
> > owner of my local music store (who's matching Musician's Friend
> > prices on his in-store inventory and is a really nice guy) thinks I
> > should get the HSS for $60 more.
> >
> > You've saved me from making some decisions that I would most likely
> > regret sooner than later. I've upped my budget a bit, but I think
> > it's worth it.
> >
> > Stand by for Pipeline....
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Will
>
>
>
>
>
> .
> Visit for archived messages,
bookmarks, files, polls, etc.
>
>
>
>
>
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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>
> a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
>
>
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>
>
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>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
.
Visit for archived messages,
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