My Search for the Perfect Strat

[fadetoz]

I've been searching buying and building Strats trying to get the perfect Strat. I have had quite a few really good ones and there's always something that makes me keep searching.
Well I was at GC and they had a used 2017 Schecter S type guitar HSS. I've always thought of Schecter as a Heavy Metal guitar maker with all the strange body shapes. Kind of like the BC Rich shapes.

I played this guitar and was blown away. It's the Schecter Nick Johnston model. It is basically a Strat with an amazing maple neck with an Ebony FB. The 2 point tremolo works great and it just sounds magical to me. 14 inch radius. I'm good with a 7.25 or 9.5 but the 14 is so easy to play lead on. So I came back a few days later and walked out with the guitar. I feel like the search for a #1 is over.

Side note: Getting old sucks. My vision isn't all that great anymore. I didn't realize the previous owner painted the PG black. I realized this and wanted to restore it to Mint green and aged pup covers.
I even contacted support and you cant just buy parts I guess. So I decided to remove the paint even if I ruined the PG. Figured I could have a PG made worst case.
About 3 hrs later it was cleaned up and back to stock. Love this guitar.



After getting cleaned up

So 2 weeks later I have the SSS version. Something about the single coil tones just does it for me.

Now I have my #1 and #2 guitars. I am selling a few others soon. May end up with these and a couple Squiers after the dust settles. My Fiesta CV is not going anywhere.

They also have a T style model Nick Johnston too. They look amazing too.

 

[Riverdrifter]

Those look awesome!

 

[wickedtools]

That’s awesome have to check them out, thanks for sharing but you make everything sound good @fadetoz! 😊👍🏼

 

[fadetoz]

That’s awesome have to check them out, thanks for sharing but you make everything sound good @fadetoz! 😊👍🏼

I saw a funny meme that I totally connected with. Said something like “The older I get the less impressed I am with allot of stuff”. I totally am there.

But this model Schecter totally does it for me. It’s perfect for what I need.
I will always be a huge Squier fan but if you get a chance try one of these.

 

[Eddie]

Schecter make some really great guitars at reasonable prices. I think Darrell said that if Fender offered what Schecter was offering, they'd charge double.

There's a NJ HSS in PA about 2 hours away from me. I'm tempted. But no dinero at the moment. I'd really like to find an HH NJ Tele.

 

[stormsedge]

Schecters are awesome. I have eight, but no Nick Johnstons...I'll have to specifically check them out.
Just the excuse I need to move out a few of these I'm not playing.

 

[fadetoz]

@Eddie I'm not sure they make an HH. You may have to mod it for that. I'm not 100% sure though. That said the best Metal rhythm recording I have was done was on a Telecaster with Tex Mex pickups. I just started with Schecter so I do know the models.
I can say for sure that I am a Schecter player now. Sorry but they just make a high quality guitar with specs that Fender will just not do. I think to get these specs you would have to do a custom shop Fender.

 

[Eddie]

I have a Schecter C-1 Platinum. I think I would use it as my main touring guitar if I were a pro. It's good enough for the real deal. But cheap enough not worry about messing up a $2K Fender or Gibson.

It has the EMG's so I'm not sure if another guitar with EMG's would sound any different.

 

[Mikey Mike]

I've been searching buying and building Strats trying to get the perfect Strat. I have had quite a few really good ones and there's always something that makes me keep searching.
Well I was at GC and they had a used 2017 Schecter S type guitar HSS. I've always thought of Schecter as a Heavy Metal guitar maker with all the strange body shapes. Kind of like the BC Rich shapes.

I played this guitar and was blown away. It's the Schecter Nick Johnston model. It is basically a Strat with an amazing maple neck with an Ebony FB. The 2 point tremolo works great and it just sounds magical to me. 14 inch radius. I'm good with a 7.25 or 9.5 but the 14 is so easy to play lead on. So I came back a few days later and walked out with the guitar. I feel like the search for a #1 is over.

Side note: Getting old sucks. My vision isn't all that great anymore. I didn't realize the previous owner painted the PG black. I realized this and wanted to restore it to Mint green and aged pup covers.
I even contacted support and you cant just buy parts I guess. So I decided to remove the paint even if I ruined the PG. Figured I could have a PG made worst case.
About 3 hrs later it was cleaned up and back to stock. Love this guitar.

View attachment 257311

After getting cleaned up

View attachment 257312

View attachment 257314

So 2 weeks later I have the SSS version. Something about the single coil tones just does it for me.

View attachment 257315

Now I have my #1 and #2 guitars. I am selling a few others soon. May end up with these and a couple Squiers after the dust settles. My Fiesta CV is not going anywhere.

They also have a T style model Nick Johnston too. They look amazing too.

" So I decided to remove the paint"
You did super well on that!

 

[Big tuna]

Those look and sound great have always liked the guitars had one years ago. Enjoy!

 

[fadetoz]

I put the original bridge pup in the CV this evening. Had a rail in there but wanted it stock. Pickguard and pickup covers aren’t original though.

 

[fadetoz]

Funny I like the Squier CV 50s better than my Fender Road Warn 50s. I think the neck is just so nice to play.

 

[fadetoz]

Ok last post for today. I’m going through guitars and pulled out my Epi 1959. Sure goes nice with the Atomic Orange Schecter.

 

[DougMen]

I put the original bridge pup in the CV this evening. Had a rail in there but wanted it stock. Pickguard and pickup covers aren’t original though.

View attachment 257428

The aged white covers and knobs are crying for a mint green PG like the Schecter has. I know it's maybe not period correct, because Strats didn't have mint guards until '59, when they switched to RW boards, but so what? 50s Strats didn't have 5 way switches, 9.5" radius necks, narrow tall frets, bridge pickup tone controls, or poly finishes either.

 

[Dave M]

I can say for sure that I am a Schecter player now. Sorry but they just make a high quality guitar with specs that Fender will just not do. I think to get these specs you would have to do a custom shop Fender.

I know Right? Love your stuff !!!! I have a Schecter PT Special...great neck , kinda flatter in the back... the CV50..great neck also..I'm going for flatter D shapes necks the older i get....Jackson Dinky's say are for metal and , but they do Blues Too !!!! JS22 or the JS24 which is a mahogany body. !!!! Nice D shape, 12 to 16 radius boards, 2 point trems...priced right....squiers are getting up high.... glad a have plenty all ready !!!!

 

[fadetoz]

That is funny because I was thinking I need to order a mint green PG for it earlier. I’d like to find the aged pup covers but the ones I have didn’t fit. I used the closest I had on hand. The white pg if from my road warn. I had replaced it with a mint green one. When I got the CV they had put a perloid pg on it. Mint green and aged plastic looks the best to me.

I did find it funny it’s a CV 50s and like you said it’s specs are all over the place and not really 50s. But I guess it is called Classic Vibe

 

[fadetoz]

I know Right? Love your stuff !!!! I have a Schecter PT Special...great neck , kinda flatter in the back... the CV50..great neck also..I'm going for flatter D shapes necks the older i get....Jackson Dinky's say are for metal and , but they do Blues Too !!!! JS22 or the JS24 which is a mahogany body. !!!! Nice D shape, 12 to 16 radius boards, 2 point trems...priced right....squiers are getting up high.... glad a have plenty all ready !!!!

I do like Jackson Dinky guitars. That was my main guitar when I went into the studio the first time in 1998. It was a Jackson Dinly reverse. I regret loosing that guitar.

This is one like it but it looked exactly like this one.

 

[Dave M]

I do like Jackson Dinky guitars. That was my main guitar when I went into the studio the first time in 1998. It was a Jackson Dinly reverse. I regret loosing that guitar.

here's the 1st one i have...then I went crazy...2 more

 

[DougMen]

I've been searching buying and building Strats trying to get the perfect Strat. I have had quite a few really good ones and there's always something that makes me keep searching.
Well I was at GC and they had a used 2017 Schecter S type guitar HSS. I've always thought of Schecter as a Heavy Metal guitar maker with all the strange body shapes. Kind of like the BC Rich shapes.

I played this guitar and was blown away. It's the Schecter Nick Johnston model. It is basically a Strat with an amazing maple neck with an Ebony FB. The 2 point tremolo works great and it just sounds magical to me. 14 inch radius. I'm good with a 7.25 or 9.5 but the 14 is so easy to play lead on. So I came back a few days later and walked out with the guitar. I feel like the search for a #1 is over.

Side note: Getting old sucks. My vision isn't all that great anymore. I didn't realize the previous owner painted the PG black. I realized this and wanted to restore it to Mint green and aged pup covers.
I even contacted support and you cant just buy parts I guess. So I decided to remove the paint even if I ruined the PG. Figured I could have a PG made worst case.
About 3 hrs later it was cleaned up and back to stock. Love this guitar.

View attachment 257311

After getting cleaned up

View attachment 257312

View attachment 257314

So 2 weeks later I have the SSS version. Something about the single coil tones just does it for me.

View attachment 257315

Now I have my #1 and #2 guitars. I am selling a few others soon. May end up with these and a couple Squiers after the dust settles. My Fiesta CV is not going anywhere.

They also have a T style model Nick Johnston too. They look amazing too.

Andertons recently posted this video of some LTD Schecter Strats and Teles with ash bodies, 14" radius necks with ebony boards and locking tuners. The Tele has 2HBs, a bound body, and a Strat bridge/vibrato, and must have coil splitting, 'cause when Pete's playing on the neck pickup during the jam at the end, it sounds like a Strat or Tele neck SC.

 

[Las Palmas Norte]

Well that makes two new happy Strat owners. You and Lonn.