Fender Electric American Guitars: Pro Jazzmaster $1149, Stratocaster Expired

Um, ..have you considered taking a trip to Guitar Center, Sam Ash, or your local music store to try playing a Tele and a Strat and seeing for yourself which feels better?

I think most people find that playing a Stratocaster is a far more comfortable experience than playing a Telecaster. Strats are carved and modeled to be held against the player's body, ...and there's a reason why virtuosos like Clapton and Jeff Beck have converted to Fender's flagship in their later years. I started playing on Gibson Les Pauls, then ES-335s, and finally bought a Strat a few years ago. I find the Strat more comfortable than the LPs, ES, and Teles. Holding a Telecaster is a lot like pressing a Christmas present (think good sized shirt/sweater box) with a guitar neck attached against your midsection. It ain't fun or sexy.

That said, last year I saw a great deal on a SG, and went for it. I find the SG considerably more comfortable to hold and play than a Strat. The SG is light, just the right size and shape, much more comfortable neck; and the finish, workmanship and hardware leave any Fender in the dust.

If you want to try living with a Strat buy a MIM on sale for $360-400, and see if it suits you. The Mexican Strats are pretty decent, and many players don't discern the difference between them and their American made brethren. If you want to spend $700+ you can often find good sales/deals on Gibson SG Specials (often complete with a Gibson hard case). To get that price you may have to sacrifice things like high gloss chrome hardware and trapezoidal MoP inlays on the freatboard and headstock, but few Fenders are decked out with fancy inlays. To me it's a no brainer. The SGs are things of beauty.


One More Thing: If you really want an American Strat these are really good deals. I have a maple neck and Seafom Telecaster, and while I rarely pick it up it sure is pretty (if you can stomach the white plastic toy-looking Fender knobs). Oh, and for $1000 the Limited Edition American Professional, complete with molded case, is the far better deal if the Surf Pearl color doesn't make you queasy.

Incredible!

Yup this is what I've been waiting for