Source
r/Guitar•
TechyAngel

[QUESTION] Looking at buying a Fender electric guitar. What are my best options under $1000?

QUESTION

I'm finally able to buy my own electric guitar, but as this will be my first, I have very little experience with selecting them. I'm specifying Fender because I've been very happy with one of their acoustics for about 11 years now, and I also have an opportunity to get a moderate discount on their products at the moment. It is important that this be an instrument that will not only perform, but will last. I'm looking for a clean, sharp sound. Any suggestions or guidance are welcome and appreciated!

Posted Nov 26, 2020, 2:02 AM UTC

422
[deleted]•

I bought a used American HSS strat for 850 at guitar center. Amazing guitar usually goes for 1150.

5
ALR3000•

This is an excellent idea. A well made and versatile guitar

2
[deleted]•

Yes I love my HSS strat. I can play any style on it

1
mvsopen•

Yes! HSS on a strat gives you more tone options, and less hum, than three single coils.

1
YT__•

Used American or New Mexican. Both would be fine options.

5
mikeyj198•

came to say this. I have many mexi strats and have lost any feeling of ‘need’ for a USA strat. Bonus, go used Mexi and you will have a lot of money left over for a killer amp

5
jrn1980•

Great idea. I used to have a mexi players series strat and a blues jr amp. Man, that was a great setup. I liked that mexi strat better than the American strat I “upgraded” to

1
ListogastFender•

Buy a Mexican Fender. They'll last a lifetime and they're not all that different from American. They share most of the same parts.

3
crass_warfareFender Gretsch BLACKSTAR•

Plus one. My MIM is turning 25 this year, looks great and plays great. Granted, I've had to replace the 5 way switch and slapped in some GFS fat strat PUs, but the body and neck are solid and well built. Muchos gracias, fender Mexico.

1
ExtinctionMachine•

Get one of the Mexican made Strats

2
[deleted]•

No. Don't buy a Mexican one. If you got 1000 to spend it's so worth it to get American instead.

-4
caaarrrrllll•

Agreed. Be patriotic.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I have a mexican and I love it tho. Always wonder how much better an American is.

0†
[deleted]•

They're way better trust me. When I bought mine I was trying out Mexican strats they had there at guitar center and then I tried the used american strat that was on the wall it was like I have to get this it's way better.

-1†
vonov129•

Clean sharp sounds to me like P90s or tele

I'm going with these:

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/JazzV60IBM--fender-vintera-60s-jazzmaster-ice-blue-metallic

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TeleDNM2CS--fender-deluxe-nashville-tele-2-color-sunburst-with-maple-fingerboard

The second one is my favorite of the 2 tbh

2
TopArsehole•

Can confirm that the Nashville tele is an incredible guitar.

1
shredmaster6661Schecter•

For a first electric, nobody should get p90’s

-1
Blackjack-WQManson•

What? Why?

1
shredmaster6661Schecter•

They are super hard to control noise

-1
guerrillatongue•

There are a lot of options for $1000. You're going to need to play some and narrow it down to at least the model of Fender you want. Then explore options within budget for that particular model. You're always going to get a better deal used if you can find a good one. Patience is key to buying used.

2
[deleted]•

[removed]

1
BreamBum•

Get a Robert Cray MIM Strat.

1
bopbop66•

Do you have any preference between their main models? Do you need a tremolo or a humbucker?

It's kind of hard to go off of just clean and sharp. I would personally lean towards a Tele for a sharp/more aggressive attack but Strats are obviously great and Jazzmasters have that sweet jangle to them

1