"Made In USA" Trustability Label

I would seriously consider Godin: Godin Guitars

Their guitars are all North American made. Some are 100% Canadian, some are assembled in New Hampshire from Canadian parts.

High quality and great prices. I used to own and Exit 22. I really regret selling that guitar!

I think about this one all the time -- the Radiator:

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I've heard you can get pretty close to a Ric sound with this...

 

Carvin makes excellent guitars. A mid-80's MIJ Strat ain't a bad choice either. Very highly underrated guitars.

 

Just because its made in america doesnt mean its good , also this is the basses forum if your going to talk about guitars thats off topic or misc section.

 

+1
FWIW I've had three strats, two MIA and one MIJ and the MIJ is the only one that's still around.

 

No different than US Fender basses. Take a look under the pickguard to make sure the correct electronics are in there, and body and neck heel/pockets for the telltales as well.

IME, US Standard Strats are very consistent, more so than the basses I've played. This is may very well be due to the fact that I'm primarily a bass player and am more picky with them.

Worst case, pick up a '11 on blowout at guitar center. I think they're going for $950, which is well within your budget. I just got an '08 and it's magnificent!

 

Why do you not trust Fender?

 

I'm thinking if you walked into a Fender dealer and bought a NEW strat...it's going to say made in usa on the head stock if it's a MIA. Mexico if it's MIM or Japan if it's MIJ or CIJ.

If your buying used....I'm no expert.

 

Where do you gather that from?

If you don't rust Fender, there are plenty of other MIA companies out there. G&L and EBMM immediately come to mind, and they make excellent guitars.

 

I just got a genuine Fender pickguard for my US Standard Strat. The packaging said MIM on it. Would that disqualify it in your mind?

 

Ah, I see. Well, I've always heard good things about the Carvin Bolt. Actually, I've heard nothing but good things for all Carvin instruments. I would probably go with Carvin if I didn't want a Fender Strat. You may luck out and find the Bolt you want in stock on Carvin's website.

I'm sure there are plenty of other good USA-made Strat-like guitars but I don't know much about them.

 

Buy from a reputable shop that you trust. Problem solved.

As for what to look for. It completely depends on exactly what model you're looking at. Visually, for an Am Std Strat, you're usually looking at a 2 post tremolo as opposed to a 6 screw (which can be found on AVRI's, or any other "vintage" type of model...as well as on the MIM stuff). I beleive there are exceptions to that as well, so that's why I say it depends on exactly what you are looking at.

As for a Gibson, they're all set necks so you're not going to find a Gibby neck on a Epiphone body. All of their pickups are labeled on the bottom, so that's easy enough. Headstock shapes, binding, and bridges are also tell tale signs.

 

1. Go to an authorized Fender dealer.
2. Play all the USA Strats they have in stock.
3. Pick the one you like best and buy it.
4. Stop worrying about a conspiracy that doesn't exist.

All IMO, of course.

Or, buy a Carvin Bolt and have a better made guitar for a lot less money.

Also, IMO, of course.

 

The only thing I do not like about my Carvin bass (circa 2000, LB75) are the tuners. Cast aluminum or pot metal--not adequate for torquing a medium gauge B-string IME. With their guitars you have some choices in tuners such as Sperzels. I would buy another Carvin in a heartbeat. That being said, I want a Ric 4001 or 4003 so bad it hurts!

 

When you find one send up a flare.

 

I don't think you could go wrong ordering a Carvin guitar! You will get a US made guitar with what you want for options for less than a US Fender or Gibson. I just went to the Carvin site and did the specs for a TLB60 guitar with several upgrade options. It came to $926 with a hard case and strap! Hard to beat that for a new custom built guitar IMO.