Should I trade my Les Paul for this?

[tommy99]

I currently own a Les Paul Standard (2008), but some guy is offering me a trade for his Strat. He claims it to be a special kind of custom Strat with the following specs:

This Beautiful Genuine USA Fender Stratocaster

This guitar was built by Big B Smiles of RnB Custom Relic Guitars. Big B has built guitars within the last few months for Joe Bonamassa, Paul Leary of the Butthole Surfers, and Gregg Allman.

The neck is a Genuine Fender vintage 7.25 radius 6230 original size frets levelled and dressed with nice rolled edges. 62 C shaped & 1 5/8" nut width made from premium rock maple and has a beautiful dark aged rosewood fingerboard. With a precision cut tusk nut. Finished in thin skin nitro.

The body is a Genuine USA 62 Reissue Fender with a thin skin Nitro finish and is made from premium Alder.

The pick-ups are Lindy Fralin real 54's with a reverse wound middle pickup for hum canceling. The pots are CTS 250k 10% tolerance. (the best)

The 5 way switch is CRL which will not colour your tone (the best)

The output jack is Switch Craft (the best)

Soldered with silver core solder for Hi-Fidelity tone (the best)

Sprague Orange Drop .047 Tone Cap

This guitar is light weight just a little over 7lbs.

This guitar is guaranteed for life. Our promise to you is, not only will this guitar continue to look awesome for years to come but that's just the beginning. 80 to 100 hours has
been spent fine tuning the tone and playability of this gorgeous strat. It is set-up for a professional and ready to plug in and play. This guitar also comes with a brand new
Genuine Fender "RARE" Black & White Tweed Case.

This all sounds promising.. I already met the guy, I traded a tele for a Gibson J-45 Deluxe 1977 with him and he's a collector. I mainly play bluesy stuff, you know, the things Mojo teaches us . What are your thoughts on this?

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[469roadking]

Hi Tommy,

Welcome to the forum!

I checked out the builder's website and he does do some cool stuff. There are no prices on there to see what his stuff goes for. The specs on the one he's offering you have some cool stuff on them. But a few things I personally would opt out on for a blues guitar.

Primarily the 7 1/4 radius fretboard. Fender used this as a standard for decades but have since changed to 9 1/2 as a minimum on most of their offerings.
A 7 1/4 radius was chosen for left hand comfort while chording. It matches the radius of the hand pretty well so it feels very natural.
The problem is that big string bends on that radius causes the notes to "fret out" and the blues requires that type of playing. (if your going to do it right ;D).
The trade offer is probably a great guitar but I would bet that a US standard strat with a change in pickups would do you just as well on sound and cost you much less.
I kind of doubt that the custom Strat is worth near what you LP is. If you want a Strat, why not sell the Paul, buy a used US strat, change out the pups, get it set up professionally and pocket yourself some nice cash. Or maybe buy a few pedals or put it towards a good amp.
You sir now have my .02.
Let us know what you decide. We live vicariously through the guitar purchases of others. ;D

[gasman]

Welcome Tommy! I was going to chime in earlier and say that I'd keep the Lester if I was you, but I decided to wait and see what others with more experience would say (thanks RK). I agree with RK on buying a used US strat. I also agree that your LP is worth more than the custom Strat. I just bought a custom-made Tele that was made last year, and I didn't pay anywhere near what a Les Paul Standard would have cost me.

[lesblues]

"Should I trade my Les Paul for this?" Nope! Why would anyone trade a Les Paul for a Strat? (Just my opinion) :-)

[tommy99]

Thx guys for replying.. I guess I'll just let the guy come over and get my hands on that Strat and hear how it sounds. I like the Les Paul a lot, it's a beast. And I do have a very decent amp, an 'ENGL Screamer 50' (it's German, build like a tank). But you know, I'm from Belgium, Europe, and guitars are way more expensive over here..

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[pwfirst]

Welcome Tommy. I am with the other guys, Custom remakes of guitars don't hold there value as well as all originals. I would have to really love a a new guitar to trade in a LP.

Keep the LP. Good luck with your choice. And if you do trade "Lesblues" may make a visit and give you a stern talking to.o:-/

[tommy99]

I keep my Les Paul!

I tried the Strat, but it just didn't feel right. The other guy sat there with my Les Paul and I was thinking to myself, 'man, she looks beautiful', and she sounds way better in my opinion. It felt as if he was holding my child in his arms. I guess you all know what I'm talking about.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter!

[lesblues]

Feb 27, 2011 6:32:43 GMT -5 tommy99 said:

I keep my Les Paul!

I tried the Strat, but it just didn't feel right. The other guy sat there with my Les Paul and I was thinking to myself, 'man, she looks beautiful', and she sounds way better in my opinion. It felt as if he was holding my child in his arms. I guess you all know what I'm talking about.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this matter!

Excellent! ;D ;D ;D

[Mojo]

HELL NO!

The resale value on that "strat" is pennies on the dollar compared to new price. He'd be lucky to get a grand for it, used.

the LP will hold its value.

So if you want the strat, then sell the LP privately, then negotiate a purchase price that is close to market value for the strat and laugh all the way to the bank with the difference

[469roadking]

Aw come'on Moj...don't hold back...tell us how you really feel.. ;D ;D


Tommy99.....If you've bonded with that instrument to the point of feeling like the dude was holding your child then never give it up. Those kind of guitars don't come along that often for a player. Most of us go through quite a few to try and find a few we can feel that way about.

[tommy99]

I've had some pretty good guitars over the years, but none can compare to the Les Paul.

Roadking: I've never felt so emotional about a guitar before, so yes, i'm definately holding on to her for a little while longer

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[gasman]

Man, that is one beautiful guitar!