Cheap Lefty Strat Clone

[Aqueix]

I was thinking about buying one of those cheap Strat clones off of amazon for around 100 bucks but I'm not completely sure if I should or not. I'm going to upgrade all the electronics and tuners anyways so all im really buying it for is the body and the neck. Setup and stuff shouldn't really be an issue because I know how to set a strat up decently. Should I go for it?

This is the exact one im thinking about

 

[Murdog]

For that price I say yes, less thank $100 bucks. It's all about the experience, but that's just me.....

 

[crawdaddy]

Me personally....no....Remember, you get what you pay for...

I have bought some cheaper guitars for my sons and the grandchildren....The only ones that I've found that are worth the money are the Harley Benton's....and even those are hit or miss....

I just saw a used MIM left handed strat on Reverb for $350....to me that would be a much better foundation to start with....

Fender Standard Stratocaster Left-Handed 1998 - 2005 | Reverb

In 1998 Fender began its first major production change to the Standard Stratocaster series, switching from a Vintage Tremolo tailpiece to “Standard Hardware”. Available with Rosewood fretboard in Midnight Blue, Midnight Wine, Black, Arctic White, & Brown Sunburst finishes.

reverb.com

I have no affiliation at all with the seller of the MIM....

Best of luck on your decision...

 

[jvin248]

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The photo link didn't show up for me.

My recommendation:

Glarry or Eart Strat.

Only SSS version, rewire for Armstrong Blender mod (second tone pot blends between SSS and HSH), replace the pots, switch, jack with typical MIA parts.

Check the frets for level and file fret ends at the driest time of the year for you. Level frets if necessary (will play like Custom Shop models if you do, it's the highest value mod on a guitar).

Deck/block the trem.

Do a down-town job on the setup.

Any other mod is a waste of time, money, or a distraction (trems are a distraction for me, either they go out of tune because I test their limits or I mod them to stay in tune but then test their limits again).

.

 

[Lost Sailor]

I bought a lefty cheapie (I think it was "huntington")
Neck was like a baseball bat - pickups had to go, the routing was done by a chimpanze.......couldn't keep it very long at all.

 

[stormsedge]

cheap Strat clones off of amazon for around 100 bucks

I purchased a Glarry lefty to do a Hendrix knock off. Generally okay. It has a bit of a thick neck, but not baseball bat thick. It serves the purpose, but I do not play it much.

 

[Caddy]

Chunky necks seem like a win to me.

 

[waylonfan42]

Don't waste your money. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mind Flayer]

I’d personally get a used squier affinity or something along those lines. At least with those you know what you’re getting, and can probably resell it for around what you paid for it. God knows what you’ll get on an “Ashethorpe,” but it probably won’t be good.

 

[Aqueix]

I’d personally get a used squier affinity or something along those lines. At least with those you know what you’re getting, and can probably resell it for around what you paid for it. God knows what you’ll get on an “Ashethorpe,” but it probably won’t be good.

I would try to opt for the affinity but they discontinued the lefty variant unfortunately

 

[Nubs]

Never heard of that brand before. I would suggest looking for a used Squier Classic Vibe. Should be able to snag one for around $300-$400. If you saw a used MIM for around that price, get it!

 

[Mind Flayer]

I would try to opt for the affinity but they discontinued the lefty variant unfortunately

Ah, I wasn’t aware of the lefty issue. I bet you could find a used lefty affinity though, even if they’re not making them anymore.

 

[Wrighty]

Don't waste your money. Just my 2 cents.

That’s just so unselfish, offering him 2 cents of your money to waste!

 

[Jimbo99]

With a lefty, take what you can find since they're rarer to come across.

 

[crawdaddy]

With a lefty, take what you can find since they're rarer to come across.

That is what I keep hearing....but this puppy just arrived today....a brand new (well at least it is like brand new) 2001 FSR Strat....


I will be doing a NGD a little later....

 

[Jimbo99]

That is what I keep hearing....but this puppy just arrived today....a brand new (well at least it is like brand new) 2001 FSR Strat....
View attachment 558294

I will be doing a NGD a little later....

What I meant is keep looking, but for around $ 100, getting one that gets you into a playing instrument is a good thing.