I'm kind of in the saving up for a new guitar mode and thinking about my options. The EJ strat would be nice and I've read a lot about the American Deluxe models, but the Beck with the hot noiseless pickups has been on my mind. The LSR nut looks like it would be a nice feature too. I wonder what the neck feels like? My current Strat is a 50th anniversary American with 1954 Custom shop pups (I changed the bridge for a Duncan Hotrails.) I've also been looking at a few Gretsch's...Duo Jet's are sexy!

I've got a DuoJet and I love it - one of my main guitars - black and sexy...........guitar that is!!
Nigel
 

I'm jealous! What make and model do you have?

Clint its a black Gretsch 6128 with Filtrons and Bigsby from 2001 - I've had it since 2002 - bought it off a guy who said he couldn't get on with it!!!!!! One of the best guitars I've played and one of my favorites.
You can see me playing it on the following video if you want to sit through the video that is!!
https://www.youtube.com/w...64D_vFlCySRvkfjuSQWUew
Nigel

No, I don't have one and wouldn't want to fork out so much when there are work arounds as such.
 
I have an American Highway One HH with a 2 point tremolo set up à la Jeff Beck (the G string pulls up to a Bb).It has coil tapping so gives a great sound. I put graphite on the nut to help get rid of some of the friction (Himself has rollers AFAIK).
 
I also have a cheaper HSH with 2 point trem which I just got and am setting it up the same. 6 point trems are more complicated to set up to emulate JB.
 
You'll also need to make sure the volume pot is "loose" ie very little restistance when you turn it with your pinkie.
 
If you do a search on the web you'll find numerous explanations about JB's set up, the best one being an interview with his guitar tech.
 
I can't actually play like him, but the thought's definitely there ! Good luck in your eventual choice.
 
Cheers,
Jerry
 
 

Bajan Blue
Clint its a black Gretsch 6128 with Filtrons and Bigsby from 2001 - I've had it since 2002 - bought it off a guy who said he couldn't get on with it!!!!!! One of the best guitars I've played and one of my favorites.
You can see me playing it on the following video if you want to sit through the video that is!!
https://www.youtube.com/w...64D_vFlCySRvkfjuSQWUew
Nigel

Yep that's a nice one. Nice video and song too. I've been looking at the Black and Silver Duo Jets with Dynasonics, only because I like the look. There aren't any Gretsch's around here so I have no idea about the neck or feel of it. If I get another Strat I want it to be different than what I have. The Beck pups and rosewood neck would be a huge change. The American Deluxe strats have the N3 pickups...A single coil in the bridge would be different as well. So far I haven't seen any good sells for any of these.

I like this one too. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/DuoJetCG
 

The JB model has gone through a number of changes over the years. The originals had huge necks and lace sensor pickups. I recently saw one that had a smaller neck and regular single coils. I wouldn't buy one without getting your hands on it first.
 
My personal favourite Strat is the Eric Johnson. They are really nice in a vintage way, with some special extras. The neck is quarter sawn maple, the pickups are custom designed and the tuners have stepped posts to ensure a good break angle across the nut.

the strat i built (using USACG body/neck) was based partly on the EJ model, partly on the SRV model, partly on my own specs....
the 12" radius is key.
with the EJ and SRV, the pau ferro fretboard is key....
 
and with a tiltback headstock, and a graphite nut, i didn't feel the need for a LSR type nut..
 
but i've played the American Deluxe, which is half the cost of the JB, and feels just as nice.
it has the LSR, and works well.
 
 
if you have a favorite strat now, why not just buy an LSR and have a luthier put it on and set up your strat?
 
custom pickups are easy,
 
these sound better than ANY fender pickups i've heard:
 
http://wildepickups.com/Wilde_Bill_s_MicroCoils.html
 
 
and so much cheaper......
 
 
 
 
 

i feel my custom usacg build is superior to any fender on the market.
 
and i only spent @ $1200 on it
 
after playing literally hundreds of fenders,
i knew exactly what i wanted,
and built it.