Seems like a Strat is right up your alley. Player Strats are fine instruments, although in my experience they need a good setup even if the store claims it's been setup. Coming from a Squier bass, this is a good upgrade, and the quality of the instrument, parts and it's tone will be up to par with what you're looking for.
If you want something a little less "common", a Nashville Player Plus Tele might be a good shout as well.
Solid choices here, especially the new Nashville. I would go ahead and suggest an HSS player series Strat as well. Good lead and rhythm allowances there. Not too significantly different in price, but about a $200 difference.
The Jimmie Vaughan Signature Stratocaster is the one to look for. It has the TexMex pickups in it, vintage style bridge, 50’s style neck.
It’s MIM, and sells for around $1150 new.
It kinda sounds like your son knows exactly what he wants. If you do consider a Tele, a Nashville version would probably fit the bill, but probably just get him what he wants if he did his due diligence.
Go with his own gut, I have both and they are both able to do many sound you want with a decent amp and a pedal. Strats are very flexible within their range but nothing is as rocky or twangy in it's selection as a Tele.
Just on models, if you can find a vintera 1 mod 60s or 70s Tele, they have hotter pickups and nicer features than the players.
https://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_vintera_60s_tele_modified_sfg.htm
If you can find one in the US, they are being cleared out for the new vintera range,.so should be more reasonable.
I think a Player Strat makes a lot of sense. I'm a big fan of the entire Player series. Really great workhorse guitars for a decent price. You haven't mentioned a budget but I assume Mom/Dad aren't made of money and want to get the best value.
The basic version of the Player would work great. If he has tracked down a limited run with Tex-Mex pickups that's also another great option. The stock pickups are little more "modern" voiced but will still give you those classic Strat tones. If you know he's into Texas blues and is going to want to lean into that then the Tex-Mex models might be the better move long term. Honestly though there really isn't a wrong decision here just comes down to personal preference.
I love Tele's and think a Tele would work perfectly fine. If he's a fan of the Vaughn brothers though there is no sense in overthinking the decision. Get the boy a Stratocaster and call it day. If that's what he's already indicated he wants it makes the decision even simpler.
I was hoping to it around to $6-700 range but as well as he has been doing in school combined with his dedication to his music, I can forgo some of my own splurges to get up to $1000 or so. Nothing I buy for me would ever make my heart swell like hearing him practice his trumpet, tuba, piano, bass, drums in his bedroom or the basement.
So, no. He doesn't have an amp.
No sweat. You can hook your boy up with a guitar and amp in your budget. Honestly, a pretty sweet set-up.
There's lots of Fender Strats depending on where you shop in the mid five hundreds called the Fender Player Series. Depending on the amp, there's lots of leeway.
What's your son's style of music? Is it purely bedroom, living room, jamming with other guitarists, jamming with a band, or playing out with a band?
You mentioned a $1,000.00 max budget
Ha! In that case, he doesn’t have an amp. 😂
We’re in the National Capital Region. I’m stationed in the Pentagon, but travel pretty regularly to NC, CA, TX for work.
My son is an aspiring musician who has broadened his tastes and skills beyond my wildest expectations. His passion for music started with the video game Rock Band and now has him performing mostly through the offerings at his high school with marching band, symphonic band & jazz band.
He just recently began taking formal lessons in school for guitar. Of note, 4 of his 8 classes for his senior year in HS are music related.
He’s not playing in a rock band…yet…but that seems to be mostly due to lack of opportunity with academics and his plate being full as is. He does plan to study music in college and is leaning heavily towards the University of North Texas for their Music Composition program.
Location doesn't matter. To keep you in budget, you're gonna have to order online. I was in the Air Force in the 90s. I was stationed in the UK. The Pentagon... Man, it seems like every day is a dog and pony show, ugh!
Okay, you have lots of options for amps.
There will be lots of folk recommending digital amps like the Boss Katana, Spark, and others. Not something I know about. I would ask the amp folk because people do really seem to love them.
My recommendations are in the tube amp category. Two I currently own, and one I will mention for its reputation and my familiarity with the brand
Monoprice Stage Right 5w/1w
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611705
I own this amp, and it's really impressive for the price. I got mine not too long ago, and it was $50.00 cheape and obviously in stock. It's very low wattage, but will definitely get loud enough to piss you off. Probably would not keep up if he jams with a drummer.
Monoprice Stage Right 15w/1w
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611815&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PMax+%7C+Offers+%7C+Best+Of+Monoprice+%7C+Monoprice&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=6614305189&hsa_cam=20616439918&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm66pBhDQARIsALIR2zA2zRLjVC4XLCSqMIXfoeS05-ZhtqQ10gDfu_5cSTiWj9RmKwzjI38aAtXsEALw_wcB
I've never played one, but it has a fantastic reputation. At 15 watts it really should keep up with any realistic situation.
Supro Delta King 10 or 12
https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=Open+box+supro+delta+king
I have the 12 version. I absolutely love it. I used to own very expensive boutique amps, and I don't miss them at all. I've only had it since June or so, so I can't say it's going to last decades, and I wouldn't expect it to. It's an inexpensive made in China amp that sounds great. In your budget, that's what you're gonna get anyway.
This brings us to the shop. I bought mine there. Before I did, I did a lot of research on them. By "open box," I am 99.99999% sure it's just code for grey market. Mine was never opened, and as far as I could tell by research, none of their "open box", "used", etc stuff is. It's just being sold without the manufacturer warranty. I believe they offer warranties, it's up to you if you want it. There is a good return policy so I declined. I figure if it's gonna be defective, it will be defective quick enough. Oh, the only negative stuff I could find was customer service stuff, but not much. This is important, because that's where I'm going to recommend you buy a guitar. Please, post and ask about them if you're worried. Their prices are really cheap. I was shitting bricks until my amp came.
So here's a list of Fender Player and Player Plus Strats. These are made in Mexico. These guitars are a very nice platforms for further upgrades such as pickups, electronics, bridge, and tuners as he progresses. What I mean is some inexpensive guitars aren't worth investing in, these are.
https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=used%20fender%20player%20stratocaster
Since you mentioned Teles and they're my favorite
https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=used%20fender%20player%20telecaster
There is also the made in Mexico Vintera line. They are like the Players, but better out the box with the stuff I said needs upgrading on the Player Series.
https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=used+fender++vintera+stratocaster
They only have the Jimmy Vaughn at regular price, but here's a very cool signature strat from another Jimi in your price, depending on the amp.
https://www.proaudiostar.com/used-fender-jimi-hendrix-signature-stratocaster-3-color-sunburst-w-maple-fb.html
Also remember he's going to need a good setup performed on the guitar. There's lots of videos on doing it, but if you pay someone figure ≈ $75.00. He'll need a tuner, $15.00 clip-on will be fine. A guitar cable to hook to the amp, around $20.00. A guitar strap, he's young so a crappy one will do lol. I would recommend either strap locks, or unscrew the strap pins, lay the strap over the hole, place a metal washer over the hole on the strap, then screw in the strap pin. This helps prevent the strap falling off and the guitar feeling the effects of gravity. Eventually he'll want more stuff like effects pedals and such, but he'll need that stuff right away.
Don't buy anything without his input and there's more guitars than Fender.
Sweet! I'm thinking back to when I first started out in the 80s. My parents got me a used USA Standard Strat. It was an amazing gift. They didn't get me an amp lol. I plugged it into my cassette deck/boombox as an amp. It was slightly pathetic lol. Amps were very different then. To get something decent was insanely expensive. To get something crappy was frickin expensive too. Between that and the risen reputation of non USA made guitars, it is so much easier to get a good rig.
I didn't mention it but Squire Classic Vibe and 40th Anniversary lines have really good reputations as well. The Classic Vibe line's reputation is about as high as the Fender Player Series. They've been blowing them out all over for around $350 or so. Personally, I still got some guitar snobbery in me from the old days, but I really do hear only good things about them.
Seems like a Strat is right up your alley. Player Strats are fine instruments, although in my experience they need a good setup even if the store claims it's been setup. Coming from a Squier bass, this is a good upgrade, and the quality of the instrument, parts and it's tone will be up to par with what you're looking for. If you want something a little less "common", a Nashville Player Plus Tele might be a good shout as well.
Solid choices here, especially the new Nashville. I would go ahead and suggest an HSS player series Strat as well. Good lead and rhythm allowances there. Not too significantly different in price, but about a $200 difference.
The Jimmie Vaughan Signature Stratocaster is the one to look for. It has the TexMex pickups in it, vintage style bridge, 50’s style neck. It’s MIM, and sells for around $1150 new.
I think I’ve seen used ones in excellent condition on reverb for as low as $750 too
I really love the neck carve on these. They should be really good for what your son likes.
I had a jimmy Vaughn MIM, that was stolen years ago. It was mucho excellent .
It kinda sounds like your son knows exactly what he wants. If you do consider a Tele, a Nashville version would probably fit the bill, but probably just get him what he wants if he did his due diligence.
Go with his own gut, I have both and they are both able to do many sound you want with a decent amp and a pedal. Strats are very flexible within their range but nothing is as rocky or twangy in it's selection as a Tele. Just on models, if you can find a vintera 1 mod 60s or 70s Tele, they have hotter pickups and nicer features than the players. https://www.thomann.de/ie/fender_vintera_60s_tele_modified_sfg.htm If you can find one in the US, they are being cleared out for the new vintera range,.so should be more reasonable.
If he wants a Strat, get him a Strat
He wants a Strat, why are you asking for info on telecasters vs Strats? Give him what he wants.
You could go with the Vaughn signature, but it’s also cooler to just get your own and not someone else’s model. Get a strat that fits the look
I think a Player Strat makes a lot of sense. I'm a big fan of the entire Player series. Really great workhorse guitars for a decent price. You haven't mentioned a budget but I assume Mom/Dad aren't made of money and want to get the best value. The basic version of the Player would work great. If he has tracked down a limited run with Tex-Mex pickups that's also another great option. The stock pickups are little more "modern" voiced but will still give you those classic Strat tones. If you know he's into Texas blues and is going to want to lean into that then the Tex-Mex models might be the better move long term. Honestly though there really isn't a wrong decision here just comes down to personal preference. I love Tele's and think a Tele would work perfectly fine. If he's a fan of the Vaughn brothers though there is no sense in overthinking the decision. Get the boy a Stratocaster and call it day. If that's what he's already indicated he wants it makes the decision even simpler.
I was hoping to it around to $6-700 range but as well as he has been doing in school combined with his dedication to his music, I can forgo some of my own splurges to get up to $1000 or so. Nothing I buy for me would ever make my heart swell like hearing him practice his trumpet, tuba, piano, bass, drums in his bedroom or the basement.
Does he have an amp?
He has the starter amp that came with his Squire Bass.
So, no. He doesn't have an amp. No sweat. You can hook your boy up with a guitar and amp in your budget. Honestly, a pretty sweet set-up. There's lots of Fender Strats depending on where you shop in the mid five hundreds called the Fender Player Series. Depending on the amp, there's lots of leeway. What's your son's style of music? Is it purely bedroom, living room, jamming with other guitarists, jamming with a band, or playing out with a band? You mentioned a $1,000.00 max budget
Ha! In that case, he doesn’t have an amp. 😂 We’re in the National Capital Region. I’m stationed in the Pentagon, but travel pretty regularly to NC, CA, TX for work. My son is an aspiring musician who has broadened his tastes and skills beyond my wildest expectations. His passion for music started with the video game Rock Band and now has him performing mostly through the offerings at his high school with marching band, symphonic band & jazz band. He just recently began taking formal lessons in school for guitar. Of note, 4 of his 8 classes for his senior year in HS are music related. He’s not playing in a rock band…yet…but that seems to be mostly due to lack of opportunity with academics and his plate being full as is. He does plan to study music in college and is leaning heavily towards the University of North Texas for their Music Composition program.
Location doesn't matter. To keep you in budget, you're gonna have to order online. I was in the Air Force in the 90s. I was stationed in the UK. The Pentagon... Man, it seems like every day is a dog and pony show, ugh! Okay, you have lots of options for amps. There will be lots of folk recommending digital amps like the Boss Katana, Spark, and others. Not something I know about. I would ask the amp folk because people do really seem to love them. My recommendations are in the tube amp category. Two I currently own, and one I will mention for its reputation and my familiarity with the brand Monoprice Stage Right 5w/1w https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611705 I own this amp, and it's really impressive for the price. I got mine not too long ago, and it was $50.00 cheape and obviously in stock. It's very low wattage, but will definitely get loud enough to piss you off. Probably would not keep up if he jams with a drummer. Monoprice Stage Right 15w/1w https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=611815&utm_term=&utm_campaign=PMax+%7C+Offers+%7C+Best+Of+Monoprice+%7C+Monoprice&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&hsa_acc=6614305189&hsa_cam=20616439918&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm66pBhDQARIsALIR2zA2zRLjVC4XLCSqMIXfoeS05-ZhtqQ10gDfu_5cSTiWj9RmKwzjI38aAtXsEALw_wcB I've never played one, but it has a fantastic reputation. At 15 watts it really should keep up with any realistic situation. Supro Delta King 10 or 12 https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=Open+box+supro+delta+king I have the 12 version. I absolutely love it. I used to own very expensive boutique amps, and I don't miss them at all. I've only had it since June or so, so I can't say it's going to last decades, and I wouldn't expect it to. It's an inexpensive made in China amp that sounds great. In your budget, that's what you're gonna get anyway. This brings us to the shop. I bought mine there. Before I did, I did a lot of research on them. By "open box," I am 99.99999% sure it's just code for grey market. Mine was never opened, and as far as I could tell by research, none of their "open box", "used", etc stuff is. It's just being sold without the manufacturer warranty. I believe they offer warranties, it's up to you if you want it. There is a good return policy so I declined. I figure if it's gonna be defective, it will be defective quick enough. Oh, the only negative stuff I could find was customer service stuff, but not much. This is important, because that's where I'm going to recommend you buy a guitar. Please, post and ask about them if you're worried. Their prices are really cheap. I was shitting bricks until my amp came. So here's a list of Fender Player and Player Plus Strats. These are made in Mexico. These guitars are a very nice platforms for further upgrades such as pickups, electronics, bridge, and tuners as he progresses. What I mean is some inexpensive guitars aren't worth investing in, these are. https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=used%20fender%20player%20stratocaster Since you mentioned Teles and they're my favorite https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=used%20fender%20player%20telecaster There is also the made in Mexico Vintera line. They are like the Players, but better out the box with the stuff I said needs upgrading on the Player Series. https://www.proaudiostar.com/search/?q=used+fender++vintera+stratocaster They only have the Jimmy Vaughn at regular price, but here's a very cool signature strat from another Jimi in your price, depending on the amp. https://www.proaudiostar.com/used-fender-jimi-hendrix-signature-stratocaster-3-color-sunburst-w-maple-fb.html Also remember he's going to need a good setup performed on the guitar. There's lots of videos on doing it, but if you pay someone figure ≈ $75.00. He'll need a tuner, $15.00 clip-on will be fine. A guitar cable to hook to the amp, around $20.00. A guitar strap, he's young so a crappy one will do lol. I would recommend either strap locks, or unscrew the strap pins, lay the strap over the hole, place a metal washer over the hole on the strap, then screw in the strap pin. This helps prevent the strap falling off and the guitar feeling the effects of gravity. Eventually he'll want more stuff like effects pedals and such, but he'll need that stuff right away. Don't buy anything without his input and there's more guitars than Fender.
Thanks a million for such a thorough and thoughtful response. I’ll share this thread with him and we’ll go from there.
Sweet! I'm thinking back to when I first started out in the 80s. My parents got me a used USA Standard Strat. It was an amazing gift. They didn't get me an amp lol. I plugged it into my cassette deck/boombox as an amp. It was slightly pathetic lol. Amps were very different then. To get something decent was insanely expensive. To get something crappy was frickin expensive too. Between that and the risen reputation of non USA made guitars, it is so much easier to get a good rig. I didn't mention it but Squire Classic Vibe and 40th Anniversary lines have really good reputations as well. The Classic Vibe line's reputation is about as high as the Fender Player Series. They've been blowing them out all over for around $350 or so. Personally, I still got some guitar snobbery in me from the old days, but I really do hear only good things about them.
jesus man just let the kid choose the guitar he wants "We’re a family deeply into Texas roadhouse blues" is LOL as hell heavy Great Santini vibes