I have the opportunity to buy a (yes I know) Squier classic vibe Stratocaster at £265.

I haven't been playing guitar for years, due to the fact that my Baja telecaster neck is a U shape, and I can't get on with it.

This Strat having a C shape neck seems like a good opportunity, but what I am thinking of doing is buying a set of fender pickups and upgrading it (ones I have seen aren't that much)

What you think?

Reckon it'll worth it considering I'm getting back into playing? I don't want to buy a proper expensive Strat just for it to end up gathering dust.

Thanks

 

you wont lose sleep over it. I'd say pass.

 

Last edited: Feb 27, 2024

They've got a great reputation on line, haven't played one myself but for that price, if you've played it or know it's ok / trust the seller then I guess you can't go wrong.

If you're looking for Strat pickups - I recently got a Stratocaster and swaped the pickups for OilCity pickups, they're based South London if I recall and no I'm not affiliated in any way with them, I'm just really happy with them, they're everything I wanted from Strat tone and a great price. Check them out and yes he likes to chat (old school, talk rather than email).
At that price £250, I say yes go for it.
And you can't go wrong with microfiber cloths of different grade for the neck
If you pick it up PM me if you like, I just learnt a lot from basically rebuilding a Strat

 

My last Ibanez RG was 150 euros ... so i will say pass.
Getting back into "business" ?
Buy a 130£ guitar, it is more than enough second hand.
Half the price.

 

well if you played it and like how it plays and how it looks, its worth a try. Don't be too fast on replacing the pups, unless you play everything clean, as soon as you start adding delays and fuzz and dirt, etc
you've lost all the original pup sound and are now creating a new sonic profile.

that said, there are a lot of cheaper guitars out there that might be even more to you're liking. Try playing some of the Strat knockoffs, some are even better than the real thing..
see if theres one you fancy even more...

 

@Garamondo Furbish is right.
I seen and played good guitars second hand down to 50-60 bucks.

Like he said, strat copies can be amazing.

You can buy Harley Benton second hand.
Try to find a "progressive" or ST62 second hand, and you get amazing value.

Look at this beauty ... and price : 100 bucks(sold fast probably)
https://richtonemusic.co.uk/harley-benton-progressive-superstrat-trans-blue-2nd-hand/