Another variant on the many "which strat to buy" question.
Looking to buy CS Strat to get close to this JM Sweet Tone. Have a 2013 Fender MIM Roadworn Strat. Cannot find specs - its a Rosewood neck, Olympic white (more cream) with black PU-guard, PU's & knobs. 2nd tone is connected to Mid PU. As far as I know , these are Tex-Mex PUPs ? Assume it has 9.5"radius neck. Whatever - I am looking if I can upgrade guitar for more vintage PU and 7.25 radius neck (or compound 7.25 - 9.5) guitar.
Originally, choose this Road Worn, cause neck was really smooth - and I don't like the Poly plastic bodies/necks of the AM Stdrd.
Have seen on YT a '54 CS with vintage PU's, played on Toneking Imperial with great John Mayer tone. so tempted to buy a Custom Shop Strat - but maybe a regular AM Vintage or AM Original is as good ? So how does one decide ? Not many shops have several CS to test. How do I recognise a "good tone wood"- well made 'not dead' guitar ? Is it the trick with body vibrations ( is it B or G string to play unplugged and feel vibrations near guitar body plug - one with strongest vibrations is best) ? Or are there other ways to test/evaluate guitar in shop, next to "playing in plugged/unplugged" ?
Are there some clear objective criteria/tests one can apply, or is it all pretty much subjective ? Or is it all pretty much in "the hands"?