Applause Strat copies

For guitars of the straight waisted variety (or reverse offset).
User avatar
Poop
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1819
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:19 am

Applause Strat copies

Post by Poop » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:45 pm

Anybody here ever had the pleasure (or displeasure, as the case may be) of playing an Applause Stratocaster knockoff? If so, what were your impressions? Also, any info on them at all?
Image
A couple of years ago, I went in to the local music store to grab a wah pedal and ended up buying one of these guitars for $80.00. The clerk sort of had a smug grin, like he was so happy to be raping me on this piece of crap. (I bought this guitar, like dozens of others, simply to jack for parts.) Anyway, it sounded amazing, played like a dream and has proven to be extraordinarily durable. It's been in my Top 3 since I bought it.
Other than the rosewood fretboard, EVERYTHING is jet black. The bridge is like a pseudo Floyd Rose in that it is pretty much a Stratocaster vibrato but it has two mounting screws (as opposed to six) and has fine tuners. Single coils in the middle and neck position and a humbucker in the bridge that can be split via a mini toggle switch near the volume.
I contacted Applause/Ovation/Kaman Music but nobody there has even seen one of these guitars and they have no information about it whatsoever. I have seen maybe two or three others online but haven't been able to contact the owners.
If you can get your hands on one of these, they are totally worth the pitiful price tag.
Last edited by Anonymous on Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Nina, it's Wednesday! Where are the angry eyes?!?!

User avatar
1946dodge
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2122
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Boston Area
Contact:

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by 1946dodge » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:11 pm

Cheap and well made guiitars are always good to grab, when you know how to fix them up and maintain them.
I often go shopping for these and keep them for about a year, fix them up, and when I tire of them, I give them to a kid who wants to play guitar.
I get my years worth of enjoyment for 80-100 bucks and then send it along to some lucky kid.
A  man studies and learns all of his  life, and  attains wisdom only when he finds that  he knows much and understands nothing.

User avatar
Poop
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1819
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:19 am

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by Poop » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:44 pm

Musical Goodwill, eh? I like that. I find that the $80- $100 price range is perfect for me. Not that I could really afford to spend much more. Hell, the most expensive guitar that I ever bought was a 1983 Squier for $250.00.
Nina, it's Wednesday! Where are the angry eyes?!?!

User avatar
1946dodge
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2122
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Boston Area
Contact:

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by 1946dodge » Fri Jan 02, 2009 6:58 pm

Gatcomb, you know what? Many of the cheap guitars I have play better than the few expensive ones I have.
I have never had a neck problem with a cheapo, and I have had lots of neck issues with the high end stuff.
The only stuff I replace on cheap guitars is the electronics and maybe the bridge if it sucks.
I give them away so I can buy more. Ohterwise my wife will complain we dont have room for all these guitars.

I recently gave a nephew a Peavy predator and a Gorilla amp for Christmas. I got both of them real cheap about 2 years ago.
Last year I gave a friends daughter a Jay Turser strat copy I got for 75 bucks.

I promptly replaced the guitarsr with a G&L ASAT special (tribute series).

See my method now?
A  man studies and learns all of his  life, and  attains wisdom only when he finds that  he knows much and understands nothing.

User avatar
Poop
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1819
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:19 am

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by Poop » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:09 pm

A G&L? Must be nice. :-\
I totally agree with you. I have played some expensive guitars and I ALWAYS stick with pawn shop axes.
And those Turser guitars are pretty nice. I played a couple of those and I was impressed. And the finishes absolutely rival those on a Fender.
I've never really HAD to replace much on cheap guitars. I will usually wind my own pickups and install those just for that personal touch but...
But going from Predators and Tursers to ASATs is a pretty nice upgrade. Salud.
Nina, it's Wednesday! Where are the angry eyes?!?!

User avatar
1946dodge
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2122
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Boston Area
Contact:

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by 1946dodge » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:23 pm

Yea the G&L was used and MINT. Got it for 300 bucks.
Great sounding P90 ish single coils too!

I got an Aria Pro II Thor Sound TS 400 in the early 90's for 125 bucks. I swear it is the most versatile and nicest player I have.
Never a problem, always sounds great, beautiful finish and 125 bucks. The guy was almost appologizing to me when I bought it, but he even admitted it had a great tone.
I won't be giving that one away ever!
A  man studies and learns all of his  life, and  attains wisdom only when he finds that  he knows much and understands nothing.

User avatar
Poop
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1819
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:19 am

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by Poop » Fri Jan 02, 2009 7:32 pm

That old adage about one man's trash...
I have had that happen a few times where the seller actually thinks that you are an idiot or that they took advantage of you. I always walk away feeling like I was the one that got the better deal.
When I think of the Pro II, I picture one of Aria's really pointy models. Correct?
Nina, it's Wednesday! Where are the angry eyes?!?!

User avatar
Pacafeliz
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 18518
Joined: Sun Jul 29, 2007 6:34 pm
Location: Cococologne, Germany

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by Pacafeliz » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:17 pm

i think applause is the sub-brand (a la squier, epiphone, etc.) of ovation.

Pat.
i love delay SO much ...that i procrastinate all the time.

User avatar
1946dodge
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2122
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Boston Area
Contact:

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by 1946dodge » Fri Jan 02, 2009 9:53 pm

When I think of the Pro II, I picture one of Aria's really pointy models. Correct?
No this one has a 3 on a side peg head, set neck, and a two tone body with  a nice 3 part stripe down the middle of the body. It has series and parallel switching combos for two smoking humbuckers. The thing is beautiful. Aria had pointy shredders and les Paul copies, all of which blew away everything .
People sometimes miss out on these real sleepers.
Look for yourself
http://www.matsumoku.org/models/ariapro ... 2.jpg.html
A  man studies and learns all of his  life, and  attains wisdom only when he finds that  he knows much and understands nothing.

User avatar
Poop
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 1819
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 8:19 am

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by Poop » Sat Jan 03, 2009 4:48 pm

Damn, those are nice.
Nina, it's Wednesday! Where are the angry eyes?!?!

User avatar
1946dodge
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2122
Joined: Sun Jan 21, 2007 3:27 pm
Location: Boston Area
Contact:

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by 1946dodge » Sat Jan 03, 2009 9:33 pm

It is nice. If you ever come across one, and it is cheap, grab it. It has shitloads of switching options on it too.
A  man studies and learns all of his  life, and  attains wisdom only when he finds that  he knows much and understands nothing.

User avatar
ohm-men
Expat
Expat
Posts: 4321
Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2006 5:01 am
Location: Belgium
Contact:

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by ohm-men » Sun Jan 04, 2009 4:17 am

Indeed, Applause is/was the sub brand of Ovation. All from "Kaman-Industries".
I used to have an Applause folk avoustic. Made like the Ovations. In all a very good guitar.
To bad it had an aluminuim fretboard, Vitually imposible to have it had refretted....But no problem on their Strat copies, ofcourse.
Proud "Young Router Jockey" And Rental service for "woodchippers"

User avatar
skip
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 9333
Joined: Sat Aug 09, 2008 5:10 pm

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by skip » Sun Jan 04, 2009 8:15 am

they look cool
love the stripe and wood
I'm glad there are a lot of guitar players pursuing technique as diligently as they possibly can, it leaves this whole other area open to people like me.
2009 Offset Guitars Fantasy Football Champion!!!!!!!!

User avatar
bluesgtarist
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 2
Joined: Sun Feb 14, 2010 8:08 pm
Location: CT

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by bluesgtarist » Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:01 pm

Hello...I just joined the forum. Ihave been trying to find some info on a Applause Strat copy and I ended up here. I found this guitar on Craigslist for $30 and I can't believe what a nice guitar it is. I have been playing for a long time and own some nice guitars but this will end up being a favorite. It is very well built and has a great neck but the coolest thing about it is the tone. It sounds amazing. The neck pickup rings like a bell. If you see one in a pawn shop or anywhere else...grab it. You'll be glad you did.
Image

User avatar
MAGE
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 194
Joined: Sun Oct 26, 2008 7:22 pm
Location: New York, NY

Re: Applause Strat copies

Post by MAGE » Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:27 pm

these strat copies are super cool. I have an Applause Super Chorus pedal. and was wondering about this brand. that makes sense that it's the budget Ovation brand. It's weird that there is no information out there about them.

The pedal fantastic. It's a CE-3 or CS9 style stereo chorus with an extra "sens" knob that let's you adjust where it resonates or something. the enclosure is EXTREMELY heavy duty. it's like a boss style enclosure except a bit bigger and heavier.

Post Reply