What Would You Do With Fender?

aen · Post by **aen** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:26 am

FEBRUARY 21, 2023 DWARFCRAFT BUYS FENDER, OLD GUYS AT SHORTSCALE.ORG VERY PUMPED.

mewithoutus · Post by **mewithoutus** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 2:57 am

Fender Starcaster Reissue, with the Orignal type CuNife pickups.

done.

astro · Post by **astro** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:25 am

It would be nice if they just came up with more truly original designs. Cyclones were great, but they were just a hodge-podge of previous design elements that they had already used on other models. Sadly these days the most "original" models that they come up with are like that horrible TC-90 sig model in another thread. What the fuck Fender, you're ripping off Gibson now? Gibson?! Puke.

I think that if Fender is unwilling to create truly original models, they should at the very least explore their past heritage of non-strat/non-tele guitars. I think that the MIM jags and jazzies are a good step in this direction. The Squier duo as well. But lets see new versions of all those great, lesser known Fender gems, many of which have already been mentioned in this thread.

And I have to agree: whomever at Fender is responsible for choosing the colours for the guitars should be sacked. Or fed to wolves. Fender only wants to allow people to buy guitars with neutral, boring colours. The American Standard series has a choice of something like 12 different finishes, and each one is BORING AS FUCK. But what confuses me the most is why Fender USA restricts the choice of colours on the Japanese models that they chose to import. That, to me, makes no sense whatsoever. At least, if they want to limit the colours on Jap models, they could rotate which ones they pic every year, for some variety.

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:27 am

mewithoutus wrote:Fender Starcaster Reissue, with the Orignal type CuNife pickups.

done.

FUCK YES.

The made-to-order thing would be awesome, but it's decidedly un-Fender. I think of Fender as affordable, durable, professional instruments made possible by assembly line production.

In general, I'd like to see fewer models but with more options. Maybe only 4 different stratocasters (distinguished by neck shape and wood type), but tons of colors and pickup combos as special order. And More reissues of the interesting stuff - like Duo-Sonics and Coronados.
I think there's a lot of territory to cover with wiring. At this point, push-pull pots should be standard on everything. If I were making guitars, every single pot would have an extra feature. I gave my U1 reissue a push-pull that selects high-cut or low-cut and I end up using it several times per song. Things like that would real bring utility to their instruments.
I'd also like to see computer aided design like Vox did with the Virage. Something semi-hollow that weighs very little but balances perfectly. Besides that, stainless steel frets on most models would be a good step forward.

astro · Post by **astro** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:32 am

The made-to-order idea would be pure awesomeness, but I doubt that they would be able to implement such a thing without having to charge an arm and a leg.

A more affordable alternative would be if Fender made all of their bodies and necks available for easy purchase. That way you could make your own custom hot-rod in any configuration that you can imagine, yet the guitar would still be all Fender.

aen · Post by **aen** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 3:38 am

DuoSonicBoy wrote:
mewithoutus wrote:Fender Starcaster Reissue, with the Orignal type CuNife pickups.

done.
FUCK YES.

The made-to-order thing would be awesome, but it's decidedly un-Fender. I think of Fender as affordable, durable, professional instruments made possible by assembly line production.

In that case- most people who have custom orders know how to put one together. When I am King of Fender I will ship you a box of parts which makes up your dream guitar, provided it's made up of standard factory parts.

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:10 am

astro wrote: Sadly these days the most "original" models that they come up with are like that horrible TC-90 sig model in another thread. What the fuck Fender, you're ripping off Gibson now? Gibson?! Puke.

I guess you didn't see my last post in that thread so here it is again for you:

FENDER DIDN'T DESIGN THAT GUITAR! DUDE FROM JIMMY EAT WORLD DID! IT'S A SIGNATURE MODEL. STOP BEING PISSED OFF AT FENDER FOR DESIGNING THAT GUITAR BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DESIGN IT!

mezzio13 · Post by **mezzio13** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:46 am

Serious though, why is it so hard to get more colors on guitars? Maybe I like 2T-burst better than 3T. Why can't I get 2T on whatever I want? Poo, I tell you, utter poo.

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:21 am

When I own Fender, you will be able to get a guitar in whatever color you want.

As long as it's black.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:39 am

yea, like one of main the things that makes fender fender is the colors! but for some reason they've distanced themselves from that these days. it's a shame because it's like they are distancing themselves from the core qualities that define their guitars.

astro wrote:It would be nice if they just came up with more truly original designs. Cyclones were great, but they were just a hodge-podge of previous design elements that they had already used on other models.

do people truly want original designs though? I'm not sure they do. people want the classic instruments that all their heroes have used.

yea, there was more innovation in the early years of fender but you have to remember that was the early years for the instrument itself. there was way more experimentation and variation because it was a brand new thing that had never been done before. what kind of really radical things could you do today and have it still be an electric guitar? those early years defined the instrument.

if you're just talking about the shape of the guitar and aesthetic qualities like that, other companies do those all the time, from parker flys to bc rich, but people don't really respond to those guitars as something that would make a good fender.

astro · Post by **astro** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 6:44 am

Billy3000 wrote:
astro wrote: Sadly these days the most "original" models that they come up with are like that horrible TC-90 sig model in another thread. What the fuck Fender, you're ripping off Gibson now? Gibson?! Puke.
I guess you didn't see my last post in that thread so here it is again for you:

FENDER DIDN'T DESIGN THAT GUITAR! DUDE FROM JIMMY EAT WORLD DID! IT'S A SIGNATURE MODEL. STOP BEING PISSED OFF AT FENDER FOR DESIGNING THAT GUITAR BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DESIGN IT!

Fender participated in the design, according to fender.com:

Fender website for JA-90 wrote: When Jim Adkins, guitarist and frontman for platinum-selling Jimmy Eat World, cheerfully challenged us to design his perfect guitar, the collaboration began that resulted in the new JA-90. We sat down with Adkins and went over his old Fender TC-90 spec by spec, making some important changes that resulted in this unique new model.

And who ever said that I was pissed off? I'm certainly not pumping my fists at the sky and denouncing the gods for bringing this guitar into the world.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:08 am

James wrote:fuck the 3 saddle tele bridge.

STFU seriously. If you haven't played a guitar with one you won't understand, but they are brilliant
And you can intonate them fine with the correct string gauge (11s)

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:10 am

mewithoutus wrote:Fender Starcaster Reissue, with the Orignal type CuNife pickups.

done.

I love people talking about CuNiFe pickups as if they've any idea what they sound like.

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:18 am

Things wrong with Fender at the moment:

1. Colours
Actually this really is the main one. They've done some cracking stuff recently I think, the '65 Mustang RI is fantastic, streets ahead of the '69, the Classic Player Strats and Telecasters are brilliant (that includes the 60s/70s Strats, the Baja, the '72 Deluxe and Custom Telecasters - great guitars all). The colour choices have been very limited and uninspiring. The MIM Jag/Jazz stuff is a welcome addition but the colours are terrible - there should be a minimum of one pastel shade on all models.

2. Scratchplates
Sometimes the lack of choice is grating, and whatever they're passing for Tortoiseshell on the new MIM Jaguars and Jazzies is not cool, it looks screen printed.

This is what Tort should look like you idiots:

3. American Standard Series
This has been wrong forever. Too expensive for what it is and God Damn if they haven't gone backwards recently. The bridges on the new guitars sum it all up - no block saddles on the Strat in favour of the more uncomfortable bent steel ones and Strat saddles on a Telecaster? Give me strength.

4. Amplifiers
Baffling in the main. The Super Champ/Vibro Champ XD stuff is a pile of wank. Just fucking reissue the all-valve Champ and Vibro Champ you idiots, you'll make a fucking KILLING.

People like to bitch, you forget there is a lot RIGHT about Fender at the moment. The Squier stuff is immense (and yes they can take credit for that), the Champion 600 amp was a great release, as I said about, the Classic Player stuff is fabulous.

theshadowofseattle · Post by **theshadowofseattle** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:22 am

DuoSonicBoy wrote:When I own Fender, you will be able to get a guitar in whatever color you want.

As long as it's black.

SERIOUSLY. Why the hell would you paint a guitar any other color!?

euan · Post by **euan** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:51 am

ITT: Righties complaining about lack of colour choice.

luke · Post by **luke** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:55 am

Billy3000 wrote:
astro wrote: Sadly these days the most "original" models that they come up with are like that horrible TC-90 sig model in another thread. What the fuck Fender, you're ripping off Gibson now? Gibson?! Puke.
I guess you didn't see my last post in that thread so here it is again for you:

FENDER DIDN'T DESIGN THAT GUITAR! DUDE FROM JIMMY EAT WORLD DID! IT'S A SIGNATURE MODEL. STOP BEING PISSED OFF AT FENDER FOR DESIGNING THAT GUITAR BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T DESIGN IT!

Fender released the TC-90, as far as I can remember, a while ago:

They've only recently released the JA-90, a signature version of this guitar:

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:57 am

Mike wrote:there should be a minimum of one pastel shade on all models.

absolutely. yes yes yes.

Mike wrote:no block saddles on the Strat in favour of the more uncomfortable bent steel ones and Strat saddles on a Telecaster? Give me strength.

the adjustment screws are shorter on the new american standards so they don't stab you anymore. but yea, they are just all wrong on the tele. 3 saddle tele bridge FTW.

Sublimedo · Post by **Sublimedo** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:00 am

Mike wrote:
mewithoutus wrote:Fender Starcaster Reissue, with the Orignal type CuNife pickups.

done.
I love people talking about CuNiFe pickups as if they've any idea what they sound like.

ITS WARM VINTAGE TONE! Completely unattainable.

I remember much of the early shortscale days were spent dissing the unintonatable three saddle bridge. The fact is,it sounds more like a tele that way. Especially BRASS saddles. WAHOOOOO. TONE FOR DAYS!

Post by **Mike** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:05 am

Sublimedo wrote:
Mike wrote:
mewithoutus wrote:Fender Starcaster Reissue, with the Orignal type CuNife pickups.

done.
I love people talking about CuNiFe pickups as if they've any idea what they sound like.
ITS WARM VINTAGE TONE! Completely unattainable.

I remember much of the early shortscale days were spent dissing the unintonatable three saddle bridge. The fact is,it sounds more like a tele that way. Especially BRASS saddles. WAHOOOOO. TONE FOR DAYS!

I used to be a hater and then I got one and loved it.

The CuNiFe thing is hilarious. INTERNET SAYS IT'S GOOD I WANT IT