My New Fernandes Offset

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:09 am

So I recently got this Fernandes Decade. Pretty cool. It's basically a Strat with an offset body. I like that about it. It gives you a million options for upgrading and such. Also, it's USA string spacing which is nice. I was finally able to find a use for this USA trem block I've had forever. I went old-pal-aen style, slapped some Zakk Wyldes on there and drop tuned it to C-F-A#-D#-G-C. HLYSHT

this thing sounds huge. It's great for giving you massive wall of sound chords.

Some pictures.......

One of the trem pivot screws is broken off in the hole, oh well. Also, it seems the previous owner had one of those roland pickups on there.

The stock wimpy trem block

Manland Trem Block Powerup

Cheapo ceramic pickups. Sound fine for drop tuning however. Notice the complete absence of any shielding whatsoever. I remedied that with some aluminum foil.

I realize fran requested a demo.... I'll see if I can work something out. It'll probably be DI though.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:13 am

how much? that is fucking awesome.

suede · Post by **suede** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:14 am

very hot, wish it had more chromes...

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:23 am

looking great with the bronco knobszses

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:30 am

$148 on the bay. I thought that was not bad considering these were in the same price range as like a MIM strat. plays great. the action was actually a bit too low for my taste. I took out a neck shim that was in there and it's just right now. lovin it.

serfx · Post by **serfx** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:46 am

needs video demos

Billy3000 · Post by **Billy3000** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 5:59 am

Nice dude! If that's anything like the 90's fernandez strats and teles that they were putting out it should be pretty good quality. I remember all the ones I've played being better quality than the MIM fenders of that time period.

Gavin · Post by **Gavin** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 6:02 am

Not to piss on your parade or anything but those things were everywhere a few years back. I hate them. They just look cheap ass wonky strat's to me.

Bacchus · Post by **Bacchus** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 12:28 pm

If I were you, I'd remove all the bridge screws except the two on the outside. Especially given that you don't have the full compliment of screws there.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 1:12 pm

I really hate the Strat config on a Jaguar style guitar. Like.. more than words can express.

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:11 pm

Nice score Mage. Are you keeping it that way or do you have plans to mod it?

ultratwin · Post by **ultratwin** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:16 pm

I dig them Ferdinandos. That odd 5-way selector spot is a hoot!

DanHeron · Post by **DanHeron** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:21 pm

It's pretty nice! I saw something similar in a music shop the other day, not bad. I think it would look better with 2 pickups, but it still looks pretty good. Maybe put on some robroes, black ones would look sweet.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:55 am

yes, the strat pickup arrangement on the jag type guitar.... it's a hard one to come to grips with. I'm still debating possible mods... or not. I think the 3-pickups can work great if I use one of my wiring mods that I posted earlier (and were quietly ignored

) Some ideas I'm thinking of:

1.) New pickguard that slants all 3 pickups Cyclone II style. why this wasn't the OG arrangement, I have no idea.
2.) Some kind of Tele Custom arrangement (Tele Bridge Pup, Hum Neck).

DanHeron wrote:I think it would look better with 2 pickups

I think you would run into the same problem as a strat with just two pickups. there's a massive empty gap between the pickups.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Sat May 09, 2009 6:54 am

robroe · Post by **robroe** » Sat May 09, 2009 12:43 pm

awesome idea

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sat May 09, 2009 12:53 pm

Blackmore had a sig strat with an empty robroe cover in the middle position as a dummy for visual purposes.

mcconnachiea · Post by **mcconnachiea** » Sat May 09, 2009 1:21 pm

mage wrote:

Couldn't you at least use the ace of spades?

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Sat May 09, 2009 1:30 pm

Fuck that, Rules for Playing Bridge card, right now.

laterallateral · Post by **laterallateral** » Sat May 09, 2009 2:40 pm

Hows about, black slanted robroes but only keeping the bridge and the middle pup?