Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

[Ascension]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

No Kiesel I've ever played can touch a Fender that is 1/2 that cost. But I've played equally expensive Music Mans, Valley Arts, Suhr, and Warmoths that were better than even CS-level Fenders.

We disagree on the Kiesels as I consider them in the same league as the Music Man, Suhr, Anderson and PRS guitars I have owned and played. There is a reason I own 6 of those guitars and if I'm playing out will always have at least one of them with me. However we both agree that there are other brands out there in the same price range building much better instruments for the same or less $ than Fender. PS best Strat I have ever owned was a 1994 Red Swamp ash body Washburn Chicago Custom Silverado. What ever possessed me to let that guitar go I will never know!

[Ascension]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

And you KNOW this.... HOW?

Owned more Carvin Kiesels over the years than I can count and have looked at and played the new Fenders that's how. Own 6 Carvin Kiesels now 0 Fenders for that reason. PS Carvin Kiesel has been around longer than Fender and is still owned by the founding family. That also makes a difference.

[AlexR]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

Opinions of 'worth' all depend on where you read them. This is a very modern music forum, so lots of people spend time noodling in the higher fret regions. Other forums I spend time on are all vintage oriented, and the need for the endless wheedly wheedly is almost zero. They would describe modern guitars as abominations and 'tone free zones'.
However there is the middle ground, where people like the look and feel of the older companies' lines, but want more modern featured instruments. This is for them

[jtees4]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

It's not that people won't buy a Strat because of the heel, but rather they'll buy a Strat from someone else.

Fender and Gibson should both have modern and vintage lines, the former with reasonable ergonomic and electronics upgrades, and the latter like it's 50 years ago. Gibson's line is moving in that direction. Fender... I can't understand their product lines.

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I think Gibson learned their lesson in 2015. Gibson buyers generally want Gibsons to be the same as the old Gibsons, generally speaking. People always say "why don't they make anything new?", then a company gets bashed for trying. By the way, I owned a 2015 SG Special, it was a very nice guitar, well made, I liked a lot about it....but the neck thickness hurt my hands since I have hand problems.

[PFDarkside]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

I could deal with clear vintage & modern lines from Fender. Have a traditional 'just like they used to be made' Fender, with lower priced options, and a super modern, kitchen sink modern one that can stand up to any high end Strat-based guitar. Is a reissue 80s Strat coming? I bet it will.

My understanding is as follows for the USA made Fender guitsrs.

Vintage = American Original
Standard/Modern = American Professional
“Advanced Modern” = Elite/Ultra
Budget = American Performer

Another big thing is they are bringing Bass and Offset models into these categories too.

[Mincer]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

I could deal with clear vintage & modern lines from Fender. Have a traditional 'just like they used to be made' Fender, with lower priced options, and a super modern, kitchen sink modern one that can stand up to any high end Strat-based guitar. Is a reissue 80s Strat coming? I bet it will.

[ibanezrocks]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

I get some would prefer a more conformable heel, but I don't think there are many in the market place who love everything about a Stratocaster but don't buy because of the heel. Anyone who spends that much time on the high frets has many other options. Plenty of vintage style Strats and Les Pauls still being sold.

I could be wrong of course, that is why I would love the see the research behind it.

It's not that people won't buy a Strat because of the heel, but rather they'll buy a Strat from someone else.

Fender and Gibson should both have modern and vintage lines, the former with reasonable ergonomic and electronics upgrades, and the latter like it's 50 years ago. Gibson's line is moving in that direction. Fender... I can't understand their product lines.

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[Ayrton]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

I get some would prefer a more conformable heel, but I don't think there are many in the market place who love everything about a Stratocaster but don't buy because of the heel. Anyone who spends that much time on the high frets has many other options. Plenty of vintage style Strats and Les Pauls still being sold.

I could be wrong of course, that is why I would love the see the research behind it.

[Clint 55]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

The strat is my favorite guitar. Yet I can't stand it original.

[Mincer]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

The question is, how much can you change a Strat and keep calling it a Strat? There will be a point where people don't care how it was done in the 50s.

[ibanezrocks]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

It's about damn time. That old neck heel is embarrassing IMO.

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[Clint 55]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

The Clint's are on an agreement kick lately...what the hell is going on?

Oh, and Gwen was my teenage crush. Your avatar takes the wrinkles out of my pants

Ha!

[Ayrton]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

I am always curious about the thinking market research that leads to some products. Locking tuners, contoured heel, two-post bridge, etc are all things Fender has offered already. If the idea was sort of a "relaunch" of the more modern Strat, then why not just say that? Just changing the name of the lines every few years is just confusing (maybe that is the point).

[Masta' C]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

The Clint's are on an agreement kick lately...what the hell is going on?

Oh, and Gwen was my teenage crush. Your avatar takes the wrinkles out of my pants

[Clint 55]

Re: Fender ultra series. sighhhhhh

Warmoth rulez. Specd out at half the price. Ultra series? Lel!