Becoming a Fender man...

[the guy who invented fire]

I've played mostly Gibsons and/or Gibson style guitars pretty much since day one...about 6 months ago I got a Tele, and last week got my first real good Strat. Now, I tried to be a Fender Guy several years ago, but I just missed the shear power of a Humbucker...no longer! I LOVE single coils! There is still a spot for a good bucker loaded axe...but I love playing Fenders...they are harder to play, they are harder to get/keep in tune (I keep my trem floating, and my Tele has 3 saddles), and it is much harder to get a killer toneout of...but when you do, WOW! I know that this really doesn't matter...I'm just so happy with the sounds Im getting here lately (I can't wait to get some killer pickups in the Strat!).

 

[theodie]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

You still need a rockin 80's hair metal axe bro!!!!! :laugh2: :laugh2: :laugh2:

Now to get serious, I agree with you, It is alot harder to get killer tone out of a Fender in my opinion but, when it happens its GREAT!!!! Needless to say, I love buckers and I havent got on the single coil kick yet because all I have is buckers. I love the sound of a good player with a rightous Fender though!!!!

 

[Kac]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

Me 3rd... I know it seems harder to get that tone from a fender. But somedays, after a set-up, it's there, and I could play all day, and all nite.
Congrats on becoming a Fender Man.
Rock On :13:

 

[Mike M.]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

I find the opposite as far as the tuning issue. I have a Strat and a Tele and I can't believe how fast those guitar will stay in tune, and will keep playing in tune after a string change. It's my Les Paul that I'm always fighting with to keep in tune. As far as versatility (IMHO) I'd say it's the Tele.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

Yep, there's no doubt in my mind that I'll be an H-S-S fan forever. Single coils are the greatest thing for slightly overdriven or clean applications.

I think I'll be happy with just a super strat or two and a hollowbody guitar.

There's nothing quite like Fender tube amps too!

 

[Gamera]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

Humbuckers are easier to play. They just seem to respond instantly to everything you do with the least amount of effort. For some things they are unbeatable. And typically the 'buckers are paired with a flatter neck that just seems like the right way to play a piece of wood.

But when i pick up my Fender HSS, turn on the neck single coil only (my favorite) it just seems to talk to me. Wrestle a little bit with the raduis of the neck (for leads, chords are actually easier) and you start to fall into a special musical place that seems to cut through everything which inspires me to play harder. Then suddenly that raw, gritty, overdriven single coil tone just starts taking the jam into new places that I hadn't even anticipated but completely compliment what my subconcious must have been thinking. You don't so much play with it as you play off of what it does. Sort of a musical dynamic duo: you and whatever your single coils decide to do.

I know that sounds stupid but if you are a single coil lover you get what I'm trying to say. And if you're not, spend some quality time with a decent Strat and you'll soon be a believer. I guarantee it.

 

[HamerPlyr]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

Welcome to the dark side, Luke. I'm just like you, fire inventer dude. I started out with Les Pauls and acquired a taste for single coils over time. I can appreciate both, but my preference is definitely a strat or tele. I think that it's definitely worthwhile to keep at least one of each type of guitar around, but when I reach for one to play just for the sheer joy of hearing the tone that's coming out of it, it's always my strat.

 

[big_black]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

Ha! I am the opposite. I have played Fender basses and guiatrs (Jazz bass, Tele, Strat) for most of my formative years. I have a 24.75" Gibby now and I don't think I can go back. Even my 25.5" Blueshawk feels better for some reason. As much as I hate what Gibson stands for, I like what I have. I am probably just evil.

 

[some_dude]

Re: Becoming a Fender man...

Ha! I am the opposite.

Same here.

First off, I HATE LES PAULS. I played a Strat from some time around 1994 or 1995 (I can't remember exactly) until 2004. In 2004, I bought a Les Paul and it's slowly moved it's way into #1 position.

Unless I'm doing leads.....then I ditch the Paul and start rocking my SSH Strat again. I'm currently saving up for a G&L all singlecoil S-500 for lower gain stuff....humbuckers are great, but I don't really like them for "bluesy rock & roll" type stuff.