Fender Corona years....

[Diminished Triad]

I see when some selling Fenders from this time in the 80's they tout "most agree" Fender was making some good guitars during these years.

Would you prefer a '61 or '62 Fender reissue from maybe 2012 or even 2014 (if they made them) or perfer the same guitar from the Corona plant made in the 80's?

Thanks!

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Fender Corona years....

The AVRI line has always been excellent in terms of quality, but not always as historically accurate as it is today. I would say that there is little real-world difference in quality between the very first ones, the ones made today, and any made in between. They are all quality guitars; I've never played one that was any less than a "very good" instrument, and I have played several that were up there with the very best guitars I've played. And IME, almost all of them are as good as or better than the antique Fenders on which the AVRIs are based.

The way I see it, the newer ones are a better value (i.e. bang for the buck). The '80's ones have gone up in value, and are no better than the brand new ones.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: Fender Corona years....

Thanks!

 

[AlexR]

Re: Fender Corona years....

Anyone who is selling a guitar is going to want to say its much better than anything else.....its called sales technique.

 

[voggin]

Re: Fender Corona years....

I have a 62 RI from around 1991-1993 (the serial numbers on these, which start with a "V", only vaguely date the guitar. Apparently, they just had a big box of backplates and they'd grab one when they needed them, so one guy might have had a bunch on his table at any given time. I've never removed the neck, which might have a more accurate date). I just know I bought it in '93. Anyway, it's a great guitar. I notice the ones from the 90s aren't as pricey used as the "original" reissues from the 80s, so you can probably snag a good deal on one.

As to when the best guitars of any style were made, I find the "golden age" of any model is around 6 months on either side of the guitar a person owns!