Never play a fender the same way again?

[greekdude]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

If this analysis were valid, innovative designs of the past (Steinberger or SynthAxe or that EVH-endorsed Ripley stereo guitar for example) would kill the 'old' Strats and LP obsolete and they would be museum artifacts today.

I wrote it explicitly "the old stock" will slowly die out. When Steinberger came out, jimi hendrix' death was still fresh, it was only 2 years after VH's first album and malmsteen had not left sweden yet. Not to mention that the currently middle aged players (like me) were kinda of 10 yrs back then, listening to their first rock music. Yeah, as much as futuristic Steinberger was, this happened too early. Hmmm or just about the right time if we look it from another POV. They had a fair deal of success back in the 80s. But the classic hype was still producing new music and legends. So the futuristic look guitars/synth guitars diminished by the 90s.
However those factors are not relevant anymore. The current target group of fender will not exist in 20 yrs from now. They will have to do something about it. No car company secured a sustained business by re-issuing designs of the 50s. Loot at it this way.

 

[AniML]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Okay, I've been reading up on this, and it's most than just a little neck carving. Anyone miss the Ultra noiseless pickups, and the humbucker wound hotter to compete when tapped? How about the different neck carve.... bigger, rounder, etc? Sound like anything from Fenders' past? And the body IS carved more on the back and so on, for comfort and access.

Also read an interview with CEO Andy Mooney, and I realized what they were shooting for.... Anyone recall the Fender Heavy Metal Strats from the 80's? They were kickass guitars! Mooney is a metalhead, and he likes stuff from that era - including the Japanese made stuff that has become quite collectible of late.

So, I'll ignore all the nay-sayers and haters.... and wait to play one. Bet it will be cool.

But which of these 1980s "innovations" live up to the advertised hyperbole?

No one doubts the quality, we're just rolling our eyes that the claim "never play a fender the same way" really means, hey we finally added some really nice low cost features that have been around on other guitars for decades, but only to our most expensive production line.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

YE GODS! Don't get hung up on the hyperbole. Let's just talk about the guitar, OK?

 

[AniML]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

YE GODS! Don't get hung up on the hyperbole. Let's just talk about the guitar, OK?

Sure, the lake placid blue strat with parchment and rosewood is beautiful as is the black tele with white binding. Either would be very hard to resist at half the price.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I want an Ultra Jazzmaster with a Floyd. Sadly, they don't seem to be offered.

 

[Mincer]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I justhope the colors trickle down to the lower priced tiers. I ain't paying that much for a Strat. The innovations aren't big enough for me.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Yeah, that "Texas Tea" color that looks black in photos hints at something much more remarkable on video. I suspect that, in person, it's a real stunner.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

$1900 is list. You know it will not sell for that price in stores or online.

 

[St_Genesius]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I think $1900 is MAP, not MSRP:

https://www.zzounds.com/item--FEN0118032?siid=270707

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...y7c-7BlyeiPNOa_hO7QaAhIiEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

$1900 is list. You know it will not sell for that price in stores or online.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Correct, Fender no longer has a suggested retail price.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Yeah, that "Texas Tea" color that looks black in photos hints at something much more remarkable on video. I suspect that, in person, it's a real stunner.

It’s apparently a similar process to Candy Apple Red, etc. with translucent black over gold. I would be interested in seeing it too.

Also, I love that cobalt blue almost as much as I love the Elite Autumn Blaze.

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Another WTF thing about these guitars . . . why the hell isn't Fender offering stainless steel frets? I get not offering SS frets on a guitar that you're selling for 300$ . . . you're cutting corners and SS is more expensive. There's no reason not to offer them on premium price stuff like this though.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Another WTF thing about these guitars . . . why the hell isn't Fender offering stainless steel frets? I get not offering SS frets on a guitar that you're selling for 300$ . . . you're cutting corners and SS is more expensive. There's no reason not to offer them on premium price stuff like this though.

That’s a great question, you can’t even get SS on a Custom Shop. Simply no stainless at a Fender.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I understand there is a price difference, but who would want one of these over a Suhr standard?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I understand there is a price difference, but who would want one of these over a Suhr standard?

I think that is the crux of it, here. At that price, other companies simply build better Fenders. Fender will have to study those companies to see why it is losing business on the high end. People are working their way up from Squiers to MIM Fenders, and then buying another brand when they go for something on the high end.

 

[Archer250]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I understand there is a price difference, but who would want one of these over a Suhr standard?

Idiots

Wanna see them in action? Go to a Facebook post or a YouTube comment section. "Muh legendary brand", "muh Fender mojo", "muh Suhrs are just copies"

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I only play Fender with my feet....
as I kick them out of the way to reach for something I might like.

:wall: :wall: :wall: :wall:

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

:18:

 

[NegativeEase]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

Ultra Jazzmaster looks hot -'aint gonna lie.

Later in the day after I wrote this, my friend posted playing this exact guitar on Instagram.

Weird.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: Never play a fender the same way again?

I don't care for or need any of the modern parts and features of those, but I will say that I have already seen a few in person, and HOT DAMN, the finishes are gorgeous.