Re: New 2007 Fender Vintage Hot Rod Tele
Yes, seems overpriced, but just to point out that they got the marketing device of "THIN-SKINNED NITRO FINISH," which they used to jack the price of the Eric Johnson sig strat up, which was still a killer guitar and probably the best they put out in a really long time. I actually like the looks of that a lot. I always liked the way teles played, looked and sounded, but I always hated the way the neck pickup (which is what I use 99% of the time, even more on a single coil guitar) sounded so weak and muddy. So the mini will sound more powerful and warm and the guitar still retains that vintage vibe. Good job Fender!
I also like the way the new 62 Vintage Hot Rod Strat looks. That one isnt quite as hot rodded because it has the traditional 3 vintage style 3 single coils, but has the flatter fingerboard radius and larger frets and the Sheerwood green finish looks pretty sweet. I do not like the 57 Hot Rod though, Dimarzio stacked pup in the bridge - ehh, it reminds me of the Yngwie Strat. But Im sure some die hard Tele players (classic low output 2 single coils) will say the same about the new Tele, that its not traditional.
Looks like the guitar companies are trying to go back to their roots and still use newer stuff and offer it at non-custom shop prices (Marshall Vintage Modern series, Fender Vintage Hot Rod series, the new Gibson LP Classics, Fender Supersonics). Definitely will be some cool stuff comin out this year, and Im anxious to see if Fender releases any new amps.
