What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
- Thread starter B Bent
- Start date
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
Well, the most obvious thing is you get exactly what you want from USACG if you're straying from a layout that Fender offers.
Secondly, USACG is a small company who takes pride in customer service. They work with you to make you happy. You want a one piece body (something hard to find from Fender), they can do it. This is not to say that Fender customer service is lacking, but it is no where near the personal level that a small company can provide.
There is some debate on whether or not you can build a "Fender" cheaper than buying one new. It is possible using aftermarket parts, but the compromise has to come from somewhere. Where, is up to you.
Really B, what it comes down to is if you're wanting something that strays from the norm, go for custom. If you're wanting everything in an Am. Std. but finished in nitro, you might wanna consider a refinish. Good luck, and hows the Yammie?
Well, the most obvious thing is you get exactly what you want from USACG if you're straying from a layout that Fender offers.
Secondly, USACG is a small company who takes pride in customer service. They work with you to make you happy. You want a one piece body (something hard to find from Fender), they can do it. This is not to say that Fender customer service is lacking, but it is no where near the personal level that a small company can provide.
There is some debate on whether or not you can build a "Fender" cheaper than buying one new. It is possible using aftermarket parts, but the compromise has to come from somewhere. Where, is up to you.
Really B, what it comes down to is if you're wanting something that strays from the norm, go for custom. If you're wanting everything in an Am. Std. but finished in nitro, you might wanna consider a refinish. Good luck, and hows the Yammie?
LesPaulRules
New member
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
While I think the quality is very high amongst both, I give the nod to USACG (or in my case, Warmoth). Mainly due to the options available.
Cool exotic woods, different neck shapes, stainlees steel frets, etc. These are things that Fender doesn't offer.
While I think the quality is very high amongst both, I give the nod to USACG (or in my case, Warmoth). Mainly due to the options available.
Cool exotic woods, different neck shapes, stainlees steel frets, etc. These are things that Fender doesn't offer.
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
wow, ok, I wasn't paying attention. Let's try this again.
Slightly better build quality with USACG. Availability of a one piece body (I personally believe that a one piece body doesn't sound that much better than a 3 piece body. Sure, there's physics and theory on paper, but tell me you can hear it and I'll call BS). Fretwork is awesome.
I'm still trying to wake up, gimme a little while
wow, ok, I wasn't paying attention. Let's try this again.
Slightly better build quality with USACG. Availability of a one piece body (I personally believe that a one piece body doesn't sound that much better than a 3 piece body. Sure, there's physics and theory on paper, but tell me you can hear it and I'll call BS). Fretwork is awesome.
I'm still trying to wake up, gimme a little while
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
If you're going for just a standard tele, I'd say price wise I'd go Fender. Quality wise, I'd go USACG. Being someone like me, quality isn't a huge issue since I routinely fix guitars anyway. Buuuut, for the normal Joe I'd say USACG.
If you're going for just a standard tele, I'd say price wise I'd go Fender. Quality wise, I'd go USACG. Being someone like me, quality isn't a huge issue since I routinely fix guitars anyway. Buuuut, for the normal Joe I'd say USACG.
Atomic Chameleon
New member
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
I love love love my USACG necks and Tommy is awesome. The fretwork is a notch above Warmoth and Musikraft IME. I like the way the edges are filed/beveled and they sound kick-ass. I think that has to do with the way Tommy kilns the woods. As stated most Fenders are 3pc bodies and if you get a natural finish on a Tele it will look tacky.
In the end a parts-guitar won't exactly save you money unless you get the bare essentials, but you will get exactly what you want.
I love love love my USACG necks and Tommy is awesome. The fretwork is a notch above Warmoth and Musikraft IME. I like the way the edges are filed/beveled and they sound kick-ass. I think that has to do with the way Tommy kilns the woods. As stated most Fenders are 3pc bodies and if you get a natural finish on a Tele it will look tacky.
In the end a parts-guitar won't exactly save you money unless you get the bare essentials, but you will get exactly what you want.
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
Not really true. They do have the ability to look bad, but then again, so can a one piece body. It all depends on the pattern of the grain for the appearance. Not how many pieces there are in a body. About 5 years ago I built a strat body that was 10 pieces of pine. You could clearly see the seams, but it worked.
Not really true. They do have the ability to look bad, but then again, so can a one piece body. It all depends on the pattern of the grain for the appearance. Not how many pieces there are in a body. About 5 years ago I built a strat body that was 10 pieces of pine. You could clearly see the seams, but it worked.
ratherdashing
Kablamminator
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
I have a sunburst finish on a 3-piece American Standard Strat, and it looks far from tacky. They actually do take care to make the grain line up.
I have a sunburst finish on a 3-piece American Standard Strat, and it looks far from tacky. They actually do take care to make the grain line up.
kmcguitars
GuitarArtologist
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
The only leg up Fender has is in resell value. Parts-o-Casters are GREAT! If your a discriminating player who knows what they want in a guitar. You can build your dream axe at a cost of $1k+...But expect to take it to your your grave, Cuz' you'll never get a bucket of spit for it in resale value. Mean while a POS late 70's CBS Strat will fetch $1k + easy? Go figure?:eyecrazy:
The only leg up Fender has is in resell value. Parts-o-Casters are GREAT! If your a discriminating player who knows what they want in a guitar. You can build your dream axe at a cost of $1k+...But expect to take it to your your grave, Cuz' you'll never get a bucket of spit for it in resale value. Mean while a POS late 70's CBS Strat will fetch $1k + easy? Go figure?:eyecrazy:
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
KMC is right about resale value. In every other aspect USACG kicks Fenders ass. I can build a strat with the pickups I want for the same price as an American Standard Strat.
Many Strats still need fret jobs even though they cost over $1k.
You will probably also have to change out the pickups.
My USACG neck came with level frets and smooth edges.
USACG is a small company and you can talk to Tommy almost anytime you want with no bull**** and a great return policy.
Fender continues to live off of brand name recognition.
Sometimes you get what you pay for. Sometimes you pay for what you think you get what you pay for.
KMC is right about resale value. In every other aspect USACG kicks Fenders ass. I can build a strat with the pickups I want for the same price as an American Standard Strat.
Many Strats still need fret jobs even though they cost over $1k.
You will probably also have to change out the pickups.
My USACG neck came with level frets and smooth edges.
USACG is a small company and you can talk to Tommy almost anytime you want with no bull**** and a great return policy.
Fender continues to live off of brand name recognition.
Sometimes you get what you pay for. Sometimes you pay for what you think you get what you pay for.
B Bent
Vibroluxologist
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
huh......
Cost aside, resale aside and all other things that only make sense aside- AGAIN... Let me rephrase this...
Blind folded, can you tell the difference. Also trick them out with the same hardware and electronics- can you tell the difference?
huh......
Cost aside, resale aside and all other things that only make sense aside- AGAIN... Let me rephrase this...
Blind folded, can you tell the difference. Also trick them out with the same hardware and electronics- can you tell the difference?
beandip
Frito's Better Half
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
I love this whole idea that almost every new guitar out there needs a fret level. Most of the stuff being cranked out by the big names is of great playability after a setup, and by no means needs fretwork from what I've seen. Hell, even most of the ibanez's these days are ok straight out of the box. Sharp fret ends, but a level job.
In the end, a parts guitar can offer more bang for the buck. A Fender does offer the warrenty (funny how many forget about this little bitty card, but yet it can save sooo much money) that you can't get with USACG.
If you'd like something a little different than what you were speaking of, a parts caster made with Fender parts is always an option as well. Kinda the best of both worlds.
I love this whole idea that almost every new guitar out there needs a fret level. Most of the stuff being cranked out by the big names is of great playability after a setup, and by no means needs fretwork from what I've seen. Hell, even most of the ibanez's these days are ok straight out of the box. Sharp fret ends, but a level job.
In the end, a parts guitar can offer more bang for the buck. A Fender does offer the warrenty (funny how many forget about this little bitty card, but yet it can save sooo much money) that you can't get with USACG.
If you'd like something a little different than what you were speaking of, a parts caster made with Fender parts is always an option as well. Kinda the best of both worlds.
JB_From_Hell
Jomo's Nimions
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
You've played and owned enough different guitars to know that you wouldn't. If we're talking good quality pieces from either, it's gonna come down to that X factor that makes an individual guitar superior to the identical one next to it.
You've played and owned enough different guitars to know that you wouldn't. If we're talking good quality pieces from either, it's gonna come down to that X factor that makes an individual guitar superior to the identical one next to it.
J Moose
New member
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
I can easily pick out differences between two different strats or whatever that are identical models off the rack at the local guitar shop...
Whats your point here?
Besides overthinking?
I can easily pick out differences between two different strats or whatever that are identical models off the rack at the local guitar shop...
Whats your point here?
Besides overthinking?
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
i've always prefered parts guitar builds but these days here in Canada getting the parts shipped, the exchange rate, and the import tax we have to pay it gets costly... Plus add to the tech/shop costs if you can't do it yourself and it gets costly! It's almost better for me to search a quality Fender then build a custom axe... and Fender has a much higher re-sale value then a parts axe...
My Chandler/Warmoth mutt is a top notch guitar with fine tone and figured woods and the best hardware and electronics... had it finnished in nitro by a local guy... it cost me $1850 in total back in 1995... these days it would resale for $450 tops which is almost just what the Electronics cost me in 95... Yet a Fender of the same original cost value would easily resale for $1000 in good shape....
Now i agree that using these guys at Warmoth and USACG can give you one hell of an axe... and i plan to make some more out of their parts... i want to build a PT style tele with binding and an 80's inspired Floyd strat out of quality parts but the cost of doing so is making me think it may be better to buy off the shelf...
i've always prefered parts guitar builds but these days here in Canada getting the parts shipped, the exchange rate, and the import tax we have to pay it gets costly... Plus add to the tech/shop costs if you can't do it yourself and it gets costly! It's almost better for me to search a quality Fender then build a custom axe... and Fender has a much higher re-sale value then a parts axe...
My Chandler/Warmoth mutt is a top notch guitar with fine tone and figured woods and the best hardware and electronics... had it finnished in nitro by a local guy... it cost me $1850 in total back in 1995... these days it would resale for $450 tops which is almost just what the Electronics cost me in 95... Yet a Fender of the same original cost value would easily resale for $1000 in good shape....
Now i agree that using these guys at Warmoth and USACG can give you one hell of an axe... and i plan to make some more out of their parts... i want to build a PT style tele with binding and an 80's inspired Floyd strat out of quality parts but the cost of doing so is making me think it may be better to buy off the shelf...
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Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
As far as production guitars go, I think companies like Schecter are putting better instruments out then Fender is for half the price.
Fender makes some nice stuff but your going to pay for it.
I dont think you get that much bang for your buck.
The bodies and necks coming from USACG are top notch.
As far as production guitars go, I think companies like Schecter are putting better instruments out then Fender is for half the price.
Fender makes some nice stuff but your going to pay for it.
I dont think you get that much bang for your buck.
The bodies and necks coming from USACG are top notch.
prophetofthor
New member
Re: What sets USACG apart from USA Fender?
guitar pound to guitar pound, i would take USACG / Warmoth over a production Fender. I would rather take wood from a "microbrewery" than wood from Budweiser (aka Fender).
if i remember right, Clapton bought like 20 strats and mixed and matched and came up with Blackie. allegedly Billy Gibbons has a warehouse of guitars. i think SRV's guitar (the SRV pickguard one) was a frankenstrat as well. jimmy page goes through les pauls, and i would suppose angus goes through SG's.
i must be awesome to buy 20 guitars and just pick out 1. i hate shopping for guitars. you dont know what is gonna happen until gigs or recording. it would be helpful to to go guitar center and buy a wall and walk out. i bet i could find 1 or 2 "cherry"s in that lot, after about 3 months of work.
i think you can control the wood aspect A LOT better with a dedicated wood shop (USACG/Warmoth). you greatly increase your chances of landing some great wood.
Fender custom shop makes killer stuff. it also comes with even killerery price tags.
guitar pound to guitar pound, i would take USACG / Warmoth over a production Fender. I would rather take wood from a "microbrewery" than wood from Budweiser (aka Fender).
if i remember right, Clapton bought like 20 strats and mixed and matched and came up with Blackie. allegedly Billy Gibbons has a warehouse of guitars. i think SRV's guitar (the SRV pickguard one) was a frankenstrat as well. jimmy page goes through les pauls, and i would suppose angus goes through SG's.
i must be awesome to buy 20 guitars and just pick out 1. i hate shopping for guitars. you dont know what is gonna happen until gigs or recording. it would be helpful to to go guitar center and buy a wall and walk out. i bet i could find 1 or 2 "cherry"s in that lot, after about 3 months of work.
i think you can control the wood aspect A LOT better with a dedicated wood shop (USACG/Warmoth). you greatly increase your chances of landing some great wood.
Fender custom shop makes killer stuff. it also comes with even killerery price tags.
