Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 19 of 23

Thread: Went to Guitar Center on Saturday

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Pawling, NY
    Posts
    229
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default Went to Guitar Center on Saturday

    I played a bunch of strats and teles on Saturday at Guitar Center (my first GC visit by the way). I played both MIMs and USA models and was very disappointed in the workmanship. I had heard that Fenders were hit or miss and I saw it with my own eyes. Are you really expected to have to do major fret work after dropping $1200 or more for a USA made Fender? The fret ends were all sharp on the strats -- the tele fretwork was better. All I could think was that GC put the blems out on the floor since they know they're going to get beat up. If that's the case, I would understand.

    I have to say the nicest playing guitar with the best workmanship that I played was an Indonesian Schecter (I forget the model). They are not really my style but I was impressed by the workmanship. If I played metal , I would definitely look at that brand.
    -Steve

    Guitars: Carvin BoltPlus-T, Floyd Rose DST-3, Xaviere XV870, Fender Acoustic
    Amp: Vox AD50VT 212, V-Amp 2
    Pedals/Effects: Wasabi Overdrive, HellBabe Wah, Digitech Hot Head, Danelectro Fab Chorus

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,515
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Your experience with the guitars was quite revealing wasn't it?

    The big names don't seem to cut it anymore and the Indo made guitar impressed you just like the Agile LP I had did.

    I'm glad I went Carvin. USA made and quality to boot without the ridiculous price.
    _____

    GUITARS - Carvin DC127M - Carvin Bolt kit
    AMPS - Bogner Alchemist 112 - Blackheart Handsome Devil half stack
    FXs - Roger Linn Adrenalinn III - Boss GT-10
    _____

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Westminster, Colorado
    Posts
    2,203
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I've had the same experience. Most of the new Fenders I've tried have been crap. Poorly put together, poorly finished, not set up properly. I would never buy a new guitar from GC. They've been coasting on their name for decades.

    Without exception, every Schecter I've played has been well made, well finished and well setup despite the country of origin. Schecter quality control is excellent. I would have no problem buying one of them.

    The one Carvin I tried was excellent. Well made and perfectly finished. I returned it for other reasons.

    tung


    Quote Originally Posted by scgmhawk
    I played a bunch of strats and teles on Saturday at Guitar Center (my first GC visit by the way). I played both MIMs and USA models and was very disappointed in the workmanship. I had heard that Fenders were hit or miss and I saw it with my own eyes. Are you really expected to have to do major fret work after dropping $1200 or more for a USA made Fender? The fret ends were all sharp on the strats -- the tele fretwork was better. All I could think was that GC put the blems out on the floor since they know they're going to get beat up. If that's the case, I would understand.

    I have to say the nicest playing guitar with the best workmanship that I played was an Indonesian Schecter (I forget the model). They are not really my style but I was impressed by the workmanship. If I played metal , I would definitely look at that brand.
    I was just a regular guy. My only super power was being invisible to girls.
    - Dave Lizewski, Kick-A$$

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Posts
    7,260
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    One tech from my area always gripes about Fender fret sprout. It's an easy fix, but it still shouldn't be there in the first place. I've noticed it when I happen to pick one up too. It's not "shred my hands" sharp, but it's enough to be very annoying on a guitar that you would drop a grand on.

    In the interest of full disclosure, my Korean-made Fender has absolutely no fret sprout at all. My Floyd will develop a tiniest bit of it when it is very cold and dry out. It's so insignificant to me that it's not worth fixing, IMO. My Spector is sprout-free too.
    Axen: Jackson DK2M, Fender Deluxe Nashville Telecaster, Reverend Warhawk 390, Taylor 914ce, ESP LTD Surveyor-414
    Amphen: Jet City JCA22H and JCA12S cab, Carvin X-60 combo, Acoustic B20
    Effecten: "Thesis 96" Overdrive/Boost (aka DVM OD2), Hardwire DL-8 Digital Delay/Looper, DigiTech Polara Reverb, DigiTech EX-7 Expression Factory and CF-7 Chorus Factory, Danelectro CF-1 Cool Cat Fuzz
    "I wish Imagine Dragons would be stuck in an Arcade Fire for an entire Vampire Weekend."--Brian Posehn

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Sun Valley, Idaho
    Posts
    10,955
    Post Thanks / Like
    Blog Entries
    1

    Default

    You know, it is interesting. When I was shopping for my first electric in late '06, I was looking mostly at MIM's and especially the 60th Anniversary one, and the Highway Ones. I did not find fret sprout on any of the ones I tried. In fact the neck on my guitar is one of the things I love the most. I wonder if things have changed since then. I have not looked at any new Fenders in a while.
    Steve Thompson
    Sun Valley, Idaho


    Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
    Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
    Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay


    love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
    - j. johnson

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    85
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I think PRS is by far the best American made guitar. Which would make it one of the best guitars made.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Pawling, NY
    Posts
    229
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I hadn't played a Fender in a while. I grew up with a Stratocaster in the 70's and 80's and loved it (and sold it ). Anyway, I've read on line that the QC is hit or miss. I suppose with any large production operation you're going to have that issue. Believe me when I say I'm not speaking for every Fender guitar, obviously! I guess just "buyer beware" if you don't have a chance to play it first.

    That being said, I really want to play one of the new Charvel So Cals. Very cool looking and Fender is parent company. I've seen good reviews.
    -Steve

    Guitars: Carvin BoltPlus-T, Floyd Rose DST-3, Xaviere XV870, Fender Acoustic
    Amp: Vox AD50VT 212, V-Amp 2
    Pedals/Effects: Wasabi Overdrive, HellBabe Wah, Digitech Hot Head, Danelectro Fab Chorus

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    1,267
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rx Tone
    I think PRS is by far the most overpriced American made guitar. Which would make it one of the best guitars made.
    Fixed:
    Patrick

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Mountains of Kentucky
    Posts
    1,382
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    I posted pretty much the same comment from my first visit 2 weeks ago to GC, then this weekend I went to a store closer to home with their new FENDER MIM stock that had arrived. I found a little better quailty in what they had and no sharp fret ends on the 3 that I tried. Fender's big price increase is not something that indicates improvements in their line. IMO

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    85
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hubberjub
    Fixed:

    oh, you can't afford one, huh?...well, they're generally only owned by serious players with discerning taste who know what to look for and can recognize a quality guitar anyway.



    :

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    DixieFried in BAMA!!!!
    Posts
    2,496
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Is that what you PRS tell yourselves
    "I love being alive and I will be the best man I possibly can. I will take love wherever I find it and offer it to whoever will take it... seek knowledge from those wiser and teach those who wish to learn from me."
    "Develop your talent, man, and leave the world something. Records are really gifts from people. To think that an artist would love you enough to share his music with anyone is a beautiful thing."
    Duane Skydog Allman

    You come to a point in your life when you really don't care what people think about you, you just care what you think about yourself." - Evel Knievel

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    SW Georgia
    Posts
    1,516
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by mrmudcat
    Is that what you PRS tell yourselves
    You have to. Otherwise, how do you justify that price tag? :

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    85
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Well, it's called "craftsmanship" and attention to detail.
    Some people prefer laminated plywood toy guitars with fotoflame tops..and some people prefer the real thing.


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    1,267
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Rx Tone
    oh, you can't afford one, huh?...well, they're generally only owned by serious players with discerning taste who know what to look for and can recognize a quality guitar anyway.



    :
    I'm just joking with you man. I have paid more for guitars. I would put my Modulus or Heritage 535 up against any current PRS I've played. PRS still makes a great guitar. I just can't justify spending that much on a CNC made guitar (Gibson and Fender are in the same boat). It's all subjective. I think PRS has a great marketing department.
    Patrick

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2009
    Location
    Tennessee
    Posts
    85
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hubberjub
    I'm just joking with you man. I have paid more for guitars. I would put my Modulus or Heritage 535 up against any current PRS I've played. PRS still makes a great guitar. I just can't justify spending that much on a CNC made guitar (Gibson and Fender are in the same boat). It's all subjective. I think PRS has a great marketing department.

    I know, bro..I'm joking too..I think this is the funniest thread of the day.

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South Jersey Pine Barrens
    Posts
    1,564
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by hubberjub
    I just can't justify spending that much on a CNC made guitar (Gibson and Fender are in the same boat).
    Not to be an a$$, but what's wrong with CNC? If the wood selection is good, and the machine programming is good, you're looking at great consistancy. A guitar doesn't have to be hand carved and rubbed to be a great one. I see nothing wrong with CNC guitars.
    Guitars: 2008 Gibson SG Classic, 2006 Gibson Les Paul Standard LE, 2002 Gibson SG Supreme, 2001 Gibson Les Paul Studio Plus, 1996 Les Paul Studio Gem, American Deluxe Double Fat Strat, Bluesville "Super" Strat Copy, MIK Fender "Limited Edition" Tele, JD Bluesville "Night Pilot", Yamaha AES 820, Steinberger Spirit GT Pro, Taylor 355CE, Ovation 1897 Adamas, Ovation CC057 Celebrity

    Amps: Axe FX centered rack rig, Mesa 4x12 cab. Germino Club 40, Johnson JM150 Millennium, Johnson JM250 Millennium, Gibson Titan Medalist Frankenstein.

    Effects: Tonebone Trimode, EH Holy Grail, Boss CH-1, Dunlop Crybaby Classic, Framptone Amp Switcher, THD Hot Plate, Yamaha AG Stomp Acoustic Processor, Boss BCB-60 Pedal Board.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Location
    Blue Mountains NSW Australia
    Posts
    35
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by scgmhawk
    ... Anyway, I've read on line that the QC is hit or miss. I suppose with any large production operation you're going to have that issue. ....
    Another issue with poor quality control is that people who do buy a good one pay for all the ones rejected by customers that are sent back - Fender, or whomever, is not going to wear those costs.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Posts
    1,146
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Plank_Spanker
    Not to be an a$$, but what's wrong with CNC? If the wood selection is good, and the machine programming is good, you're looking at great consistancy. A guitar doesn't have to be hand carved and rubbed to be a great one. I see nothing wrong with CNC guitars.
    +1

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Binghamton, NY
    Posts
    1,267
    Post Thanks / Like

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Plank_Spanker
    Not to be an a$$, but what's wrong with CNC? If the wood selection is good, and the machine programming is good, you're looking at great consistancy. A guitar doesn't have to be hand carved and rubbed to be a great one. I see nothing wrong with CNC guitars.
    Nothing is wrong with CNC. It should be turning out a very good and consistent product. As an owner of two Gibsons and three USA Fenders I feel comfortable stating that quality can vary greatly on these instruments. Also, CNC was implemented as a cost cutting mechanism yet the consumer is not seeing any cut in cost. I'm not trying to insult anyone as I own CNC guitars too. I just feel that there are better guitars for the money.
    Patrick

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •