Fender Stratocaster

[Brian Krashpad]

Look on the bright side, at least they are not Gibson Strats. I love Gibson guitars, but IMO they are one the the more over priced guitars. They have great guitars and sound, but pricing is out of line.

Which is why I buy used, both Gibsons and otherwise, much more often than not. I did buy one new Gibby a number of years ago, a P-100 LP Special (with the irrational model name "Les Paul Junior Special") on closeout for $500. My other 2 are both used, a Les Paul Studio DC ($525 w/hsc), and a Les Paul Classic ($750 w/ohsc).

[marnold***]

Dude, that is almost exactly like Jule's FR!!! Except his, I remember him saying, cost a helluva lot more (went to the US to get it). . .it looks a bit more like this one here:

http://shredguitars.com/collections/...dium/body2.JPG

$149? Fair play! These are really nice guitars - as you've mentioned in your review. Definitely one I have to keep an eye out for - even though they don't sell them in the UK (I don't think so, at least.)

They stopped making them. Nobody was buying them. Musician's Friend was blowing them out for quite some time. I don't get it--other than the fact that people hated the headstock. I really wanted to get one with the "fly" pick guard like the one you pictured, but I couldn't get one. I could have gotten a second-hand DST-2 (two humbuckers) in black with that pickguard, but he wanted >$100 more than my DST-3 was new. They pop up on eBay every so often, if you can get someone who will ship it to the UK.

The only place the name "Fender" really matters is if you are trying to get a session gig. Otherwise, as has been pointed out, there are plenty of Strat clones out there.

Lest I get accused of hypocrisy, yes, I have a Fender as well, although it's about as non-traditional as you can get: one humbucker, fixed bridge, 24 frets, flat fretboard, thin neck, set neck. That one is one of their Korean models. It originally retailed for $899 but I got it for $249 IIRC.

[hubberjub***]

It's hard for me to believe that American guitars are more expensive to buy in Europe considering the dollar is worth practically nothing compared to the pound. The Euro has also been far more stable than the dollar recently.

[SuperSwede]

It's hard for me to believe that American guitars are more expensive to buy in Europe considering the dollar is worth practically nothing compared to the pound. The Euro has also been far more stable than the dollar recently.

Thats a perfectly justified question.

The price of the dollar has been going down a lot, and yet the prices of US made instruments are the same or even higher.

[Danzego]

Ya know, if you don't like the relics, don't buy them. Yes, they're silly and half the time, they probably aren't set up the same way the original artist had it. But they exist because there's a market for them. Can you honestly BLAME Fender for that? For making something that a small portion of guitar buyers demand (and making money on it)?

If all of their guitars were of that nature, I could see that. But they're not. In fact, dollar for dollar and feature for feature (and heck, may as well throw feel and playability in there, too) Fenders are actually VERY reasonably priced guitars compared to the other major brands out there. Calling them out as a whole- as a company and the overall quality of their entire line of guitars- just because of a problem with their business model regarding their specialty guitars alone is just kind of.....I don't know.

Mind you, I'm a player of 20 years who is a recent Fender convert; one who NEVER thought, in ALL my days, that I would own one, because I would look at Fenders and think "Psshhh". How did I change my mind? I got one in my hands and because of that, I found I had one in my head. I had no choice but to buy one. :


So they make 100 count runs of relics and repro's now and again. Big deal.

[thearabianmage]

Hey everybody. I knew this thread would start a bit of controversy. . . sorry about that.

I ain't got no problem with Fender - but sometimes with reading text, it's a bit difficult to know how the writer 'would be saying it.' I am not raging with Fender, but I think it's rather 'cheeky' of them. They are a business, though, after all. I worked in tourism for a couple years, and God only knows how much we had to jack the price up on things.

Krashpad was right with his 'educated buyer' point. Too true.

Rev Rawk was right with the 'session' point.

hubberjub hasn't really got a point - yes the £ is up on the dollar, but add the price of shipping a guitar overseas, plus the 20% import fee on anything over £200 in value, and you are usually looking at the same price on both sides of the pond.

Denzeg is right as well- if I don't like it, then I shouldn't buy it. And I won't. So I guess I shouldn't complain about it, then. But I would like to express an opinion - and if you don't like that opinion, you don't have to read or respond to it. (that isn't meant nastily, honest)

I'll shut up now.

[ted s]

You don't need to shut up, opinions are good.
Relics aren't my thing either, I like my stuff (not just guitars) shiny and in tip top shape.
Pre-relic'd axes are kinda like those crazy expensive jeans that are all beat to he77 when you buy them. Just like many things, people will buy'em.
Just give me a good old pair of Levis and a quality guitar, I'll wear them in on my own thanks.

[just strum]

You don't need to shut up, opinions are good.
Relics aren't my thing either, I like my stuff (not just guitars) shiny and in tip top shape.
Pre-relic'd axes are kinda like those crazy expensive jeans that are all beat to he77 when you buy them. Just like many things, people will buy'em.
Just give me a good old pair of Levis and a quality guitar, I'll wear them in on my own thanks.

+1,000

I agree 100% with Ted. The guitars that are made to look like Eric's or any other entertainer just doesn't do it for me. A guitar that appears to be older than it is because of worn spots and cigarette burns has no appeal. I'll wear mine over time and if I want to speed up the process, I'll take the sandpaper to it, without spending the extra $5,000 for the look. Until mine wears naturally, it will sparkle.

I know there's a market, but I never spoke to a person face-to-face that has an interest in them.

[tremoloman***]

I've now owned America, Mexican, Indonesian, Chinese, and Japanese Fenders. IMHO, where it is made and how much it cost have absolutely no correlation on tone, sound, or playability.

My CIJ Jazzmaster I used to have ($400) plays every bit as nice as my American Reissue model ($1200) once the pickups and electronics were swapped in the CIJ. If I did it over again I would have kept the CIJ since it was worlds cheaper.

I tried a few of those new Deluxe Squiers that cost around $300... I swear to God, these guitars feel as good as my American Deluxe models. Had these come out back in 2004, I might not be playing the same instruments I have now.

Don't get me wrong... I love all my guitars but the quality level these Deluxe Strats have are unreal. I'd rather get a cheaper guitar that needs a few upgrades rather than an expensive one. I find it more fun to tweak and make the guitar "your own".

[Robert****]

I've now owned America, Mexican, Indonesian, Chinese, and Japanese Fenders. IMHO, where it is made and how much it cost have absolutely no correlation on tone, sound, or playability.

Just wait until you've owned a SWEDISH Fender! Now, that's Viking Quality@

[Spudman***]

I tried a few of those new Deluxe Squiers that cost around $300... I swear to God, these guitars feel as good as my American Deluxe models. Had these come out back in 2004, I might not be playing the same instruments I have now.

Don't get me wrong... I love all my guitars but the quality level these Deluxe Strats have are unreal. I'd rather get a cheaper guitar that needs a few upgrades rather than an expensive one. I find it more fun to tweak and make the guitar "your own".

+1
Like Zman and I said.

[ZMAN]

You have some of the nicer relic guitars right in GB. Check out the web site of this guy. John Hornby Skewes. I have seen some of his stuff in person and they are really nice. When you compare them to Fenders. He has Wilkinson pickups and his Icon series feel and play very good.
http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageelectric.html

My guitar tech had a custom shop relic done for almost 3000 dollars and it looks just like the white one on the end.

[Tone2TheBone]

Heck a tank of gas is less than the price of a Fender.

[thearabianmage]

Heck a tank of gas is less than the price of a Fender.

Move to England, you'll be 'pleasantly' surprised!

[just strum]

Which is why I buy used, both Gibsons and otherwise, much more often than not. I did buy one new Gibby a number of years ago, a P-100 LP Special (with the irrational model name "Les Paul Junior Special") on closeout for $500. My other 2 are both used, a Les Paul Studio DC ($525 w/hsc), and a Les Paul Classic ($750 w/ohsc).

You know Brian that is the way to go. If it's not used, then it has to be a good deal on a new one. All but one of my acoustics I use to own were used. My American Strat I purchased from Plank was at a good price and as I watch used guitar sales I think he gave me a better deal than I first realized (thanks Plank, still love that guitar). My Dot had very limited use and I got it for free, no better price (free is good). My ARC300 was picked up new, but at a good price and lower than I've ever seen it advertised since purchased and now that it is no longer in production, it makes the deal even sweeter, then there is the Epi SG another one that was free (company I work for paid for it).

So I've made out okay although some of it was not planned (the free ones).

[marnold***]

I've never gotten anything used, mainly because the selection in this area is really bad. There's very little used stuff out there and the one store that does have a decent number of used guitars inflates the prices through the roof. For example, they were selling an SX bass for about $100 more than you could get one new from Rondo.

The ones I do have were all on major blow-out sale, though.
My Fender listed for $899 and was selling at MF for $699. I got it on closeout for $249.
My Floyd listed for $549 and was selling for $399 IIRC, about the same as a MIM Strat. I got it on closeout for $149.
My Squier '51 listed for $249. I think they were selling for ~$150. I got mine for $99 and it was a Christmas present to boot.

[thearabianmage]

I've never gotten anything used, mainly because the selection in this area is really bad. There's very little used stuff out there and the one store that does have a decent number of used guitars inflates the prices through the roof. For example, they were selling an SX bass for about $100 more than you could get one new from Rondo.

The ones I do have were all on major blow-out sale, though.
My Fender listed for $899 and was selling at MF for $699. I got it on closeout for $249.
My Floyd listed for $549 and was selling for $399 IIRC, about the same as a MIM Strat. I got it on closeout for $149.
My Squier '51 listed for $249. I think they were selling for ~$150. I got mine for $99 and it was a Christmas present to boot.

You blag! Fair play! :

[just strum]

You blag! Fair play! :

Okay, what' blag?

[thearabianmage]

HAH! Finally, someone's asked! The word 'blag' is probably one of the most useful words, because it has so many meanings.

to 'blag' something - similar to saying to 'bum' something (can I blag a fag?=can I have a cigarette?)

to 'blag' someone - to rant to someone, or 'bum' something (he gave me a fat blag - He blagged me for a fag, the cheeky bugger!)

to 'blag' on - to rant on (I'm blagging on right now)

a 'blag' is something that is easy (playing an E5 chord is a blag)

But in Marnold's case, to be a 'blag' means he got off easy or manages easily - that is a very positive thing by the way (Ricky Gervais is a blag in the comedy industry because he has probably never done a proper day's work or broke a sweat making it into the industry)

But, on the other hand, being 'a blag' can be a bad thing - Someone who is known to exaggerate things, talk a lot (me!) etc. is known as a blag.

Again, it's a very useful word!