Author Topic: fender: more questions (Read 2810 times)

gwEm · « **on:** February 28, 2007, 06:04:15 PM »

Sorry, I must sound like a ridiculous newbie regarding fender ;) Regarding Flying v's I consider myself quite a bit more well informed, so my knowledge isn't spread evenly at all.

I've almost decided its a good idea to try a Fender. Something with a Mustang body (a Cyclone most likely), or perhaps a Strat.

This is an experiment after all, and I dont want to spend too much money, but on the other hand I dont want to spend time and effort on upgrades just to get the instrument to stay in tune properly etc. I also dont want it to be made of match wood. Obviously, I'd change the pups for something else, but that would always be the case except for a custom build. Already decided on a Sinner bridge at least...

So the questions:

How would you compare the quality of Squier and a Made In Mexico Fender?

MIM seems to be the same sort of price as an epiphone, which I personally consider to be acceptable quality. Would you say MIM Fender is the same or better quality than epiphone?

And regarding the Strat: would you say two tone knobs are actually more useful than two volumes? Is there any advantage to that arrangement?

OK, I should try some out in a shop - but I dont think that would answer too many questions, as I find it takes me a few months to appreiciate things properly - and its important to do that on my own rig, not whatever random amp is available in the shop.

Thanks!

Gareth

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2007, 06:11:46 PM »

not sure how relevant this is but i thought i'd chip in.
Today i got given a Squier indonesian made Affinity Series stratocaster. I took it apart immediately and re-did everything (guitars built in the east seem to have everything done up really loosely). I've set the action and the intonation, and it sounds pretty good - the pickups are a bit weedy, especially in the bridge, but through my JCM800 i had a rocking good time. Alder body, maple neck (w/skunk stripe), rosewood board, dual pivot trem, standard strat stuff really - i don't think you can go that wrong with a strat - they're so simple.
It's stayed in tune since i put the strings on it, and i've been playing pretty heavily, havent used the tremolo yet however.
In regard to the 2 tone controls thing, i havent found a way to use that usefully :? I'd definately prefer two volumes instead.

metal_god · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2007, 06:13:32 PM »

1. if you can pick up an early mij (made in japan) on ebay they easily blow squier and mexican fenders away....

2. if your not dead set on fender try vintage great guitars for the price and have wilkinson hardware and pickups as standard....

gwEm · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2007, 06:16:32 PM »

thanks alot indy, yes thats very relevant indeed...

with some effort everything sounds good (or at least decent) through my JMP50 too ;)

metal god: interesting... no i'm not set on fender - lets say "fender style"

metal_god · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2007, 06:19:49 PM »

well definatly check out vintage for the price of the mim fender you could get the top of the range vintage which would sound great ive got a mid range vintage strat and its great.... http://www.jhs.co.uk/vintageadvance.html thats the best vintages the sv6s is £300 american alder body ivory graphite nut all good hardware etc

also if youve got abit more to spend check out blade they make great fender style guitars, great reviews too http://bladeguitars.com/

mikeluke · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2007, 07:34:53 PM »

+1 for MIJ Squier - I've bought and sold quite a few of these on eBay (around 12-15 of them) - my recommendation would be to try to land yourself an E-Series Squier Strat - made around 1984-1987 - they go for around the £180-200 mark - less if you are very lucky (and I happen to have missed it...) - build quality is excellent - much better than the later ones and the pups are not bad either.

Good luck!

Mike

dave_mc · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2007, 09:32:58 PM »

I'd have said MIM was a fair bit better than epi, but then again it's bolt-on technology, which is cheaper to do (so I guess more money can go on the components, wood, etc.). also, this is compared to the epis I have tried... I have tried particularly many, nor any of the higher elitist models. I'd definitely say MIM is better than the bog standard epi LP standards, though.

also I hear great things about the MIJ fenders and japanese squiers, though I haven't been able to try any myself.

indysmith · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2007, 10:47:14 PM »

Quote from: dave_mc

bolt-on technology, which is cheaper to do

Interestingly enough, during a chat with Ed Roman, i was told that it doesn't actually cost any more to glue than to bolt - guitar companies just make out like it is to charge more :P (apart from ed roman)

dave_mc · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2007, 11:04:24 PM »

^ hehe, possibly. or else good ol' ed is overcharging for his bolt necks.

Sifu Ben · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2007, 11:08:03 PM »

^ In terms of the cost for an individual guitar there's no real difference. The extra wood required for a set neck is negligable and is offset by the screws and plate. HOWEVER on a large scale, the increased time for glueing and clamping adds significantly to the time it takes to make the guitar, which adds to the price.

dave_mc · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2007, 11:30:23 PM »

^ that's a good point.

One of the best things about mass production (stuff for the masses for cheap) is also its downfall, the fact that it's sometimes economically rewarding to skimp on components costing pennies, because of the amount of them that they need.

Grr.

Chicagoslim · « **Reply #11 on:** March 03, 2007, 03:01:31 AM »

Tried to post earlier but it didn't post. MIM definitely superior to Squier. Get the strat, not Mustang. You can actually get Fender custom shop designed Strat, just MIM for around $600 usd. One volume control keeps it simple and tone even.