Author Topic: For Mr.Beatle (aka Steve) :) (Read 8775 times)

Dakine · « **on:** January 29, 2007, 12:32:09 PM »

Well, feck up or not FedEx arrived with the morning chorus this morning!
So, my first Fender (well guitar as had 2 precision basses back in the day) and certainly my first Custom Shop. If this is the norm however, prob. NOT my last.
So, Fender Custom Shop Flat Head Tele.
Select Alder Body
Ebony Fingerboard
Hard V Neck
Schaeller Locking Tuners
Schaeller Strap Locks
Dual EMG's 61n,81b
Piston Inlay on 12fret
Abalone side markers
Single Vol. control
String thru six saddle
Jumbo Stainless Frets

Bought from Jason at Drum City Guitar Land in Colorado, cannot say enough about this guy/shop.
Set up to my preference. Excellent packing. Three sets of strings of my choice (harder to get S.I.T.'s). Store shirt. Also, he asked me what size shirt I wanted, he sent a long sleeve Fender Custom Shop Flat Head shirt (which I did'nt even know existed). Whole bag of my fave picks. Catalogs of every range he carries (Fender, B.C.Rich,Schecter,Jackson etc.). Full case candy (lead,strap,certificate #1259 etc.).

Anyway, this is already my #1. The finish is without reproach! The neck is chunky enough (not Gibson chunky) but just right and the Jumbo frets are a delight.
I LOVE locking tuners and these are same as have on Pet. and are great. The intonation is spot on and she came into tune easy.
I know this is a BKP forum but am not gonna rip her to bits to take the EMG's out anytime soon. In fact thus far I really quite like em. The are very easy to get the tone of the actual amp out. Yeah they are more clinical and less 'vibey' and more generic, but again, that lets the amp shine. They are very volume dependant. Roll it off and they clean up nice, roll it up and instant dirt/sleaze even on a cleaner setting.
Had to do it, seeing as have a Boogie and now EMG's, lets just say Hetfield is very easy to get now lol.
Anyway, VERY impressed all round.
FedEx fecked up (shouldda been delivered Friday, so total shipping will be refunded) and Jason at shop will refund me this in time. And (thus far, thought it was paid upon receipt? have way back when before) got NO duty or VAT to pay :) If this is the case (along with shipping refund) this was one SERIOUS deal :)
So, to the pretty bits;

P.S., this axe is gonna get some serious travel time. Apart from obvious playing out etc. she will be going back and forth to Texas with me. Anyone know of a better case than a HISCOX to get for her (bearing in mind baggage handler ape tactics ;))?

indysmith · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2007, 12:56:11 PM »

looks beautiful dude- how heavy is it? (in comparison to a standard strat, tele, LP etc.)
I really like the idea of a tele for modern metal - very Post-Modern 8) and that cutaway on the back sorts out the only thing i don't like about teles.
I assume you'll be making clips soon? :P please? Really wanna hear this beast!

Can't say i dig the yellow tbh, but that's hardly important! Damn rare colour for this guitar aswell. Some day it'll be worth even more than it is now!

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:13:57 PM »

Nice axe man. I like that a lot.

As for the cases, then I have heard many good things about HISCOX cases. However, I bought one of these and I'm really impressed with it:

http://www.tribal-planet.com/gx40nov04.htm

Dakine · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:22:35 PM »

Indy, it's featherweight compared to my Les Paul (although I have an Ebony LP which is VERY heavy even for a LP).
The yellow is WAY less AAGGHH in person and it's flat finish so not so much fingermark polishing :) TBH, IF coulda found one anyway (which could'nt) was not impressed with the grey or black anyhow. And as you said, this color is rare.
My monitors are due to arrive (with rest of my gear/axe's from US) this week and will start recording then.

TM, thats a VERY intersting case. Have you had ABS cases before? If so how do you rate this against em? My main worry would be baggage handlers (only managed a guitar onboard a flight once). The Flat Head is discontinued and they did'nt make many anyway so HATE for some baggage gorilla to feck her up. Anyway, PLEASE tell more about that case am very intrigued, also what kinda prices r they?
Cheers Nick

Muzzzz · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:23:42 PM »

Whoah dude, that looks AWESOME!

I really dig the stripped back look, and Fender V's are great necks.
That finish will look especially great once it ages a bit.

How much (if u don't mind me asking)?

Dakine · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:31:24 PM »

Muzz
price?
Lol
should I?
really wanna know?
Do ya?
huh?
lol

Well it was on sale in US for $1,299 (got even better due to some friendly banter and having funds ready etc. ;)) down from $1,999.99, was advertised at £1,499 in UK (so far shipping is gonna be refunded and have been hit with no duty/tax, I could'nt wait till I went back to Texas to negate this anyway).
So, with favorable exchange rate...................................................
Bout £640 all in :) Not bad eh ;)

ToneMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:56:13 PM »

I got the case off ebay. I think that you can get that one for about £30 now. Just throw "Tribal Planet" into the ebay search.

I'm impressed with the case, the guitar does seem fairly safe in it. I've got a Patrick Eggle Berlin which fits nice and snug in their (I think they do a couple of different sizes). Apparently the bit on the top of the case (which are very good for storage) will crush down and protect the guitar if simething is thrown on top. It's also got a slightly less than handy stand where you can prop the case up, nit the most stable thing ever, but a nice touch.

I've never really used it for transporting the guitar more than in the back of my car. The guitar isn't actually finished and even if it was, I can hardly play the bloody thing so it doesn't get to go out that often.

Here's a quick tutorial on how to make your own: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index.php?showtopic=27621

Alternatively, I'm getting into carbon fibre at the minute, it looks like building a case from this should be fairly easy. Want to commission me

Muzzzz · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2007, 01:56:28 PM »

Shat! Not half bad at all!

Philly Q · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2007, 02:37:27 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

So, with favorable exchange rate...................................................
Bout £640 all in :) Not bad eh ;)

CLUNK.

That's my jaw hitting the floor.

Dakine · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2007, 03:10:58 PM »

TM, thanks. I will read up but tbh I think Hiscox (due to longevity etc. and rep.) might be my choice. I have not had an issue with any SKB abs cases with baggage handlers yet and Hiscox are meant to be alot better.

Philly/Muzz, yeah not too shabby huh ;)
Like have told afew yunguns here, cash at hand, patience and timing ;)

Anyway, a.NOT intending to sell ANY time soon and b.would sell for a PROFIT at that price ;) nothing wrong with being astute financially lol.

samoth2 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2007, 03:27:05 PM »

:o

What a beauty

indysmith · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2007, 04:57:39 PM »

Quote from: Dakine

So, with favorable exchange rate...................................................
Bout £640 all in :) Not bad eh ;)

hoooooly hell - that is a deal and a half!. i definately agree with whoever said the yellow will look good once it's aged a bit... but do yu want to let a rare fender custom shop guitar age? :?

Dakine · « **Reply #12 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:07:24 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

Quote from: Dakine
So, with favorable exchange rate...................................................
Bout £640 all in :) Not bad eh ;)

hoooooly hell - that is a deal and a half!. i definately agree with whoever said the yellow will look good once it's aged a bit... but do yu want to let a rare fender custom shop guitar age? :?

Look what they charge for a 'Relic' ;) Maybe aged is cool 8)
Either way (if could afford it) would buy another to put away. It plays (to me) THAT good.
Still, whats point in having a ferrari and keeping it in the garage? This was MEANT to be played, and play it I will. And if the day ever comes, throw enough money at Fender and am sure will make me another LOL.

indysmith · « **Reply #13 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:09:19 PM »

^^That there lads, is the spirit of a true player!^^

Dakine · « **Reply #14 on:** January 29, 2007, 05:19:26 PM »

From what I hear, Fender (rare for some 'major' companies) will do Custom jobs. Just has one heck of a wait list.
I am one of these ppl. who, when buying somthing particularly nice which I covet, tends to want to 'baby' it or indeed buy another to use. But whats the point? A guitar is a piece of wood until played.
Now, my Ovation (being hand painted and signed) is more of a 'wallhanger', but this Flat Head DEMANDS to be spanked loud and proud!
And, as said, if I wear her out, I must be a damn insomniac with no neighbors or have become a Pro. In which case Mr.Fender will throw more at me :twisted:

BTW, standout point thus far, the volume control. Simple lil gadget. Wiper pot to effect signal from pups. Hmmm, well outta ALL my axe's past and present NONE come close to this. How summit sooooooooo simple can make such a HUGE difference is amazing. Swells are effortless, tonal changes are immense. Now, am sure some is cause it has active pups, but still, lil thing but HUGE difference. Mr. Ernie Ball, Mr.Gibson et all, Ya Listening????????????????? It even blows away the Explorer which I fitted matched CTS pots to recently. Sublime!