Author Topic: Fender... why do you like them? (Read 35656 times)

blue · « **Reply #30 on:** January 30, 2007, 08:38:37 PM »

Quote from: Elliot

- I especially like the spaghetti logo, I also find it makes the guitar play better and faster too.

really? i must get a spaghetti logo on to some of my guitars immediately! Fender have definately missed a marketing opportunity there, imagine how fast an Ibanez Jem would play if you added one! :lol:

( sorry Elliot, couldn't resist :oops: )

38thBeatle · « **Reply #31 on:** January 30, 2007, 09:21:36 PM »

Now did I ever mention 4 way switches for Tele's?.......................

Philly Q · « **Reply #32 on:** January 30, 2007, 10:36:55 PM »

Most of my guitars are Gibsons (or similar) so Strats feel a bit odd to me - because of that long upper horn they seem to hang funny, so the 12th fret is where the 15th fret "ought" to be. I'm sure I could get used to it, but Teles don't have the same problem and I like the way they balance - even a heavyweight Tele is fairly comfortable on a strap.

I also think the Tele's versatility is highly underrated. OK, it has 3 sounds to the Strat's 5 - but the clean neck and middle positions on a Tele are the prettiest sounds you can get from any electric (IMO), yet in contrast to that, the bridge pickup is way tougher and snarlier than a Strat. The Tele neck pickup can even do jazz (not that I can play jazz, of course). And if you have a **four way switch** (apparently such things exist, can't think where I read it) you can even get a humbuckerish tone.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #33 on:** January 30, 2007, 11:26:12 PM »

I've had Strats & Superstrats before - never really got on with 'em. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Gibson man. I've used Les Pauls for cover bands and they cover LOTS of tonal ground if you have hot PAF types in there with variable coil taps replacing the tone pots.

I do have a Fender, but the layout is very Gibson - it's a '72 Tele Custom so I have the two volumes & tone controls plus the 3-position p/up selector just like a Les Paul.

Also, I like the way Teles sound more than Strats too AND the way the look AND the way they feel AND... (you get the idea).

:twisted:

gwEm · « **Reply #34 on:** January 31, 2007, 09:16:41 AM »

lots of responses! thanks for everyones thoughts. as a result i think i will try some more fenders out seriously.

what people have said about the reliabilty of fender construction, and how easy they are to repair is very convincing to me. i always fear for my flying Vs when I take them out - 100s of stories of neck fractures. fenders do indeed look cool with a bit of "road rash".

i find it reasonably easy to switch between any type of guitar, well for rhythm playing at least. the Vs and SGs I have cover the styles I play - jazz, metal, hard rock and a bit of blues. i dont think they'd be so cool for funk, country or even rock'n'roll.

still not convinced by the look of strats or teles though. i'm liking the appearance of the cyclone more and more. perhaps i could get a custom body - to take a standard 25.5" inch neck, maybe with a fixed bridge.

Muzzzz · « **Reply #35 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:00:52 AM »

I fail to see the point of a four way switch... why not get a 5-way and only use positions 2 and 4?

And I, for one, was disappointed with Fender MIM's - nothing huge that I could put my finger on, but things like unsmooth pots, (seemingly) poor quality switches, bad pickups and dodgy, warped scratchplates piss me off somewhat.

But yes, good necks and alder bodies almost make up for this.

I'm more of a superstrat guy, but as mentioned before, there are MANY things that single coils can do that Humbuckers can't.

Ratrod · « **Reply #36 on:** January 31, 2007, 11:58:17 AM »

Strats never worked for me. I like their sound but they're not for me. On the other hand, I love Telecasters. Just about as simple as a guitar can get and still very versitile. Probably the toughest and most bulletproof guitar there is.

JonnyScaramanga · « **Reply #37 on:** January 31, 2007, 01:45:37 PM »

Quote from: indysmith

when you say a strat would be your number one for a covers band, i assume you mean a strat with a humbucker? I say this because i think more music from covers bands is humbucker style than single-coil. modern single coil players are quite rare aswell.
For a covers band i'd have my ibanez... does it all, and well too!

I think it depends on the covers band. For a pub band, you'd definitely want a humbucker for all the classic rock they do. I play in a functions band which does corporate events and weddings. At that level, there's not much market for hard rock (boringly!), so we do most soul, funk, disco, and pop. For that stuff single coils are definitely the way forward. My Les Paul doesn't cut it for that gig - I've tried!

I am considering trying an HSS Strat though... the bridge single on its own doesn't see that much action, so maybe a humbucker would make the rock stuff we do (only three or four songs) a bit more macho. 8)

Dakine · « **Reply #38 on:** January 31, 2007, 02:20:05 PM »

The 'all rounders'?

American Fat Strat Texas Special

'83 Tele Elite.

Maybe ;)

Manji · « **Reply #39 on:** January 31, 2007, 02:35:37 PM »

I like the shape of the Stratocaster, and it's definitely a classic instrument (probably helped get me into the guitar- nice job, Jimi :D) but I also love humbuckers, so I don't know... I wouldn't be too keen on a Strat without at least one 'bucker.

Bob Johnson · « **Reply #40 on:** January 31, 2007, 06:12:22 PM »

It's interesting how this thread has mainly come down to Fender Vs Gibson; you guys should get otu more

38thBeatle · « **Reply #41 on:** January 31, 2007, 06:19:22 PM »

You are probably right Bob I should get ourt more.

Crazy_Joe · « **Reply #42 on:** January 31, 2007, 06:45:59 PM »

I only play strats if they are super :P

But seriously though i can't stand any Fender guitars, i think they are ugly and extremely overpriced. The only thing i like about them is occasionaly they have nice necks and are comfortable to play.

HTH AMPS · « **Reply #43 on:** January 31, 2007, 08:08:10 PM »

I would add that the quality of the MIM stuff seems to have took a nosedive recently - when I see '72 Tele Custom RIs they seem REALLY cheap and naff. My own '72 Tele Custom RI is a great guitar, plays spot on, intonates ok, classic Tele snap/twang/growl, CTS pots as stock - sounds like a vintage Tele to me (it does have pickup upgrades however but it still sounded 8/10 right out the box).

:twisted:

Kilby · « **Reply #44 on:** January 31, 2007, 08:27:32 PM »

Havn't tried any MIM recently, but the strat I was forced to sell just before christmas was excellent except for the pickups (which where better than simply OK). Thinking about it though it was dammed heavy though !

I guess things go in phases, there is probably some press release somewhere where thay have announced an expansion of the factory (and in reality they are haaving some issues)

Rob...