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Post subject: So why did Fender kill the 51?
Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 7:01 am
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I'm curious to know if we ever did find out why Fender axed the Squier 51' model? From what I saw on the boards they were popular and sold very well.


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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 10:34 pm
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I used to ask that question about a few lines of Squiers. But the more I think about it, I'd rather see the newer ideas and different lines emerge. The CV line is a new blast to the past. I haven't seen the John 5 in person, but I can't wait to check that one out. And I always seem to find that even though a certain line has been discontinued, there are always people who take care of them and put them up for sale later.


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 1:21 am
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From what I remember, the guitar originally retailed at $149. At that price, no one really bought the guitar. Once the guitar started being blown out at $99, everyone started scooping the guitar up because it was a cheap impulse buy. Once they learned how good the guitar actually was, more and more people started buying '51s.

But I imagine that by the time the '51 hit the 99 dollar price point, the fate of the guitar had already been decided.


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 2:24 am
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In all honesty, I remember seeing the 51, and I remember it being one ugly $@! design. I could never see myself playing one. It's pretty rare for me to pass on good craftsmanship. But in the grand scheme of so many guitars available, I was one who passed on it. For $99 I guess it would be worth tossing the pickguard for something different. But then again, in the $100-200 range, Ive found much better used guitars over the years.


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Posted: Wed Jul 15, 2009 3:44 pm
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From what I recall most of the praise of the '51 was not on the stock guitar itself, but the tons of possibilities you could have modding them...Now many of the other Squier lines are/were great out of the box, but I have heard mixed reviews about the '51s out of the box...I think they were discontinued for a couple of reasons...One being that they may have discontinued them in order to push the Bullet Series more, which are about the same price as the 51's, I think this is a likely scenario because Squier/Fender discontinued the Squier Standard Fat Tele (HB neck PU and single coild bridge) as soon as the Vintage Modified Tele with the same PU config was released. Also, I think Fender/Squier may have felt they were losing some sales of their higher priced models when a cheaply priced guitar got lots of attention and hype...

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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 1:35 pm
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I heard that Fender wanted to develop the '51 concept into a more upmarket guitar. Might be rubbish of course.

I bought one new at a stupid price with the intention of modding it, as many do. Got as far as changing the tuners for mini Grovers and replacing the pickups with Seymour Duncan Alnico 2 pro S/c and H/B. Filed the rough fret ends and then left it alone when I realised how fantastic it sounded. The guitar absolutely rings out - great stuff. Actually, it was pretty good before I started playing with it if I'm honest.

I'd like a decent scratchplate on it and maybe fitting a tone control, but I'm very happy.


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Posted: Sun Jul 26, 2009 5:56 pm
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I think they killed it 'cause it's one bitchin' axe. I've had a Fender Lead II (which I miss terribly) and currently own the Squier '51, a 2008 Squier Deluxe Strat and 2008 Squier Tele Custom. Guess whick see's the most playing time...? The Squier '51. The only thing I changed so far was the pickguard (GFS white pearloid). I have a direct replacement bridge which I'll install when the strings are changed, but the Tele 7.7 ohm neck pup I bought in anticiaptionof an upgrade is waiting in the case and I'm not sure I'll install it as the stock "51 does quite well. Like I said the squier '51 is one bitchin' axe which would compare favorably to my long gone, much missed Fender Lead II. Guess the Tele's gonna have to go when prices and the economy stabilize.


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Post subject: it didn't sell well
Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 4:08 pm
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The 51 initially didn't sell very well. Only when it was marked down did people pick it up. I just got my 51 over a guitar forum and dang man it's a great guitar stock. I plan on upgrading the bridge but that's it. I wish Fender would release a Fender '51 in old custom colors like Surf Green but I doubt they'll do it. for sure the Squier 51 is the best Squier I've owned to date although I should give the Classic Vibe series a chance to wow me.

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SX GG1 Jr (Les Paul Special clone)
Squier '51
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Epiphone Les Paul Junior Special

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Fender FM 212R
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Post subject: Re: it didn't sell well
Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 4:33 pm
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SkaJon wrote:
The 51 initially didn't sell very well. Only when it was marked down did people pick it up. I just got my 51 over a guitar forum and dang man it's a great guitar stock. I plan on upgrading the bridge but that's it. I wish Fender would release a Fender '51 in old custom colors like Surf Green but I doubt they'll do it. for sure the Squier 51 is the best Squier I've owned to date although I should give the Classic Vibe series a chance to wow me.
Forget the "Vibe" series. Go for the Squier Deluxe Stratocaster, it surpasses the Vibe in every way including price. The tone of the Deluxe is superior to the Vibe due to the Duncan Designed single coils which you won't have to upgrade.


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Post subject: Re: it didn't sell well
Posted: Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:33 pm
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JerseyJettFan wrote:
SkaJon wrote:
The 51 initially didn't sell very well. Only when it was marked down did people pick it up. I just got my 51 over a guitar forum and dang man it's a great guitar stock. I plan on upgrading the bridge but that's it. I wish Fender would release a Fender '51 in old custom colors like Surf Green but I doubt they'll do it. for sure the Squier 51 is the best Squier I've owned to date although I should give the Classic Vibe series a chance to wow me.
Forget the "Vibe" series. Go for the Squier Deluxe Stratocaster, it surpasses the Vibe in every way including price. The tone of the Deluxe is superior to the Vibe due to the Duncan Designed single coils which you won't have to upgrade.


Unless you're going for the Duo-Sonic which blew me out of the water!!! The quality of the Duo-Sonic far surpasses it's price tag.

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Post subject: Re: it didn't sell well
Posted: Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:43 pm
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JerseyJettFan wrote:
SkaJon wrote:
The 51 initially didn't sell very well. Only when it was marked down did people pick it up. I just got my 51 over a guitar forum and dang man it's a great guitar stock. I plan on upgrading the bridge but that's it. I wish Fender would release a Fender '51 in old custom colors like Surf Green but I doubt they'll do it. for sure the Squier 51 is the best Squier I've owned to date although I should give the Classic Vibe series a chance to wow me.
Forget the "Vibe" series. Go for the Squier Deluxe Stratocaster, it surpasses the Vibe in every way including price. The tone of the Deluxe is superior to the Vibe due to the Duncan Designed single coils which you won't have to upgrade.


Played a Squier Deluxe against the Classic Vibe 60. I also played a bunch of MIM Fender Standards which is what I was really looking for. The Classic Vibe 60 was the one I took home. IMO better tone and price, of course I only payed $199 plus a 50 dollar trade in for mine. I didn't have to modify anything on mine except changing the strap buttons to strap locks. I would recommend the Squier Deluxe to someone else on a tighter budget than what I had that day, but like I said I could have walked out with a Fender Standard.

RK


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