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Post subject: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 7:59 am
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I first started playing guitar in 1960- age 6. first new guitar-a fender musicmaster in 62, followed by a strat about 2 years later. I remember the fender catalogues of the 60's-all the new guitars and amps. they didn't seem to change that much-even when they went to the silverface amps they were similar.

fast forward to today- my goodness how many strat models are there? your local small dealer-and probably most of your big box stores-aren't likely to have one of each in stock to play. how do people pick one out?

even as I search for a nice tube amp I am confused-so many models by fender and other manufacturers, and no chance to play them all-again many of them not available to play locally. I may just try to find a nice used one and be done.

don't get me wrong-I still get excited when my new sweetwater catalog arrives, but if I wanted a new strat, I haven't a clue what to look at.


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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 8:29 am
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yea it's a bit over kill to some degree.

it's really down to trying some out in person, to get a better idea.

There's a lot of variables, even in the USA Made with how you get on with them off the rack.


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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 9:14 am
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phreddybee wrote:
... my goodness how many strat models are there? your local small dealer-and probably most of your big box stores-aren't likely to have one of each in stock to play. ...
I hear you, phreddybee, and agree that there are too many models but this opinion is shared by a very small minority; I'd say in the minuscule range.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:15 am
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I like (reversible) modifications for my guitars...

I blocked the tremolo on my Strat, changed out the pickups, pickguard, pickup covers, knobs and switch tip, and added a push-pull tone pot to turn on the bridge pickup, no matter where the selector switch is set.

I did similar changes/mods/upgrades (a matter of perspective, for sure) to my two Telecasters.

I did all this to make my guitars more unique (looks- and sound-wise), and to make them "mine..."

It seems Fender is taking the most common upgrades/customizations/modifications and trying to offer their customers a ready-made guitars that won't need to be changed significantly to meet their desire for a unique guitar.

Sometimes this works--a lot of guys (not me) want a Strat with a Floyd Rose and a humbuckers in the bridge position.
A lot of guys want a vintage-looking guitar, but can't afford an actual vintage guitar (even 70's guitars are getting out of range).

But when they try to offer everything that a customer could (perhaps) want, plus adding new styles/components/building techniques into the mix, it becomes an unwieldy mess of half-baked ideas (although I like half-baked over normal, most of the time).

Customers vote with their pocketbooks--poor-selling models get dropped/discontinued and new (or rehashed) ideas are pushed forward.

I adapted an idea that Nikininja proposed--sell a specific model or two of Strat, a specific model or two of Tele, and say, "This is the Strat for 2016.“

Alternate other models (Jaguars, Jazzmasters, Mustangs) every couple of years.

A "normal" Standard Strat or Tele would be the continuous models offered, but it will make a (for instance) Nashville Tele or a Strat with a humbucker more "rare and precious", because you don't know when they'll offer it again...

It probably won't fly, because people want so many different options--but that can be taken care of after-market (like I did with my Stratocaster and Telecasters).

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 12:36 am
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Hi phreddybee, good question "can there be too many choices?"
easy answer no :lol:

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2016 1:06 am
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Having too many guitar choices is like Neil Peart having too many drums and cymbals. The more the merrier. 8) FSB

Of course, you may only want one harmonica :lol:

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 4:51 am
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I would agree. I think there is too much product out today on Fender's behalf .


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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 9:31 am
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I've actually been saying the same thing for years. Way too many models, not nearly enough colours. The "old school" lines in particular are literally out of control. How many guitar models are really needed so people can have something like yesteryear? I have completely stopped trying to remember what the individual features are for all of the vintage, classic, road worn, ect. models. It's just too much. It's so much that it has lost any interest for me ... when the difference between two guitars is so slight that it comes down to one fret or 10 turns of wire on a bridge pickup or a difference of 0.010" in thickness of a neck profile. It reminds me of Starbucks. What's that line from a movie? People will pay $6 for a lousy tasting coffee just so they can make 15 decisions about how they want it.

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 10:25 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
It reminds me of Starbucks. What's that line from a movie? People will pay $6 for a lousy tasting coffee just so they can make 15 decisions about how they want it.

Or Dairy Queen, where you can get hundreds of flavors of ice cream and frozen yoghurt in combinations down to half-scoop mix and match, but not plain chocolate ice cream.

To be honest, I hate being forced to make choices. I don't mind the choices being there, but I want stores to take on the responsibility of making default choices, as they're supposed to be the experts. Whether it's for breakfast[*] or a guitar. If I say I want a Standard Strat, I should not have to choose between ten different standards. That's not a standard then, is it?
Fewer choices with the option for modifications for a moderate cost for those who ask seems much better. I believe that's how Fender operated in its early days.

[*]: I've walked into diners saying "coffee, eggs and bacon, your choice how, don't ask me any questions", and then walked out again after they invariably want answers to caff/decaff, cream or sugar, how I would like my eggs (today would be nice!), applewood smoked or maple cured bacon, white, wheat or rye, toasted or not, hash browns or not... I didn't come there to play twenty questions. Heck even fancy sushi restaurants that serve Omakase (chef's choice) - if it's the chef's choice, I shouldn't get bombarded by questions about what kind of fish I prefer. The whole point is to trust the choices of the experts!


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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 10:48 am
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phreddybee wrote:
I first started playing guitar in 1960- age 6. first new guitar-a fender musicmaster in 62, followed by a strat about 2 years later. I remember the fender catalogues of the 60's-all the new guitars and amps. they didn't seem to change that much-even when they went to the silverface amps they were similar.

fast forward to today- my goodness how many strat models are there? your local small dealer-and probably most of your big box stores-aren't likely to have one of each in stock to play. how do people pick one out?

even as I search for a nice tube amp I am confused-so many models by fender and other manufacturers, and no chance to play them all-again many of them not available to play locally. I may just try to find a nice used one and be done.

don't get me wrong-I still get excited when my new sweetwater catalog arrives, but if I wanted a new strat, I haven't a clue what to look at.
I ask the same question. I'm a child of the 50's and got my first electric guitar from Sears-Roebuck and later a Fender Stratocaster and Super Reverb in 1966. Life interrupted that until now. I wanted to play again and sought out equipment. After much confusion, I went with what I knew and got a MIA Standard Strat and Twin Reverb amp. Pretty close to what I remember and way better. I would have loved to try everything, but most gear is stocked in websites, not in stores where you can try it, feel it, hear it and so on. I guess that's my age showing, but I don't have the means and wherewithal to research it all. It's kind of funny. I thought there were too many choices way back then, ie Gibson or Fender guitar, Vox or Fender amp? BTW and to make a point - I was dead set on the Vox amp. No question whatsoever. Armed with my strat, I plugged into the Vox. No stars or magic. What the...? A Fender Super Reverb was sitting next to it and the rest is history. Today, I would have ordered the Vox online and probably would have been happy in my ignorance. :?:


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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Sun Feb 21, 2016 12:49 pm
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Perhaps, there's room for limited local merchants to carry the less available colours and models, while others could carry the usual standard more common models. Specialty merchants can be found amongst other kinds of manufacturers, and, sometimes, the manufacturer streamlines the process for the retailer, and also the manufacturer/distributor/customer benefits. Both standard and boutique stores can and do exist. This works best when they work together.IMO.

After all, Sunburst, White, Black, and similar can generally be found and/or seen in large numbers, and/or visualized, and/or readily ordered in most cases. Maybe not a perfect solution; but, then again, nothing is. Products like countertops and wood products have sample products without full product on display. Even custom drum finishes fall into this category (stocking each and every one would be a nightmare). Not exactly the same as purchasing a guitar, I know; but, then again we're not talking concert grand pianos, either.

Basically, this sampling just increases the options, and as for being able to experience the mojo before purchasing, there are plenty of guitars, some in this Forum, that have found a home without holding or hearing the axe in question.

After all this blurb, the way I see it is that there are more or less standard colour and model combos available to the general music store, and that is where the selection flows whether by merchant decision, the manufacturer's choice, and/or distributor's direction. Many higher priced guitars are, understandably, sent to or sold in markets that have a better chance of sales. If you are not in that market, ordering may be your only choice. Now the big box stores and Internet sales cover a wide market where supply and demand changes the playing field. Local service is a draw for some, less for others.

It seems that limited colours go to limited favoured stores (or the local merchant goes with the perceived safer simplicity). Maybe an extension of this limited favour, more equal to the customer's location, is a consideration. A well known rule in sales is, no matter how ugly the product is, if it's limited there's a buyer out there if, and only if, the market can bear it.

On the other hand, as others have pointed out, there's plenty to choose from. :wink: FSB

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2016 11:59 pm
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Fender guitars should be like model T Fords. You can have any color you want, as long as it is black. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Feb 25, 2016 3:55 am
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Having too many guitar choices is like Neil Peart having too many drums and cymbals. The more the merrier. 8) FSB

Of course, you may only want one harmonica :lol:


+1000

It's much better to have too much, than not enough.

8)

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 2:07 am
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Image Image Image Too many? Each bass guitar has it's own character, from James Jamerson's thump ( red white and blue) to Larry Graham's growl (red) then David Ellefson's roar (black). I don't often remember those are influences,thx vm. uh oh GAS,scuzzi...

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Post subject: Re: can there be too many choices?
Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2016 6:28 pm
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Fender Strat Brat wrote:
Basically, this sampling just increases the options, and as for being able to experience the mojo before purchasing, there are plenty of guitars, some in this Forum, that have found a home without holding or hearing the axe in question.

I have only purchased one guitar sight-unseen. There were no Australian distributors.
Incidentally, this is my only guitar that has had to be sent to a luthier.

Choice is great, but I personally am more interested in "bonding" with my instruments. Playability comes first. My first American Strat was going to be a Sunset Metallic Deluxe. I ended up with a CAR Standard. Not the colour or specs I wanted, but an amazing guitar. With quality control and consumer protection these days, it is easy to get good guitars. To receive a GREAT guitar via online shipment is a matter of luck, whereas to find one 'in the flesh' is a matter of persistence.


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