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Post subject: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 8:58 am
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Has anyone had the opportunity to try the new Paramount acoustics from Fender. I'm on the hunt for a new acoustic. My budget is around $1,000.00 Canadian (maybe more) . Something with 1.725 -1.75 inch nut width.

I've been looking at the Taylor 200 series, and the 300 series if I can find one on sale or a good used one. Also Alvarez.

I've never really looked at the Fender acoustics ......just a bias.....acoustics are not what come to mind when I think of Fender. But the Paramount PM-3 Standard Triple 0 has attracted my interest. Unfortunately I can't locate one nearby.

Anyone have any experience with these?

Thanks


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 9:34 am
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I asked at GC about 10 days ago. They said they haven't gotten any in yet.

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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 9:49 am
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Taylors are grossly overpriced and factory setup is terrible. Years ago they were good (decades ago actually). The 200 series haved "layered" bodies and are well over $1,000. You maybe can get a solid rosewood Taylor for under $3,000. Even Martin D-28's which I always thought were overpriced are $2,600 with perfect setup.

These new Fenders look very interesting. No, they are not made in USA. For $999, you can get a quality, solid rosewood body, solid Sitka spruce top, electronics, bone nuts and saddles and what appears to be incredible attention to detail. Did I mention a quality hard case? I believe they come in a very pleasing looking dreadnought shape/size and also a smaller body size. They also have mahogany for a lesser price, but you can't beat the sound of rosewood. I wish I had some money.


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 11:43 am
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Pudbert wrote:
Has anyone had the opportunity to try the new Paramount acoustics from Fender. I'm on the hunt for a new acoustic. My budget is around $1,000.00 Canadian (maybe more) . Something with 1.725 -1.75 inch nut width.

Yup, I have been the happy owner of one for a couple of weeks 8) I can highly recommend the triple 0.
The quality seems outstanding. Sounding good , looking good , feeling good ! Good setup from the box. You should definitely try one. I don't think you can find anything as good in this price range.
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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 11:47 am
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Taylors are grossly overpriced and factory setup is terrible. Years ago they were good (decades ago actually).

maybe, as I've not tried anything from Taylor lately. I have a 2001 314ce, (plays great) and a 2005 GS Series (Cedar Mahogany) which is the best playing acoustic I've ever owned.

but back to the fender Paramounts, they're nice. Nothing of what you have come to expect with fender acoustics, which had a reputation of being hit or miss . The local shop in town has a few, and I've been impressed with build quality and play-ability, they sound very good unplugged. also come with a real nice case.

if I was on the hunt, it'd be on my short list for that kind of dough.



if that's your price range, these are a good match.


Last edited by KidBlast on Fri Mar 11, 2016 2:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 12:54 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
Taylors are grossly overpriced and factory setup is terrible. Years ago they were good (decades ago actually). The 200 series haved "layered" bodies and are well over $1,000. You maybe can get a solid rosewood Taylor for under $3,000. Even Martin D-28's which I always thought were overpriced are $2,600 with perfect setup.

These new Fenders look very interesting. No, they are not made in USA. For $999, you can get a quality, solid rosewood body, solid Sitka spruce top, electronics, bone nuts and saddles and what appears to be incredible attention to detail. Did I mention a quality hard case? I believe they come in a very pleasing looking dreadnought shape/size and also a smaller body size. They also have mahogany for a lesser price, but you can't beat the sound of rosewood. I wish I had some money.

You are completely wrong about Taylors! You can get a 200 series 210 or 212 for 799 From several name sellers on the internet. I bought a Taylor 412r solid rosewood back and sides and solid Sitka top for under 1500 dollars from sweetwater 3 weeks ago and was perfect right out of the box. They have a dreadnaught solid rosewood back and sides same price. If you don't know what you are talking about, then put a sock in your pie hole. :roll:


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 12:55 pm
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Thanks everyone....great feedback.


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 8:29 pm
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Minnesotastrats wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Taylors are grossly overpriced and factory setup is terrible. Years ago they were good (decades ago actually). The 200 series haved "layered" bodies and are well over $1,000. You maybe can get a solid rosewood Taylor for under $3,000. Even Martin D-28's which I always thought were overpriced are $2,600 with perfect setup.

These new Fenders look very interesting. No, they are not made in USA. For $999, you can get a quality, solid rosewood body, solid Sitka spruce top, electronics, bone nuts and saddles and what appears to be incredible attention to detail. Did I mention a quality hard case? I believe they come in a very pleasing looking dreadnought shape/size and also a smaller body size. They also have mahogany for a lesser price, but you can't beat the sound of rosewood. I wish I had some money.

You are completely wrong about Taylors! You can get a 200 series 210 or 212 for 799 From several name sellers on the internet. I bought a Taylor 412r solid rosewood back and sides and solid Sitka top for under 1500 dollars from sweetwater 3 weeks ago and was perfect right out of the box. They have a dreadnaught solid rosewood back and sides same price. If you don't know what you are talking about, then put a sock in your pie hole. :roll:
I know a few things. If you want electronics on that Taylor 200 series layered rosewood, it will cost you $999. The 410R is a Sweetwater Special Edition with rosewood, no electronics. The regular 400's are made of Ovangkol, not rosewood, and can be had for $2,200 with electronics. I was speaking of solid rosewood guitars WITH electronics which Fender has delivered an excellent choice for $999. The closest comparable Taylor is around $2,400 (700's) and the factory setup is terrible. Sweetwater did your setup. Most places don't. :roll:


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Fri Mar 11, 2016 9:13 pm
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LawFlow wrote:
Minnesotastrats wrote:
LawFlow wrote:
Taylors are grossly overpriced and factory setup is terrible. Years ago they were good (decades ago actually). The 200 series haved "layered" bodies and are well over $1,000. You maybe can get a solid rosewood Taylor for under $3,000. Even Martin D-28's which I always thought were overpriced are $2,600 with perfect setup.

These new Fenders look very interesting. No, they are not made in USA. For $999, you can get a quality, solid rosewood body, solid Sitka spruce top, electronics, bone nuts and saddles and what appears to be incredible attention to detail. Did I mention a quality hard case? I believe they come in a very pleasing looking dreadnought shape/size and also a smaller body size. They also have mahogany for a lesser price, but you can't beat the sound of rosewood. I wish I had some money.

You are completely wrong about Taylors! You can get a 200 series 210 or 212 for 799 From several name sellers on the internet. I bought a Taylor 412r solid rosewood back and sides and solid Sitka top for under 1500 dollars from sweetwater 3 weeks ago and was perfect right out of the box. They have a dreadnaught solid rosewood back and sides same price. If you don't know what you are talking about, then put a sock in your pie hole. :roll:
I know a few things. If you want electronics on that Taylor 200 series layered rosewood, it will cost you $999. The 410R is a Sweetwater Special Edition with rosewood, no electronics. The regular 400's are made of Ovangkol, not rosewood, and can be had for $2,200 with electronics. I was speaking of solid rosewood guitars WITH electronics which Fender has delivered an excellent choice for $999. The closest comparable Taylor is around $2,400 (700's) and the factory setup is terrible. Sweetwater did your setup. Most places don't. :roll:

Chicago Music Exchange and Wildwood Guitars also sell the 410r and are not owned by Sweetwater just to name two. It is easy to claim you meant something else when you didn't say that. Yes electronics raise the price what a surprise! I'll take a Mexican or American Taylor over any Chinese guitar any day and I have Chinese Fender acoustics and they are ok after trips for repairs like fret leveling, nuts recut, and the action lowered All on brand new guitars Terrible QC IMHO. 999.00 for a chicom guitar. Not me. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 10:42 am
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Pudbert wrote:
...acoustics are not what come to mind when I think of Fender...


+ 1,000 !!

Even in it's Heyday, Fender acoustic guitars were not well-regarded.

Given the general drop in quality in both materials and workmanship that is Fender today, I wouldn't expect much change, especially for the better.

Most performers chose Martin, Gibson, Taylor, Guild or a few Yamaha guitars if they didn't have one from a custom luthier or 'boutique' manufacturer such as Collings, Santa Clara or Larivee.

And pretty much anyone using a Fender acoustic in the day was being endorsed to do so.

Given that an acoustic is much more the art of the Luthier than an electric, IMHO, one should budget more for one.

Martin has been, and continues to be the standard. They have the 'sound' everyone else tries to emulate. Performers using Martins do so by choice as Martin has never endorsed an artist.

Gibsons too are very prized and well-constructed instruments albeit at a premium price.

Taylors are favored by many electric players as they are more similar.

Nope, with all the excellent choices out there, I wouldn't think to spend my money on a Fender acoustic... it's just not what they do, not in their DNA.

As always, your opinion(s) may vary.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2016 6:09 pm
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Lightnin MN wrote:
As always, your opinion(s) may vary.

+YMMV

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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 6:32 am
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Lightnin MN wrote:
Performers using Martins do so by choice as Martin has never endorsed an artist.

Where do you pull this stuff from? This is plainly not so.

Or go here, and check the box for "Ambassadors".

As for your list of what "most performers" use, I see more Takamines than anything else, and a good amount of Godin/Seagull, Cordoba and Ibanez.


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 7:28 am
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Yes. I played a couple at a local shop last week. They are quite nice. Beautifully built, well set up, and excellent sound. Very nice instruments.


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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 8:28 am
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arth1 wrote:
Lightnin MN wrote:
Performers using Martins do so by choice as Martin has never endorsed an artist.

Where do you pull this stuff from? This is plainly not so.

Or go here, and check the box for "Ambassadors".

As for your list of what "most performers" use, I see more Takamines than anything else, and a good amount of Godin/Seagull, Cordoba and Ibanez.


You have raised a good issue. I read this in more than one place.
My sources:
Gura, Philip, F. C. F. Martin and His Guitars, The University of North Carolina Press, Page 106
Walsh, Tom (2013). The Martin Ukulele: The Little Instrument That Helped Create a Guitar Giant. Hal Leonard. ISBN 978-1-4768-6879-0.

The company refused to support or endorse popular musicians to aid in marketing their instruments as many other companies do. Instead, the company provides a discount of 20% and will do minor customization to any of their instruments for a working musician.

One of the consistent policies of the company was to not engage in endorsement deals. At the same time, they offered a 20% discount as a courtesy to professional musicians. They would also offer to customize instruments with inlays of names for the performers.

In reading the link you provide, I didn't see anything stating these 'Ambassadors' received any compensation aside from some saying Martin provided their instruments.

So far as seeing Seagulls, Takamines, etc. this is very recent and reflects these companies effort to better promote their guitars as well as some artists wishing to appear to stand apart.

But, the premise of my post was simply that Fender is hardly the 'Go-To' acoustic guitar for most professionals and likely never will be.

There are many excellent acoustics out there for people to buy.

Whether this renewed vigor on Fender's part will allow them to break into these ranks remains to be seen and I'm not inclined to be one of their 1st Guinea Pigs.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: New Paramount Acoustics
Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2016 3:04 pm
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I tried one just yesterday. I saw it in one of my local music stores and thought, hmmm....Somehting new, solid top, solid rosewood sides, very nice tone, in fact quite impressive, played Very nice, not a bad choice for an acoustic.

I do myself wonder if Fender can maintain the quality or grab that price point of the market, only time will tell. Fenders Spring Hill acoustics were very good, but only lasted a short time.

I own a Fender F210 acoustic (1st Anniversary Present from Mrs. T2 and now 32+ years old) and the tone has matured, it's lost its original stiffness, and now plays like butter, and while you won't confuse the tone with a Martin, it works for songwriting and some acoustic gigs from time to time. I certainly hold out some hope for these new Fenders.

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