The Telecaster, Stratocaster and P Bass all classics and all 60 year old desighns. When you think about it what has Fender produced instrument wise in the last 50 years that without the three classics above would have them in buisness today. I have to say nothing. Everything that is made and produced is based on these models. The Mustang and Jazzmaster never really caught on and the world would not miss either one if they were never seen again. So are they just sitting on the past(well the obvious answer is yes) and I dont see the Strat or tele ever going away so there is no reason to panic. But 50 years is a long time to not come up with anything to send players in a frenzy. I mean Gibson is in the same boat but they have at least come up with more classic desighns = Les Paul-SG-Explorer-Flying V-ES 335 - Firebird plus they made some classic acoustic guitars one thing Fender has failed at everytime. What do you guys think? Should they bring in some new blood and artist to give some input that could revive the company with some fresh ideas or is everyone basicly happy with a two guitar company. I am only writing this as I find myself consistently checking out other axes by newer companies and liking whats out there. I have enough Teles and Strats that it is a mute point in buying anymore but I dont want my days of buying Fender axes to be over as they have always been my #1 company by far. I am really looking foward from feedback especially from older players more than younger guys in there first 5 to 10 years of Fender bliss.

The short answer is that guitarists are, by nature, conservative. We don't like new things (which is why we play Telecasters through tube combos). Except for a few special situations limited to very unique genres of music, I can't think of any guitars that aren't overt copies or, failing that, very similar to instruments designed in the 1940s and 1950s. Really, my friend, there is no need to improve upon perfection.

I think Fender has alot to choose from. Whats wrong with keeping a classic design that is well loved by most everyone and changing electronics, necks, or fretboard radius? There is something for everyone in the Fender lineup. Look at the John 5 Tele. For many players who like heavier genre's this guitar is an awesome addition. Fom me the Gibson Explorer, or Flying V have never had much appeal. I think alot of people view those guitars in the same manner as the Mustang or Jazzmaster, a great guitar, but still not in the same class as the top 2 offerings being the Les Paul and the SG. With Fender nothing will ever replace the Strat and the Tele at the top of the line. For Gibson I think the same for the Les Paul and the SG. I do wish Fender would produce some high quality acoustics, but for some reason they have decided to go with the less expensive ones. I found a discontinued Fender 12 String in a small shop that had been hanging there several years. It was not expensive by any means, but came with a price tag of over 600.00 before the shop clearance priced it. I didnt buy it because if a warranty issue came up and the guitar needed to be replaced under warranty there was nothing in the lineup currently that was as nice.

Hi Straycat: that's interesting. Tell us what new guitar designs you are finding and liking.

I think the Parker Fly is one of the most interesting developments of recent years (not very recent, of course). But then that is just a hepped up Strat, after all...

It's no secret round here that I like the Fender Performer from the '80s (apart from the headstock). I think that should have gone places - but the customers said differently!

Here's one of alainlafrance's Performers:



Cheers - C

Tiger! What up Bro! when I read your post I thought Maybe you are worried Fender is stagnant and not moving forward. Not to worry Bro! Lately I've been interested in the Jaguar styled bass that Jack Bruce played in the Cream years, there is a place here in chi 'The Chicago Music Exchange' were there are hundreds of guitars including about every Fender ever made and when I go in there I stay until they kick me out because I test drive as many as I can with different rigs and the sounds of all of the Fenders through vox ampeg mesa marshall peavey orange kustom and yes even fender amps, is unique and so fun to dial in each individual tone it makes me want at least one of each style. I have tested others, Gibsons, Musicmans, G&L's, Ibanez, Washburns,just about every brand you can think of going back to the fifties, and it's fun to play them too but I'm thinking if you came in there you'd be spending most of the time by the two giant walls of Fender just like I do.

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you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.

I think that Fender should imrove on and make better acoustic guitars that would compete with Martin, Taylor and Gibson. The acoustics Fender has now aren't all that bad. They just need some better choices with competitve prices to go against the three brands above. I agree with the fact that Fender could'nt improve on the electrics but wouldn't it be neat to see a Fender V style guitar or maybe an all new design that would take the younger generation by storm like the Strat and Tele has.

I'd have to say no to the Thread Question. I don't think any less of Fender for being without Leo, but an acoustic guitar that really sticks would be nice. :]

This is why it is recommended that people not drink and post.

straycat, would you post questions about quantum physics? Of course you wouldn't... you don't know anything about it. And yet everybody thinks they understand business.

Fender has experienced steady, solid growth year after year since the buyout from CBS. They don't need new designs... they know their market and they introduce new products that serve that market. "Revitalize?" In what way? How does one revitalize a success?

You think Gibson "drove players into a frenzy" with crap like the Firebird? Those guitars tanked... just like Fender, the Gibsons people want now are the iconic ones (the LP, SG and 335). ANd don't give me the acoustics: Gibson is just as far behind Taylor and Martin as everybody else, and they can't seem to sell a bass or an amp to save themselves (as good as those re-badged Trace-Elliot's were, they sat in stores).

Finally, I don't think guitar players are "conservative" by nature. What they are is imitative, or derivative. They want to imagine that they look like that picture in the magazine that got them all hot when they were 14 years old. THAT'S why you can't sell them anything that doesn't look like a battered Strat or a faded Les Paul burst.=

Hi 6twang: like this?



The Fender Katana - another '80s model that didn't last long. Call me a tart, but as "shape" guitars go I quite like it!

Cheers - C

That's a gitaroo fit for a Gundam...

Answer: NO!

I always dug it. I really like these from Yajima String Works, too... the people who brought you the Kisekae Guitar "Dress-Up Doll" program:

Big Jay, here's the toy:

http://www.nymphusa.com/kisekae/kisekaeE1.asp

And here's the explantion of the name from the site:

"What is "KISEKAE" anyway?

"KISEKAE" is a Japanese word for a girl's game where
they play, by mixing and exchanging doll's clothing.

Here, you can play KISEKAE game to create your dream guitars
in a variety of different styles!"