Right now, Fender produces what, 4 guitar variations? Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster and Jaguar.

And while the Jaguar is the greatest guitar ever made, it seems only a few years ago you had Cyclones, Toronados, Showmasters and Stratosonics on the shelf as well.

And don't give me the BS on Highway 1, MIA, MIM, Deluxe, VG, artists, blah blah blah they are still 4 #$@*&!% guitar types I don't care what you decorate them in.

I would love to see something new is all I am saying=\

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Wow! Maybe they will respond to your post and do better.

I don't even own one of the 4 Fender styles listed but i would like to see more options also for when i can finally get one. The Tele is really what i want though so it doesn't really matter and i'm sure Fender sees it this way also. Why add to perfection unless Fender wants to do a copy job of some other brand and that's really senceless. I will have to say that instead of more styles Fender needs more color/pickguard choices so everyone doesn't have the exact same looking guitar.

All marketing man. Many people don't want different, they want the same model as their favorite artist(s) plays. Anyways, I do agree, it would be nice to see something new come along once in a while >_>

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I traded my car in for a microphone.

So many guitarists seem stuck in heir old ways, it's a shame.

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+1

When you talk about guitars that look like spaceships I always think of this video w/ Johnny Cash and Luther Perkins. Check out the Jazzmaster Luther Perkins is playing when Johnny Cash steps away from the screen.

That Jazzy looks about as far out of place in this video as a spaceship would landing in my front yard, and certainly isn't the guitar you would expect to see.

The Jazzmaster and the Tele were Luther Perkins primary guitars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_HL0WA_ ... PL&index=1

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Old age and treachery will win every time over youth and enthusiasm.

"You can never have too many Tele's." A quote from my Sweetwater Sales Engineer

If anything, I think Fender suffers from too much variation, not too little.

I see Fender as having two principal models: the Telecaster and Stratocaster. The Jazzmaster and Jaguar are so similar in my mind as to constitute variations on a common theme of a third, less-popular model. (Disclaimer: I own and love a Jazzmaster, so I'm certainly not biased against these models)

However, even with just the Telecaster and especially the Stratocaster, there are so many variations and different models as to be ridiculous.

I would prefer to see just four models of these guitars: MIM, Highway 1, American Standard and American Deluxe. Make clear distinctions between these models (e.g. differences in pickups, saddles, fretboard radius etc.) and make them available in plenty of different colors. This, in my opinion, would satisfy the needs of 99% of Fender customers. The other 1% could go with a Custom Shop model.

As for the other models cited by Ceallach, I see these as evolutionary dead ends (especially the Jag-Stang, a model I find so ugly it makes me want to scream). I could see possibly resurrecting one "student model" like the Mustang or Cyclone, but nothing more.

One of the problems General Motors had was too many brands that failed to distinguish themselves from one another. I fear Fender is doing the same thing. Make the guitars that people want, and make them well. That's the key in my view.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

+1, i strongly agree with you on this point.

For these basic models, there are more proprietary and aftermarket parts than any other guitars on the planet. If it doesn't come in your flavor EXACTLY, custom order it or modify it yourself. Rewire it to suit your fancy. You can even buy a small pickup-coil-winding machine and design your own pups. Does anyone know how many variations of guitars are actually available now, given body, neck, pickup, color, etc., possibilities?