Loyalty should be to the music; gear is just the means by which that music is produced. Here, it's ok to talk about ANYTHING as long as there are photos, otherwise it's not real That's one of the things I like about this place; a bunch of smart, intelligent people who realize that everyone is an individual.
I own, Fender, Gibson, and Taylor guitars, amps by Marshall, Carol-Ann, Reinhardt, and a Paul Ruby made Trainwreck clone, and pedals by Boss, Line 6, EMMA, Fulltone, and Skinpimp.

A couple of years ago, my son, who is a WAAAAAAY better guitarist than me, once said he would play only Fender guitars. He now has 3 Gibsons, a Strat, and a thinline Tele partscaster.

People change, their tastes change. It's human nature.

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Current Gear: Ron Kirn Barnbuster Tele,
Marshall: 1971 SuperLead 100>1997 1960-TV, bunch of pedals
and a 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera coupe named Veronica

Well VT, I still am of the opinion that only the USA made Fender instruments should say "Fender" on the Headstock

But that is just my opinion on marketing honesty

The Squiers are fine instruments and say "Squier" or "Squier by Fender" on the headstock. I respect the brand completely. FMIC isn't trying to pass it off as anything that it isn't. They make less expensive, quality versions of Fender designs.

I feel that it would be more honest of FMIC marketing Division if the MIM's were also a seperate brand entity. Fender has even moved the "Made in Mexico" sticker to the back of the headstock for some reason. Could it be there is a stigma associated with the country of manufacture?

Yes they are also quality instruments and I'm not detracting from them. I just don't view them as real honest Fenders. How many of you MIM guys would have looked at your guitar if it was made by FMIC but said "Squier" or "GuitMex" on the headstock instead of "Fender"?

However that wasn't my initial point of the post. I think it's unusual to use ONLY Fender products (strings, straps, polish, cables, picks etc) when there are other arguably better products out there. I've noticed more that a few posters who only use Fender stuff and was wondering if it struck anyone besides me as odd.

In closing, 'm not a USA only guy. I also own Epiphone guitars (honestly marketed, less expensive, quality versions of Gibsons designs)

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"Life is like eating jalapenos. What you do today may burn your arse tomorrow"

I'm coming in to this conversation a little late but...

I agree that liking Fender just bc of it's name is kind of like choosing your religion or political party bc of what your parents are. Granted, you'll have some pretty heavy influence coming from your surroundings but you have to expeirment. I've seen tons of 60s and 70s videos of Clapton playing a Gibson. See what you like best. If it ends up being a Fender great. I don't recall who said it but, yeah, for the money Fender let's you get into a nice instrument without having to live on Top Ramen noodles for six months ha ha. Even the MIM (which my tele is) Fenders are easily upgradeable for small bucks. Also, Fender is the one putting out the most non guitar merchandise. Go to Kohls and you will find Fender Tshirts, hoodies, etc. Go to Von Maur, Fender custom shop button downs, etc... It's a marketing machine so sometimes you become a part of the movement on accident ha ha. Long story short, Fender is cool from the logo to most of the products but don't buy it unless you like it. I refuse to use Fender strings or picks. They don't work for me but I know guys who love them.

p.s. does anyone wish Fender would bring back the old logo on the headstocks?

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Keep rockin'

i like fender guitars alot and the hotrod deluxe i have got is really good. However if the orange rockerverb had been cheaper I would have bought that instead of my hotrod. I wouldnt go as far as having everything fender, i prefer other brand strings, straps, pedals etc. But having everything fender is a bit ott imo. peace

I use D'Addario strings, have an Ernie Ball strap, have a couple of Chinese amps, various picks by Fender and Martin, God knows who made my glass slide, couple brands of cables, BOSS pedal (just one)... it's all good. Even went so far as snagging a used Ibanez gig bag because... well... who want to drop a lot of coin on a gig bag?

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You're only as strong as
the drinks you pour,
the tables you dance on,
and the friends you roll with.

Unless I'm getting a manufacturer's products for nothing or next to nothing, "loyalty" has nothing to do with it. Rather, I would think a compelling, "satisfaction" with said manufacturer's products would be a better handle. Further, it would more appropriately be on the part of the manufacturer to be 'loyal' to the anonymous millions who constantly and consistently buy their products.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

Limiting yourself to a name on your gear is like limiting yourself to one genre of music. You will have no idea what you are missing, and limit your growth musically.

How many none Fender guitars do you have?

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

Brand loyalty is what companies count on / that and Name recognition which stems in large part of brand loyalty and word of mouth…. Name recognition through word of mouth and endless advertising develops brand loyalty and encompasses 60-70% of a company’s sales; depending on the company of course. That leaves only 30-40 % of a different demographic they need to entice to buy. Which limits their work considerably. I am of course speaking of companies in general because musicians do what they need to chase their tone; however there is a lot of loyalty with guitar brands as well which makes up a lot of sales for first time buyers through Name recognition… Fender is a prime example of this as you will notice they offer guitars, amps, strings, straps, bases, picks.. They are trying to keep your businesses by offering everything so you don’t need to shop elsewhere….It is the way of things.... be smart shop around and do what you need to do

Cheers
Bill

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(80’s Hair Metal) = A snapshot in time before Grunge ruined Rock & Roll forever!!!!

guitars- ill play just about anything.... however fender has more guitars that i like than any other company....

picks- v-picks and anything thinner that 2.75mm just doesnt cut it anymore

amp(s)- right now just my peavey but i want a small fender for a practice amp (the peavey is HUGE)

pedals- if it sounds good, i use it, end of story

strings- whatever comes stock and then when they need to be changed its ernie ball

straps- honestly, i dont even know.... but i really like the one i have and i have no clue what the brand is

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Favorite bands:

Melvins
The Jesus Lizard
Cows
Big Business
R***man
Minutemen
Flight
Minor Threat
Big Black
Shellac
Karp
Scratch Acid
Wipers
Pixies

I don't care what people play as long as they are playing...Just like with skateboards...I don't care what you're riding, as long as you're riding...If you're loyal to one brand, thats cool, just understand I don't want a sales pitch about why your particular brand is so great unless I ask...

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RAMA LAMA FA FA FA

AMEN Brother!!!

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

i have excessive brand loyalty when it comes to Guild Acoustics, I simply love them. I'd take a vintage Guild over just about any Martin, Taylor etc. Would take a Collings or 30's Martin O-17 though! But I love me some Guild acoustics.

With electrics I'd be willing to branch out more although I am definitely a Fender guy and not a Gibson guy, I stick with the Tele and Strat, Guild elecs, Dearmonds. St. Blues makes an amazing elec guitar too.

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Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

Hi CVilleira I have 18 non Fender guitars and 8 non Fender amps.I'm on the fence right now about adding another Fender to my stable,a beautiful Aerodyne Strat that they want $1,000 for but it has been in the store for over 2 yrs and hasn't sold so I think that I could get a good deal on it.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.