I've been "lucky" enough to secure one of these Unlucky 13 acoustics from 2008 featuring the limited edition artwork by Vince Ray. She's in the mail.



I'm a great admirer of Vince's Tacky, low-brow art. I bought this as a collectable, but it seems I've scored a pretty decent guitar with some great features.
It's virtually the same guitar as the current "T Bucket" CE 400, but instead of the full maple construction, the 13 features mahogany back and sides and spruce top. The pre-amp is also a little different.

http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0968055021



I see that they have retained the Vince Ray designed 12th fret inlay on the current model, also the cool headstock.



I know these are Chinese made but the quality seems very good. Do you have any experience with them?



I can't wait till it arrives.

Wish me ...............Luck?

......Mark.

so in other words.. it's almost completely different?

good luck, let us know how it is.

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I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Well mate. there are only 125 on the planet.
The maple T Bucket CE 400 is the closest thing I could find.
Different plywood, Fender vs Fishman electronics.
I was more interested in the build quality. Thanks.

Very Cool.

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MIM Std Tele, MIM HSS Strat, Homemade Mongrel Tele, Blues Jr, Champ600, coupla pedals...sweeeet!

Well I think so mate . There's not much love for the "13" on here though. TBH I expected a little bit more hatred for the guitar Are the folks here so polite? Or maybe superstitious? Those of us born on the 13th, don't have such issues.

The guitar should arrive early next week, so I'll keep the thread alive as a "Vince Ray appreciation thread". Enjoy it or don't



These Vince Ray designs were some of the best T shirts Fender put out (IMO).
I'm still looking for the P Bass and Twin Reverb ones.
A google search for these led me to the guitar.

Congratulations BB, looking forward to some pic's.

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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.

Its probably the same shape and bracing pattern too.

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Rated "M" for meaty.

Cheers SBLS and Yes Tochai, I think the design and specs are identical to the T Bucket CE 400.
I could have compared it to CE 300 which is Mahogany back and sides But with a smaller body. These are pretty nice looking with a nice Vince Ray designed inlay



http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 0968005027

They all have the same inner label. I'm just wondering about the quality of this series in general. How bad can a $300 - $500 Fender be?




The Transparent Black looks alright.

Here is the artist himself with my new axe.



http://www.fender.com/artists/artist.php?id=155

Vince is also a Rockabilly guitarist and performer. He prefers a Gretsch.

From a biography.
http://www.last.fm/music/Vince+Ray/+wiki?ver=1
"Rockabilly Voodoo Gretsch guitar over a rhythmic rockin’ tornado of pounding Rock’n’Roll drums and Psychobilly upright bass slapped senseless. Vince Ray plays as hard as Rockabilly can be played, blasting out songs with similar themes to Ray’s incredible artwork… gruesome Rock’n’Roll Zombies, bad bad girls, cool cats in too-fast cars, booze, tattoos…"

Non-Stop Rock'n'Roll Voodoo Action - Vince Ray Live...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__93vxO_ZFc

If the Vince ray artwork doesn't suit your tastes, maybe Dirty Donny's "Frank'n'Bucket is more your style.



Everyone needs a green sparkle acoustic. NGD tomorrow I hope.

Some more of Vince's work.

There was a bit of a delay with the delivery and I've been away for a few days.
I finally unwrapped it today. The finish and detailing are really nice.
I'll play it for a few days and give my impressions.
For someone who doesn't play much acoustic the neck and action seems very playable and I really like the cutaway body and built in tuner.









It should be fun

I've had it for about a week now and it's a great little player for a laminated acoustic. It's maybe not as loud as a solid wood guitar but it's very playable.
I usually get frustrated playing acoustics but with the cutaway body and compensated saddle ,I've been able to relax on the lounge and get hours of valuable practice on the heavier strings, getting rid of some lazy playing habits.
My Unlucky 13 has the Fender electronics, which I think are great. The current models feature Fishman pre-amps, supposedly even better.
I'd say if your looking for an easy to play Dreadnought style acoustic, definitely check out the T Bucket CE 400.



Good LUCK ......Mark.

I'm adding these specs to wrap up the thread. Hopefully someone will find it interesting and helpful in the future.

"Play your favorite tunes on a classic Fender.

Unlucky 13 just might become your lucky number. Designed exclusively for Fender by legendary hot rod artist Vince Ray, this beauty is all about attitude. This limited edition guitar features exclusive artwork, pinstriping rosette and headstock inlay, pickguard decal, scalloped bracing and a tone that screams rev it up and go."
Features

125 produced in 2008
Exclusive artwork
Pinstriping rosette
Headstock inlay
Pick guard decal
Scalloped bracing
Body Style: Dreadnought Cutaway
Scale Length: 25.3" (643 mm)
Top: Spruce
Bracing: Scalloped
Back & Sides: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Nut Width: 1.69" (43.0 mm)
Fretboard: Rosewood
Bridge: Rosewood With Compensated Saddle
Hardware: Chrome
Finish: Polyurethane
Number Of Frets: 20
Tuners: Chrome, (Die-Cast)
Strings: D'Addario Exp 26 Phosphor Bronze .011-.052
Electronics: Fender Fte-3Tn Preamp With Tuner

Thanks ....Mark.




Now, will anybody make post number 13 ?

No, nobody wants an unlucky post like that... Wait a second

Nice guitar though. Some very... Interesting art to say the least. It's a bit too much of an explosive look for my tastes. In all honesty, I think sunburst is a bit much that's just me though.

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1984 Squier Contemporary Stratocaster
1986 Peavey Envoy 110
1967 Kingston Acoustic

It had to be you didn't it ?
Anyway thanks.
It's not like I'm about to walk into a jam with the thing under my arm. It's my lounge guitar.
I just happen to like guys art. Limited edition Vince Ray art prints go for much more than this cost. It just happens to be on a guitar, and a fairly decent one.
It hasn't had much interest here, but that's cool. I have continued the thread so that anyone looking for info can google and find something worthwhile on the subject.

Now I just need to build a display case (horizontal of course)

Thanks everyone. ....Mark.