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Post subject: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:27 pm
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I'm continually amazed by eBay sellers and their definitions of what constitutes an "upgrade". I see some pretty hideous color combos, hardware changes, relic work, and who-all-knows-whatelse that I'd classify as a downgrade WAY before I'd be willing to actually pay extra for it. As a continual surfer of the bay for Fender guitar deals I've seen some pretty weird stuff...

I know, to each their own but c'mon already.... am I alone here? :roll:


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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:35 pm
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No....not alone. I too cringe at some of the "handy work" I see as upgrades.

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:38 pm
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Part of the Brave New World is Newspeak. Corporations and governments, now one and the same, engage in this naming game. It is pure mindfark and meant to laugh in your face as you are told a turd is a tootsie roll. Once more become aware and begin some form of boycott, things can improve. Of course, people will have to stop watching TV and gazing into their palms for the change to take place. The programming and Newspeak go hand in hand.

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:55 pm
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I have a hard time trusting other people's work. Unless I know them and paid for it, I'd much rather do the work myself so I can know the quality.

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 5:56 pm
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When it bears the name Graph Tech. Glorified name for plastic.

Of course, I think the word "upgrade" gets used to signify any change you could do to a guitar. It may not always mean upgrading. I recently ordered a red pickguard for one of my guitars. I wouldn't consider it an upgrade. Just a different color to decorate to what I want. But it will get advertised as an upgrade for selling purposes.

That word will get used to sell anything. You just have to determine for yourself whether it really is or not. There's no penalty for false claims when it comes to using that word to sell other than maybe someone not buying another one if they're not satisfied with it.

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 6:33 pm
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I have had 1 experience with e-bay JG. an excellent transaction with guitarology (dean johnson's music). When looking at e-bay I agree that much of the listed items are scary :shock: :lol:

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 8:31 pm
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I can see changing hardware and stuff on some of the less traditional guitar companies(Ibanez, Peavey, Cort) .

Modding basses and guitars from brands like Fender(U.S.), Gibson, Rickenbacker, Alembic, G&L, MusicMan, Warwick(Germany) is a big mistake..unless it's absolutely needed. It's a downgrade otherwise.


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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 9:52 pm
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JamGuy wrote:
I'm continually amazed by eBay sellers and their definitions of what constitutes an "upgrade". I see some pretty hideous color combos, hardware changes, relic work, and who-all-knows-whatelse that I'd classify as a downgrade WAY before I'd be willing to actually pay extra for it. As a continual surfer of the bay for Fender guitar deals I've seen some pretty weird stuff...

I know, to each their own but c'mon already.... am I alone here? :roll:


Well, they follow the motto:
"It's worth a try, there's at least one stupid getting out of bed every morning!"

Honestly: if you had f***ed up your guitar and would like to get rid of it without losing too much money, would you advertise with "this looks and sounds like crap!" ??? :wink:

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 11:01 pm
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Dalembic wrote:
Modding basses and guitars from brands like Fender(U.S.), Gibson, Rickenbacker, Alembic, G&L, MusicMan, Warwick(Germany) is a big mistake..unless it's absolutely needed. It's a downgrade otherwise.


Totally disagree with that statement. Modding a guitar or amp to get a sound or feature that is not available on anything else is definitely an upgrade. While it may not increase the value of the instrument (usually doesn't), and it may not be what you like, if it makes the owner happy, who are you to criticize? BTW, I have modified EVERY guitar and amp I own, some slightly, many extensively. 8)

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sat Apr 06, 2013 11:08 pm
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Dalembic wrote:
I can see changing hardware and stuff on some of the less traditional guitar companies(Ibanez, Peavey, Cort) .

Modding basses and guitars from brands like Fender(U.S.), Gibson, Rickenbacker, Alembic, G&L, MusicMan, Warwick(Germany) is a big mistake..unless it's absolutely needed. It's a downgrade otherwise.


Now, you see, one of the reasons I play Fenders in the first place is ease of modification. Everything bolts together, everything is replaceable and easy to tweak to individual requirements. That was the true beauty of Leo's designs in my opinion - every musician has a different idea of what is perfect, and most Fenders give you the freedom to get closer to that than most.

A stock Fender may be absolutely perfect for one person. Someone else might rip the pickups out, change the trem, install custom switching, swap necks around, etc, etc - it's all good. I can't remember the last time I kept a Strat standard for more than about three days, if I couldn't modify them, I'd stop playing them, simple as that!

As you mentioned them above, I will say that my Ibanez guitars rarely get more than a pickup change - you buy them knowing what job they're intended to do, and for that they are pretty much perfect right out of the box. A Strat doesn't have that same focus, so sometimes you have to give it an extra nudge in the required direction. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 12:27 am
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If you're modding your instrument...imo you are likely to sell it later on anyhow. What about the guys(like me) that only buy used basses? If I see another American Standard Fender Jazz with a battery compartment routed out in the back, I may seek therapy.

Oh well.


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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:02 am
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When people put humbuckers in Telecasters. That should be illegal.

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:16 am
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GilgaFrank wrote:
When people put humbuckers in Telecasters. That should be illegal.


You'll have to arrest Fender as well in that case. :mrgreen:


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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 1:49 am
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When people artificially "relic" a guitar (including Fender)

I don't care if a master craftsman has done it, they have taken a decent looking guitar and ballsed it up and no matter which way you dress it up with"vibe" or anything else, it's a fake and to me will always look like crap

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Post subject: Re: When does an "upgrade" become a downgrade?
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 2:02 am
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Vulpinity wrote:
GilgaFrank wrote:
When people put humbuckers in Telecasters. That should be illegal.


You'll have to arrest Fender as well in that case. :mrgreen:


None shall be spared!

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