It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:50 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:00 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:50 am
Posts: 4
Hello,

I just bought my son his first guitar: (He's 13)

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/Bull ... 9925148.gc

I came to Fenders website to look into finding more info on this guitar, and it appears even Fender doesn't list it on their web site!

Does Fender not acknowledge their own line of entry level guitars? Yeah, they are not perfect, they are not $500+ dollars, but they can be set up and played and make a good learning instrument for the beginner.

I'm looking for the full specs, what pickups are in it, what pots, and even more so -a nice wiring diagram as to what the guts look like.

Any help?

Thanks
broderp


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:26 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am
Posts: 14049
Location: Province de Québec, Canada
Same for many expensive Fender Guitar .

Scrol down and look at Customer Service , Catalogs and price list

Not sure you'll find some specs


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:46 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:04 pm
Posts: 2
broderp,
It's a squier. On the home page of Fender's site under What's Trending, there is a box for Squier Guitars. Click there and look for it.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 7:50 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:45 pm
Posts: 2770
Location: Kansas
broderp wrote:
Hello,

I just bought my son his first guitar: (He's 13)

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier/Bull ... 9925148.gc

I came to Fenders website to look into finding more info on this guitar, and it appears even Fender doesn't list it on their web site!

Does Fender not acknowledge their own line of entry level guitars? Yeah, they are not perfect, they are not $500+ dollars, but they can be set up and played and make a good learning instrument for the beginner.

I'm looking for the full specs, what pickups are in it, what pots, and even more so -a nice wiring diagram as to what the guts look like.

Any help?

Thanks
broderp



As jaybird81 says Squier has their own website, however this model isn't on it. Which means one of 3 things:

1. It's a new model they haven't put on the website yet and Guitar Center is selling them prior to the "official" release. If this is the case it will show up on the Squier website sometime in the near future.

2. It's a special run for Guitar Center - Fender never puts special runs done just for a single dealer on their websites; they only put the special runs that are available to all dealers on their websites.

3. It's a discontinued model that is no longer on the website.

I'm thinking this is either scenario 1 or 2; usually Fender leaves discontinued models up on their websites until they are "sold out" at the "warehouse" - and they share a huge warehouse in the Kansas City metro area with Musician's Friend/Guitar Center (Musician's Friend & Guitar Center have the same ownership).


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:21 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:04 pm
Posts: 2
broderp,
I just realized there is a Squier board just like this, if you scroll down a bit. I bet if you post this same link there maybe someone in that section might be able to help with the specs on the guitar. Hope that helps.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:52 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
No need to doublepost on the Squier section, here's the specs (according to music123.com, who most likely get the info from FMIC):
Quote:
Bullet HH Stratocaster Electric Guitar with Tremolo Specifications:
Body: Basswood
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Rosewood 9.5" Radius
No. of Frets: 21 Medium Jumbo
Pickups: 2 Humbucking Pickups
Controls: Master Volume, Tone, Tone
Pickup Switching 3-Position Blade:
Position 1. Bridge Pickup
Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickup
Position 3. Neck Pickup
Bridge: Synchronous Tremolo with Cast Saddles
Machine Heads: Covered Tuners
Hardware: Chrome
Pickguard: 1-Ply White
Scale Length: 25.5" (648 mm)
Width at Nut: 1.650" (42 mm)


That's probably as far as you'll get on specs - although FMIC may be able to provide some extra details if you ask them directly - the "CONTACT" link, down this page & right.

The pickups are just called "humbucking", which I read as "ordered from any of the cheap manufacturers".
You have to check under the hood for pot (&cap) values (& brand if stamped on them).
And since it has a three way switch, the wiring diagram is simple, you'll figure it out at that autopsy. Besides, only a few Squier diagrams are published on the support pages.

I don't think this lack of info from FMIC is a question of not appreciating the cheaper models - most likely it's a question of keeping the costs down so you can buy that guitar for about 130$...


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 12:40 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:50 am
Posts: 4
Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure i will ever get over all the sames and stuff : Squier, Stratocaster, ..I have a lot to learn. my mind says they are all Fender guitars. Should be on the website. :cry:
I hope it's a decent starter guitar. I found this video and when I realized it could be had in orange (my sons favorite color...sold!) :lol:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA4pK_VyGXc
Props to this young player in the video above. I liked the sound and he helped sell the guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2015 11:11 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:50 pm
Posts: 4602
Location: ˚ɷ˚
broderp wrote:
I hope it's a decent starter guitar.

Possibly, depending on what you imply by "starter guitar".
One that's cheap enough that it's no big monetary loss if he doesn't take to playing guitar, or one that's good enough that it improves the odds of him enjoying playing it.
The two may or may not be mutually exclusive, depending on the particular guitar.

Guitars vary in quality and feel, even for the same models. Especially the lower end segment has more variation due to greater manufacturing tolerances. Wood is a material that lives an afterlife, and small variations can make the difference between great and really hard to play. I would have had someone who plays electric guitar come with you to the store to try several instruments before buying.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2015 12:19 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
broderp wrote:
I hope it's a decent starter guitar.

Setup, setup, setup.

I don't know your skill level, but paying a good pro some 50-100$ for a full (initial) setup is money well spent.
If you DIY, here's the Strat setup guide
On an initial setup for a new guitar there's 'a few' more checkpoints [e.g. all srews&bolts (correct tightness) nut slots (width/depth/shape), frets (leveling), neck (position/angle) & such].
And: it might be a good idea to deck/block the tremolo, if your son is just starting to play guitar.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 7:32 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:50 am
Posts: 4
arth1 wrote:
broderp wrote:
I hope it's a decent starter guitar.

Possibly, depending on what you imply by "starter guitar".
One that's cheap enough that it's no big monetary loss if he doesn't take to playing guitar, or one that's good enough that it improves the odds of him enjoying playing it.
The two may or may not be mutually exclusive, depending on the particular guitar.

Guitars vary in quality and feel, even for the same models. Especially the lower end segment has more variation due to greater manufacturing tolerances. Wood is a material that lives an afterlife, and small variations can make the difference between great and really hard to play. I would have had someone who plays electric guitar come with you to the store to try several instruments before buying.


I mean BOTH by the term starter guitar. One that is no huge loss if my son does not stick with it and one that is also a decent playing guitar that we can upgrade or modify to some extent should be want to continue using it as he progresses.

I already have the guitar, so it's a little late to take someone with me. I've been reading up on guitar setup and such. Doesn't seem to hard. My biggest concern is if the guitar WONT go into spec or quickly goes out of spec. I would return the guitar if this is the case, but it's hard to find a guitar that matches all my kids likes. And yes, I know it's not about the color or style as much as it is the quality, but 13 year olds do not think that way. :?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2015 7:41 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Dec 07, 2015 6:50 am
Posts: 4
jmattis wrote:
broderp wrote:
I hope it's a decent starter guitar.

Setup, setup, setup.

I don't know your skill level, but paying a good pro some 50-100$ for a full (initial) setup is money well spent.
If you DIY, here's the Strat setup guide
On an initial setup for a new guitar there's 'a few' more checkpoints [e.g. all srews&bolts (correct tightness) nut slots (width/depth/shape), frets (leveling), neck (position/angle) & such].
And: it might be a good idea to deck/block the tremolo, if your son is just starting to play guitar.


Thanks for the link and info. I'm very much a DIY kind of guy, and mechanically this is not very complicated (on paper anyway) I've used feeler gauges and hand tools (I done a lot of my own mechanical work on my cars for the last 30 years)

I wonder how easy the Fender spare parts can be acquired. I can see myself adjusting something, and realizing a part on the guitar will need replacing because it's not right. (Such as a nut or nut guide that is too low.)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Does Fender not like thier own beginning guitars?
Posted: Thu Dec 10, 2015 12:31 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
If you stick to factory recommendations and lube every string/other contact point, the guitar should play OK - and the forum will help if problems arise.

On the parts replacement; there are a lot of different dimensions for different models, so you have to check every time to get a part that fits. On the bright side, the supply for upgrade/mod parts is endless.
But, I'd trust the guitar will be playable with stock parts (especially after the setup), so maybe best to let your son play as much as possible, instead of keeping the guitar on the workshop table :wink:

Edit: Just as a reminder; "don't fix it if it ain't broke" applies on guitars, too.
So just tune it, (lube the contact points) check if it plays OK and let it be if it does. Maybe take the key measures to compare with factory recommendations, just so you know if something has changed in case of a problem.
And another easily forgotten principle: new strings are often the quick fix.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: