Niki, what happened to your penguins?

It looks like the Young Ones ate them!! I guess misfortune finally befell "Bacon Sandwich" and they moved on to exotic poultry!!

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

I don't agree that today's technology makes for a higher quality guitar. Yes, now you have CNC machines, but in the end the wood is worked by band saws, routers, shapers, and sanders. I don't see any evidence that spray techniques have changed fundamentally. The use of CNC machinery allows computers to control machines that were formerly controlled by humans. That makes for an increase in productivity, but not necessarily in quality.

Leo Fender's ideas were revolutionary for the music industry, but he was really applying the assembly line techniques of Henry Ford. By buildiing an assembly line system that was only capable of producing a high quality product he anticipated the quality control revolution of the 1980's.

The electrical components are essentially unchanged. The biggest difference I can think of is that pickups are no longer scatter-wound.

I do think that Fender guitars have a very high quality to price ratio. And it appears to me that the older models compare quite favorably in quality.

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James Burton Upgrade Telecaster
Hot Rodded Am Fat Strat Texas Special (now featuring Kinman Traditional II pickups)
Fender Blues Jr.
SWR California Blonde
Pedals Pedals Pedals

Soggy

If you get the chance to play one of these Vintage Strats at your local guitar shop...pick a hefty priced one, like over 10 grand...play it for a bit and then pick up a new Am Deluxe $1500.00 Strat, with locking tuners, samarium cobalt noiseless pick ups, 2 point synchronized tremolo with pop in arm, stainless steel bridge saddles, S-1 switching system, modern C shaped satin finished neck with abalone inlays, and then see if you still think that there's no difference between old craftsmanship and new.

Those machines that you spoke of have a greater impact than you think. We have plek machines today that set up a neck to perfection. We have machines that roll the edges of the neck, and produce uniform finished products from one guitar to the next. We float positively charged guitar bodies through negatively charged ion paint booths to paint perfection. This list of innovative manufacturing technique continues to grow daily.

This is by no means a bad thing...it is actually a great thing for all of us. Especially for us "multi guitar" owners. I read an interview with Steve Vai (one of my favorites) not too long ago, and he was relating the story about bringing his Jem designed guitar (designed and built by a buddy of his) to the Ibanez factory in Japan. He told them that he wanted them to build him 10 of these guitars that were absolutely identical. They must weigh exactly the same, all measurements must be reproduced to exact specifications. He said " I want to line up the 10 guitars and not feel any difference no matter which one I pick up and play. They were only able to successfully accomplish this through the use of today's "machines and technology".

If the guitar is the "Tool" that we as players use to produce great music that we love, the finest build quality available is what I'm hoping for. Don't feel bad that new is better. Old does still make for a good story.

Noodles

Sadly ...we have become conditioned to expect perfection...and we are not going to wait for it either. We want instant everything. And hurry up with that. We need overnight shipping, speed dialing, fast food, email, broadband, push button everything.

People from all over the world respond to these posts faster than we can even finish our own thoughts. It can be a little overwhelming, although it does make for interesting dialogue.

Today's most common verbiage is a mixed bag of hurry ups. Not complaints meant to be malicious, but more of a conditioned response and lack of tolerance for anything that is not instant.

So please comment on that but for goodness sake make it fast.

Microwave society.

Ever notice that the more labour/time saving devices we own, the less time we have. Time for me to move to Alaska and live in a shack, I think.

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Just notice the number of people recently getting on the "Ask Mike Eldred" forum and immediately start complaining how they have a problem and Fender does not care. They do this without following the procedure set forth by FMIC to handle complaints. "I want satisfaction now!", " I can't believe I've spent this much money and get treated bad". If they follow set procedure their problems are always solved. I have yet seen FMIC fail to respond in a manner other than professional. More than I can say about some posters/customers that want Mike to kiss their A.. and pacify them now. A sign of the times and attitude of people these days!

My 2cent rant!

The greatest thing the newer technology offeres in guitar making is cosistancy and speed.Thats provided that the machinery is in good shape and doesnt have alot of worn out parts.When I was really young I worked in a wood factory, so i know the process.It takes people a long time to set these machines up to run.They finally get set up and they run a few pieces , take measurements and then continue if they are spot on.Once everything looks good then its off to the races.The necks on the newer guitars are pretty consistant from what I have tried.I am not totally convinced that the vintage guitars are so much better sounding than the new ones, especially 10k better.

Not Alaska Niki

Really really cold almost all the time...really really bright out almost all the time. Man eating bears and stuff like that. Have you ever been to Prague? I found the Czech Republic to run at a comfortable pace. No one seemed to care about anything, everything was open 24 hours, you could go out at 3 AM and the streets were filled with people. James Bond movie music seemed to be always following me around. Lots of espionage, cool cars and killer women.

But thats in another life. We really should try to take a breath now and then. Maybe get a hobby or something.

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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

Mate thats me all the way. Kill it, wear it, use the bones to make some rudimentary cutlery (I am civilized after all ) and eat it. A bit like Jeff Dahmler.

Them Amish horses wouldnt be safe in my vicinity. I'd even use the cart for firewood to cook it on.

Noodles I used to go out to the chzech republic to buy valves (tubes) you could get a sack full for £5. I mean it was a sack, like santa would have. Theres far too many people their for my liking. Absolute solitude is my dream. Bears dont worry me that much either, anything is edible with enough ketchup.

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I'm with you Niki! I could easily become a recluse!

Absolutely, just not in my vicinity eh?

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No no and no

Come on down to the bayous and swamps, we've plenty of room to be reclusive!

I dont mess with anything prehistoric or with more teeth than my tenon saw. Them gators tick both boxes so remain firmly in my 'stay way from' list.

In truth I'd love to be down that end of the world. Particularly way south that kind of area. You've got everything, memphis, Alabama, Mississippi, even a Birmingham so i dont get homesick. Its gotta be good.

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No no and no