Hello Jromanov,

This paragraph spured my post.

You see all you ask for isn't out of line.
Had you talked with a rep you would be aware of this.
Though the price would certainly be very high, it would not be
closer to the cost of a new Mercedes.

Hey, I enjoy all makes and models of guitars

Cheers.

I am not trying to start an argument here but I know 5 people who have custom shop guitars. 4 say if they had to do it again they wouldn't have paid so much, nice guitars but not worth the price. 1 loves his and is looking to get another one soon. I was just giving my opinion based on having played said guitars and feedback from the owners. I feel they are nice guitars but overpriced due to the "custom shop" name attached to them. Just my opinion, not trying to offend anyone who likes their custom shop guitar and certainly not trying to defend Carvin because I just built a guitar of theres and would choose a Fender over it. Sorry if my comments ruffled anyones feathers. Happy strumming regardless of what you play.

The only problem I have with Fender stock guitars is the necks. Unless is a special anniversary models, very few American or Mexican standards go beyond the 9.5" C profile neck. I love the V-neck, love the hardtail, love a wide 12" radius. But good luck finding one like that. I can mod pu's, mod the tremolo (put in a block), but I can't change the neck. Fender should offer Mexican strats with different neck profiles. Is that too hard to ask without going to a $2,500 signature strat or custom shop strat? Kenny Wayne Sheperd has one that is inepensive, but I don't like his body designs....

Avoiding Avoiding

If you have enough to spend and not care why not? Sadly most of us are not in the group. I would think Carvins Custom guitars are just there kit guitar parts lined up and waiting. More semi custom, pick from options offerd. I think there ability to do this is because they are not making a bazzilion guitars a week like fender. That said if you look at the Carvin site i would recomend the Vintage 16 amp it a 16-5 watt pentode triode amp and well worth the cost which is not much. Has a nice compliment of tubes in it.

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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

I think its so very sad how often these great conversations go to the wayside because of the all mighty dollar. Don't get me wrong...unfortunately I am as broke as a dog, but this has no effect what so ever on my love of guitars. I was in a local guitar boutique here in Ft Lauderdale the other day. They carry a bunch of really cool stuff by boutique builders like Anderson, McNaught and the likes.

I actually bought my 60th Anniversary Am Std Sienna / Maple Strat from them so Fender guy's don't freak out again. They had a PRS Double Dragon hanging on the wall (double neck 12 / 6) and it was breath taking. I really wanted it badly. What a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. What a beautiful playing musical instrument. What an incredible piece of art. Even the case was awesome. Price tag you ask? $40,000.00

If I had that kind of cheese on me I would have never left that store without that guitar. I'm sure that a bunch of you guy's have hundreds of reasons why it wouldn't be worth the money, and a list of things that you like better because they cost less. If we could put cost (unfortunately the primary factor for most of us) to the side, maybe the actual virtues of these fine instruments would start to seep through into some of these dialogues.

That could be fun...yes?
Noodles

I think the main problem facing Fender would be the complete production line change to accommodate the new options. You may think that the options offered by Carvin are not expensive and in the grand scheme of things they are not. However I am betting to completely change the M.O of the Fender American line would never return the money invested to do so.

How many guitars do Fender Produce V Carvin?

What is being suggested is not a bad idea, just one that in business terms would be costly to execute.

I know the virtues of these fine instruments. I work on them often and have spent many many thousands on guitars. The cost of the virtues mostly comes down to the labor cost and the time spent refining and finishing the parts. Sure flame maple cost more but its the cost of the labor to make it show off. The custom part of the job.

_________________
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

CV

Didn't want to use the C word again, although you brought it up. I have the Vintage Belair with 2-12 ext cab and the Vintage Nomad with 1-12 ext cab and I love them both. They have performed flawlessly for the past 8 years. For extra coolness sometimes I play through both simultaneously (put the Belair on clean and add the dirt with the Nomad) Use the Lehle P-Split to send the entire signal to both amps. This little super cool box does not split the signal.

Noodles

It is a nice looking little amp. Does not cost much either.

I had one of these here at the house for a week. I had to replace a bad EL84 so he wanted a matched set of Gold lion's then I put some cool dampers on it. It played nice!

_________________
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

I get what you're saying but for some people, swapping out parts is fun. I want to build my own guitars. Until I have all the proper equipment, I am going to continue having fun modifying the ones I have and buying parts from Warmoth, etc. I am eventually going to buy one of those builder kits from carvin so I can do the Chile flag finish I've always wanted on a guitar.

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Live guitars: 2009 LTD Truckster, 1989 Strat Plus, 2001 Am Standard Strat, 1996 MIJ Jaguar, 2007 Gibson Explorer 76 reissue, 1999 Ibanez RG7621, LTD MH-301, LTD FM400, 1999 Jackson Kelly, Mystery Les Paul, Hamer Chaparel, Fender FM 62SCE A/E Mandolin

What can you compare the sound of it to CV? It breaks up depending on pick attack huh?

The point is, Fender obviously has more then one kind of neck in stock. Offering different neck profiles wouldn't be any more costly then the pickup variances they offer from the standard strats. I'm not a professional musician, nor am I one of those middle age guys able to finally purchase those toys they've always wanted. I'm a working man who loves to play guitar. I would just like one that's affordable and is comfortable to play. Doesn't hurt if it had Fender on the headstock, not Carvin or Warmoth....

HR series Blues Jrs. but I thought it was better and I like the Pentode / Triode a big plus. Put it in triode and push it great breakup. A good carvin for sure.

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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

I am in no way trying to stir the pot. I am looking for opinions.

Do you think the establishment of a custom shop in Ensenada would take anything away from the Custom Shop in California?

And I'm not looking for a MIM vs. MIA answer.

But Offering custom instruments and limited runs from Ensenada, with the level of craftsmanship that the top Mexican builders possess, with a price at around an American production line guitar. Does not seem that difficult to do.

After all, the Custom Shop started with 2 guys in a back room of the Fullerton factory. I'm sure the Ensenada factory has an extra back room.

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"Who says I can't get stoned..." - John Mayer

- "Honey" 09 HWY 1 Tele (Honey Blonde w/Maple)
- 08 MIM Standard Strat (Burst w/Rosewood,SCN,DeltaTone)
- Super Champ XD
- Marshall Class 5 Head
- Norman Acoustic (MICan)