I think that it's fine in most situations to profess a liking for something... Splayds, perhaps, or small fireplaces... but airing one's prejudices for the sake of a cheap laugh never works out well. Likeability continues to elude J.M. as far as I'm concerned.

The Fender Stratocaster Guitar comes in all different colours with different engine plants etc etc...to which without doubt we love them all.

Great Call Nevin1985,

people keep it to music not politics.

SAY NO MORE!!!!

Well, there's a problem with that. Since joining a couple of months ago, I've noticed there's a bit of a double standard in here. "Off topic" seems to be perfectly ok as long as it's not a topic that can become, uhm ... passionate. In the lounge where topics are still supposed to be about Fender products or at least music (if I understand the description right - not sure if "just jam" means anything goes), there's thread after thread of trivial stuff like "What are you doing today"? Even in here - the Stratocaster forum - the topic of this thread has absolutely nothing to do with Stratocasters, and yet here it is 4 pages deep.

Note, this is not a complaint, just an observation.

Obviously, the person who wonders what the big deal is about race and racism (a legitimate question from someone who's never experienced the negative effects from it), needs to be educated, but since it's not a trivial matter like a preference for "toilet paper direction" (an actual Lounge topic), people freak out about it.

Personally, in terms of "off topic", I think social issues are far more important (and interesting), to discuss than the trivial nonsense mentioned above, but I also fully understand the reason behind the precautionary warnings and ultimate plug-pulling. It's simply impossible for some people to remain civil - which is a shame.

But when someone says "keep it to music and not politics", what's really meant is ... keep it to anything BUT politics. At least that's the message I get. (of course, the discussion in this thread has nothing to do with politics, but I get your point)

Again, this wasn't a complaint - just an observation. I think Brad does a great job of the fairly difficult balancing-act known as forum moderator.

-phil

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Then again, what do I know ... I've only been playin' for 6 months ... !

Brad does do a great job. He's very tolerant with subject matter.
The thing is, if the thread bothers someone, you can just ignore it and it will go away on it's own. Mayer threads always wind up this way. In a way it is important because his name represents a guitar from a company with a great reputation with his name on it. What he says can effect the sales of that guitar model either good or bad. It's not just his playing style that's involved in sales. It's his look, popularity and contribution to the art of music as a whole. Eventually, JM will disappear not because of what he plays, but because of what he says. I never thought he preserved a sig Strat in the first place and would never purchase one. Looking just at this thread and all the nativity towards JM, I'd keep a close eye on the sig sales and if they drop severely, I dump his sig and give it to someone who deserves it and has some class like Hubert Sumlin.

personally- i wonder why many famous people make these remarks. do they not think that they are going to be held reponsible for what they say?

look at the dixie chicks- there are still many people who are upset with them. they have a right to their thoughts, but others have a right to disagree. linda rondstadt got a very bad reaction when she praised michael moore.

the bottom line is this:

think before you say something in public if you are famous

or better yet:

shut up and play!

I read the J.M. interview in it's entirety and it's pretty easy to deduce that he's an egotistical,arrogant,dare I say reprobate(there I said it)with an inflated opinion of himself.I can't say that I'm impressed with anyone that can hardly get a sentence out without an expletive in it,that just demonstrates that one has a limited command of the English vocabulary and often that goes hand in hand with a limited intelligence.For him to utter such racially volatile remarks shows his feeling of entitlement, thinking that he's so important that whatever pearls he casts are beyond reproach,well he's sadly mistaken,anyone as foolhardy to make such comments obviously views other races and creeds with contempt. Granted he may be a gifted guitarist but he's no vanguard. BTW I'm no prude as I'm given to letting out some multi-syllable gems myself but I have enough self respect and respect for others to curb my tongue when necessary.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I left out some words in my post it should read....Granted he may be a gifted guitarist but he's no vanguard for racial harmony.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

+ 1, 000, 000, 000...Thanks...I thought it was just me. Off-topic means just that. I have no problem with intellectual conversation with grownups.....

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Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

I'm just grateful that I'll never likely be judged by what I've said when trying to be witty. I know I can't be the only person here who's said something off-color that could be taken as offensive by some. Remember, actions speak far louder than words. I do agree though that I just wish ALL entertainers would stick to entertaining rather than trying to give us quirky sound bites. That goes for hardcore rap artists, the Dixie Chick, Barbara Streisand and their ilk just as much as it goes for John Mayer. Dude can flat out play guitar and this doesn't change that.

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2008 MIA Standard Strat 3-tone Sunburst
2007 Taylor 310 Acoustic
Fender Blues Junior NOS Amp
Digitech Bad Monkey OD pedal

play the guitar he can. Now if he can just stick to it....

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

All Brad said was to watch the language which is a reasonable request. Does this belong here? Yes it does because Mayer is a Fender artist with a signature model and also one of the hottest (The Black One) custom models coming out.

As for what he said was just a rehash except for the racisrt and !@$ remarks of the interview he gave in Rollingstone last month. The guy sounds like he thinks 32 is the new 15 as that is how he conducts himself.

As far as the apology that came fom his PR people, given to him for the negative reaction that was coming his way.

Again another brilliant move by Mayer using the Muhammad Ali approach where people pay to see you win or pay to see you get a beating but either way everyone is paying and he keeps his name in the press. To bad his Skills on guitar would be that of one of Ali's sparring partners.

Sooner or later though Mayer is going to run out of tricks and sappy love songs which he is quite good at writing and is going to have to rely on just his skills once the 70% of his female audience get bored, just like the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync. In fact he is like modern day David Cassidy.

I cant speak for you guys but I have had enough of this guy already as there is not an original bone in his body. He broke out stealing Dave Mathews act then he said in interviews he only did that so he could get big enough to have the power to do what he does best ,play blues rock guitar. I actually bought the first trio album and was hoping it was good but was disappointed big time and not the least impressed with his guitar playing as every song was about 80bpm and as far as his playing skills nothing excited me or was original. To be honest he is a good rhythm player who uses nice chord voicings when he plays acoustic just like Dave Mathews. But what I would like to know is how did his status get so high the moment he plugged in-HYPE. Plain and simple he knows how to hype himself. I have never heard him cut loose or take his soloing to the next level yet he is talked about by his fans like he has had a five decade career. Then when you actually get someone who knows what it is all about and is in the buisness they try and defend him by saying he is a tone chaser who plays with great tone. Well anyone here who can afford a Dumble or Two Rocks and custom shop Strat should have no problem dialing up a great tone.

He said since this album was so pop his, next one is going to be guitar driven. Well I heard that one before. Lets face it he has a signature Strat and another on the way because he sells, no other reason. I know he will be at the next Crossroads festival with another 32 year old player Joe Bonamassa, how cool will it be to see them share the stage and trade some licks on a few tunes. Boy what I would not give to have that happen. And to think Danny Gatton died just about broke.

Good post straycat!!

well said straycat...well said.

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

Well in not so many words Eric Clapton has said of John Mayer that he has the ability to do whatever he wants in music and the only thing that will get in the way of his talent is himself. I consider myself a fan of John Mayer but there has been a part of me lately that has been thinking that enough is enough with the interviews. IMO he's trying so hard to be different and witty with his words that he just can't help but say something stupid. It's nice for an artist to let you in a bit and show you what they're like in interviews and stuff but he needs to pull back a bit and just think before speaking for his own good. Apology or not this will follow him forever. The sad thing for me is that I think that he's a truly talented artist and if he decided to focus on making music for music's sake instead of record sales sake he would win a lot of people over. His best album, Continuum, was a departure from his radio friendly pop/ rock stuff. It felt real and hooked me. I can't help but think that if things start falling apart like they seem to be on the verge of doing that he will have an epiphany and take this stuff seriously. Love him or hate him I love all of you

+1 IMO Mayer just doesn't have the skills to keep a power trio fired up. Way too many dead spots. I agree, he is the modern day David Cassidy only not as smart. He's more like the 80's and 90's version of Danny Bonaduce.