I got a brand new MIM standard lefty strat for $294.00 last year at GC and I love it. My teacher who has an Eric Johnson big $$$ strat thinks he paid to much after hearing mine, no joke.

Play a variety and get whatever lights up your eyes! Have fun!

I agree here. Personally, I think signature models mostly appeal to someone trying to be the artist whose guitar they're buying, not because of the tone of the instrument. I came close to buying a Jimmie Vaughan Strat recently because I liked the '50s Strat-like details (V-shaped neck, etc.) and the Tex-Mex pups. If it were actually my guitar at the moment, I would have already taken WD-40 to Jimmie's signature on the back of the headstock; no disrespect meant (I personally think Jimmie's a hell of a guitarist), I just would rather not have someone else's name on my guitar.

I think a unique approach for Fender to take would be to have a simple line-up like this:
-Fender Telecaster
-Fender Stratocaster
-Fender Jazzmaster
-Fender Jaguar

Simple, right? Like in the old days. But there's a catch so that Fender can make folks happy; folks who have a budget, folks who want variety, folks who want both, folks who like blondes in porn ... well, you get the picture.

You would still utilize the Mexican, American, and Japanese plants. You would still have Standard and American Standard Stratocasters. The Japanese plant would still make more guitars for the Japanese Domestic market versus export markets.

What you would do is eliminate models like Roadhouse Strats, Classic Player Baja Telecasters, and so on and on. Instead, just offer either Fender Standard and Fender American Standard models of each instrument and offer cost and no cost options for each guitar so that someone can order and buy exactly what they want.

Say you wanted a Fender Standard Jaguar in Capri Orange with one Pearly Gates humbucker and one Seymour Duncan Hot Jag pickup at the neck, a V-shaped neck profile with a 9.5 neck radius, a Adjust-o-Matic bridge, bound maple neck with '62 Jag detailing. You would go to your Fender dealer and place that order. Each option would add an additional price to the base MSRP (MSRPs would go by street pricing in the future, eliminating the two different prices and all of that silly BS) of, say, $599 for the Fender Standard Jaguar.

Guitar shops would still have floor models that have some of the available features for sale. Think car dealership here.

I'm sure someone would wait a few weeks for a guitar that's exactly what they want at a good price if it weren't in the shop, hanging up on a rack.

I know I would.

It's like buying a car, essentially, except you don't have useless trim names like LS Brougham Supreme Deluxe Landau.

Also, the guitar's origin would be more discreetly hidden. For U.S. guitars, the "Made In U.S." decal would go out the window and the guitar's origin would be represented by a very discreet American Flag on the heel of the neck. Mexican Fenders would get a Fender "F" decal on the heel of the neck.

I think this would go a long way in ridding players of this stupid snobbery that always crops up when they mention to another player what they own. "Oh, you own x-guitar? Well, I own x-guitar too except mine can play itself and put my wife on mute because it was made in the x-brand plant on the surface of the moon." (Don't get me wrong, I prefer to support my nation's economy and my nation's workforce when I can, but sometimes my wallet can't afford it when you have to make student loans a priority; such is one of the main factors as to why our native industry is evaporating.) This is petty BS I get pretty tired of hearing in guitar shops and occasionally on internet communities. Every guitar would be made almost equal regardless if it were a Fender Standard or Fender American Standard (the American Standards, though, would have certain options and standard features that would cost extra on the Fender Standards, hence why I said almost, but the quality would be on par with one another).

There would still be reissue models, though. There is a big market for them, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

The Custom Shop would still have their own catalog and still build one-offs.

Japan exports would be rare Special Edition guitars and reissues with collector value.

Signature models would go out the door, but someone could select a "Slowhand Group Package" option and get all of the equipment of any signature Clapton Strat out there, just without the John Handcock on the headstock.

Coincidentally, while the variety goes away, you get far more options this way and guitars can be factory built for individual tastes without a insane Custom Shop price.

Bass guitars would be treated the exact same way.

As for Squier ... I have no clue what to do there. A similar treatment would be in order, though.

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

Its interesting that you say that Pheonix. That exactly what G&L does. You can have a Legecy (Strat) starting at about $800. See through finishes, binding is an upcharge.

It is a special feeling having a guit made to your specs & have it arrive

I guess I'm a bigger fan of the Leo Fender train of thought than I thought.

I personally think there is a lot of strength in the approach I mentioned above. And FMC could afford to do it, most certainly if smaller G&L can.

I'd love to go into a Fender Dealer's shop and put down the cash for a new, factory-built 3-Tone Sunburst Jag with all of the options I wanted. I would walk out of there knowing there probably wouldn't be another guitar like it in the world, literally.

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2006 Fender AVRI 70s Stratocaster: Natural Ash | Sovtek MIG 60 & A No Name Cabinet | Pedals & Junk

I'm a fan of there being different models - it means you have a wider range of options. Far from being confusing, I find that it makes me think more carefully when making a purchase.

Checking out the specs and so on is fun, and it never hurts to have more choices.

Just my two cents worth.

AMEN....I was born in '53,and even in the late '60s and early '70s when Strats and Les Pauls could be had for $300 or less,it still was a lot of money.
If I had only known though that a Strat from that era would be worth what they are today,I would be rich now.
I too find the vast choice of Strats confusing nowadays.

When I tryed out my Jimmie Vaughn Strat in the store I didn't notice that it was an "artist"model until after I had decided that it was the best guitar for my playing style and turned it over and looked on the headstock. Although I like Jimmie Vaughn and recognize the fact that he's a gifted guitarist I have no desire to be or play like him,it's just happens that the guitar meets my criteria for what I want in a guitar.After 45 yrs playing I have developed my own style.Having said all that I also bought a John Lennon 65 Casino,not because I want to emulate him but I just wanted to have a guitar that would give me the tone that he had and that I've loved over the years.At the time that I bought the Casio the Inspired By series wasn't available and I wanted one with the authentic 60s style pups.Not all people that buy artist models are star-struck wannabes but in my case the appellation obsessive tone-chaser would be more suitable.

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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.