There's only so much you can do to a guitar to make it "new and fresh". My fear is the "standard" Strats will get lost in all the new styles and finishes. My hope is the new styles and finishes will be so wildly popular the price of the standards will go down...

I'd have to say that like anything else in life: It's a matter of taist.

Paris

+1

But we all know that if that happens the quality will go down too.

But the American Standard isn't really a Strat, is it?
It's far removed from how a Strat should be, just the same as the Deluxe is.

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No no and no

all companies cater to the sheeple. if you educate yourself on guitars and equipment and know what you like you wont fall for "filler". they still make the good stuff. fear not.

When you play it, do you like it or not like it? (feel, sound, what you can do, etc)

What else matters?

I read threads like this and I ask myself why are so many people so quick to condemn new products when variety (even at varying price points) is the spice of life?

Consider that back in the '80s, players were unilaterally condemning all Japanese Fenders; now look!

Like I've said, I got a nostalgic kick out of seeing these offerings. Who knows? They might even be a pleasure to play. Just like the many here who have a fierce allegiance to the Squier line, follow their lead: "Don't knock it until you've tried it."

Lastly, even though these Pawn Shop models are all "pre-modified", try one and if you like it, buy it. If it works well for you, let it ride. If it doesn't, you can always "unmodify" it; or even "post-modify" it. Consider all the unofficial 'one offs' waiting to be born! I'll bet many will find this most delightful and fulfilling too.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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You dig?

I'm not a fan of the pre-worn guitars myself. Lucky for me no one is forcing me to buy one.

On the other hand, I think I HAVE TO have a candy apple red Mustang Special.

+1

cheers

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It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting - paulo coelho

I don't care whose name is on the headstock or what it's called, if it plays/feels good, sounds good, and I like the looks of it, I'll consider buying it when the time comes for me to get another guitar...same goes for amps and pedals.

Guitars (Fender and otherwise) that I desire that may or may not be popular or desirable in other people's eyes are not an effort on my part to pick a fight...they're just guitars I like.

I personally hate the 80's pointy-headed "superstrats" and the BC Rich/Tregan/ESP/Whoever "aggression issue" models, but I am not offended that those companies make those ugly/bad sounding guitars; I just shrug and think, "I hope the guy who buys it enjoys it..."

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Good Vibes To Y'all!



Screamin' Armadillos
Texas Roadhouse Music
Guitar/Slide Guitar/Harp/Vocals

I agree. I have a '62 Musicmaster that plays like crap... And I love it.

Well, fellow members, many of you make good, valid points. Those that have, obviously not only read ALL of my initial post; but also have the brains to comprehend my initial post. Something that wasn't too evident in a few of the first responses - too bad. Instead of real answers to the main question I had about "why" any of you that own these models like them, I was given pictures and told to "grow up." Most likely, those responses were from people that do not own these models. I'll give them credit for the feeble attempt at flaming me for expressing MY opinion. Yes, I am well aware that many companies (especially Gibby) are doing what has been called "filler" models - perhaps that is a better term than what I used; but you know what - I seldom make apologies for expressing my opinion, and don't expect one here. If you don't like it, you don't have to. Rather than cry and piss and moan about the fact I don't like many of the new models (which of course I won't buy - I don't know why anyone would have to tell me that), get a grip on yourself, put your big boy pants on, and realize that I actually had a good question in there. I tend to like new ideas and "on the edge" type products - in fact some models will grow on me in time; but instead of coming up with beat up looking models and over priced signature lines, why not make an elegant looking, great playing guitar (with good electronics and proper fret dressing) that is actually affordable to most budgets?

The last guitar buying spree I was on I wouldn't even pick up a relic or roadworn guitar to try for the simple fact that no matter how good it played or sounded I wouldn't like the look of it unless I spent money to get it refinished.I can't say that I'd go for one of the new pawnshop series either the aesthetics of them just doesn't appeal to me.What I would buy however would be a Starcaster(original 70s) or a Coronado,they were 2 beautiful guitars and they both filled a niche that no other Fender guitar did.I think that reissues of both may well do very good sales wise these days as people are becoming disillusioned with the Gibson hollow bodies because of price and quality issues.

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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.

It's not really my cup of tea, but I wouldn't call it crappy w/o actually trying it out. Granted, it's a bit ugly & expensive, but Gibsons are pretty solid guitars. As for the Pawnshops, time will tell whether any of these will be good, or even popular, or just gimmicks. I like the idea of a hardtail Strat. As for the Road Worn, I wouldn't pay extra $$ for damage. I'll stick w/my traditional Strat & Les Paul for now & possibly always. cheers

Couldn't agree more Arjay. My first strat was a Daphne blue '64-65 with a rosewood board and "D" neck, (got it in late '65) brand new. I got it on a Saturday and played it that night. When I got back home, my fingers were RAW!!. Remember , there were only a few unskilled workers assembling them back then. The strings were 12's or 13's by the look of them , the action was crap and the tremolo was set to dive only and damn near took 2 hands to do that before snapping back against the body with a clunk . The sound was really low as well (usually had my amp on 3, for that gig, had to use 5 for the same volume I'd been getting). The following day, I changed the strings. Now at the time, as some of you may know, nearly all sets of strings were A:- heavy and B:- came with a wound 3rd, so we used to do a trick of using a banjo for top E string using a top E string for a second, a second for third, and so on , meaning that your bottom E string, was actually a heavy fifth string tuned down to E , this gave us a plain 3rd and loads more bending power:-). Next came the action, I painstakingly adjusted the heght of the strings and then their intonation (which was very nearly perect already), Then the pickup height. For some weird reason, the pickups were only about a sixteenth of an inch above the pickguard and a long way off the strings. Then came the Tremolo, I took off 2 springs and then adjusted it to travel up and down, then re-tuned it and cranked it up. What a difference. The Guitar played and sounded brilliant !!. Ted

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Ted

"All right, guys, uh, listen. This is a blues riff in "B", watch me for the changes, and try and keep up, okay?"