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Post subject: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 11:39 am
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I am a little tired of 'new' models from Fender with just some minor cosmetic differences.

And to bad Fender won't make a wider nut neck, when they have so many production models to choose from, too.

Strat and teles are very good guitars, but the strat will be a better guitar with some permanent changes. The vintage tremolo from Wilkinson, with the push in arm, are so much better than the models from Fender. The feel is much more positive with no wobble in the trem arm. And it looks vintage too. One thing that every guitar with a straight headstock should not have, is non staggered tuners with the friction increasing string tree. Bending strings behind the nut is so much easier with no string tree. You can actually do it. And with staggered locking tuners and no string tree, the strat will stay in tune better.

One small thing that every guitar should have, is two strap pins in the rear position. How many Gibsons have broken headstocks after falling over? Any guitar repair woman would agree that there are many. Same with Fenders with cosmetic damages after accidents from falling over.

And one thing that puzzles me, is why on earth do guitarmakers still continue to make guitarnecks with truss rod access at the rear of the neck? This should be banned by law. I have absolutely NO sympathy with the old school congregation of guitar players that insist of the vintage way of doing inferior technical solutions.

Fender models with some of these parts/modifications, would make a good Fender a better Fender:

- Wider nut on some models
- Push in arm tremolo system on most strats
- Staggered locking tuners on most strats
- Staggered tuners on most teles
- Compensated intonation sadles on most vintage type tele bridges
- Truss rod access at the headstock on most Fenders
- Two strap pins in the rear position on most Fenders
- Evertune bridge on some models
- True Temperament fretting system on some models

Tor


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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 1:13 pm
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You seem to be living with the serious misconception that everyone shares your views on what makes the "perfect"guitar.

- Wider nut on some models: Discontinued years ago due to lack of a market. Buy a Masterbuilt and get any type neck you want.

- Push in arm tremolo system on most strats: Many players do just fine with the current system or don't use the trem at all.

- Staggered locking tuners on most strats: Not everyone likes/wants/needs staggered locking tuners. For those that do (I am one), they are readily available on the aftermarket and are easy to install.

- Staggered tuners on most teles: Same as above.

- Compensated intonation sadles on most vintage type tele bridges: Then they wouldn't be "vintage type" saddles. Believe it or not, many people like the non-compensated saddles. For those that don't, they are readily available in the aftermarket.

- Truss rod access at the headstock on most Fenders: What makes you think that people who like vintage style guitars want or need your sympathy? That's pretty arrogant if you ask me.

- Two strap pins in the rear position on most Fenders: For what purpose? I have strap locks and a good stand. Never had a guitar fall over.

- Evertune bridge on some models: Ridiculously over priced, limited market, non-tremolo. I have no problems keeping my Strat in tune with a blocked bridge so I see no reason to waste my money on this monstrosity.

- True Temperament fretting system on some models: Ridiculously over priced, limited market.

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Last edited by bluesky636 on Sun May 08, 2011 4:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 1:48 pm
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I agree with some of the assertions, but gotta say that the best truss rod adjusters are the wheel type in some Peaveys, Musicman and EVH guitars.

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If you strip the hex fitting in a typical end of rod adjuster, you're totally screwed. With the wheel, it's almost impossible to mess it up.

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 4:12 pm
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Mercifully, you are not in charge at FMIC.

Stop sniveling and built your own ideal Strat if that's what you wish -- tampering with proven success is a disaster. Look at what happened with "New Coke".

:roll:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 8:46 pm
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Let us hope that the bosses at Fender read my post.

There are some really good ideas in my post for the ones that want to make a better original Fender than the current standard models are. A good guitar can be even better, and perfection lies in the details.

The Musicman solution on truss rod adjustment is great. As a professional guitar repairer, access to the truss rod with the neck on with strings attached, is pure gold. And I have to say, many broken headstocks could have been saved, if the guitar had two points touching the floor for increased stability, as you have with two strap pins in the rear position. Probably some hearts from the owners too.

After several years from input from guitarists, and actually seeing and hearing what hundreds of guitarists struggle with their guitars, everything I wrote makes sense. Ok, I can sell aftermarked parts, and make their MIM strat or tele a better guitar, and make some money in the process too. But that was not my point. My point was simply some very good ideas to make a good Fender a better Fender, from a real world point of view, not mine. That is not a crime, and too bad the truth hurts to some, that a Fender can't be improved upon.

A standard Fender with some of my ideas, would be hotter than an Indian curry.

When a big company like Fender makes a guitar, they do not buy ten bridges or ten tuners. Prices on the Evertune bridge, would be considered reasonable for a leyman like us, for what Fender would pay for them. VGS guitars in Germany have a down-right steal pricewise for one of their Evertune equipped guitars. If they can, so can Fender. It's as easy as that.

So let us hope that this post is the first step to a MIM Evertune tele. With bending behind the nut capability for those country picking wizzards that still want a genuine original Fender that do not need to be tweaked to be the best a Fender can be, and still be in tune. Or a fair priced strat with upgrades that makes sense.

And that is my overall point. An original, fair priced standard Fender with ingredients that help the guitar stay better in tune (a whole concert or a whole studio session - as with the Evertune bridge), better intonated, more practical in some situations and down right more valuable for the owner.

A ready-tweaked concept in their guitars in the cognitive unit of meaning, would be an asset to Fender, not a threat.


Last edited by limerot on Sun May 08, 2011 10:11 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 8:51 pm
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Fender makes their money selling guitars that sound like Strats and Teles. What you are proposing may make a Strat or Tele sound FUBAR.


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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 9:08 pm
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candycoke09 wrote:
Fender makes their money selling guitars that sound like Strats and Teles. What you are proposing may make a Strat or Tele sound FUBAR.


None of my ideas would make a strat or a tele anything other than a better guitar with original sound intact.

And the guitar (not with Evertune and TT) would look original, but with a more positive feel.


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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 10:03 pm
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limerot wrote:
Let us hope that the bosses at Fender read my post.


We all have dreams. Some are just more reasonable than others. Dream on, limerot, dream on. :lol:

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 10:14 pm
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limerot wrote:
VGS guitars in Germany have a down-right steal pricewise for one of their Evertune equipped guitars.


http://en.euroguitar.com/guitar/vgs/pro ... 40481.html

I don't consider $3784.00 (at current exchange rates) a "down-right steal". :roll:

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 10:15 pm
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limerot wrote:
None of my ideas would make a strat or a tele anything other than a better guitar with original sound intact.

And the guitar (not with Evertune and TT) would look original, but with a more positive feel.


In your opinion. An opinion not necessarily shared by all.

I bet you even like the Gibson Robot and Firebird X guitars. Thank goodness Fender has the good sense to build guitars that are actually useable and sell.

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Sun May 08, 2011 11:07 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
Thank goodness Fender has the good sense to build guitars that are actually useable and sell.


+1!

The surest way to end up with a small fortune in the guitar business is to start with a large one.

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 2:01 am
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Dount konckem just play them strats and teles... Fender guitars are tops just the way they make them.Then and now..Cheers..From..From..Aus...


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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 3:56 am
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I look at Strats similarly to the personal computer. Their application and personalities reflect their user/owners.
The PC's of the world are almost infinitely variable, as are Strats.
Don't like the neck? Get a different one.
Looking for a different tone? Change PUPs.
Change strings, tuners, bridges, tuners, even colors.
I think you get the idea.
The Strat is a fantastic guitar straight out of the box, yet it supports a thriving aftermarket. I think that's pretty spectacular, actually.
Your ideas are great - for you. Fortunately, you can implement all of them on any Strat (or Tele) you want, which should make you and your customers very happy.


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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 6:24 am
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bluesky636 wrote:
limerot wrote:
VGS guitars in Germany have a down-right steal pricewise for one of their Evertune equipped guitars.


http://en.euroguitar.com/guitar/vgs/pro ... 40481.html

I don't consider $3784.00 (at current exchange rates) a "down-right steal". :roll:


http://www.musikhaus-korn.de/de/VGS-Eve ... Black.html


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Post subject: Re: Conservative production models from Fender
Posted: Mon May 09, 2011 6:59 am
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The VGS doesn't have TWO strap pins.... :wink:
In addition, if your guitar is on a stand, then the strap pins are irrelevant. However if you lean your guitar up against a wall or table or whatever.... :roll:

As far as some of the improvements..... push in trem arm, staggered tuners with no string tree,
individually adjustable saddles on Tele's, Truss rod access at the headstock, it is all available on certain models of Strat an Tele's.

As for that Evertune bridge, I would not install one simply because it's a huge piece of hardware..

" True Temperament Fretting System "... :wink:....

Fortunately, my Strat's have always wanted to play, of which the same cannot always be said for my fingers. :lol:

I gather you meant " Tempered " which is actually a guitar's set up in relation to notes and the inherent restrictions.
It is not a perfect system but rather a compromise. If you are refering to a system like Novak's Patented Fan Fret System, this would make a strat out of reach for the 99th percentile. Upon checking into it, say a Del Vezeau Baritone with that fret system is around the $16,000 mark... :shock: I don't think there are too many people out there willing to buy ( experiment ) with that system.

As concerning reinventing the wheel @ FMIC I would suggest applying for a job there and seeing wether your suggestions are feasible on both, a retooling of production methods as well as from a marketing to sales standpoint....

Good Luck......

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