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Post subject: Considering first Fender
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:43 am
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Hello all! First post.

The guitar has been playing me for too many years to tell. I have never managed (taken the time) to master the instrument, but there is something in the air. I feel myself approaching a tipping point. A place where I can almost say that I can play. I have a Strat-copy, bought at a department store a few years ago and a Washburn acoustic. The Pretendostrat plays great and looks fantastic in its deep wine-sunburst, but the pickups sound a little thin. The time has come for a proper electric.

I could get myself a Squier as I'm not worthy of the real thing, or I could go for an Epi Les Paul (a stunning thing of beauty). But if I am going to have one proper electric, it should probably be a real Strat.

A webshop in my area has the Fender Stratocaster Arizona Sun Satin for €320 ($435), dirt cheap for a MIM. I'm sure it sounds and plays great, but I can't see it in person. It looks great in photos, but I wonder if the orang-y colour gets boring or annoying after a while. Would I better off saving up and getting a black, white or some subdued colour? Will this Special Edition be worth more than a standar coloured Strat a few years down the road?

Cheers! Looking forward to joining the league...


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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:50 am
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" Will this Special Edition be worth more than a standar coloured Strat a few years down the road? "

No IMO for a low cost guitar . And not sure for a high end guitar. Buy it if you like the tone and the feel of the neck is for you.

You can't test them by the web........


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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 8:57 am
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I'm not really concerned with the value. I'm sure a $400 Fender Strat will hold it fairly well. If not, so be it. I'm looking for a keeper.

I'm just wondering, as I can't try it, touch it and feel it before purchase, if there are Arizona owners here that can share their experience with it.

It probably plays fine. If it needs adjusting, I'll adjust it. I've fine-tuned my faker so that it plays great. Just wondering if the colour will start screaming at me after a while and if Fender has saved on the quality to make it so affordable.


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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 12:52 am
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VGA wrote:
It probably plays fine. If it needs adjusting, I'll adjust it. I've fine-tuned my faker so that it plays great. Just wondering if the colour will start screaming at me after a while and if Fender has saved on the quality to make it so affordable.


It will need adjusting... count on that.

Fender does not individually intonate every guitar they produce, that's simply not the nature of Mass Production, or meeting a Price Point.

Rather, they have determined a set of 'standards' that will get every guitar produced to within an acceptable, 'playable' range. The guy on the line sets the saddles to 'X' on each guitar and then passes it on.

A good dealer or retailer will do a setup for you, but e-tailers usually don't. Be sure to factor-in the cost of a proper setup to maximize your enjoyment.

The MIM guitars rival their Corona cousins very closely, but beat them on price.

MIA models retain more of their value than MIM, but of course the entry price is higher.

Very few modern Fender guitars are going to appreciate in value due to the quantities produced. Those that do will take a very long time before that occurs, at least 25 years.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:01 pm
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That does have a nice look to it. Good luck!

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... OgodBEEAlQ

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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 10:09 am
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As the owner of a Sunset Metallic Strat, I can say that my experience is you won't tire of a great looking guitar. My preferences are for natural wood, but every time I take that Strat out to play someone compliments me on it. The metallic lights up in photos and makes me look good. To me guitars are like hot rods, a little bling makes them look fast while sitting still.

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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:59 pm
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I waited too long. It's gone.

Now I'll just have to practise and practise so that I can consider myself worthy of a properly priced Strat.

:?


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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 6:01 am
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Hi VGA,
I was recently in the same situation as you, considering my first Strat, and I am not a great player either, but I like nice guitars, So I purchased an Eric Clapton Signature Model Strat (not the custom shop) but still a very nice guitar, And I have no regrets about it. My skills may not be worthy of this guitar, but is sure is nice to practice on :D


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Post subject: Re: Considering first Fender
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:53 pm
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StratShawn wrote:
My skills may not be worthy of this guitar, but is sure is nice to practice on :D


And by playing, you will become worthy. :wink:

I'm still kicking table legs with my small toe for having not acted on the Arizona. Guess it's a sign from Leo's spirit that the right one is out here somewhere.

One thing. I have AmpliTube Free on my iPhone. I plugged in my Pretend-a-Strat via iRig and played Dm with a tiny bit of amp distortion. Played it in a drone kinda way. I swear, I sounded like Velvet Underground! Bridge pickup. The others, or combinations didn't sound right.

Damn, this is fun. Why did I ever stop?


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