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Post subject: NMIAFGD
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:17 pm
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(New Made-In-America Fender Guitar Day)

I happened to stop in at Rainbow Guitars in Tucson this afternoon to try and get some definitive answers about the rumored-as-soon-to-be-released silverface Vibrolux Reverb re-issue but this damn thing kept yelling to me from the display rack. Normally the shop’s owner orders these Custom Shop Strat re-issues with 9.5” radius boards and 6105 frets but upon close examination I discovered that this guitar was built to full “Leo” specs – 7.25” radius and vintage fretwire. I was also surprised to learn it was one of a small number of closet-classic “Time Machine” relics built by John Cruz, with lightly-checkered nitro lacquer finish and minimally-aged hardware. The pickups are specifically-voiced Custom Shop 1960 coils wound by none other than Abigail Ybarra. I mean, what’s not to love? The fretboard has gently-rolled edges and the set-up is spot on. The guitar is a medium/light weight, tipping the scales at 7 lbs, 8.5 oz. After playing it for an hour and a half, I spent another forty minutes negotiating (successfully) for a deal I was comfortable with. I know I’ve said many times that I’d never buy another off-the-rack Fender guitar but the truth is, I could not build a better guitar than this. I could beat the price but not the quality. Simply put, the guitar is a personification of Fender at its very best. The case candy inventory is impressive as well – super duper chamois-type polishing cloth, Custom Shop strap and cable, a comprehensive John Cruz designed tool kit that has everything imaginable for performing string changes and routine maintenance.

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So how does it sound? Frankly, it flat-out honks. Into my dimed Fender Pro or Spankmaster Reverb with the guitar’s volume rolled off, it’s simply melodic with robustly articulate highs and lows plus a nice fat bump in the middle. When I crack the volume all the way open it develops a spectacular, nasty growl. “Nuanced grit”. With my Fulltone OCD to overload the amp’s front end, hard-picked harmonics just leap from the pickups and the additional outboard gain makes sustained-and-controlled feedback a snap. As I mentioned, it’s Fender at its very best.

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I guess I was finally “ready”.

:lol:

Arjay

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Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:27 pm
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That's way-cool, Arjay!

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:44 pm
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Thanks, Matt!

Here's a few detail shots......

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The restrained relic checkering is just visible in the rear shot of the body. Also noteworthy is that the string tree has been relocated back to its traditional location. Fender really did their homework.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:52 pm
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This post almost slipped me by.
Very nice 60s closet classic.
I like vintage fretwire and Abby pickups ... I'm convinced!
Congrats on a great find. :D


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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:05 am
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Thanks, JJ!

Here's that Custom Shop tool kit I mentioned......

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Apparently this is also sold as a stand-alone accessory but the specially-marked edition is now included with all Custom Shop instruments. John Cruz's name in embroidered on the rear of the case.

Included are an engineer's rule, capo, feeler gauge, deluxe string winder, screwdrivers, allen wrenches, and dikes for cutting away excess string length. Pretty spiffy!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:07 am
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Awesome! Looks like a real vintage piece, and the single-line Klusons are a nice touch. Congrats on a great score. 8)

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:33 am
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Outstanding!! Great score Arjay.

RAWK ON :mrgreen:

Jerry

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:53 am
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Wonderful to see! :D


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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:57 am
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Thanks guys.

Actually the vintage-style tuners are marked "Fender Deluxe" and are likely made by Gotoh. I won't be replacing them or changing anything on this guitar though. It may have some collectability value to my widow when she lists it on Ebay if it remains in original factory trim.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 3:10 am
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NICE!!!

Another "NEVER" slips away silently, but Rainbow Guitars, your Widow-to-be and all of us Guitar Porn Fans are grateful for a chance to see your prize! :D

It is a Super Buy (with a loud voice, even from the Display Rack!) with Fantastic Workmanship and the Best Case Candy I've ever seen!! :shock:

Congratulations arjay, and as Jimi was rumored to say.... 8)

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 5:45 am
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That is a beauty, nice 60's vibe, string tree correct, and the custom tools, nice addition. enjoy that baby
mud


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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 7:43 am
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Beautiful Guitar Arjay! Congrats!

BUT, did you find out anymore about that SKUNKWORKS Vibrolux??

regards
ginop


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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 7:46 am
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Nice one! I've always preferred that Closet Classic-type finish to the relics - and they did an excellent job on this one. Great sound review also; it sounds like this one is a keeper!


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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 8:31 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Thanks, Matt!

Here's a few detail shots......

Image

Image

Image

The restrained relic checkering is just visible in the rear shot of the body. Also noteworthy is that the string tree has been relocated back to its traditional location. Fender really did their homework.

Arjay



Yah .... OK ..... Sure.
That's all wonderful stuff but there is something not quite right here.
I see your tuning pegs are all lined up straight as an arrow.
Are you SURE this is a Custom Shop guitar?
Cuz we've just seen a prime example of a real honest-to-goodness C/S guitar and yours doesn't measure up in a couple areas.
Those tuning pegs in particular ... too straight, man.
I hope you didn't pay too much.

:wink: :wink:

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Post subject: Re: NMIAFGD
Posted: Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:15 am
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BMW-KTM wrote:
That's all wonderful stuff but there is something not quite right here. I see your tuning pegs are all lined up straight as an arrow. Those tuning pegs in particular ... too straight, man.


+1

:lol: I was thinking the same thing.

Another thing, you could buff out those swirls with some scratch and swirl remover. :wink:

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