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Post subject: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronics?
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 6:46 am
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I've never owned a really expensive electric guitar. All of the ones I've ever owned have had the electronics crap out in one way or another (Danelectro U2, Epiphone Dot). I'm looking at buying a Telecaster. Looks/wood are not nearly as important to me as dependable hardware. What do you think the lowest-end model I can get will be that will have quality electronics?


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 7:15 am
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can't go wrong with a mim standard telecaster.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:39 am
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anything with a fender name on it, and classic vibe series squiers. I personally wouldn't spend money on anything that cost less than a squire CV. I have a Korean made fender with proper Seymour Duncan pickups, just to show country of origin is not the deciding factor of quality either.

however....

your idea of quality and my idea of quality might well be different. squire CV upwards, you wont find anything that continually breaks or sounds like total crap. but, you may decide the sounds from the lower end pickups of the CV series or MIM std guitars don't please your ears.

only you can decide what 'quality' is by playing them yourself. I personally have never felt the need to change the pickups in my Mexican std strat, im perfectly happy with them. but, I know it COULD be better if I could be bothered to swap them and had spare cash to do it.

so it depends on what YOU mean by quality ? something that's going to always work ? something that sounds decent enough without being upgraded ? or something that sounds incredible ?

I find with fender you pretty much always get what you pay for. especially if youre in the US and don't get lumbered with extra tax fees and shipping costs like we do in the UK, and I guess Europe.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:57 am
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Thanks for your responses. Basically, I'm just looking for electronics that don't short out, and crackle. I was really surprised that after only a year or two of moderate use, the Epiphone Dot's pickup selector switch started shorting out and buzzing. I just want a guitar whose pickups, switches, and knobs are rock-solid dependable.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 11:09 am
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my '02 (or maybe '04 cant remember) std mim strat is totally stock, ive never even lifted the scratchplate. other than the 'normal' strat hum in the 1, 3 and 5 position, its as good as it was when it left the factory. as are all my other guitars, ive never modded any of them electronically. and they've all been gigged and abused in my younger days. ive got 2 MIM, a Korean, and a Japanese. the squire CV series are supposed to be a very, very close competitor to the cheapest fenders.

I even once spilt a pint on my 72 custom tele, and it worked fine. it still smells of beer though.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 3:25 am
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Any thing that has either the Fender or Squire name on it, is very dependable IMO. It all depends on how much you're willing to spend . I myself play a Squier Affinity Butterscotch Telecaster which for the price ( $179.99 U.S. ), is the best thing going in that price range and has gotten a ton of rave reviews from guitarists everywhere. Your best bet is to go to your local music store and try them all out and see what appeals to you.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 11:29 am
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If 'dependability' is the issue, the I agree that anything Fender or high end Squier won't fail on you. If it's a quality sound that you want, spend as much as you're looking to spend on a guitar, and set aside another $300 to upgrade pots, caps and pickups. Do that to a Squier CV for example and you've got a pretty killer guitar for hundreds less than an Am Std.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2013 2:19 pm
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Thanks very much for your suggestions! I would have never considered a Squire due to my previous experience with them, but after looking at online reviews of the CV Telecaster, it looks like a great buy!


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 3:24 am
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boatofcar wrote:
Thanks very much for your suggestions! I would have never considered a Squire due to my previous experience with them, but after looking at online reviews of the CV Telecaster, it looks like a great buy!


Those Squier CV's are probably the best thing going today. I've tried them out before at Guitar Center and they are much better then the MIM Fender Standard Teles. I'm pushing my wife to get me one for my birthday next month. I want the Butterscotch model.


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Post subject: Re: How much do I need to spend to get dependable electronic
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:19 pm
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What ever you do. go and try first before you buy. Just because it has a reputable name/model doesn't mean you will get a great guitar.

Also check it through a high gain amp. It will help weed out any electronic issues.
Even after you buy you may want to upgrade electrics including pickups. should be able to upgrade for around $250 if you do it yourself.

Good luck!


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