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Post subject: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 6:47 pm
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Just picked up this guitar for $630 out the door from my local music shop. I really had a strong interest in this guitar after seeing a few video demos on YouTube. To my eyes, this guitar looked absolutely stunning in the videos and was certainly no letdown after seeing it in person. Although it's not part of the Squier division, it was made in China. The fit and finish was perfect without a blemish and a beautiful neck with excellent fretwork which looks to be rolled on the edges. The action is set at 2/32 across the fretboard measured at the 17th fret without a capo...zero fret buzz or rattle.

I noticed that the intonation was off on the base E, A & D strings in the store registering flat but was not overly concerned with this since I would perform a set up on this guitar after taking it home. After getting the guitar home, I noticed there was definitely going to be a problem intonating these three strings. With the saddles pushed all the way to the front, these three strings would still not fully intonate. I measured the scale length from the back of the nut to bridge and saddles and the placement was correct which should allow for proper intonation.

I ended up taking out the three saddles and turning them around with the overhang of the lip facing the nut rather then away from it. Turning these three saddles around solved the problem and left some room for further adjustment upfront if needed. I measured the saddle placement on my other guitars which feature a 25.5 scale length neck, and now the saddles on the Coronado match those of the other guitars almost precisely in their measurements.

I guess I'm going to assume that these three saddles were in backwards facing the wrong direction but I certainly don't know this for sure..nonetheless, the guitar now plays and sounds beautiful. There was an inspection tag on the guitar that somebody obviously bullshited their way on this one.

Based upon my experience, I would highly recommend this guitar for playability and sound but would caution to inspect very carefully for quality control. The pickups are very articulate and chimney and do very well with gain.

I will also add that I prefer the Coronado over my H-75 for sound and playability.

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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 10:40 pm
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musicmatty wrote:
I ended up taking out the three saddles and turning them around with the overhang of the lip facing the nut rather then away from it. Turning these three saddles around solved the problem and left some room for further adjustment upfront if needed.


I've often found this saddle mod necessary when setting up a Gibson equipped with the vintage-spec Tune-O-Matic bridge, and for similar reasons.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Mon Dec 28, 2015 11:20 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
musicmatty wrote:
I ended up taking out the three saddles and turning them around with the overhang of the lip facing the nut rather then away from it. Turning these three saddles around solved the problem and left some room for further adjustment upfront if needed.


I've often found this saddle mod necessary when setting up a Gibson equipped with the vintage-spec Tune-O-Matic bridge, and for similar reasons.
********************************************************************

Thank you for sharing that information and I certainly will remember this moving forward if I ever encounter this style of bridge again with the same results.

I can honestly say I actually prefer this style of bridge over that of a telecaster or Strat with six individual saddles needing height adjustments periodically.

Musicmatty

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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:50 am
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Each type of bridge offers advantages and disadvantages, ie: they're a compromise between a number of factors. I actually regard the Stratocaster bridge as superior although I'd never install one on a Les Paul or any other guitar it didn't belong on. Such dramatic tampering usually results in disappointment. Your remedy for fixing a minor issue with your Coronado is a great example of intuitive ingenuity and I applaud you for your logic and practical engineering skills.

8)

Rawk on!

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:10 pm
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http://youtu.be/f4HmfZjyXJE

http://youtu.be/AtDIXvelG90

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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 7:42 pm
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I have the car Coronado, I like it a lot. I watched your you tube vids before I read your post, great job. Since you have a original Coronado you should do a video comparing the sound of both of them. Or at least a vid of the original. :)


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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 8:52 pm
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Minnesotastrats wrote:
I have the car Coronado, I like it a lot. I watched your you tube vids before I read your post, great job. Since you have a original Coronado you should do a video comparing the sound of both of them. Or at least a vid of the original. :)



Thank you for your kind words :D I don't have an original Coronado ..the guitar in the picture is a 1969 Harmony H-75.


http://youtu.be/jt5XUeAyr9w

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Post subject: Re: Review of my new Fender Coronado II
Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2016 9:43 pm
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Oops, my bad. I should be more observant. :oops:


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