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Post subject: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2013 1:55 am
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What an eye-catching guitar! However, it would be interesting to hear to some first-hand impressions about it. It looks cool, but feels a bit overpriced for a Mexican-made guitar (currently about 750 Euro in Europe). Also, wondering how it fares quality-wise. The MIJ Pawn Shops, of which I've got two, are very well made.

I anticipate that this axe can in some sense compete with Gibson's SGs in terms of its light weight and convenient diagonal position of the neck thanks to the strap button on the heel of the neck.

Happy owners, please respond!


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:31 pm
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I drool over the Pawn Shop Supersonic and the Pawn Shop 70s Deluxe Strat as well... but I don't think they have shipped yet. Maybe March?

The MIM Blacktop Jags are MIA-defying... so I rather expect the new Pawn Shops will be too. Ensenada is on fire!

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my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 1:20 pm
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Ahem...The Pawn Shop series of guitars are Made in Japan, not Mexico. Still good guitars regardless of origin.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 2:36 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
Ahem...The Pawn Shop series of guitars are Made in Japan, not Mexico. Still good guitars regardless of origin.

T2


They used to be made in Japan, Fender have moved production to Mexico.

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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 7:03 pm
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Kavan wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
Ahem...The Pawn Shop series of guitars are Made in Japan, not Mexico. Still good guitars regardless of origin.

T2


They used to be made in Japan, Fender have moved production to Mexico.

+1 mim.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 9:37 am
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Yep, the 2013 Pawn Shops are MIM... the new old stock MIJ Pawn Shops are listed at $50 higher than the MIMs... for those of you eying a Pawn Shop and believe that origin is important; better grab one fast!

However, I am much more impressed with the 2013 Pawn Shop lineup than I was with the MIJ models... Super Sonic and Deluxe 70s Strat especially!

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:32 am
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Surprisingly, these are already in stock in Europe in some of the bigger music shops since the beginning of the year. However, the price at 750 Euro does not seem right for an MIM axe. So I'd rather wait a bit till the price subsides to some 500 Euro and then try it out - new or second hand.

Tiger J wrote:
I drool over the Pawn Shop Supersonic and the Pawn Shop 70s Deluxe Strat as well... but I don't think they have shipped yet. Maybe March?

The MIM Blacktop Jags are MIA-defying... so I rather expect the new Pawn Shops will be too. Ensenada is on fire!


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2013 10:41 am
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Yes, the Pawn Shop lineup is priced within arms-length of American Special territory... but then again, American Specials are more traditional Strats and Teles and the Pawn Shops are very distinctive one-of-a-kind Fenders. Remains to be seen what their collectability will be like once each of the PS models is discontinued. Right now the used ones sell at around $200+ less than the new if it is in like-new condition. But once the new ones are no more, who knows, they may become very sought after!

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:06 pm
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I assume Fender is sort of probing the market with new experimental designs, which is cool. Some models will sell better, others will not. What I can see here in European shops is that new arrivals start to sell at about the MSRP (1$=1€), after which the price gradually goes down for the less successful models. This, for example, happened to the MIJ Pawn Shop 51 Strat that I grabbed at about 400€, whereas initially it had been offered for some 750€.
Well, we'll see, but my firm persuasion is that an MIM axe should not cost more than 500 new.


Tiger J wrote:
Yes, the Pawn Shop lineup is priced within arms-length of American Special territory... but then again, American Specials are more traditional Strats and Teles and the Pawn Shops are very distinctive one-of-a-kind Fenders. Remains to be seen what their collectability will be like once each of the PS models is discontinued. Right now the used ones sell at around $200+ less than the new if it is in like-new condition. But once the new ones are no more, who knows, they may become very sought after!


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2013 2:58 pm
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I've had the fender pawn shop super sonic for 3 weeks now. I own several japanese and an american fender and the quality of the super sonic is at least as good as the japanese guitars, maybe better.

The neck is really comfortable to play with nice fret ends, the sparkle finish is really well applied and the overall feel of the guitar is close to perfect in my opinion.

The only "thing" i have noticed is the 3-way switch that seems a little cheap. But it is working fine.

I am usually not a fan of high gain humbuckers, but the atomic humbuckers are surprisingly good. No need to change them.

I have added 2 extra springs to the tremolo because i like the trem to be flat against the body, but this is a matter of personal taste and not a fault in the instrument.

Overall i can highly recommend the fender pawn shop super sonic to anyone who need a "different" fender in their collection... Who dosn't? :D


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 4:53 am
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Fantastic! Congratulations on your new guitar! Do write more as you get to know your guitar closer. ;)
I think some pics would also be appreciated by those interested in this instrument.

SørenK wrote:
I've had the fender pawn shop super sonic for 3 weeks now. I own several japanese and an american fender and the quality of the super sonic is at least as good as the japanese guitars, maybe better.

The neck is really comfortable to play with nice fret ends, the sparkle finish is really well applied and the overall feel of the guitar is close to perfect in my opinion.

The only "thing" i have noticed is the 3-way switch that seems a little cheap. But it is working fine.

I am usually not a fan of high gain humbuckers, but the atomic humbuckers are surprisingly good. No need to change them.

I have added 2 extra springs to the tremolo because i like the trem to be flat against the body, but this is a matter of personal taste and not a fault in the instrument.

Overall i can highly recommend the fender pawn shop super sonic to anyone who need a "different" fender in their collection... Who dosn't? :D


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2013 9:59 am
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Yes... pics and a detailed review/impressions please! I don't think very many folks here in the US have been able to lay hands on a 2013 Pawn Shop model yet... they aren't in stores as of now.

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Tiger J

my gear:

Jackson USA Phil Collen PC-1
Warmoth Custom-Build Stratocaster (The Andersong)
Fender American Special Stratocaster
Squier J. Mascis Jazzmaster
Fender Mustang GT40
Eleven HeadRush w/ two Alto TS212 FRFRs


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2013 4:16 pm
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It's hard for me to describe how the whole guitar feels, so i'm going to describe the separete parts and then maybe you get an idea of the guitar.

The neck: A tiny bit bigger profile than an American standard strat, but not a "baseballbat" at all . It's laquered with about the same amount of laquer as on the MIM 50's / 60's strat and tele models. If you like the feel of a satin neck, this guitar is NOT for you.

The headstock: It is a bit weird to begin with that the tuning keys are upside down. Took me a week to get used to. Tuning keys are standard vintage looking as on the "classic player" series. Works fine.

The body: It is a bit smaller than a standard jaguar body, but it feel right because it's reversed and the lower bout is now the upper bout. If it was the same size as a standard I think it would feel really big. Comfortable to play standing up and sitting down. Fret access is good on the upper frets as well.

Electronics: 3-way Switch feel a bit cheap, but works. 2 volume controls are well balanced and i don't need a tone control on this guitar. Note that the guitar is reverse wired. I'm still surprised every time i want to switch pickups and the switch is in the "wrong" position when i look down.

Pickups: VERY GOOD. I'm certainly not a humbucker man, but i like the atomic humbuckers a lot. They are a little bit brighter than the pickups on my SG and a bit more agressive. Sound like a very hot singlecoil and they sound perfect when i play on my blues junior.

Tremolo: Mexican standard tremolo. Works fine.

Finish: The orange sparkle is perfectly applied and it looks as good as on any of the promo photos on fender website.

Overall feel is great if you are used to fender guitars.

Last but not least a i'll mention something that i think some of you will recognise from your own playing. One thing i have noticed about this guitar is: When i play a strat i feel like playing the blues. When i play an SG i feel like rocking. When i play a black pointy guitar i feel like tuning down. (You get the point) But when i play a orange sparkle reversed jaguar i'm not really bound by what i expect myself to play and that forces me to think more about what i'm playing (Which is good). I hope you understand what i mean.


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Fri Feb 22, 2013 2:45 pm
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While the reverse headstock isn't my favorite look, the Super-Sonic appeals to me because there aren't many other choices if you want guitar with a Strat trem and a short scale neck.. That combo is interesting to me..


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Post subject: Re: Fender Pawn Shop Super-Sonic: Call for Opinions
Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 2:48 pm
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Ok, thanks to all who replied to my desperate cry for help. ;) Finally, I made up my mind and decided to grab one of these Super-Sonics. Well, as a new happy owner, what can I say...

I had a chance to choose from two pieces available at that time at the local store. One piece wal absolutely flawless, while the other had a slightly misplaced neck, resulting in the strings not being entirely parallel to the edges of the fretboard. Obviously, I chose the flawless one. ;)

Now, I have to say that in my experience, quality-wise these MIM guitars are in no way inferior to their MIJ counterparts. I did have a chance to get hold of three MIJ pawn shops (two Mustangs and one 51 Strat). All three had some sort of a minor issue or another like a loosely attached jackplate, somewhat misplaced bridge, uneven colour of the neck varnish. Nothing serious, but you know, MIJ should mean "perfect", doesn't it?

OK, am I happy with this Super-Sonic? - Definitely YES! Would I recommend it to others. - 100% YES. Having said that, however, I strongly recommend bying it offline for the opportunity to check everything in person. Buy online ONLY if you're sure the seller would take it back in case your guitar turns out to be flawed in any respect.

And finally, a special note for Fender: Please, please stop throwing out those new sexy Pawn Shop axes, or I'll go broke soon. )) And thanks!


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