New Fenders

[Saul Goodman]

Interesting renovations. Different wiring than other stock Fenders. New contoured neck. Nitro. Not sure if it's for me. 

 

[tbonesullivan]

They have so many different versions of the Telecaster out now that I can't keep track anymore. As someone who doesn't really care if it "looks old", I honestly don't care about that aspect of the design. I also generally don't like their Ultra, or Ultra Luxe offerings. Much rather just have a plain ol' tele without any fancy noiseless stuff or the S-1 switch, that now apparently delivers "authentic single coil tones"? Yeah no. 

[crunchee]

Unless a Tele has a ash body (guitar under 8 lbs. weight total or less) and a three-barrel brass bridge, I ain't interested.  

[velorush]

Seriously, after building my own Strat I have absolutely no interest other than perusing any "innovations" that can be incorporated into another partscaster.  

[geoff_hartwell]

Why doesn’t F have an online service where they put together partscasters for customers? Is there already one?

🤷🏼‍♂️🧐🤪

[Saul Goodman]

I agree with every one of your statements above. I don't think I've ever owned an actual Fender anything. Too easy to build partscasters the way I want. Mine usually play better than any of the Fenders I've played at GC too. But, I've never played a Custom Shop. So there is that.

 @geoff_hartwell @velorush @crunchee @tbonesullivan

[tbonesullivan]

50 minutes ago, geoff_hartwell said:

Why doesn’t F have an online service where they put together partscasters for customers? Is there already one?

🤷🏼‍♂️🧐🤪

There is, kinda. It's called the mod shop. And it results in stuff like this happening:
 

 

[Hbom]

1st. I stopped buying anything new from anyone related to FMIC about 15 years ago.

2nd. The nice thing about Fender whatever, is that in a month or two there will be a bunch of them available "used excellent" at all the big box stores for about 30% less than new.

Edited August 12, 2025 by Hbom

[diablo175]

I'm grateful for the fact that I don't play Fender guitars.   

[velorush]

Watched this last night:

Afterward I thought, 'cool amalgam of useful features from several models. I wonder...'

Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Butterscotch Blonde US25002406 | Reverb

$3,000? Three THOUSAND Dollars? WHAT? For a Telecaster?

The linked example on Reverb is nice - less than 7 lbs. and the neck is a bit larger than the "Modern C" ridiculousness I never voted to be the standard, but the market segment of $3,000 guitars has some pretty heady membership. Wow.

[Dave Scepter]

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)

owns several guitar brands, including Squier, Charvel, Jackson, EVH, and Gretsch. Additionally, they own Bigsby, and have licensing deals with EVH. Fender also owns PreSonus, which is more focused on digital audio workstations and recording gear, 

[crunchee]

4 hours ago, velorush said:

Watched this last night:

Afterward I thought, 'cool amalgam of useful features from several models. I wonder...'

Fender American Ultra Luxe Vintage '50s Telecaster Maple Fingerboard Butterscotch Blonde US25002406 | Reverb

$3,000? Three THOUSAND Dollars? WHAT? For a Telecaster?

The linked example on Reverb is nice - less than 7 lbs. and the neck is a bit larger than the "Modern C" ridiculousness I never voted to be the standard, but the market segment of $3,000 guitars has some pretty heady membership. Wow.

I like all the booteek guitar features; but if I don't play through the same effects as this guy, I'm still gonna sound like me. and not like this video.

That being said, I do like this Fender guitar demo: