Guitar Thread

Onholiday(somemightsay) said:
Great attention to detail mate.

www.ebay.co.uk

Gibson Les Paul Standard - 2014, Premium Bookmatched Quilt Top in Iced Tea Burst | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Gibson Les Paul Standard - 2014, Premium Bookmatched Quilt Top in Iced Tea Burst at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.
www.ebay.co.uk
Click to expand...
As I say I'd have to examine it and play it to convince myself it was a Gibson, it's hard from photos.
I guess I'd never buy any guitar of that value from ebay, there are tons of Chibsons out there. I bought a Chibson from Ali Express just before covid.
It looked very nice but really it was a pile of cheap junk. Didn't stay in tune, the bridge and tailpiece were not in the right place so 12th fret (halfway along the string) sounded out of tune, so it could never be correctly tuned.
The pickups were terrible when played loud at a gig. I had to change the nut as it was cut too low and do many adjustments to the truss rod.
The mahogany looked real but it was veneer. etc etc. You'd be better off buying an Epiphone for $400, yeah it's a cheap guitar but it will play okay and probably stay in tune depending on how much string bending you do.
 
Onholiday(somemightsay) said:
The two Strays in question - as with all our music threads, register your votes............ ;-)

www.ebay.co.uk

Fender American Special Stratocaster | eBay

Fender strap included. Finish: Black.
www.ebay.co.uk

www.ebay.co.uk

Fender FSR Standard Stratocaster HSS Swirl 2013. Good Condition. Made in Mexico. | eBay

Fender FSR Standard Stratocaster HSS Swirl 2013. Good Condition. All the great style, versatile tone with more power, and excellent value of the Standard Stratocaster HSS are here, including a huge-sounding humbucking bridge pickup.
www.ebay.co.uk
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@Bill Walker any hint of a fake on these - engaged both sellers and looking to get to their best prices?

All other opinions welcome as usual folks.......
 
Onholiday(somemightsay) said:
@Bill Walker any hint of a fake on these - engaged both sellers and looking to get to their best prices?

All other opinions welcome as usual folks.......
Click to expand...
I don't see anything from the pics, they look genuine. Although I would question why the USA has no hard case as all US strats come with one, along with case candy.

American Special;
  • Weight: 3.8kg
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Maple Neck + Fretboard
  • 22 jumbo frets with dot Inlays
  • Texas Special Pickups
  • Nut Width: 40mm
  • Bridge PU: 6.22K
  • Middle PU: 6.10K
  • Neck PU: 5.85K
  • Synchronised tremolo
  • 5 way Pickup Switch
  • 1 x Master Vol, 2 x Tone
  • Chrome hardware
  • Case: Tweed Case
Good output on the pick ups..but where's that tweed case ?

Regarding the MIM v USA question. I'd say it depends what you want your guitar for. All Fender products are of a high standard.
With a USA Fender you are paying more for a higher spec. So the wood, the body would likely be one piece on a US guitar as opposed to several bits glued together. (Not that there is much wrong with that).
The American is usually a little more refined in certain areas such as fretwork, finish and component selection. Though a little skilled time with a file can narrow that gap. And the pickup selection will be different. The real question is, is it worth the extra? And like most things, the answer is, it depends.
Do you want the extra fret (22 vs 21)? The micro tilt adjustment on the neck? The biflex truss rod, the v-mod pickups. Higher rated tuners and an top level bridge?. Lots of little refinements that add up between the two. Any one on it's own might not be worth it, but all of them together might sway you towards the American over the Mexican. Then there is the prestige !! :)

I'd say if you're using it for home use only then the MIM will do the job very well. If you're gonna be gigging on a regular basis then I'd go for the USA. The pickups are better at high volumes. USA Fenders are like an investment, you always get more back for them if you keep them a few years.
USA come with a hard Fender case, MIM come with a Gig bag.

I'd go for a used, well looked after USA (with case and candy) over a new MIM.
 
Last edited:
Bill Walker said:
I don't see anything from the pics, they look genuine. Although I would question why the USA has no hard case as all US strats come with one, along with case candy.

American Special;
  • Weight: 3.8kg
  • Scale Length: 25.5"
  • Maple Neck + Fretboard
  • 22 jumbo frets with dot Inlays
  • Texas Special Pickups
  • Nut Width: 40mm
  • Bridge PU: 6.22K
  • Middle PU: 6.10K
  • Neck PU: 5.85K
  • Synchronised tremolo
  • 5 way Pickup Switch
  • 1 x Master Vol, 2 x Tone
  • Chrome hardware
  • Case: Tweed Case
Good output on the pick ups..but where's that tweed case ?

Regarding the MIM v USA question. I'd say it depends what you want your guitar for. All Fender products are of a high standard.
With a USA Fender you are paying more for a higher spec. So the wood, the body would likely be one piece on a US guitar as opposed to several bits glued together. (Not that there is much wrong with that).
The American is usually a little more refined in certain areas such as fretwork, finish and component selection. Though a little skilled time with a file can narrow that gap. And the pickup selection will be different. The real question is, is it worth the extra? And like most things, the answer is, it depends.
Do you want the extra fret (22 vs 21)? The micro tilt adjustment on the neck? The biflex truss rod, the v-mod pickups. Higher rated tuners and an top level bridge?. Lots of little refinements that add up between the two. Any one on it's own might not be worth it, but all of them together might sway you towards the American over the Mexican. Then there is the prestige !! :)

I'd say if you're using it for home use only then the MIM will do the job very well. If you're gonna be gigging on a regular basis then I'd go for the USA. The pickups are better at high volumes. USA Fenders are like an investment, you always get more back for them if you keep them a few years.
USA come with a hard Fender case, MIM come with a Gig bag.

I'd go for a used, well looked after USA (with case and candy) over a new MIM.
Click to expand...
Top write up that BW - cheers for taking the time.

That's pretty much why I sided with the Mexican (I also liked the colour) but unless I was trying both out at the same time, I wouldn't pick the difference.

Yes some of the spec is better but it's not like I'm playing Glasto is it?

If there is anything that I think can be bettered, then I can get a pro in to upgrade it.

You hit the nail on the head with the term 'prestige' - I was tying myself up in knots of owning a 'US' Fender which isn't what it should be about.

At the end of the day, they will both hold value and if for some reason I don't enjoy thr Mexican I will sell it on and roll the dice again.

Hopefully should be picking it up tomorrow - looking forward to it..............
 
Whilst it is driving me a little nuts as to whether I should have bought the black Strat - I am really enjoying the one that I bought.

Looks great as well............
 
Onholiday(somemightsay) said:
Thoughts guys - quality difference between US and Mexican built Fenders.

Forget value appreciation / depreciation etc - pound for pound, how do they stack up?

If we under took a Pepsi challenge, would we all pm able to pick the American made by ear or is it just a facade?

@Bill Walker where's your head at on this one?
Click to expand...
The MIM Fenders are made in Mexico by Mexicans whereas the US Fenders are made in the US by Mexicans.
 
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