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The Golden Age beyond the First Golden Age?

ch willie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,114
Pre-CBS is generally agreed to be the golden age of Fender guitars.

Without putting down folk's prefered Fender instruments, what do you consider to be Fender's next greatest years?

Now?

The 90s?

CBS era?

I've been playing Fenders since the 70s, and I'm happiest with my 2008-2011 Fenders--don't think my highly subjective opinion indicates a "golden age."
 

Progrocker111

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Dec 10, 2003
Messages
4,013
I like very much late 60s Strat aswell, some early 70s are great too.

They still have great pickups (very similar sounding to mid 60s), they were still made from light alder (often very resonant guitars) and the only major change that could have influence on tone was switch to poly finishes in late 60s.
 

redisburning

Les Paul Froum Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2015
Messages
256
prices suggest either 80s (Fullerton reissues) or mid 90s (Cunetto era Custom Shop runs).

Im not sure there is a second golden age, though. Fender's been fine but I don't think you can point to a period where they've really been exploding; the last one like that I can think of is Boogie in the late 80s.
 

S. Cane

Active member
Joined
Dec 10, 2014
Messages
656
That pretty much depends on what you want from the guitar.

Quality, good craftmanship, good finishes, handmade and sanded parts... Well I guess only the Fender Custom Shop reissues will satisfy a collector or "conoisseur" (I always laugh when I use that term regarding guitars).

If you are mainly a guitar player and don't care for history or true vintage specs, I don't think anything can match the post-2012 American Standards and the current custom shop stuff. Er... Even the pre-CBS, given the playability and some minor improvements of modern instruments, these can really make a difference...

Anyway, there's room for every Fender. I love 'em all, and many people love even the late CBS guitars, just like the Norlin pauls and everything else... Each has its particular charm. I'm a bit partial to Fender :yah
 

sonar

New member
Joined
Jan 10, 2003
Messages
3,589
I see no evidence of multiple Golden Ages. Just one.

I can't even write about a Renaissance anywhere along the timelines.

At this point it's speculation based around subjective owners, which is fine.

Play what you like and don't worry about what other people think.
 

ch willie

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 7, 2007
Messages
1,114
I am really happy with my 2011-13 Fenders. My 2011 Strat sounds great and is one of the easiest Strats to play that I've owned. So I love my Strat and don't care if it's a "golden age" during that time. I think Fender has been making great guitars these last two decades.

So, yeah, I was just curious if there's some kind of consensus out there about a certain group of years.

Seems like there isn't.
 

Stoj

Active member
Joined
Oct 6, 2006
Messages
3,514
The guitars coming out of the Fender CS today are top shelf, they're as good as my old '63 :salude
 

gibson-r8

Active member
Joined
Jul 15, 2004
Messages
574
May not be 'golden' but I have 95 and an 05 American Strats and I like 'em. Maybe ignorance is bliss, but I believe that more fine, affordable, useable instruments are available now than ever before in rock history. Sure beats that Harmony arch top I learned on.
 
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