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vintage and current production fenders

riscado

Active member
Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
1,460
I love both vintage and new production guitars. In general I tend to think that if you pick them right, you can't go wrong.

With that said, vintage guitars do have a different feel. I can't say whether it's better or worst, just different. Certainly aged wood plays a big role in the way old guitars respond and feel in your hands.

I've recently bought a late 58 (59 serial number) Gibson Junior single cut and I am absolutely thrilled with it. I would very much like to get an old pre-cbs strat or tele.

I've had a 64/65 fender mustang which I sold, and could certainly feel that the guitar responded differently.

Given the option would you go for a vintage tele or strat, or would you rather spend you money on a nice custom shop or reissue?
 

Cogswell

The Duke of Dumbassery
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
15,717
I'd go vintage, definitely. I've owned about every offering that Fender makes. And while the Custom Shop makes great guitars, I always found myself saying "This is really REALLY close to my 19XX Strat/Tele!"
 

Cogswell

The Duke of Dumbassery
Joined
Mar 19, 2002
Messages
15,717
Besides, I've never seen a finish, aged or not that matched what they were doing in the '50s & '60s. At least not from Fender. I've seen some scary refins.
 

Unbound Dot Neck

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2004
Messages
1,623
+1 , close but no cigar , lord I have tried .
:hank

I'd go vintage, definitely. I've owned about every offering that Fender makes. And while the Custom Shop makes great guitars, I always found myself saying "This is really REALLY close to my 19XX Strat/Tele!"
 

57gold

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2005
Messages
692
Had 4 new custom shop Fenders, all selected from dozens.

Sold all but one, below, due to its connection with SRV, Charlie's Guitars and because it is so freakin' cool:

C00ED443_zpsf4e1c56a.jpg


Once I bought a 1957 Strat, never touched the new ones...never, except for the Danelctro lipstick tube laden one. Now have a 1956 Tele, 1958 and 1964 Strats, as well.

Only new build Strat style instrument I have ever played and coveted since acquiring the vintage ones is a buddy's D'Pergo...musical as hell, played like my Joe Glaser refretted 1958 and had that vintage response (some call it a bit of sag with sparkle that is sweet/ not shrill).
 

buckaroo

Formerly Tweedguy
Joined
Feb 17, 2009
Messages
938
The Wildwood Fenders with brazilian fingerboards were pretty good sounding / playing guitars. Especially the Masterbuilt models with pickups by Abby Yabarra. Find a good sounding one of those and it is pretty hard to beat.
 

bern1

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 23, 2004
Messages
1,275
We'll I love vintage guitars, Fenders included . My old Strat is going nowhere. Having said that, I have a 62 reissue Tele that gets a LOT of use, it's light and I don't worry about it too much . He'll, it's got that Tele sound. Sometimes there's more to the picture than how great it plays or sounds.
Room for everything old and new!
 
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