What guitar gear have you bought/are you buying/will you buy?

[pekbro]

Yeah I dunno, I did watch a blind versus the other day on gretch pro vs regular, I was able to pick the pro version by the sound instantly. It was due to the pick ups of course, but it was better, a lot richer sounding. I gotta go but I can find the video later. Of course, it's all subjective. The cheaper guitar was still pretty good.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Yeah, but I could pick up some amazing handwound bespoke pickups and still have £500 left. I’d feel differently if I bought gear as an investment, but it’s just because I want to play it.

[Uncle E]

So, I was talking to my friend the multi-millionaire guitarist about buying a new Fender Telecaster,
He recommended that, unless you are going to mod the guitar and change most of the
HW on it, buy the American model. Better setup, better made, better quality, better investment
in his professional opinion.

Fender still stamps their American hardware on the same machines they've been using since the 50's and the pickups (at least Custom Shop models, not sure of others) are wound by hand in Corona. With their MIM and overseas models, the hardware and electronics (with a few exceptions) come from overseas.

[pekbro]

So, I was talking to my friend the multi-millionaire guitarist about buying a new Fender Telecaster,
He recommended that, unless you are going to mod the guitar and change most of the
HW on it, buy the American model. Better setup, better made, better quality, better investment
in his professional opinion.

Fender still stamps their American hardware on the same machines they've been using since the 50's and the pickups (at least Custom Shop models, not sure of others) are wound by hand in Corona. With their MIM and overseas models, the hardware and electronics (with a few exceptions) come from overseas.

I dunno, that's what he said. Hes a Fender guy I believe. He's into guitars definitely, and has
unlimited funds. I have to believe there is something to what he says.

[Uncle E]

I dunno, that's what he said. Hes a Fender guy I believe. He's into guitars definitely, and has
unlimited funds. I have to believe there is something to what he says.

Yes, I'm confirming. That's what they told me when I toured the Fender factory in Corona. They told me Mexico doesn't have regulations about calling things "Made In Mexico" and most of what's in a MIM Fender actually comes from overseas.

[pekbro]

I dunno, that's what he said. Hes a Fender guy I believe. He's into guitars definitely, and has
unlimited funds. I have to believe there is something to what he says.

Yes, I'm confirming. That's what they told me when I toured the Fender factory in Corona. They told me Mexico doesn't have regulations about calling things "Made In Mexico" and most of what's in a MIM Fender actually comes from overseas.

Ahh ok sry. His signature model is MIM I think, so it's not like he's never had access to cheaper models either.

[pekbro]

Yeah, but I could pick up some amazing handwound bespoke pickups and still have £500 left. I’d feel differently if I bought gear as an investment, but it’s just because I want to play it.

Of course that's the solution, setup the more affordable guitar how ever you like.

[Uncle E]

Modding pickups get expensive quickly (you can just swap out the magnets of humbuckers and P90's, which can sometimes help a lot) but you get a lot for your money with EMG's and Fender Ultra Noiseless. Good locking tuners are expensive and cheap locking tuners are usually a downgrade. I put in an LSR nut recently and that was a huge improvement for relatively little money. Allparts makes a low priced tuneamatic with brass saddles that improves every guitar I've put it in, plus it looks better than all the oversized Nashville and GFS stuff. Gotoh trems and Telecaster saddles are excellent at any price.

[pekbro]

Personally, I don't know enough about guitars to mess around too much, I just as soon buy a nice one at the start. I know that I can tell the difference in playing feel and sound pretty well, even if I don't really get why. I also happen to like nice stuff, for me it's an easy decision

[Uncle E]

Fender's Ultra models come with the Ultra Noiseless pickups:

https://www.fender.com/en-US/electric-s ... can-ultra/

[WatchTheGuitar]

Good locking tuners are expensive and cheap locking tuners are usually a downgrade.

Which is one reason I didn’t go for the £1000 US Fender tele, didn’t even come with locking tuners.
My guess is that the #1 aftermarket guitar customisation would be fitting strap locks.

[cgnat]

Bought a Fender CS 2012 Custom Deluxe Strat, love that thing

[thecontrolcentre]

My guess is that the #1 aftermarket guitar customisation would be fitting strap locks.

I've always used the rubber seals from Grolsch bottle tops ... one free with every bottle

[vurt]

My guess is that the #1 aftermarket guitar customisation would be fitting strap locks.

I've always used the rubber seals from Grolsch bottle tops ... one free with every bottle

pack of washers, about 20 for 2 quid

[Uncle E]

pack of washers, about 20 for 2 quid

This is the way. Fender washers (as in washers made for car fenders) FTW.