Unpopular Fender opinions

[jimmywaleseswhale]

Inspired by the thread earlier this week: https://www.thegearpage.net/board/index.php?threads/unpopular-gibson-opinions.2432904/

Don't go crazy but none of those "actually, many/most people agree" ones. Yes, we know how you dislike the Antigua burst. No, "MIA prices are way too high" is not unpopular either.

This is not a bashing thread, more of a minor gripes one.

Mine are: Telecaster neck pickup should default to something like a P90. Strat pickguards are pretty ugly shape-wise but we have grown to tolerate them. Block inlay + binding necks are meh.

Enjoy!

 

[jblake]

Anything other than a maple fretboard is unacceptable.

 

[jimmywaleseswhale]

Light pau ferro looks better than light rosewood

 

[Quality Control]

Fender Custom Shops aren't any better than their production guitars. You're just getting preferred specs that are probably already available.

 

[Johnny Ninefingers]

21 Frets is stupid.

(I play Fender Strats almost exclusively.)

 

[lazy goblin]

With the way the neck and body are in plane, the strings sit flat against and too close to the body, so they’re not as comfortable to play as a guitar with a TOM bridge that has an angle.

 

[monkeybrains]

The volume control on a strat should be placed better

 

[aquanaut]

So, TGP has come to this?
Pity.

 

[_7NationArmy_]

If you keep playing a Fender, you'll end up looking like this

 

[tomnicklett]

"Leo got it right the first time" should be replaced with "Leo did it as economically as possible and exactly well enough". Both are statements of admiration.

 

[greySky]

Basically all of the fender single coils sound the same. Tele, strat, Jaguar, jazzmaster, whatever. It's just a bright twangy fender thing.

 

[jimmywaleseswhale]

So, TGP has come to this?
Pity.

Sorry, I'll make another discussion on nitro's impact on sound

 

[Beyer260]

The best guitar Fender ever made was the Jazzmaster.

Fender should have stopped changing anything about their products and designs the minute Leo sold the company. They should still be selling the 1965 catalog of products, maybe with reissues of '50s models. The only change at Fender after that point that I agree with is the 5-way switch on Strats, everything else since 1965 has been a step backward.

 

[sashavie]

I prefer a 7.25" radius on strats if setup properly

I don't get all the love for Jazzmasters

Relics are... fine in theory but I find the heavy relics (or even medium relics) will become dated as to me they seem a bit ridiculous and over the top (do you guys sweat battery acid?); I find Fender to be overdoing it in this area compared to Gibson
Worn in - yes! Beat up - no!

 

[stratchamp57]

Partscasters can be just as good as Fender custom shop at a fraction of the price.

 

[cap10kirk]

Teles look best with a Strat headstock.
Strats are better with a 3 way switch than a 5 way.

 

[Strummerfan]

I haven't seen any that I agree with yet other than this one

Fender Custom Shops aren't any better than their production guitars. You're just getting preferred specs that are probably already available.

I love fender strat pickgaurds, I have no problem with rosewood or Pau Ferro boards, but also like the maple, and the bridge pickup of a Tele is a thing of beauty. The volume control on a Strat is perfectly placed, and Strats, Teles and Jazzmasters all have their own unique flavor. Of course, these are only my opinions, and others have every right to be wrong.

 

[Guitarworks]

With the way the neck and body are in plane, the strings sit flat against the body, so they’re not as comfortable to play as a guitar with a TOM bridge.

Oh man, I've never heard a single person amongst all the people I've met in all my years utter those words, but Good Lord, that is comedy!

 

[GulfportBound]

Their amplifiers are a hundred times better than their guitars.

 

[Johnny Ninefingers]

Oh man, I've never heard a single person amongst all the people I've met in all my years utter those words, but Good Lord, that is comedy!

Try playing good funk and soul rhythm lines on an LP; it's a lot more difficult.