Conference napalm::guitar

    There are books about Fender. I do not know if they are about Leo
    Fender, but I know these books are available about the instruments.
    
    I have seen them available in music stores.
    

	The Guitar Book by Tom Wheeler would be a good place to start.
	It runs down practically the whole history of the guitar.
	Expensive tho......'bout $30 I think.

	-gary

    Something I have just noticed......Fender has introduced a Standard
    American Stratocaster. I just saw one briefly the other day in the
    music store. I also bought a copy of Musician featuring Robert Cray
    on the front cover, and guess what he was holding ?  The new Standard
    American Stratocaster. The article went on to mention that Cray
    has 4 strats, one of them the new American Standard Strat. Does
    this mean that a special version of a strat is now made in America
    ? I think so, however I plan on returning to that same store to
    check it out. The finish looks like a light shade of charcoal gray.
    If anybody else knows anything about this please inform !
    
    Thanks
    
    Tony

    re .3:
    
    What difference does it make if Fenders are made in the US or in
    Japan or in freakin' South Yemen? I personally feel that the Japanese
    have been able to put out some high-quality instruments for a very
    reasonable price. I played an Ibanez Artist for a few years and
    loved it! So Fender will make some Strats in the US on the same
    machinery they use in Japan, and charge you twice as much for
    
    1. the 'made in USA' label
    2. production costs are so much higher here because Fender has to
       pay its workers so much more than in Japan.
    
    Fender is in business to make money. If it behooves them to perpetuate
    this 'Made in USA' myth, they will do so. I've bought enough 'name
    brand' stuff and been consistently disappointed with what I got
    for the money.
    
    -Dave (former quality engineer)

    There is a book called the Guitar Handbook By Ralph Denyer it sells
    for $14.95 and you can find it in most music stores. This book has
    a section on electric guitars in this section there is page that
    is dedicated to the Fender Guitar and it has a little story on
    Leo Fender and the Fender makes.
    
    
    I hope this helps... This book also talks about other models like
    Gibson etc. etc. etc. it is a very good book for the price.
    
    
    
                                  Happy reading
    
                                            R.R.

    According to the Fender dealers I've talked to recently, here's
    the poop on what Fender will be making for the next year or so:
    
    1.  Strats, Teles, Jaguars, Jazzmasters and "Performers" from Japan.
     These include humbucker-ized Strats and Teles.
    
    2.  American "Standard" Strats.  Same as the old Strat we all know
    and same as the Japanese one but made in USA and about an extra
    $100.
    
    3.  Basses: No more Jazz Bass, except that a 2 pickup P-bass is
    now called a "Contemporary Jazz"???? and a new "Performer" bass. All
    made in Japan.
    
    4.  Squiers: Strats, Teles, short-scale (32") P-basses.  Some of
    the guitars with humbuckers.  All Japanese.
    
    5.  At high ($900 and up list) prices: the old Vintage series, made
    in USA. Strats,Teles, P and J-basses.
    
    The "Performer", by the way, looks like a Strat or J-bass but with
    sharper cutaway horns, a deeper cutaway to fit a 24 fret neck and
    two white pickups of unknown sound.  The hardware looks like that
    of the short-live Elite series.  I saw a bass once in Boston about
    a year ago and it looked nice but the sound and playability are
    unknown.  Also, Fender has been shipping stuff different than what
    the catalogs show for the past two years or so since they changed
    hands and some of what is listed in the catalog may be fiction.
     
    The Standard Strat though is a sure thing, no doubt because Fender
    was concerned about players' anti-Japan bias.
    

	As far as reading about old Leo, there was a good article in
	Guitar Player Magazine several years ago.  You may be able to
	get a back issue from the publisher or if you want let me
	know and I'll see if I can dig mine out of the archives and
	copy the article for you.

	-gary

    Daves got a point.  Japense Guitars arn't all that bad,  I've got
    a hand made Ibanez MC400, and modestly speaking, that axe will 
    destroy just about anything made by American manufactures.

    My problem with the Japense guitars is with the cheaper ones.
    The wood they use for the bodies and necks is too light for my
    liking.  Also the hardware, even though many times they use
    Grovers and Schaler machine heads, are the  cheaper ones.
    Pickups most times are very noisy and microphonic. The finish
    is low quality.  Now again, this is primarily on the cheaper makes.
    Kent, Hondo, (read- Beginners models.)  ESP Toki (sp ?) Are decent
    peices.

    But if you want a Strat, or Tele,  buy one that was made 15 to 20
    years or more.  Then You Got a Fender.  

    Dave's right. I just got an Ibanez that I feel is the best guitar
    I've ever played. It is made just as well/b=maybe better than my
    American-made Jackson (It's relatively new so I haven't made up
    my mind yet).
    
    People always comment if a strat is made in the US or Japan. Actually,
    I like the Japan-made ones better.
    
    That can be taken as personal opinion to avoid flames....WJB

    I've played both Japanese and American Strats (recent issue) and
    admit that the Japanese seemed to play a little better.  Personally
    I prefer the lighter feel.  A word of warning though.  My friend
    who is a Fender dealer says that the Japanese models he has seen
    do have cheaper hardware and he often has to replace parts on them
    soon after they're sold.
    
    /rick

    RE: .1
    
    For the Fender Story, I have recently purchased a magazine titled
    The Fender Stratocaster, while it deals with primarily strats made
    since the beginnings of the Fender company. It also deals with Fender
    history in general. I would be happy to send you a copy, just let
    me know your address.
    
    As far as American .vs. Japan, I didn't mean to start a debate over
    which was better, I was just curious, I did however find out that
    Fender opened or is going to open a factory in Oregon. As far as
    which is better, I think that's an individual decision based upon
    many factors. I personally have a Japanese Standard Strat which
    plays great (for ME). Sorry to have started a debate, that was NOT
    the intention.
    

    RE the Oregon factory: Fender recently bought Sunn, the amp company,
    and they were based in Oregon.  I would expect all the US amps to
    come from that facility whether they say Fender or Sunn on them.

re-1
    
    Or they could be all funded by a Japnese outfit, hence we may see
    the name Fender-son  :-)

    Re: .10
    
    	> My friend who is a Fender dealer says that the Japanese models
    	> he has seen do have cheaper hardware and he often has to replace
    	> parts on them soon after they're sold.
    
    		Interesting! I have a Squire Bullet Bass and about a
    year or so after I bought it,I had a pickup go bad(?). It had an
    open winding.I would assume that this is NOT a common occurrance.
    
    		I was (luckily!) able to find a place in Chicago that
    had replacement parts.The other alternative was to get the bass
    routed for p-bass pickups asn this bass has 'non-standard' pickups.
    
    		Has anybody else had problems like this on their 
    Japanese made Fenders?.
    
    		Except for this problem,I LOVE my bass!!! :-);
    
    				Tom G. 

    I once tried installing Seymour Duncan P-bass pickups on a Bullet.
    I like the way the Bullet plays and sounds (the Bullet is especially
    good for slap-funk riffing), but it always seemed like it could use
    more bottom.  I had a custom pickguard cut and wired so that I could
    just pop it in (and back out again if I wanted to).  I don't believe
    any routing of the body was required.  Anyway, this experiment was a
    disaster from my point of view.  The Bullet sounded terrible with
    P-bass pickups.  That nice, crisp response was gone; the bass played
    flat and muddy.  I eventually re-installed the original electronics
    and learned to appreciate the Bullet for what it was.

    /rick

    I was speaking to an old friend in Fender's marketing dept yesterday
    and he told me that when they reorganized 3 years ago, their 7-year
    goal was to have 80% U.S. production. This year they have reached
    that goal. He said most players think the better wood, workmanship
    (!) and hardware on their US-made instruments are worth the extra
    money. Their warranty repair rate is better on the American instruments
    to.
    
    At the recent guitar show in Texas, a White ('59?) Strat with Gold hardware
    went for $16,000. When I bought my first Fender, I didn't want to
    spend the extra $50 that a custom color & gold plating cost. It
    would have been a good investment. 
    
    Think about that when you're considering saving a few bucks on your
    next guitar ;-)
    
    Danny W.

    
    Next time you talk to your friend tell him that some of us bass
    players would like to see Fender wake up and smell the coffee.  I'd
    like to see the Precision Elite back in production and how about
    a high power all-tube Bassman head???
    
    

    I try not to talk with him too often--as a Gibson fan, I tend to
    drive him crazy (he called me for help in  selling a mint
    Gibson 1981 Super 400 CES--anyone interested, let me know), but:
    
    "Vintage" and standard Fenders outsold Elites about 4:1, and they
    can hardly keep up with production as it it, so don't hold your
    breath. Personally, I agree with you about the Elites.
    
    He hinted at a Bass top similar to the new Showman.He was vague
    enough so I don't know if he meant it or was doing a market survey.
    
    He also told me that their Custom shop ("What you can conceive,
    we can acheive" or something equally putrid) is backed up 8-10 months;
    not quite Gibson's 2 years to forever, but a hefty backlog nonetheless.
    
    If you are unhappy with Fender's (or anyone's) product line, quality,
    attitude, or anything, call or write them, even if you don't have
    friends working there. I have beaten the heck out of the Presidents
    or Senior VPs at Gibson, Guild, Fender, Gretsch (when they existed),
    Ovation, Polytone, Kustom (when they existed) and others about all
    kinds of things. They don't always do anything about it, but they usually
    listen. Sometimes, they even fix the problem.
    
    Danny W.

    Just an update - here it is April 1990. I saw a used Japanese made Strat
    hanging in Daddy's in Manchester going for $289. It was in excellent to
    mint condition. Seems to me that I've never seen so low a price for a
    used Strat, regardless of condition.
    
    BTW, my Strat is Japanese and I like everything about it except one.
    The tremolo arm doesn't fit tightly into the assembly. Its still fine
    for "dive bombing" but annoying for getting a vibrato.
    
    Dave  "Sakman" 

    Being the owner of a 'US made' strat and a 'jap' strat, I find the only
    major difference, but an important one, is the pickups.  The Jap strat
    appears to have *real* cheapo's!  The construction of these pickups
    looks very flimsy and it appears that they didn't use copper wire, but
    instead, cheaper bronze wire wrapping.  Of course, that can be easily
    rectified simply by putting on some Seymour Duncans, EMG's, or Fender
    Lace Sensors.  I do get somewhat of a 'string-buzz' on my Jap strat,
    however, but isn't noticable when played through an amp.
    
    Other differences, although not as prominent, is the difference in 
    the quality of construction in the pick guard.  
    
    What I did with my strats is replace the stock pickups on the US strat
    with Seymour Duncans, then replaced the cheapo pickups on the Jap strat
    with the original US pickups.  
    
    What does this all mean?  Put it this way, each strat has it's own
    unique sound characteristics, whereas, they BOTH sound great!!
    
    One thing though, as far as a Jap strat goes, I would lean more towards
    the purchase of one that has a rosewood neck, since a maple neck is
    more critical towards the overall sound than is a rosewood.
    
    FWIW,
    
    Mike

    I swear to God I am not trying to start something but I think that you
    can get into trouble using the word "JAP" in the notes conferences
    
    Please correct (or slam) me if I'm wrong.
    
    

    
    	Here's some model info from the latest Fender glossy catalog.
    I've left out HM series, acoustic and designer series stuff.
    
    
    American Made Guitars:
    
    Strat Plus	- same as we've all talked about    	$899.99 List
    
    Deluxe Strat Plus - same as above but with
     one each red, gold and blue lace sensors		$999.99 List
    
    Strat Ultra - Same as strat plus but with
     figured top and two red, one blue and one
     gold lace sensor. This is a very attractive
     guitar!						$1399.99 List
    
    Deluxe Telecaster Plus - Features rosewood or maple neck, 22 frets, amer.
    std. tremelo!, roller nut, locking keys, Ash top and back. 2 red
    and 1 blue lace sensors. List: $999
    
    Telecaster Plus - Same as deluxe, but not trem, locking tuners or
    roller nut. List: $899
    
    American Std. Tele					$739.99 List
    American Std. Strat 				$749.99 List
    
    
    Reissue Series Guitars (not *vintage* series)
    
    '60's Stratocaster (rosewood fingerboard w/case)	$649 List
    '50's Stratocaster (maple fingerboard w/case)	$649 List
    '50's Stratocaster (non-tremelo)			$559 List
    '50's Telecaster					$639 List
    '62 Custom Telecaster 				$719 List
    
    HRR Series Guitars 
    
    Features Floyd Rose locking trem, 1 Dimarzio 
    humbucker and 2 single coils includes case.
    '50's series has maple fingerboard, '60's 
    series has rosewood.				$849.99 List
    
    
    Signature Series Guitars
    
Stratocasters:
    
    Eric Clapton: Features V shaped maple neck, 22 frets, active
    electronics, 3 gold lace sensors, vintage style trem (blocked)
    and tweed case. List Price: $1299
    
    Yngwie Malmsteen: 21 Fret scalloped fingerboard (rosewood or
    maple), 2 DiMarzio HS2 and 1 Fender pickup. American Std. tremelo,
    tweed case. List: $1299
    
    Jeff Beck: No details or price available
    
    Robert Cray: Rosewood fingerboard, special neck shape,
    21 frets, non tremelo, 3 vintage pickups. Custom built,
    custom order only. List: $1900
    
    Telecasters:
    
    James Burton: Maple neck, 21 frets, 1 ea. blue, silver and 
    red lace sensors. Gold or Black Hardware. List: $1299
    
    Danny Gatton: Maple neck, 22 frets. 2 barden pickups. special
    bridge and saddles. Custom build, custom order only. List: $2400
    
    Albert Collins: Ash Body, bound top and back. 1 humbucking and 1
    vintage style pickup. Custom built, custom order only. List: $2400
    
    
    
    Vintage Series Guitars
    
    '57 Stratocaster - Maple neck, Tremelo		$1099
    '62 Stratocaster - Rosewood neck, Tremelo		$1099 
    '52 Telecaster 					$1099
    
    Limited Edition Series
    
    '69 Telecaster Thinline. Maple neck, mahogany semi hollow
    body, f-hole. List: $749
    
    
    Standard Series Guitars (price does not include case)
    
    Telecaster		$439
    Stratocaster	$449
    Strat XII		$759
    
    
    
    
    
    
                                                              

    
    
    	Here's info from the lastest Fender catalog about Basses
    Some items ommitted. All basses 34" scale unless otherwise noted.
    
    
    American Made Basses
    
    Vintage Series
    
    '57 Precision. Maple neck 34" scale		$1099
    '62 Precision. Rosewood 	 		$1099
    '62 Jazz Bass. Rosewook 			$1199
    
    Reissue Series
    
    '60s Jazz Bass. Rosewood			$719
    '50s Precision. Maple fingerboard		$679
    '60s Precision. Rosewood			$679
    
    Precision Basses
    
    Precision Bass Plus: Rosewood fingerboard. 34" scale. fine tuning
    bridge, 1 ea. P-style lace sensor and J-style lace sensor. Strap
    locks. Also available with maple fingerboard. List: 999.99
    
    Precision Bass "Lyte": Rosewood fingerboard. 22 frets. 34" scale,
    smaller body size, active electronics, gold hardware. PJ pickups,
    no case. List: $759
    
    
    Jazz Basses
    
    Jazz Bass Plus V: 5 string, rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, special
    body size, 2 silver J-style lace sensors, active electronics. 
    Also available with maple fingerboard. List: $1199
    
    Jazz Bass Plus: Same as above only 4 string. List $1199
    
    Amer. Std. Jazz Bass: Rosewood fingerboard. 34" scale. 22
    frets. List: $829
    
    Power Jazz Bass Special: GMR Tri-lam neck. Rosewood fingerboard,
    22 frets. 34" scale. PJ pickups. Active electronics. Black Hardware.
    List: $849
    
    Jazz Bass Special: Rosewood fingerboard, PJ pickups. List: $649
    
    Jazz Bass Special Fretless:				 List: $679
    
    
    Other
    
    JP90 Bass: Rosewood, 20 frets PJ pickups with case.	List: $499
    
    
    Standard Series Basses (Japanese)
    
    Jazz Bass		 $499
    Jazz Bass (fretless) $489 
    Precision		 $509
    Precision (32" scale) $449
    
    
    

    
    
    re: .-1, .-2
    
    	It's interesting to note that there is no such thing as 
    an "American Standard Precision Bass". If you want an american
    made standard p-bass, you have to buy either a vintage or re-issue
    series instrument. When you consider how many varieties of J-basses
    there are, it seems really strange.
    
    re: JP90
    
    	This is a seriously UGLY bass. It's kind of J-bass shaped,
    without (it appears) the countours. it's also got the new
    smaller Fender headstock. It's got a good list price, for
    a US made instrument though.
    
    

    
    
    	I saw a couple of neat basses in the lastest Bass player mag. The
    first one is this issues contest instrument. Its a Fender custom shop
    built "Jaco Pastorius" Fretless J-bass, which was modelled after 
    Jaco's famous Jazz Bass. It's a limited edition with only 100 of them
    being made. It's a nice looking bass with a sunburst body, '62 J-bass
    vintage-style electronics, an epoxy finished (ebony?) fingerboard. Very
    nice indeed.
    
    	The other was another custom shop deal. It was a recreation of 
    Jame Jamersons famous Precision bass. Again it's a limited edition
    deal. It too was nice, but I don't have any details.
    
    	Both of these basses are being "sponsored" by the Bass Centre in
    California. I'd expect to see more "recreations" in the future..
    
    -T
    

    Hey Tom,
    
    Did you make a typo on the price of the Reissue '50s series Strat?  I
    can't figure out why it would be $100 less then the '60s Strat and the
    '50s Tele.
    
    Greg

   I was confused about that too, but take a closer look:  "Non-tremelo
   model".  They probably saved a few buck by not having the trem.

   That is, if that's the model you were talking about...  :-)

   -- Sam

    
    
    re: .-2 
    
    	Housemeister, Sam is right the cheaper 50's strat is 
    a non trem version. I could have been an error, but it
    wasn't. ;)
    

	To each his own...I kinda like that bass. I could swear the one I
	played was Japanese though.