Fender Artist Series Guitars

Ravelleman

I'm curious to know other people's opinions on the Fender Artist Series guitars. As some of you may remember, I own a Robert Cray Signature Strat, which I really like, despite not really being a fan of Robert Cray's music. In fact, I only checked out his music after buying the guitar. I remain convinced that some of these Mexican artist models (and some of the more recent models like the Baja Tele) are a real alternative to the now harder to buy and much coveted Fender Japan offerings. I'm interested to know, would you ever buy a signature guitar of an artist that you don't particularly like?

In recent years, Fender seems to have aimed at two price brackets: lower priced Mexican instruments and higher priced American instruments. Recently, however, Fender has branched out a little with some interesting and more exotic new offerings from their Mexican plant at a slightly higher price than the old style Mexican made artist models. These include the
Jim Root Telecaster and the Joe Strummer Telecaster.

This looks like a new departure for Fender. The Jim Root Tele looks like a combination between a Highway One Telecaster and somethings more ESP or Jackson-esque. Despite having no interest in Slipknot or their music, I really like the look of the Jim Root Telecaster, especially in white with the ebony fret board. It looks like a quality guitar for the money. The Joe Strummer Tele is the first 'reliced' guitar to come from Mexico. I remain to be convinced about this model though. It just seems a little too ambitious at that price. Can the relic job really be that convincing? What do you guys think of new models?

Dord

I'm a huge fan of Joe Strummer but I think that guitar looks ridiculous! Reliced poly finish....hideous!

If I want to make a tribute guitar to Joe it will the the "I may take a holiday" white Esquire.

Yakult

I checked out the Jim root model, 829e with hardcase etc.

Not too badly priced. They are MIM tho.

But Im getting the Jim root model after christmas if I have the dosh. seems decent!

fourmations

Ravelleman wrote: »

...now harder to buy and much coveted Fender Japan offerings.

just curious
whats hard to buy about the Japanese models?
is it custom/signature models you mean?

you can buy 8-10 different model fender japan teles on ishibashi

rgds

4

Johnny Storm

Ravelleman wrote: »

.... I'm interested to know, would you ever buy a signature guitar of an artist that you don't particularly like?...

FWIW I bought an Eric Johnson strat because it's an excellent strat. I think Eric is a very talented player but his style of music leaves me cold.
As regards the Joe Strummer Tele - well, I think any kind of relicing is a bit stupid JIMHO.
/Grampa Simpson voice: Did I ever tell ya about the time I saw the Clash playing two shows in the Exam hall in Trinity (1978?). When Joe broke a string he got the audience to grab the broken string and rip it off his guitar. Those were the days I tell ya!

Dord

fourmations wrote: »

just curious
whats hard to buy about the Japanese models?
is it custom/signature models you mean?

you can buy 8-10 different model fender japan teles on ishibashi

rgds

4

Japanese guitar stores are not allowed to export Fender Japan instruments now, hence them getting harder to buy for people over here.

Ger the man

I quite fancy the Andy Summers tribute Tele, only problem is the price - about 7k sterling.

fourmations

Joe Robot wrote: »

Japanese guitar stores are not allowed to export Fender Japan instruments now, hence them getting harder to buy for people over here.

oh, i thought they were still available,
when i bought my japanese jazzmaster
it had all the "cant sell outside japan" blurb on ishi
but they sold it to me anyway (about 6-8 months ago)

they are all over ebay as well!

rgds

4

Dord

fourmations wrote: »

oh, i thought they were still available,
when i bought my japanese jazzmaster
it had all the "cant sell outside japan" blurb on ishi
but they sold it to me anyway (about 6-8 months ago)

they are all over ebay as well!

rgds

4

Was it used?

I've heard that they have tightened up on it in recent months. You can still buy them on eBay sometimes.

fourmations

hi

my jm was bought brand new, I have not tried to buy anything else
so thing may well have tightened up! i wouldnt know the recent situation
has anyone tried ishibashi for fender japan recently?

anyway, the quality of my fender japan is faultless
tuners are perfect too which is nice
(its the usual story, change the pups and electronics
and youre up to US standards with a saving of about 800)


rgds

4

Eoin Madsen

Tbh, the Japanese tele my friend bought last year (from Ishi) kicked the crap out of the USA Standard I tried in Musician a couple of years ago.

Dord

Japanese is where its at! 2 of my 3 basses are Japanese. They're not Fenfer though. The one that isn't is a parts bass.

BostonB

I really like the sound of the Mex Classic Player Strats 50's/60's that have been tweaked by the custom shop. What the difference between those and a Japanese Fenders. Better woods and build quality?

Yakult

Joe Robot wrote: »

Japanese is where its at! 2 of my 3 basses are Japanese. They're not Fenfer though. The one that isn't is a parts bass.

I take it their Fenders then?:p

Dord

R_H_C_P wrote: »

I take it their Fenders then?:p

Haha no, both of them are Aria Pro II's. One is an '07 and the other is a mid to late 80's one.