Fender Select

deefstes

Can I just get some opinions from you guys on this Fender Select range of guitars? I know we've chatted a little about them before when I asked out about Fender Strats but I assumed they'd be way out of my price range so I didn't give them much consideration.

Enter stage left, Adam at Music Connection and he puts a Fender Select strat in my hands and plug it into a Mesa Boogie. I think I'm in love. What an absolute beauty! ☹ And I was somewhat surprised to see that they weren't all that much more expensive than an American Deluxe either so now I can't help but to wonder if I should perhaps give them a little more consideration. I'm departing for the USA tomorrow and the plan is to return with a Strat of some description in hand.

My concern is this; Are you paying the extra money for a better guitar or are you paying it for a gimmicky guitar? I'd have to be honest that I can't really play two guitars and say with any kind of confidence that one has better tone than the other. The nuances with these guitars are sometimes so fine that I don't feel I am experienced enough to judge them confidently - which is why I value the opinions here on GFSA quite a lot.

On the flippant side of things, I'm not sure what to make of the flamed maple top on a Fender? A certain part of me thinks that's a bit unFenderish. Fenders have always looked almost Art Deco to me, while Gibson is all about the flamed maple. So, as drop dead gorgeous as this guitar might be, it doesn't exactly epitomise what Fender have always been about.

What do you guys think?

MikeM

All I can say, I NEED to get to MC and try it out!

Warren

Don't see why not to go for one if it tickles your fancy. They're well made, and it might be quite fun to have a maple cap etc. on a guitar where you'd normally never find one. They had one at Tom's in Sandton too, although I must my absolute favourite Strat of the moment is the orange metallic burst deluxe (well, aside from my Strat ?).

deefstes

ShreddySmurf wrote: Don't see why not to go for one if it tickles your fancy. They're well made, and it might be quite fun to have a maple cap etc. on a guitar where you'd normally never find one. They had one at Tom's in Sandton too, although I must my absolute favourite Strat of the moment is the orange metallic burst deluxe (well, aside from my Strat ?).

Yeah, I saw the one at TOMS too. Interesting, it's exactly the same as the one at MC; HSS config, Antique Burst colour, maple fretboard. I haven't laid my eyes on the SSS, maple fretboard, Dark Cherryburst in real life yet.

I have to say, I still drool every time I open this picture though. You might recognise it ? So if I do decide not to go for the Select (for reasons of stylistic preference or price), there is still one guitar I can very easily see myself defaulting back to.

Man alive, I'm as excited as a kid in toy store ?

MikeM

Did you notice the 9.5-14 radius by chance?

deefstes

MikeM wrote: Did you notice the 9.5-14 radius by chance?

Yes I did. The American Deluxe has it as well. Do you have any opinion on the 9.5-14" fretboard radius?

I'm not specifically interested in the American Deluxe to be honest. If I decide not to get the Select (and I still don't know that I'd be able to afford one anyway), I'd probably rather go for a Standard than a Deluxe.

MikeM

I expect it to be comfy? ? Haven't had the chance to try it yet.

How was it?

deefstes

MikeM wrote: I expect it to be comfy? ? Haven't had the chance to try it yet.

How was it?

Yeah, it felt very good in my hands but the setup was a bit poor to be honest.

ZarK

If the difference in tone between the select and standard doesn't phase you, I'd say just go with the look and feel that captivates you. Get the one that begs to be picked up and played the most. If you prefer the more ornate look of the select and you feel its good value-for your $$$ compared to a standard, I'd say go for it. I'm thoroughly impressed with my standard limited edition in surf green but if I didn't have ornate guitars already I'd be very tempted by the look of the select. Looks absolutely stunning through and through. Then again, there's something about a very plain looking strat as well... The 2nd pic of what seems to be a standard with sienna burst is also really hot... Sh!t, I'm not really helping, am I? :-\ I'm sure you'll be happy with either one. (I would be.) Best of luck! ?

Norman86

what are the prices like here deef??

arjunmenon

I love the look of the Fender select range (i've been seeing them quite a bit in various guitar mags).
I think it may have been one of the few avenues that Fender hadn't ventured down until now.
I for one think it's awesome that they decided to do it, because i see it as a bridge between the american deluxes and the custom shop stuff. There are Fender fans in this country by the 1000s.
I suppose the extra you pay is for the figured top, but guys in the know (i.e. guys working with/for MD/Fender SA) might be able to add more.

Ah, one day when i'm close to 50, i'll land me a John Cruz or Yuriy Shishkov or Todd Krause built Strat :'(