The electric guitar owes its very existence to a couple of companies, and Fender is one of them. They are part and parcel of any genre of music that employs the guitar, and as such, their guitars remain the default choice for many budding and experienced guitarists even today. That raises the obvious question – Are Fender guitars good? Let us find out.
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Fender Guitars: Are They Any Good? The Challenge
There is no way of answering this question in a single go. There are just far too many variables. To begin with, what might be good for one type of guitarist may be below par for another. Then there is the price range. Fender makes everything from the ultra-affordable to the ultra-expensive. So, to answer the question in a manner that is helpful to everyone, we will divide Fender’s various offerings into groups namely – entry-level, mid-range, high-end, and super-expensive. Here is a look at each category individually.
Entry Level Fender Guitars
Most people unfamiliar with the guitar market will be surprised to know that the most affordable Fenders cost less than $100. As the headstock will say, there is a catch, ‘Squier by Fender’. Squier is a Fender subdivision specializing in affordable versions of the true Fender guitars. These guitars look identical to the expensive Fenders and offer pretty much all the same features.
Are they good, though? For the price, they are unbeatable. They are very playable. Of course, there will be a few compromises. These are usually mass manufactured in Asia using cheaper materials. The paint job and the finish aren’t great, and the quality control can be a bit suspect at times. However, as a newbie instrument, these guitars are more than adequate and have become the default choice for beginners.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money
- Perfect for beginners
Cons
- Not very durable
- A few compromises in fit and finish that can bother the more advanced players.
Mid-range Fenders
This is where the Squier range ends (Classic Vibe), and the true Fender range starts (Player Series). This is the perfect range for people who want a great guitar while still spending only a reasonable amount of money. These guitars are still mass-manufactured outside the USA, but the materials used are of a higher quality. The quality control is also better. So, you can have a more durable guitar that plays reasonably well. These also make for excellent project guitars that you can upgrade over the next few years. If you are serious about being a guitarist and would like to upgrade from your first guitar, choosing something from this range would be perfect.
Pros
- Great value for money
- More durable
- Good quality control
Cons
- Not many obvious cons, but if we were really nit-picking, they do come up a bit short in the tone department compared to the high-end Fenders.
High-end Fenders
This is the creme de la creme, the best that money can buy. However, this is mostly meant for the professionals who earn their living playing the guitar or those who have plenty of cash simply lying around. They are the best guitars Fender makes, and these are made in the USA, which means that you will get the best when it comes to material, electronics, and finish. These are exceptional Instruments that are just as exquisite to play as they are to look at
Pros
- Best when it comes to sound and playability
- Best in terms of build-quality
Cons
- Can be a bit too expensive
Super-expensive Fenders
Since we just covered the high-end section where we mentioned that those were the best Fender guitars you could buy, you might be wondering why this “super-expensive” section exists. Given how Fender has been the de facto choice for some of the greatest guitarists for decades now, many of these guitars make for great collector’s items. Fender has made a whole new division based on this demand. It is called Custom Shop, where they handmake bespoke guitars.
While you can customize these guitars to your exact taste, the real sellers hear are replicas of the classics, from Jimi Hendrix’s Strat to Jimmy Page’s Telecaster. Every little detail, including blemishes and wear and tear, is replicated faithfully. These guitars come with exorbitant price tags, though. Are they worth it? From a purely musical standpoint, they aren’t. You can get the best sounding and playing Fenders for a fraction of the cost. However, if you see yourself as a collector, then these guitars might be for you. For everyone else, it is best to choose something from the mid or high-end options.
Pros
- Bragging rights
- Works of art
Cons
- Nothing special when it comes to sound and playability
Are Fender Acoustic Guitars Good?
Again, this is a very loaded question that has a lot of different answers. However, from a general point of view, Fender’s acoustic guitars have been pretty good. Even their most affordable model sounds decent, while the premium models are good enough to gig within a professional setting. Are they the best acoustic guitars? That totally depends on you. Even though these guitars are mostly mass-manufactured, each acoustic guitar can be ever so slightly different. This difference can be significant as they can be the deciding factor in a guitar that feels great from a ordinary guitar.
Our advice is that if you are shopping for acoustic guitars, check them out personally. Fender is definitely a brand you should consider. However, this is one of those cases where individual connection to an instrument matters more than the brand.
Should You Look At Alternatives For Fender Guitars?
There are many brands such as Ibanez and ESP that make great guitars that the most famous Fender models inspire. These often come with extra features such as coil-tapping, Floyd Rose floating bridges, and greater flexibility in pickup choices. They also come at a much more attractive price point. You can even find almost exact replicas by brands such as Harley Benton that are just as good as the real Fenders.
To put it simply, you will be spoilt for great choices when looking for an alternative to Fender guitars. It all boils down to how much value you place on the Fender name.
Is It Worth Upgrading a Cheap Fender?
Many people tend to do this. They get one of the cheaper Fenders or even Squier guitars and then go about upgrading the various parts. This is great as a learning experience. However, if all you are looking to do is get on par with the premium models, then it is better to invest in one from the get-go.
Are Fender Guitars Made In China?
None of the genuine Fenders are made in China. However, many of the Squier by Fender guitars are made in China. There was a time when these guitars were exclusively made there. However, the manufacturing process has now expanded to include other Southeast Asian countries as well.
Are Fender Guitars Made In the USA?
Guitars belonging to the Performer, Professional, Original, and Ultra series are made in the USA. So are the Custom Shop guitars.
How To Choose The Perfect Fender Guitar For You
- Start by setting a budget
- Write down your expectations, including whether you plan to upgrade in the future
- Don’t buy the cheapest option. Expand your budget a bit to at least get one of the mid-range Fenders
- Before making the final purchase, check out the alternatives
- Check out the used market as well
- If possible, visit a local guitar shop and play the different models to find the one that you gel with the most
- Don’t get carried away by the hype. The sound and playability should be your biggest considerations.
Your ultimate aim should be to get a guitar that you will pick up and play on a regular basis. Fenders have fulfilled this need for decades now. It is all about finding the Fender that is right for you.
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