I need clarification on Fender model descriptions

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Easto

Easto

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I was recently browsing Ebay looking at various Fender Telecasters. It appears that people are describing them (newer models) in 3 different ways. The first is a "Made in Mexico" and that description I understand. But there also seems to be 2 ways that "American" Fenders are described. One is as "American" and the other is "Made in USA". What exactly is the difference between the last two? Is there a difference or is it just semantics?

For the record I own a '01 American Standard Tele and it's headstock does show "Made in USA".
 
I believe that the one's that are "American" have American-made parts, but are assembled in Mexico. "Made In USA" Tele's are assembled in the USA with US-made parts. Mexican Tele's are assembled in Mexico with Mexican-made parts.

Confusing, ain't it?

And we haven't even talked about Korean-made Tele's, Jap Tele's and Chinese-made Squire Tele's! :D

Save yourself the headache and get an American-made G & L ASAT.

They're much better, IMHO.
 
I think there may also be a catetory of assembled in the US from foreign parts. I think someone else said that the only ones today with all parts made and assembled in US are the custom shop models.

Ed
 
Buck62 said:
I believe that the one's that are "American" have American-made parts, but are assembled in Mexico. "Made In USA" Tele's are assembled in the USA with US-made parts. Mexican Tele's are assembled in Mexico with Mexican-made parts.
Gross misinformation!

The "American" series is a specific model. It's largely made and assembled in Corona, California with US-made Fender pickups, (at this time) US made and finished necks and bodies and better grade hardware, which may be imported, such as the Schaller machine heads.

It is not made nor assembled in Mexico.

Other "Made in USA" models, notably the "Highway 1" instruments, have some subassemblies such as the pickups made in Fender's Mexican Ensenada plant and have imported parts, but are finished and assembled in Corona.

Mexican Fender "Standard" instruments are made of cheaper materials and Mexican and Asian hardware, though I believe the unfinished necks are still coming from the Corona plant. Ensenada is now making their own bodies. As of late '03 they were capable of making their own necks and were producing those for Guild acoustics, though they hadn't started making them for Fender electrics.

This is accurate information as of this date. Things change very rapidly at FMIC. I would not be surprised to see all production Fenders outsourced in five years.

The best production Fenders in terms of build quality are those done by Fujigen Gakki in Japan and Cor-Tek in Korea.
 
bongolation said:
Gross misinformation!

That's why I started my post with "I believe."

I was actually relating what a guitar tech told me a year or so ago.

Fortunately, he's not the one who works on my guitars. ;):D:D
 
Buck62 said:
I was actually relating what a guitar tech told me a year or so ago.

Fortunately, he's not the one who works on my guitars. ;):D:D
Never listen to anyone who refers to himself as a "guitar tech." :D

Actually, the only people who are really up to date on this stuff are a handful of managers at FMIC who actually are responsible for overseeing the work. I've seen a ton of misinformation from people at Corona in sales or customer service or other departments.

Things change incredibly fast at Fender, and they never stand still.
 
bongolation said:
Things change incredibly fast at Fender, and they never stand still.

That's why I would never buy a new Fender guitar and suggested to Easto that he buy a G & L Asat.

It's a better guitar and quality control won't be an issue.... whether it's the American-made Asat, or the new Korean-made Tribute.

The quality control on new Fender guitars, no matter where they're made, is crap by comparison.
 
Buck62 said:
The quality control on new Fender guitars, no matter where they're made, is crap by comparison.
Agreed for FMIC-made (that is, the Corona and Ensenada) Fenders of the moment, but check out a Japanese-market Fender Japan sometime. Immaculate!

Also, I've found the QC on the Korean Fenders made by Cor-Tek to be very good to superb, which doesn't mean that I like all the production decisions FMIC made in contracting the builds.

I would probably never buy a new G&L purely for resale/recognition reasons, but if the price was right, I'd give one a try.

Who makes the Korean G&Ls? I have a strong suspicion it's Cor-Tek also, but I don't know for sure.
 
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