Well before the Vintage and Classic Vibe came out, there was a little period where much of the squiers were "I hope I got a good one."
So they were more like Fenders back then? Is that what you're saying?
Ha ha. Just stirring things up.
I agree with the previous post about there being too many lines of "Fenders" to keep track of. I mean seriously
Squier Bullet
Squier Affinity
Squier Standard
Squier Classic Vibe
Squier Vintage Modified
Fender MIM
Fender American Special
Fender American Standard
Fender American Deluxe
Fender Signature
Fender Custom Shop
Fender Luthier Built (the over the top one where you can have Erics luthier make your guitar)
I mean really? They're only going to make Strats, Teles, and Jags, or P's and J's with the occassional Jag bass; in your choice of 3 or 4 colors like Oly White, black, and two tone or three tone sunburst. Outside of that you'll only see an interesting color for about a week. Well at least it feels like that.
Just make an "Affordable" line (Squier), the Standard (Fender USA) , and the Expensive (Fender Custom Shop) lines. After that, make whatever colors you have in stock be available on every model you make. That's it. Oh and if you're going to bother putting a humbucker and/or a Floyd on the thing, realize the buyer isn't looking for "back in the day". Put a 22 fret neck on the dang thing wouldja?
If you can't tell, I have a serious love/hate relationship with Fender. I love Strats, and P basses and all of that, but there is nothing about the quality of a USA that makes it worth the $1500 they want for it. $800? Sure. A grand? Yeah, okay. But anymore than that, I'll just order another custom built guitar for less money than an off the shelf Fender USA.
Okay. Rant over.