Has anyone seen or heard any of the new Fender Blacktop series ? Humbucker equipped Strat, Tele, Jazzmaster and Jaguars. Musicians Friend has them for $449 so I'm guessing they are MIM. I'm kind of liking the Tele a bit, but would still rather build a new Warmoth Tele. Was never too keen on the Fender humbuckers but would like to at least hear one of these.
New Fender Blacktop series
- Thread starter jwl68th
- Start date
Graffiti62
Hero Member
- Messages
- 654
It looks like they just came out--Fender has a full spread about them on their website. The one that seems like it has the most tonal potential would be the Jazzmaster. It has a HB in the bridge, but still has the Jazzmaster pickup in the neck spot. The only difference aside from a standard model is that the Blacktop doesn't have the turn wheels and neck switch on the upper horn like the stock Jazzmaster does. The Strat still offers a five-spot switch. Positions 1, 3 and 5 are full HBs, while position two is the two inner coils of the pickups together, and position four is the outer coil on the neck pickup. The Tele is pretty basically laid out--three spot switch, two knobs. The Jag's big feature is that it offers a short scale neck. These are MexiFenders--the prices, as mentioned don't even crack $1,000 from the manufacturer. To me, these seem like next-step-up models for anyone who has a piece of junk or a standard MexiFender and wants to upgrade to something a little nicer.
line6man
Epic Member
- Messages
- 6,443
Chrome covered humbuckers and ugly amp knobs are the last things I ever want to see on a guitar. :sad:
With some new pickups and a knob change, they could be great guitars though.
Doesn't seem all that creative though.
AFAIK, there is nothing special about the design, it's just a basic Fender with humbuckers instead of single coils.
With some new pickups and a knob change, they could be great guitars though.
Doesn't seem all that creative though.
AFAIK, there is nothing special about the design, it's just a basic Fender with humbuckers instead of single coils.
+1
Beginning guitarists have it really good these days. When I worked at the store I usually tried to get people started on electrics. For 2 reasons, the first is because of adjustability. If the wood on the guitar is good then a decent tech can take a squier mini and have it playing like a dream. The second is you can add a RP 50 or something to your Strat pak and the kid can get tones of the stars. Both of these will keep the kid playing longer.
Beginning guitarists have it really good these days. When I worked at the store I usually tried to get people started on electrics. For 2 reasons, the first is because of adjustability. If the wood on the guitar is good then a decent tech can take a squier mini and have it playing like a dream. The second is you can add a RP 50 or something to your Strat pak and the kid can get tones of the stars. Both of these will keep the kid playing longer.
I just saw a new Blacktop Strat at guitar center when I stopped in over lunch for some of the new ernie ball coated slinkies. Not a bad looking guitar. I've got a Fender USA Big Apple strat with double humbuckers, which is why this one caught my eye. I knew fender had discontinued it and the HH. For the money, probably not bad. like someone else said, not so sure about the nickel covered humbuckers or black amp knobs...
Super Turbo Deluxe Custom
Epic Member
- Messages
- 8,318
Just an observation, but the black Strat comes with black PG, but in the blow up detail of the hums, it shows a black Strat w/white PG.
jackthehack
Epic Member
- Messages
- 5,630
This is just more cheap, low-end junk from Fender. For about $150 more you could build a 2 HB Warmoth Strat or Tele if you finished it yourself....
Super Turbo Deluxe Custom
Epic Member
- Messages
- 8,318
They sell for less than $500, what'd ya'll expect?
****insert Agile pic******
****insert Agile pic******
TroubledTreble
Hero Member
- Messages
- 830
FWIW:
Here is the Warmoth guitar I finished a few months ago. It's done in nitro on the neck and body and has a light relic. I agree with Jack, build a W instead, at least you can get a neck contour of choice.
Here is the Warmoth guitar I finished a few months ago. It's done in nitro on the neck and body and has a light relic. I agree with Jack, build a W instead, at least you can get a neck contour of choice.
jay4321
Hero Member
- Messages
- 1,303
Always liked most of the MIM line for what they were, until that last price hike. When they were retailing at $400 you could sometimes get one for $330 ish or even less. Drop in new tuners, replace the nut, and swap out the pickups & electronics and you typically have a pretty decent guitar. But at $500 it's just too much with all the options out there.
In the middle at $450 is probably where they get the most return but doesn't do much for me. But I do like Fenders, humbucker setups, and things that are cheap & the silver jag isn't bad. My problem is I'd probably wind up putting a Warmoth Pro neck on it later anyway.
In the middle at $450 is probably where they get the most return but doesn't do much for me. But I do like Fenders, humbucker setups, and things that are cheap & the silver jag isn't bad. My problem is I'd probably wind up putting a Warmoth Pro neck on it later anyway.
Similar threads
