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Hatsubai « Cool, but the S1 feature kinda sucks »
Published on 06/28/11 at 15:40This is the most popular USA model guitar that Fender currently offers at the moment. The guitar features an alder body with a maple neck, your choice of a maple or rosewood fretboard, 22 frets, dot inlays, SSS configuration with a special S1 switching system, locking tuners, special neck heel, two point tremolo system, one volume, two tones and a five way switch.
UTILIZATION
The guitar is loaded with features. That said, some aren't all they're hyped up to be. The micro tilt neck is great. You can set the angle that you need, but it should really be set from the factory. You shouldn't have to mess with it, and I'm not sure why they made it like they did. I can only assume it's because of lower tolerances. The fretwork can be a bit iffy on these guitars, so be sure to pay attention that. Also, the nuts can be improperly cut at times. If you notice tuning stability issues, that could be it. The locking tuners were easily the coolest feature. They make restringing soooooo much easier.
SOUNDS
The S1 feature on this guitar is a joke. I know that Fender keeps trying to hype this thing, but they simply don't sound good once you enable the switch. It becomes too fat and muddy. If you get in there and replace the capacitor with a smaller one, you might be able to get a better sound, but I never cared enough to. Without using the switch, the SCN pickups sound really good. The pickups are very powerful, and they can do everything from classic rock to heavy metal without a problem. They might lack some of that signature single coil shimmer, but they make up for it in terms of being modern and powerful.
OVERALL OPINION
S1 switch aside, this guitar is a really good and solid guitar. It has lots of cool features at a good price. I recommend buying one used, but be sure to pay attention to things such as fretwork and the nut. They're generally minor problems that any competent luthier can fix. The biggest killer would be a neck joint gap, but they don't happen too often, thankfully.
UTILIZATION
The guitar is loaded with features. That said, some aren't all they're hyped up to be. The micro tilt neck is great. You can set the angle that you need, but it should really be set from the factory. You shouldn't have to mess with it, and I'm not sure why they made it like they did. I can only assume it's because of lower tolerances. The fretwork can be a bit iffy on these guitars, so be sure to pay attention that. Also, the nuts can be improperly cut at times. If you notice tuning stability issues, that could be it. The locking tuners were easily the coolest feature. They make restringing soooooo much easier.
SOUNDS
The S1 feature on this guitar is a joke. I know that Fender keeps trying to hype this thing, but they simply don't sound good once you enable the switch. It becomes too fat and muddy. If you get in there and replace the capacitor with a smaller one, you might be able to get a better sound, but I never cared enough to. Without using the switch, the SCN pickups sound really good. The pickups are very powerful, and they can do everything from classic rock to heavy metal without a problem. They might lack some of that signature single coil shimmer, but they make up for it in terms of being modern and powerful.
OVERALL OPINION
S1 switch aside, this guitar is a really good and solid guitar. It has lots of cool features at a good price. I recommend buying one used, but be sure to pay attention to things such as fretwork and the nut. They're generally minor problems that any competent luthier can fix. The biggest killer would be a neck joint gap, but they don't happen too often, thankfully.