Possible problems with new old stock guitars
Sometimes guitar sellers unload these things just to get rid of them. There are certain things you have to keep in mind if you decide to get one of these.
On my Facebook page I recently posted some info on where to get 2013 new old stock Jay Turser JT-MG2 guitars. These are axes that are in fact new, but 5 years old at the time I write this.
The guitar in particular is a Fender Mustang shape with Mustang controls (including phase slider switches) and a Jaguar vibrato system on it. Consider it a Mustang/Jaguar hybrid of sorts.
I found this guitar in Candy Apple Red, Sonic Blue and Vintage White. All are the same price and appear to be all from the same guitar seller.
Do I consider this a buy? Yes, and only for one reason. It's under $200 shipped. To put this in perspective, it's $120 cheaper than a Squier Vintage Modified Mustang. The Squier is more of a correct Mustang, but the price is significantly higher to get it.
The fact the Jay Turser guitar is being sold through Amazon also means Amazon's global return policy applies, so it's not one of those "you bought it and you're stuck with it" types of purchases.
As with all new old stock guitars, there are certain things to look out for that might happen. Sure, the Jay Turser is a steal, but any one of these issues might happen:
Improperly settled neck
A guitar that's been sitting for a few years and never had its neck adjusted since it left the factory may have settled in such a way where it has a nasty front bow or back bow to it. This doesn't make the guitar unplayable, but it means it will take longer than usual to get the neck back to a proper bow after a truss adjustment.
The worst thing to look out for with improperly settled necks are fret sprouts. This is where frets physically lift out of the fingerboard. Yes, this can be repaired but if you get them, it's just better to return the guitar, especially if it was cheap to begin with.
Dodgy electronics
Electric guitars can develop wonky electronics when not used, such as scratchy sounding pots and switches. Those can be cleaned up proper with DeoxIT D5 (every guitar player needs a can of that).
The worst case scenario is if solder connections fail where you have to take the guitar apart, desolder and resolder wire connections. It's not a big deal, but annoying to have to do it on a new guitar.
Stiff tuners
Tuners that sit with full string tension on them for an extended period of time can stiffen up and may need replacement.
On vintage style tuners, this usually isn't an issue because you can take the tuner apart, lubricate, make gear adjustments and so on.
On modern sealed tuners, that's a different story. They're sealed and not meant to be disassembled, so if they don't work like they're supposed to, it's time to get a new set.
It's worth it to get the NOS guitar anyway
As long as you know what you're getting into with a new old stock guitar and know what to expect, it's worth getting.
I consider the NOS guitar a better buy compared to used. Even if I bought one of those Jay Turser axes and it had a few issues, it was dirt cheap to begin with.
The only thing that would make me send it back is if I saw fret sprouts. And the likelihood of that happening is very remote. A neck has to be not only very poorly made but also sit inside an insanely hot and humid warehouse for even a chance of that happening.
Again, remember, for my example, the NOS guitar is worth taking a chance on because it's cheap. For more expensive NOS guitars, well, that depends on how bad you want the guitar you're eyeing.
It should also be noted that in my experience, I find it normal to see 5-year-old new guitars in guitar stores. Some guitars just sit for a while and take years before they're sold.
Casio watches with the most features for under 20 bucks
Let's see what happens when you go for cheap Casio digitals that offer the most for the least.
There's a certain joy in getting a watch that offers a ton of features for next to nothing. However, you have specifically know what you're looking for to get the most features you can.
For example, there is the tried-and-true F-91W. That's a great watch that will last for years, but it's really basic. Time, date, 1 alarm, stopwatch, that's it.
What I'm talking about is getting a Casio digital that packs the most usable features for the cheapest possible price.
My definition of "usable features"
I'm only going to list feature-rich watches here that people could actually use.
The best example of something not usable the DB36. Yes, it's under 20 bucks, and that watch has a 30-page DataBank that can store 30 pages, each with a maximum 8 letters and 12 numerals. And it can do it in 13 different languages...
...but you actually are better off simply writing down what you would otherwise put in the watch on a memo pad by hand. You'll get it done literally 5x as fast or faster by putting pen to paper.
The only thing good about owning a DB36 is security through obscurity. If you needed to store a password somewhere that you know absolutely nobody would ever look for it, use a DB36. Otherwise, it's not something I'd recommend getting.
My required watch features for this list
- Must show time, weekday and day-month on the face all at once
- Must have a decent nightlight so the face can be read at night easily
- Must have more than 1 alarm
- Must have a countdown timer
Why wear a cheap digital watch?
The reason for wearing a cheap digital feature-rich watch is because it's a nice little life organizer that goes places your phone can't go.
Places phones can't go is anywhere there is water, dirt, oil or debris. A few examples are the kitchen, laundry room, outside when doing yard work, garage and so on. Sure, you can take the phone to those places, but you're just asking for it to get damaged every time you do. With the watch, you don't care if it gets scratched, scuffed, dinged or whatever since it was so cheap to begin with.
The life organization part comes from knowing the time and date instantly with a turn of the wrist, and the fact you can set reminders via alarms and countdown timer. Lots of people use the countdown feature as a cooking timer. The multi-alarm feature can be used as reminders for appointments or to take medication (should you take any,) and so on.
Two more things to mention before showing the list: Most of these watches will last 5 to 7 years on a single battery before needing a change, and you only need to adjust the time twice a year for Daylight Savings. Or if you don't live in an area that observes DST, the time only needs to be adjusted about once every 6 months (where at most it will only be off by about 30 seconds.)
The list
- Casio AE1000 - A larger timepiece at 48.1mm lug-to-lug, 43.7mm case size and 13.7mm thick. 5 alarms, world time features with multiple time zone support, countdown timer, stopwatch.
- Casio AE1200 - Operates absolutely identical to the AE1000 with exact same features, but not as large with a more squared-off shape with 45 x 42 x 12.5mm measurements.
- Casio STR300C - This is a runner's watch that can store up to 61 lap/split numbers and times in addition to having a pace signal, 4 alarms + 1 alarm with snooze, countdown timer with auto-repeat... yeah, this thing is loaded with goodies. Has a modernized round-ish shape.
- Casio F201WA - 5 alarms, dual time, countdown timer with auto-repeat, stopwatch.
- Casio W212 - About the same as the F201WA with a different look.
- Casio W213 - Also about the same as the F201WA with a different look.
- Casio W753 - A tide watch for under 20 bucks? Yes, it exists, and the W753 is it. This displays moon phase data and a tide graph, 4 alarms + 1 alarm w/snooze, countdown timer with auto-repeat, stopwatch. Nicely sized at 43 x 40 x 13.5mm.
Rich's picks
Toughest for the money: AE1000
This is the biggest watch on the list. But even so, it's still surprisingly size-friendly as it fits pretty much fits any wrist from about 6.5-inch to 8-inch.
The other very good thing is that it has a thick, wide strap with good buckle. A common complaint with cheaper Casio digitals is that the strap breaks too quickly. Not so on the AE1000. It will last.
For under 20 bucks, this is as close as you're going to get to a G-SHOCK. It has 100M water resistance, big easy-press textured buttons and can take a beating.
Easiest to get along with: Casio W213
The W213 also benefits from a thicker (but not wider) strap, has a better-than-average amber nightlight for night viewing and 50M water resistance. The side buttons are textured, and while not as large as the AE1000 are still very easy to use.
It's the display that sets the W213 apart from the others. Very legible and very easy to see which of the 5 alarms are active by a quick look at the top left circle. The display also has eye candy as the top bar animates when seconds pass or when stopwatch is in use. It's also very easy to swap between 12-hour and 24-hour time with a single press of the bottom right button on the timekeeping screen.
Most for the least: F201WA
The F201 at the time I write this is almost under 10 bucks new, never mind just being under 20. This is the cheapest digital watch where you get the most for the money. Nothing out there can touch what this thing offers for the price. Where penny pinching is concerned, this is as good as it gets. The only way it could be better is if it were free.
Don't be fooled by the 41 x 34 x 10.5mm dimensions, either. This watch is ultra-readable because the display is designed smartly and has no clutter to it whatsoever.
There is literally no other watch sold new right now that delivers as many features for so cheap.
Fender American Special Telecaster in 2 exclusive colors
Today is the Fourth of July, so I figured it would be appropriate to talk about some cool American guitars.
There's a lovely pair of Fender American Special Telecasters out there that are even more special than usual because of CME exclusive colors.
But it gets even better. The two special colors don't have any additional cost over non-exclusive color models.
The two special colors are Daphne Blue and Shell Pink. All-maple neck only.
There is also one other special CME exclusive color for this guitar. Black. You can get it with white guard or black guard. And you can't go wrong with a basic black Fender electric. It's a good looking black, as it's non-metallic and the brass saddles give it a piano-like appearance. Very nice look overall.
Specs
All Fender American Special Telecasters have the same specs:
- Alder body with gloss polyurethane finish
- Modern "C" shape neck with satin urethane finish on the back, 9.5" radius fingerboard and 22 jumbo frets
- Texas Special Single-Coil pickups
- Greasebucket tone circuit (when tone knob is rolled down, treble is removed without adding bass)
- "Barrel" (meaning round as opposed to "top hat" which is squared off) style pickup selector switch tip
- Knurled dome control knobs
Dare to go pink?
Shell pink was originally a color made by DuPont that the DeSoto car brand used on their automobiles. For those that like exact specifics, the paint number was 2371.
This is a color that basically screams "I'm from the '50s." It's a color meant to evoke a sense a freedom and fun in an elegant way. All you have to do is take a look at a DeSoto in Shell Pink and you'll get the idea.
DeSoto cars in Shell Pink were two-tone finishes, so the Fender Telecaster with a Shell Pink finish and white pick guard does achieve the two-tone look quite well.
The thing to know about this color is that photos never do it justice. It always looks better in real life. The temperature of the color is an almost-pastel-but-not-quite, and the look of it changes depending on lighting.
Do you lose man points playing a pink guitar? Not with a Shell Pink Telecaster you won't. It's a special color that really works on Fender guitar body shapes.
I'll put it another way. I'd buy one myself if I had the cash for it.
Is the Tokai Goldstar Sound all hype?
As luck would have it, I got to play a Tokai Goldstar Sound.
This requires some backstory.
Rewind the clock back to the early-to-mid 1980s. This is just before Fender was "bought back" in 1985 and became the company we know today, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation or FMIC for short.
Tokai Gakki Company Ltd. or just Tokai for short, a Japan brand, released some guitars in that early '80s era that were near-exact copies of famous classic Fender designs...
...but they weren't bad guitars. They were good. Really good, actually. Much better than anything Fender was making at the time.
There is debate as to whether this is a "lawsuit" era guitar being it's such a close copy to a Fender. I say it's not. What I know as lawsuit guitars are mostly from Ibanez copying Gibson guitars from the mid-to-late 1970s and not the early '80s Fender copies. But then again, if it is in fact a lawsuit guitar, feel free to email me and I'll post a correction.
While perusing the guitars at a Guitar Center, I saw it. My eyes lit up instantly because there it was, a real-deal Tokai from the '80s in what appeared to be really good condition.
So I played it.
This is what I would call a decent Strat copy. But I don't think it lives up to the hype that surrounds this guitar.
Is this a good guitar? Yes. Is it better than what Fender was making in the early '80s? Also a yes.
But is it better than a new Squier Classic Vibe '50s Stratocaster?
No.
If the Squier CV '50s Strat didn't exist, the Tokai would be the best bargain for a vintage Strat without the Fender price tag. But that's not the case. The above Squier does exist, you can get it right now, and it is the better guitar.
I can understand it if certain players want the Tokai anyway
There is a certain charm to non-Fender early-'80s Strats from Japan. That is the era when Squier produced JV Strats, which are the most sought-after collectible Squiers. The Tokai guitars are fairly close collectibles to the Squier JV Strats.
Some guitarists just really like early-'80s guitars from Japan and won't settle for anything less, and I can understand why.
However, as to whether they are better than new Squier CV guitars, they're not. The new models are without question just as good and better simply for the fact there's no need to worry about worn parts, dead pickups, worn frets or other some such.
My experience with the Tokai was like this:
The guitar was badly in need of a setup, and the plain strings would not stay in tune. This could have been either caused by strings that weren't stretched properly, tuners that needed replacing, or both. The sound of the Tokai was good, the neck was slightly fatter than average (which is period-correct to vintage Strats,) and the sunburst finish was actually very pleasing to the eye as it appeared to be a 3TSB with some red in it. I will also say the guitar felt real solid.
With setup and possibly a tuner swap, that Tokai would have been a great Strat...
...but the thing was selling for almost $700.
I can get a new Squier CV '50s Strat for $400 and it's the same guitar.
For you "must have vintage Japan" guitar guys out there, hey, don't let me stop you from getting a Tokai Goldstar Sound. Again, it's a good guitar and many have weathered the years quite nicely considering their age. Just remember what you're paying for.
Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder needs a hardtail version
Wow, what a neck on this guitar...
...which is almost a reason to buy it. Almost.
Now before I get into that, the exact make and model of this guitar is the Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder FR. The SKU number for this particular model with the all-maple neck is 1280.
I saw one of these used in a guitar store, and that didn't stop me whatsoever from wanting to play it, so I did so.
I don't shred and don't like Floyd-Rose tremolo systems. But I had a feeling the neck on this guitar was going to be something good, and oh yes, I was right.
The neck on this Schecter felt not just good but amazingly good. That combined with the just-right weight and a body with its nice contouring really makes this a good player guitar...
...if it weren't for that stupid FR system and the electronics it comes with.
This guitar has "shredder" right in the model name, so of course it has to have the prerequisite dopey FR system and "hot" pickups with active electronics.
If there were a version of this guitar with a pair of passive zebra alnico 2 humbuckers and in a hardtail flavor, this guitar would be unstoppable. Yes, it's that good.
You might be thinking that Schecter already makes this with the C-6 model. Not quite. The headstock on the C-6 is a 3x3 while the Super Shredder has them all on top, inline style. Also, the C-6 does not offer an all-maple neck version either.
Only the Super Shredder has that oh-so good feeling all-maple neck with the tuners on top. It is seriously one kickass guitar...
...if the FR system was dumped and the electronics changed to passive zebra humbuckers.
This guitar is so close to being a gem it's not even funny. All it needs is a tremolo system delete and an electronics change.
Hopefully, Schecter will make one. It will require a model name change, but that's easy. Instead of Schecter Sun Valley Super Shredder, change to Schecter Sun Valley.