Fender Yngwie Malmsteen strings... worst idea ever?

No, the above is not a joke. Fender really did release a set of "signature" electric guitar strings.

Is this one of the dumbest things they've ever done?

Let's talk about that.

I'm on YouTube, and I thought I'd go visit Fender's channel since I hadn't been there in a while; I found this video, released 14 May 2014, which at the time I write this is 42 days ago, so it's not old.

The video has ratings and comments disabled (which is not the first time Fender has done that with a Malmsteen video on their YouTube channel), and that immediately said to me, "Uh-oh.. this can't be good."

My instinct was right.

Fender, as far as I'm aware, is the first company to have artist signature guitars such as the Eric Clapton Stratocaster. Arguably, that model is the best artist signature guitar they make because it's one of the few that actually improves upon the instrument with features that a lot of players like. Another would be the Eric Johnson Stratocaster, also a true player's guitar. As for the rest of the signature guitars.. eh.. not-so much.

However, this is the first time I've seen Fender totally jump the shark when it comes to artist signature stuff. But maybe that's on purpose. I'll talk more about that in a moment.

Okay, so... the video shows a signature guitar that's been around for a while. But now it can be "accessorized" with signature overdrive pedal, signature strings, signature guitar cable (groan..), signature headstock tuner (double groan...), ugly strap and case with ugly lining.

Now you know, you know the marketing and PR people at Fender were up to something with this. What, exactly? Keep reading.

If you play guitar and play heavy metal at all, you've heard of Yngwie Malmsteen. And you figure out pretty quickly that the internet hates Yngwie Malmsteen. There are many guitar players who absolutely hate that guy. They hate his playing, his attitude, all of it. And when I say they hate the guy, they really hate the guy.

But as much as people hate the guy, his artist signature Stratocaster guitar is a good seller. If it weren't, Fender wouldn't still be making it.

I think what Fender is doing here is testing the limits to see how cheap they can go with "signature" before players stop buying. With a Malmsteen product line, Fender has almost nothing to lose because the internet already hates the guy to begin with. Only the most dedicated of fans would even consider buying stuff with his name on it.

If signature Malmsteen strings (which are basically nothing but Super Bullets in a weird gauge set and a black package), cables, bags, headstock tuners and the other kitschy stuff actually sell... well, that just opens up a whole new way for Fender to make money.

Anything classified as an "accessory" is something Fender doesn't have to make. They can simply license use of their logo, have someone else make the whatever-it-is, sell the product, Fender collects the checks and laughs all the way to the bank.

A whole bunch of "signature accessory" crapola may sprout up soon. Fender could work deals with every artist that currently has a signature guitar and "make" everything from strings to signature toilet paper. Wipe your backside with Yngwie's signature toilet paper? Hey, why not. Feel the power of Yngwie's shredding straight up your rear.

On a final note, the dumbest thing Fender "makes" right now is foam ear plugs that sell for 5 bucks, and you only get 8 of them. I can get 50 of them for just 5 bucks more. And yes, THEY ARE THE EXACT SAME THING, just without the Fender branding.

Published 2014 Jun 25