WITH ALL DUE RESPECT...

[electrofaro]

Fender needs a Master Builder to build THIS?

You're just jealous, Paul, that you don't have this gift to produce such "art"

[Ivan3000]

Man!, I thought this was bad!

The pickguards alittle much, but I like the colour sceme. Bobmarleycaster?

[johnallg]

Interesting idea, but, gad, what a waste of nice wood...

Interesting, yes, that was my point.

Now, here is an idea to chew on for us all; are these ugly because we are not used to them but only the Fender/Gibson designs, or because they are tasteless. They all couldn't be losers, could they? Not playing devil's advocate, just wanting to hear peoples take on the idea of variations from the norm being seen as "ugly". Rickenbacker/Fender/Gibson/Gretsch are the classics.

[jps]

Now, here is an idea to chew on for us all; are these ugly because we are not used to them but only the Fender/Gibson designs, or because they are tasteless. They all couldn't be losers, could they? Not playing devil's advocate, just wanting to hear peoples take on the idea of variations from the norm being seen as "ugly". Rickenbacker/Fender/Gibson/Gretsch are the classics.

Case in point:

[cjj]

Interesting idea, but, gad, what a waste of nice wood...

Interesting, yes, that was my point.

Now, here is an idea to chew on for us all; are these ugly because we are not used to them but only the Fender/Gibson designs, or because they are tasteless. They all couldn't be losers, could they? Not playing devil's advocate, just wanting to hear peoples take on the idea of variations from the norm being seen as "ugly". Rickenbacker/Fender/Gibson/Gretsch are the classics.

Yeah, they are tasteless. They are ugly, of course that's my opinion. I''m sure there are those that think they are something wonderful. Of course, most of those people will think they are wonderful because the advertising tells them that they are. I mean, after all this abomination came from the custom shop, so it must be something special (even though it looks like carp).

But then again, who am I to judge what other people like?

[Ivan3000]

Now, here is an idea to chew on for us all; are these ugly because we are not used to them but only the Fender/Gibson designs, or because they are tasteless. They all couldn't be losers, could they? Not playing devil's advocate, just wanting to hear peoples take on the idea of variations from the norm being seen as "ugly". Rickenbacker/Fender/Gibson/Gretsch are the classics.

Case in point:

I love edsels!
Here is an interesting Relic job:

[jps]

That's a bit more than a relic, Ivan, someone got killed in that.

[Ivan3000]

That's a bit more than a relic, Ivan, someone got killed in that.

Sorry, I guess that photo crossed the line...
I forgot to realize that maybe people hear had loved ones that died in a car accident.
I didn't intend to offend you Jeff, I let my raw sense of humor get to me on that one...I'm sorry.

[RutleDirk]

I'm almost afraid to ask what the fretboard material is.

[s4001]

Fender needs a Master Builder to build THIS?

13_CZ517780_a_lg.jpg

..and a fool to buy it.

[jingle_jangle]

Interesting idea, but, gad, what a waste of nice wood...

Interesting, yes, that was my point.

Now, here is an idea to chew on for us all; are these ugly because we are not used to them but only the Fender/Gibson designs, or because they are tasteless. They all couldn't be losers, could they? Not playing devil's advocate, just wanting to hear peoples take on the idea of variations from the norm being seen as "ugly". Rickenbacker/Fender/Gibson/Gretsch are the classics.

Tasteless.

Generally, really bad stuff (the lowest common denominator, taste-wise) is quite popular, because too many people put too much emphasis on novelty. "Rare" or "unique" do not equate to "beautiful".

To put a sexist spin on this, a LOT of "stuff" is purchased by women under the benediction of "cute". It seems that "cute" is all the justification that many women need to whip out the credit card. (Ref: Philip Wylie, "Momism":http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/hi ... omism.html)

Sorry for the sexist spin on this. To flip the coin, lots of men are suckers for macho. How else to explain monster trucks, black Trans Ams (and Porsches), firearms, and beer commercials?

Quality of life is linked to the quality of the things we surround ourselves with. Why else would we play Rickenbackers?

[electrofaro]

Why else would we play Rickenbackers?

Because of George Harrison? Roger McGuinn? Tom Petty? Paul Weller? Peter Buck? Johnny Mar? Perchance?

[jingle_jangle]

Not for me. That's a side issue. I have an affinity for the way they're made and the history of the "brand". I played my first Rick back in '65 right about the time the Byrds broke into the top 40, and even then the McGuinn connection was not a factor in my fascination--it was the look and feel of the product. This continues to this day.

[Ivan3000]

Interesting idea, but, gad, what a waste of nice wood...

Interesting, yes, that was my point.

Now, here is an idea to chew on for us all; are these ugly because we are not used to them but only the Fender/Gibson designs, or because they are tasteless. They all couldn't be losers, could they? Not playing devil's advocate, just wanting to hear peoples take on the idea of variations from the norm being seen as "ugly". Rickenbacker/Fender/Gibson/Gretsch are the classics.

Tasteless.

Generally, really bad stuff (the lowest common denominator, taste-wise) is quite popular, because too many people put too much emphasis on novelty. "Rare" or "unique" do not equate to "beautiful".

To put a sexist spin on this, a LOT of "stuff" is purchased by women under the benediction of "cute". It seems that "cute" is all the justification that many women need to whip out the credit card. (Ref: Philip Wylie, "Momism":http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/hi ... omism.html)

Sorry for the sexist spin on this. To flip the coin, lots of men are suckers for macho. How else to explain monster trucks, black Trans Ams (and Porsches), firearms, and beer commercials?

Quality of life is linked to the quality of the things we surround ourselves with. Why else would we play Rickenbackers?

But some stuff is ugly cool!

[jingle_jangle]

I truly have a soft spot for Antigua Fenders. And, BTW, that photo is sooo old and has been reproduced and regenerated sooo many times that the colors are completely off.

"Ugly cool", as you call it, relates to social trends as much as accepted ideas of classic beauty. They're anti-beauty, but consciously so, and this gives them validity. Controversy helps too, and may even carry the day.

So far, those 2 Fender Teles have no redeeming qualities, aesthetically speaking, and the obnoxiously high prices make them all the more offensive...