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Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:00 pm
by Thomas
Mike wrote:I really hope it not misremembering that but I remember for sure they were an incredible deal and very shortly after that they sold out and then came back much pricier which could even have been within the calendar year
Nah, you're right. Prices were crazy cheap. My Baja was £200 secondhand in like new condition with a limited blonde finish.

The same thing happened with the American Special Series they were only £499 then the next year at £599 after that again for £850.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:41 pm
by Bacchus
I've told this story before, but I will always remember not buying one with the first pay packet of a Summer call centre job I had as a student because I wanted to be sensible. I think it was £330. Thereabouts.

Keep in mind that in 2008, you could get an Highway-1 Strat for £599.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:48 pm
by euan
They never made a left handed Baja, so cry me a river

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 5:56 pm
by Bacchus
You're correct. They were 100% perfect. Every single one.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 6:05 pm
by Bacchus
Mike wrote:I’m really overthinking this and wondering if I could even justify anything anyway

Like I don’t need anything and it really seems borderline offensive really when I analyse it deeply

FML
You're overthinking this an overintellectualising this in order to give yourself a reason to be hard on yourself.

Nice people deserve nice things, and you should take steps to see that nice people get nice things. Sometimes you have to accept that that means you have to get yourself the guitar you want. It would be immoral not to.

I also think that with the fortieth coming up, a Baja is what you should get. That was your best guitar. I think Baja Tele and JVM410 is the Mike setup. I know you've lost your way and have been arsing about playing Fenders amps lately. Put this right.

http://www.ampmaker.com/shop/p1800-18w ... amplifier/

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 7:29 pm
by robroe
I'm telling you man, esquire only got one pickup,. It's like the closest you gonna get to not buying a guitar

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 7:33 pm
by euan
That is some solid logic from Rob to be honest

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 7:57 pm
by Mike
Bacchus wrote:
I also think that with the fortieth coming up, a Baja is what you should get. That was your best guitar. I think Baja Tele and JVM410 is the Mike setup. I know you've lost your way and have been arsing about playing Fenders amps lately. Put this right.

http://www.ampmaker.com/shop/p1800-18w ... amplifier/
Well the JVM was great but to be honest I always battled with the fact it wasn't as good the 6100 I had since I was a teenager. I was lucky enough back then that when I'd saved up for a Marshall 8080 Valvestate second hand my Dad lent me the same amount of money again and pointed me in the direction of the 6100 in freeads. He didn't/doesn't know much about amps other than valves = good. I was just lucky that for £300 I ended up with the only Marshall I'll ever need

I've had the JVM and a 50W 80s JCM800, as much as people would say it's mad - I think the 6100 is the best of them all

But you could be onto something, that Marshall Telecaster setup was glorious.

Maybe the whole Jaguar Fender amp thing was the real midlife crisis.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 7:58 pm
by Mike
Oh and I'd love to build my own amp someday so that's a really solid shout - looks like that site is all sold out though :-/


Funnily enough even though I am mainly a bridge pickup user, I don't reckon I could ever go without the option of the neck pickup in any guitar - there is some magic there you can't get in the bridge.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:08 pm
by Bacchus
I've been keeping an eye on that kit for years. If we ever manage to finish paying off the landlord's mortgage and start saving towards our own place, that's on the list of things to do. Not really enough room here for me to set aside a work bench for six months or however long it would take.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:19 pm
by NickD
I had to buy one ready made because I’d be guaranteed to electrocute myself building anything like that, but an 18 watt Marshall is the best amp ever IMO. Just make sure it has a master volume or build an attenuator, they are stupid loud.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:23 pm
by Mike
Second hand Baja Telecasters go for like £600-£750.

What hellscape is this?

I could never justify spending nearly 3x the amount for a guitar I've already owned and sold. I don't own Gamestop stock FFS

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:32 pm
by Fran
Bacchus wrote:
Mike wrote:I’m really overthinking this and wondering if I could even justify anything anyway

Like I don’t need anything and it really seems borderline offensive really when I analyse it deeply

FML
You're overthinking this an overintellectualising this in order to give yourself a reason to be hard on yourself.

Nice people deserve nice things, and you should take steps to see that nice people get nice things. Sometimes you have to accept that that means you have to get yourself the guitar you want. It would be immoral not to.

I also think that with the fortieth coming up, a Baja is what you should get. That was your best guitar. I think Baja Tele and JVM410 is the Mike setup. I know you've lost your way and have been arsing about playing Fenders amps lately. Put this right.

http://www.ampmaker.com/shop/p1800-18w ... amplifier/
I have to say the same, the Baja into a Marshall is what I associate with Mike and I thought it suited his playing as well. Was surprised when he moved onto other stuff, although we’ve all done it.

If, it is a Strat itch, that 60’s CV Squier I bought ticks all the boxes. Might be worth double checking the radius on them though, they aren’t flat but they aren’t vintage correct either.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 8:41 pm
by lorez
been looking at the fender vintera road worn guitars recently. you seem to get a lot for you money. nitro finish, vintage v shape 7.25" radius neck and upgraded pickups.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 9:27 pm
by Bacchus
Mike wrote:Second hand Baja Telecasters go for like £600-£750.
I agree that's sickening. But, that's the guitar you want, that's how much they cost, and you have a reason to treat yourself to it. Don't fuck about doing half measures.

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2021 11:55 pm
by robroe
Just don't fuck it all up like freddy did and buy a wood colored one after we throw 20 different things at you

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 12:09 am
by Freddy V-C
Hey now, I learned my lesson and sold it after like 6 months!

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 1:53 am
by robroe
Freddy V-C wrote:Hey now, I learned my lesson and sold it after like 6 months!
You already sold it??? Hahahah fuck yeah!

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 1:54 am
by robroe
I'm upset you didn't give me first dibs no I'm not

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2021 6:29 am
by gusman2x
lorez wrote:been looking at the fender vintera road worn guitars recently. you seem to get a lot for you money. nitro finish, vintage v shape 7.25" radius neck and upgraded pickups.
If you can get an original roadworn (mid 2000s I think), then you’re winning. I played a 59s roadworn tele in a shop at the time, and I’ve always wished I’d bought it. Best guitar I’ve ever played. I’ve heard people speak in similar regards for the strats of this period too.