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SUPER SONIC?
Regarding Dave Burrluck’s first visitation of the Acoustasonic [Jazzmaster] as a long-termer. Since its introduction, the Acoustasonic seems to have been a classic opinion divider. What Dave has unquestionably proven, however, is its immense value as a flexible friend in the studio. And it doesn’t take a great leap of imagination to see its value as a live instrument – if not as an acoustic replacement then as a great all-rounder backup guitar. The elephant-sized fly in the ointment is, of course, the price. I suspect many guitarists will think, ‘I can get a rock-solid acoustic and two MIM (or top-end Squier) Fender solidbodies for that outlay.’ And it’s hardly the ‘fall in love’ eye candy that, say, a US Strat in Antique White with mint green pickguard and roast maple/rosewood neck is.
Methinks, therefore, that it could be a niche player for Fender. But while I suspect the cost of the tech prevents them from offering a Squier version, if they could and did then I suspect it would immediately become a go-to tool for gigging and recording musicians at almost every level. Steve Broadhead, via email Hi Steve, thanks for your thoughts. Our first impression on seeing the Acoustasonic Telecaster, the first of the series, a few years back was that it would make an amazing tool for live musicians who play a wide variety of bar-room gigs in the average month, especially singers who accompany themselves on guitar. No, the acoustic voices aren’t absolutely perfect replications of the vintage and classic guitars they’re modelled on. But just try to get one of those real guitars to sound exactly like itself in an amplified pub-gig setup anyway! There are always compromises and we really like the pragmatism and usability of the Acoustasonic range – for certain applications. I think you’re right that it would be hard to do a Squier version as the Fishman-designed pickup tech at the heart of the whole thing ain’t simple. Then again, you’d assume Fender could replicate the construction techniques overseas, so who knows? What do you say, Fender? Have readers got any other suggestions for big makers for models they don’t currently make but should, in your opinion?