Tag Archives: Fender

Fender Mini ’57 Twin Amp

Posted on by

I’ve been meaning to write something on this little amp for a while now. I have a weird fascination with mini amps, and I’m also a fan of pretty much anything Fender. So the minute I saw this little Mini ’57 Twin Amp, I pretty much had to have it.

Now, if you go to the Fender website, you will see that the mini amps are listed under accessories. That should be a tip off right there. Fender is not trying to market these as amps. Yes, it does amplify sound from your guitar. But… it’s really just a toy. If you are thinking of using one of these for a practice amp, I’d spend a few more bucks and get something real–like a Mustang 1. However, if you want a toy, something that looks cool and is kind of fun to play with every once in a while, this is pretty neat. It would also make a great gift for that Fender fanatic who has everything.

Now, I’m kind of curious to try the Orange Micro Crush. Sounds like it might be a bit more than just a toy. Maybe I’ll put it on my Christmas list.

Anyway, more pics of the little ’57 Twin after the jump!

Fender-Mini-57-Twin-Amp

Continue reading →

Kurt Cobain: Mustangs and DS-1s

Posted on by

Cool article dredged up by Guitar World in honor of the release of the 20th anniversary edition of Nirvana’s ‘In Utero’–The Definitive Kurt Cobain Gear Guide. I started playing guitar (again) a year or so before Bleach came out, and really, that’s what you bought back then if you were a punk rocker kid–cause they were cheap and crunchy sounding–a Mustang, a DS-1 and a crappy solid state amp. Well, that’s what I bought anyway.

Kurt-cobain-Mustang-ds1

The Guitar Idiot Guide to Buying Your First Guitar and Amp

Posted on by

1. Don’t be intimidated. It doesn’t matter that you can’t play. No one cares that you can’t play. Everyone was beginner at some point. So don’t worry.

2. Don’t buy a new cheap junk guitar. Just don’t. If you stay with guitar for more than three months you will outgrow it and it will literally be worthless. Ok, not worthless. Someone might give you $20 for it.

3. If you do buy a new cheap junk guitar, don’t go any lower than Squire. And don’t buy the very cheapest Squire, either. Definitely don’t buy a random no name junk guitar. And don’t buy one of those stupid combo kits, either.

4. The best thing to buy is used Made in Mexico Fender Stratocaster or Telecaster off Craigslist. You can buy them all day long for $300 or less, and if you end up not playing it you can turn around and sell it for $300. If you do end up playing, you’ll probably keep it as a backup or mod it til you like it better or you might just keep playing it as is forever, cause they are darn nice guitars. They are also bombproof.

5. You can buy a used amp if you want for cheap but I don’t know how you can beat a new Fender Mustang 1 amp for $100. They rock. If you end up not playing you can sell it for $50 or give it to the kid down the street and make his day.

The pic below is my used MIM Strat which I got for $200 off Craigslist and my Fender Mustang 1 Amp which I bought new at American Music for $100.

That’s it. That’s my guide. Any questions? Oh, and get lessons. Well worth it.

Strat-and-Mustang-amp

Repairing a Drill Hold in My Stratocaster

Posted on by

My “new” 2001 MIM Strat came to me with a 1/8th inch drill hole in the front (it was drilled by the previous owner for a midi pickup). I wanted to fix it without a ton of effort, spending a bunch of money or making it worse. I posted over on Strat Talk and got some good advice. Then I got some wood glue, a toothpick and some nail polish and had at it. Came out pretty good for $2. More pics after the jump!

Continue reading →

My New Craigslist 2001 MIM Standard Stratocaster

Posted on by

Picked this up two weeks ago off Craigslist for $200. The seller bought it new at Guitar Center in 2001, drilled two small holes in the pickguard and one in the body for a midi, then never played it. It’s in great shape and I love the neck (doesn’t seem as glossy as the newer ones). I had been debating new MIM vs new American Standard but this was too good of a deal to pass up. My first Strat.