the science of badges

Not to often you´ll get the chanse to test a load of guitars. I´ve done it before and then once again today. 

 "Applause C30"

"Ovation Elite USA"

My main reason for wisiting the guitarshop was the intention to swap My Ovation and Applause roundback guitars, to something that I prefered. (Never understood the thing about those roundbacks-ugly).

Instead I found me self playing like mad on different Fender-isch guitars. Most of em Fenders or Squire´s but also a couple of copies made inte never land. 

"Fender Jauar"

"Fender Jazzmaster" (800£)

Started of with my own favorites among the Fender´s- The Jaguar and Jazzmaster once the top of the line at Fender, now a days something rather cheap. All tested with the same amplifier and settings. 

"Squire Jaguar" (350£)

Then the Stratocasters, one of them a signed extreme at the price of 2000,oo£ +. down to cheap China made copies at 100£, 

"Fender Stratocaster 1960" extremly expensive.

As Im not a Strat-fanatic I didnt mind the sticker on the headstock. didnt even bother about it, just looked at the finish, the playability, the sound and the rest.

"Ibanez Stratocaster Lawsuit 1972"

Leaving the shop a Squire Jaguar and a set of new Gotho tuners was a bargain at less the 350 £. And there was several great Strats at less the 500. A Stratocaster at 2000+ £ seamed at that point as a fully loaded robbery, with no sense at all. the sticker could be bought för a couple of pounds at ebay. 

"Fender Stratocaster Jaguar edition 5000£"

So in my very own oppinion the buisness with Strats is totaly mad. Making people belive that they buy high quality and the best sounding guitar ever with the right sticker on the headstock. I for one doesnt belive that anymore.

Left the shop with the f-ing Ovation and a Strat. The applause was swapped for a really nice Strat-ish guitar. 

"Rämje Stratocaster"

the body wasnt painted but showed the fine structure of some kind of wood, looking great. The neck strait and perfect for me fingers. 

Pickups sounding as well as the most expensive Strat, and a tremolo that must make Strat owners mad out of jeloasy, a real good one similar to the orginal Strats but working perfectly. 

"Rämje ES335"

the brand was a swedish importer brand, a former producer and importer of harmoniums imported a thousand guitars in the 70-80 ies. this is one of them. A Strat that is really good value for the money and also a true competition to the originals. 

As good as my Burns guitars? To be honest - NO not a chanse. but during the years I have owned really bad Burns guitars thats for sure.