New Nacho Day

chris78

I thought I’d do a follow up to this thread https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/267852/incoming-nacho-caster#latest

My Nachocaster arrived this morning, following customs payment. The guitar cost me £6,400 inc shipping and customs. The price of entry is not cheap.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/q86c9usjedteov3dpheuh/IMG_2390.jpeg?rlkey=1pzsbcqvozmr60pz77wqln1bx&st=ghic4b2j&raw=1

Typical tweed case, some nice candy with a nacho t shirt, wax sealed certificate and candy, including original black guard orders from fender, receipts, letters to agents etc. Nice touch.

The guitar weighs a superb 6lbs 13 oz

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/74v3vnanoaridflqk66bp/IMG_2395.jpeg?rlkey=lhpq0hcg4sdp3h8afmimn9cvd&st=g77spf2g&raw=1

Ive only had it this morning since 8.45, so these are initial impressions only after 30 mins play because I’ve had work getting in the way of my new guitar!

The first thing to say is that this neither looks or feels like an aged Fender custom shop guitar. I’ve taken some side by sides:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z7nlrh75ijpket1yhwt6z/IMG_2391.jpeg?rlkey=ryo04myqiv05ir9bcq4yyn88g&st=8ob672t7&raw=1
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sx07e42kscrs39h1ipbjp/IMG_2392.jpeg?rlkey=xk32limes6cnbtaqlz3hnltoy&st=8y9rz0ee&raw=1

The ageing work is incomparable. It’s obvious much more time has been taken over the colour, the wear and thought about how vintage guitars wear. The back of the neck tells the story of a cowboy chord player and isn’t just sanded where fender feel like it. There is no bare wood, there’s lacquer all over, albeit worn, like an old guitar. 

The neck nacho calls a soft v. It’s a pretty hard v, especially by the nut, softening to a more c shape towards the top. It’s more rudimentary and basic and feels nothing like the ridiculous u shaped neck fender use on nocasters. Honestly, it’ll take a little getting used to. It is large, but not unwieldy. 

The frets are medium. Again, as an owner of lots of modern guitars, we’re putting bigger and bigger train tracks on. These aren’t teeny, but they’re different to what I normally have. There is more fight in the guitar and a slightly less smooth playing experience as a result. Not an issue, but different. 

The pickups, he’s nailed. The star is actually the neck pickup, which can sound woolly, dull and just not nice on a modern tele. This is musical, flutey and takes drive well. Who needs a Strat with a neck pickup this good? The bridge is exactly what you’d expect - bright, twangy, growly. Classic early blackguard. 

I’d say these won’t be for everyone, but anyone who wants to get as close as humanly possible to a real blackguard should try one. Modern fenders, regardless of whether they’re American vintage, team or master built simply aren’t coming close, and probably deliberately so as many people will want a smoother playing more modern guitar, not a vintage one.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/r83s9q6u9aawup0prgvje/1805-1_53843299194_o.jpg?rlkey=0fszhj96h56hq4l86bujytact&st=76tmq91q&raw=1

Alex2678

Looks beautiful, congrats. It’s got the same kind of ground in dirt that I always compliment Scott at Golden Era on, the chips and wear marks look like they happened years ago rather than ‘just now with a scalpel’. 

stonevibe

Looks great, have fun with it.

mo6020

What a stunner. Congrats man. 

guitars4you

Sometimes the 'wow' button is not enough - Need a super wow, certainly based on its aesthetics 

Reading your comments the only issue that would make me nervous is the fret size - Not convinced that the 'fight' is what I'd want, but appreciate a matter of taste and maybe needing to spend some time with it - Agree we maybe going a bit OTT with frets to big - But to small is not familiar territory for me - I hope it isn't an issue for you

Thanks for the update - Enjoy spending more time with it 

Strat54

Side by side the Nacho makes the CS Broadcaster look like an MIM Roadworn. 

gumbothewiddler

That’s superb. I had no idea the body shape would be that different though! 

pluckbuddy

Looks amazing. And seems like a guitar you'll have to spend some time adapting to and getting to know, which I'm sure will be all the more rewarding for it.

My favourite guitar currently is one that I initially wasn't too keen on the neck profile, but I liked the way the different feel changed the way I played. Now I love the neck profile. 

chris78

guitars4you said:

Sometimes the 'wow' button is not enough - Need a super wow, certainly based on its aesthetics 

Reading your comments the only issue that would make me nervous is the fret size - Not convinced that the 'fight' is what I'd want, but appreciate a matter of taste and maybe needing to spend some time with it - Agree we maybe going a bit OTT with frets to big - But to small is not familiar territory for me - I hope it isn't an issue for you

Thanks for the update - Enjoy spending more time with it 

Mark, if you fancy a try, I’m staying by you in a couple of weeks. Could drop by the shop.

Strat54 said:

Side by side the Nacho makes the CS Broadcaster look like an MIM Roadworn. 

Absolutely great description!

PAL

Very very nice.

guitars4you

chris78 said:

guitars4you said:

Sometimes the 'wow' button is not enough - Need a super wow, certainly based on its aesthetics 

Reading your comments the only issue that would make me nervous is the fret size - Not convinced that the 'fight' is what I'd want, but appreciate a matter of taste and maybe needing to spend some time with it - Agree we maybe going a bit OTT with frets to big - But to small is not familiar territory for me - I hope it isn't an issue for you

Thanks for the update - Enjoy spending more time with it 

Mark, if you fancy a try, I’m staying by you in a couple of weeks. Could drop by the shop.

Strat54 said:

Side by side the Nacho makes the CS Broadcaster look like an MIM Roadworn. 

Absolutely great description!

Contact me as/when you are around and maybe meet up for a coffee/beer etc - Don't go out of the way with the guitar, but would be more than happy to give it a test drive - Hopefully we can cross path's soon 

chris78

guitars4you said:

chris78 said:

guitars4you said:

Sometimes the 'wow' button is not enough - Need a super wow, certainly based on its aesthetics 

Reading your comments the only issue that would make me nervous is the fret size - Not convinced that the 'fight' is what I'd want, but appreciate a matter of taste and maybe needing to spend some time with it - Agree we maybe going a bit OTT with frets to big - But to small is not familiar territory for me - I hope it isn't an issue for you

Thanks for the update - Enjoy spending more time with it 

Mark, if you fancy a try, I’m staying by you in a couple of weeks. Could drop by the shop.

Strat54 said:

Side by side the Nacho makes the CS Broadcaster look like an MIM Roadworn. 

Absolutely great description!

Contact me as/when you are around and maybe meet up for a coffee/beer etc - Don't go out of the way with the guitar, but would be more than happy to give it a test drive - Hopefully we can cross path's soon 

Will do, Mark. Will give you a call.

guitars4you

chris78 said:

guitars4you said:

chris78 said:

guitars4you said:

Sometimes the 'wow' button is not enough - Need a super wow, certainly based on its aesthetics 

Reading your comments the only issue that would make me nervous is the fret size - Not convinced that the 'fight' is what I'd want, but appreciate a matter of taste and maybe needing to spend some time with it - Agree we maybe going a bit OTT with frets to big - But to small is not familiar territory for me - I hope it isn't an issue for you

Thanks for the update - Enjoy spending more time with it 

Mark, if you fancy a try, I’m staying by you in a couple of weeks. Could drop by the shop.

Strat54 said:

Side by side the Nacho makes the CS Broadcaster look like an MIM Roadworn. 

Absolutely great description!

Contact me as/when you are around and maybe meet up for a coffee/beer etc - Don't go out of the way with the guitar, but would be more than happy to give it a test drive - Hopefully we can cross path's soon 

Will do, Mark. Will give you a call.

sounds good

CountryDave

That looks ace.
Happy new guitar day.

BobHillman

I don't generally like "relic" finishes on guitars, but that is just something completely different. HNGD!

timmypix

gumbothewiddler said:

That’s superb. I had no idea the body shape would be that different though! 

Interesting! Not being a Tele expert, what am I not seeing? The upper shoulder...?

Agree with the other comment about CS looking MIM in comparison.

Nerine

The fretboard wear on the Fender looks daft side by side.  

Offset

I have to say the relic-ing (of which I'm not usually a fan) is the most convincing I've seen.  To me, that looks like a well-used ~60 year-old Fender.

joeW

Happy NGD - that's unreal.  Makes the CS look like a really factory formula relic.  If it didn't feel unfamiliar, then is wouldn't be accurate, but if there was ever a guitar that was worth spending time to get comfortable with its this.  
Enjoy in good health

Th4fonz

That’s a beauty.  I hope the neck works out for you..

I would have thought if it doesn’t you can just contact the guy and swap the neck for another profile.

chris78

Nerine said:

The fretboard wear on the Fender looks daft side by side.  

Honestly, I can barely even look at my custom shops. They just look awful by comparison.

Th4fonz said:

That’s a beauty.  I hope the neck works out for you..

I would have thought if it doesn’t you can just contact the guy and swap the neck for another profile.

I’m already there with it to be honest. I had a tiny bit of cramp initially which is unheard of for me, but it’s already had a few hours last night and today and it feels totally comfortable.