Surfliner Deluxe

[BoneDigger]

I have seen the bigger thread below but this question is a bit more specific. I am looking for a guitar for surf music. I am considering one of these then maybe later changing out the humbucker for something single coil. Anyone here tried these on surf rock music? What were your impressions?

 

[GGJaguar]

Yes, the middle pickup works well for surf, but as you noted it's limited by the bridge bucker. If it had an LB-1 instead of the HB-2 no pickup change would be needed since the LB-1 is bright and chimey. The other issue is the cheap vibrato. It's needs some tweaking to make it smooth. To be fair, so do the cheap units found on Fender's Squier line.

 

[BoneDigger]

Thanks for the reply! How do you think it compares to the Squire J Mascis Jazzmaster or the Classic Vibe version? Both are cheaper, though the Guild certainly looks nicer.

 

[GGJaguar]

I think the JMJM has P-90 type pickups so there's that. They are made in the Yako factory in China, same one that makes the Jetstar and Aristocrat HH. I know the older (pre-2019) Classic Vibes got good reviews for bang-for-the-buck. Not sure about the newer ones which are made in Indonesia, though I hear some guys change the pickups at the very least.

But for almost the same price (new) as the Surfliner Deluxe, I would choose the G&L Tribute Doheny which is made in Indonesia like the Surfliner. It uses the same pickups as the US-made model and the vibrato is better than the others. You should be able to find a used one in the $500 range.

 

[BoneDigger]

Thanks for the advice! Can you tell me your thoughts on the necks on these models? I tend to like chunky necks and am not a fan of really shallow, thin necks. How would you say the G&L, Squire, and Guild compare here?

 

[GGJaguar]

I tend to like chunky necks and am not a fan of really shallow, thin necks. How would you say the G&L, Squire, and Guild compare here?

If you like chunky then go with the Guild. It's a fabulous neck. The others will all be a little slimmer in profile.

 

[BoneDigger]

Well, I thought long and hard about it and was just about to pull the trigger on the Guild. However, I saw that Fender had the Squire 40th Anniversary Jazzmaster on sale and was able to get my local shop to price match. So, I got the Jazzmaster for $350, which I think is a pretty good deal and this scratches the offset itch. It's about half the price of the Guild, though I think the Guild certainly looks better.

The only concern I had over the Guild was the layout. It's very Strat-like, which many will love, but I don't like three pickup guitars. That middle pickup always gets in my way!

I have no doubt the components are higher quality on the Guild, but I guess I can upgrade these as needed on the Squire. I may eventually get the Guild, but man, I wish they would make one with two Franz P90 pickups and the tremolo.

 

[GGJaguar]

Itch is scratched, congrats!