Fender Flame - Robben Ford guitar

[Twisteramps]

Ok, the Fender Flame like I bought isn't THE Robben Ford guitar, but it's part of the "Master Series" that they came out with in the early to mid 80s, and Robben used an Elite which was a version of this guitar. Later on he had a USA custom shop model I believe. This guitar is still rare as hell though, check it out... a Fender take on a Gibson (it's a set neck!)





Anyone else have one? Never seen one in person, it's pretty cool but still not sure it's 'me'. I am digging the neck binding with dot inlays though!

Pete

[fuel0707]

From what I just read in Tony Bacon's book on Fender history, your guitar appears to be a Flame Standard. The Flame came in 3 versions: Standard, Elite and Ultra. Both the Elite and Ultra had fine-tuners on the bridge with the Ultra also having gold hardware.

Bacon's book also says that the original Master Series guitars were produced in Japan in 1984 because the US factory was not back in production after the reorganization.

I haven't played one but I was really intrigued by them back when I first got into Robben's music.

[Twisteramps]

I think the elite and ultras also had different inlays. It's a pretty cool guitar, once I get it totally set up to my specs I'll know if she's a keeper. I'd heard about these and had enough cash on me to pick it up, so I figured what the heck. They are rare enough I doubt I'll have any problems turning it if I decide to do that. It reminds me a lot of a Les Paul but with a tighter tone.

Pete

[heartfielder]

I've met Robben Ford a few times and I've had him sign three of my guitars.

Funny, I asked if he used his RF Model exclusively when recording and he said, "Nope, just Strats and Tele's". I could not believe it !!!

My friend has a Sunburst Flame like this but I think he has some other kind of inlays.

[heartfielder]

Here ya go Pete:

http://masterseriesguitars.com/

[Twisteramps]

very cool info, thanks man.

[Chameleonfong]

I was eyeing on one a month or so back, but they are really a little pricy... Btw, how are the Japanese ones compared to the korean ones?

[Twisteramps]

I've never seen a korean one. As far as I know, at least with the old ones, they never had a Korean counterpart. Is this some new fender thing?

BTW, what did you see it selling for?

Pete

[heartfielder]

The new ones are Fender Squire Espirit's. I can't imagine they're any good, but I haven't tried them.

In fact, yours is junk too Pete ... I'll trade you a wah wah pedal for it !!!

:ROTF:

[Twisteramps]

The new ones are Fender Squire Espirit's. I can't imagine they're any good, but I haven't tried them.

In fact, yours is junk too Pete ... I'll trade you a wah wah pedal for it !!!

:ROTF:

What a deal!

[Chameleonfong]

Yup, the Fender Squire Espirit is the ones. Heard they play ok, but ain't anywhere close to the US CS and the Japanese ones.

[Twisteramps]

Yup, the Fender Squire Espirit is the ones. Heard they play ok, but ain't anywhere close to the US CS and the Japanese ones.

Fong - what was the one you were looking at that was pricy selling for? just curious. thanks!

Pete

[Chameleonfong]

It was a ULTRA SP, the one with the block inlay. And it was going for more than 1.1 even when there were a couple of mods.

If i recall correctly, the USA CS ones cost 2.5-3k++...

[Twisteramps]

It was a ULTRA SP, the one with the block inlay. And it was going for more than 1.1 even when there were a couple of mods.

If i recall correctly, the USA CS ones cost 2.5-3k++...

Cool.

Pete

[Chameleonfong]

Almost forgot, you might want to check out its electronics, the early ones are supposed to have some "special" mojo in them. Supposed to be from a very well known Japanese maker or something.

Anyways, these things are rare as hell. So post a video clip of you playing it.hehehehe