Vintage Icon V6 vs Fender Stratocaster
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ก.ย. 2024
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I've been asked a lot about the differences between the Vintage V6 Icon Strat and the Fender MIM Strat, so in this video I compare the two guitars and demo both so you can hear the differences in tone.
**The scratchy switch is just due to the guitar not being played for a while, the switch worked fine when I bought the guitar - just needed a clean!
- Jesse Fildes
The vintage sounded better to my ears but that 5 way switch needs some serious work.
i completely agree
Nothing a simple replacement can’t fix, should probably take it to a repair shop if you’re inexperienced with soldering.
No kidding, that switch didn’t help the Vintage at all in this comparison.
@@atomlow all it needs is cleaned and that will go away. Not that big of an issue
I have the V6 and it's just amazing. I just love everything about this guitar. The frets were little rough on the edges when i bought it but with a little rounding it became perfect. 10/10
The Vintage sounds more like Fender than the Fender... :-D
Better Tonewood, more attack, more responsible despite the rosewood fingerboard! Much more low costs as Fender, better!!!! Good Deal!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@@Ingeborg323 "tonewood"
Wilkinson pickups would be better than the no name Fender pups in the Fender Mexican. Wilkos actually are about 60 / 70uk a set on the UK market as after market pups. Not cheap generic crap.
Not to be confused with the oem ones tho. The retailer in my town gave up on vintage after some batches of strats that All had truss rod issues - broken, jammed etc. They can be geat i guess but you need to try first. Also, neck ia thin and very playable, however not the most stable for tgebsame reason. If you can try a signature model or an older V6 Reissued, those would be the best bets.
And looks more like Fender too.
The Vintage sounds awesome. The only thing that obviously needs to be upgraded is the pickup switch. The noise it makes is unpleasant.
Agree
I put Vintage tuners on my Fender.
I put Vintage vibrato on my Fender.
Two minutes in Vintage won.
For the price I must say it sounds amazing and from what ive heard they feel amazing everyone that has played one so far say they cant put it down and it has great pickups in it
Lovely quality of the Chinese 5 way switch letting it all down 🙄
Yep, there's a cost straight away getting that sorted out and better just replaced... And what comes next!
It’s not an expensive upgrade though. These vintage guitars seem to be well built with good hardware.
@@Crashed2023 just needs to be cleaned out, i had the same thing happen in my fender. it's what happens when you don't use a blade switch for a while, corrosion on the contacts.
Not Chinese made though. These are made in Vietnam.
Jay Lacebal , you are correct about the guitar, but the switch is made in China 🇨🇳
its important to note that the vintage icon has a graphite nut not a plastic nut, major major difference
Fender guitars for sure don't have plastic nut
barely any difference at all. there is no such upgrade that makes a major difference unless a part was totally crap in the first place. Ask anyone who wasted money on badass bridge in the 70's.
Thanks for the real comparison. Very thorough and realistic. Thanks!
For the record, I think the Vintage sounded clearer. Not just brighter, but less muddy. A much better choice, in my opinion. Where I live, the MIM is 75% MORE! And you certainly aren't getting 75% more guitar for the money.
Have you guys heard Dave Simpson play that Vintage Icon V6? That guitar can stand up and walk if you've got the skills. That was the Most incredible sound I have ever heard coming from a guitar.
They are good guitars. Frankly they probably come from a factory that makes parts for Fender anyway. The guy on here throwing his toys out of the pram is just an idiot - I have Fenders, a Gibson 333, and a bunch of other brands and over the years I've discovered that most brands are basically pretty well-made, because they all use the same CNC machines to cut the wood. The hardware, pickups etc can all be replaced, so it's worth gaining a few maintenance skills. I have guitars that have cost me £40 that now stand up well compared to my 50th Anniversary Strat. Dave Simpson is a great player and proves every week that a good player will get great sounds out of guitars at any price.
Yes he's great.
I loved the Vintage. It sounded “alive”. It was far more dynamic.
Dude best comparison ever!
Preferred the v6 myself. Watched a comparison of a Mexican fender and USA one earlier, Mexican was the chosen one in the comment. I love mine, changed pick ups ect but just brought the semi hollow vintage V72H, turns up tommorow. Never had one before so its going to be fun fun fun.
Imagine places were swapped and Vintage guitars was first and countless guitar legends were playing them, and then came Fender as it is now in terms of hardware and what not.
Would people be so keen on buying Fenders? 🤔
The moral is that Fender is riding on fame of all big names without even trying to improve their guitars, whereas their contenders - including Vintage JHS - improve their guitar quality.
I get what your saying but the original design was so far ahead of its time that there wasn’t much to improve. You gotta remember, all these other brands are copies of Fender. The value of these newer brands is incredible and you can’t go wrong with one but a Fender was, is and probably always will be King.
@@mikepj1025
Not much to improve? Why would Fender not treat guitar lovers to veneered tops, like Gibson or many Strat copies already do? Fender design might have been revolutionary 70 years ago, but they were not that revolutionary to hardly change anything in those 70 years.
🙋🏼♂️ my opinion as to the veneered tips is simple, Fender players don’t care about veneer tops at all. Gibson priced themselves out of reach for most players. All I’m saying is Fender managed to design a guitar that anyone can afford with all there levels of guitars and also a modification platform that anyone can change anything without bringing it to a costly luthier. Fender is constantly putting out products for all price ranges and high quality. I love my Gibson Les Paul but they have 2 levels of guitars very expensive and unattainable.
@Quiksilver
Vintage sell their V6 range guitars to be an affordable Fender Strat copy for a price of their Squiers, not an expensive rival.
Their LP copies though - like the V100 Paradise - have an awesome veneer:
images.app.goo.gl/7VjaZ1z1G7c9pPUs8
@@Phoenix_cataclysm_in_2040 they do put out vaneered tops but ok
Nice job. I really like your clean tone on both guitars, but tend to like the Wilkenson pickups on the V6. The V6 is a budget guitar and you get a lot for your money... No doubt.
Yeah I agree, thanks TJ!
The vintage sounds better to me. more clarity. Ive had a mexican strat and several usa ones. The usa ones were all excellent in their own way. I now only have a sunburst vintage v6. I replaced the pickups with seymour duncan hot strats - I didnt need to - just did it for a different sound. The original pickups are very good but the seymours are much higher output. Good vid my friend.
I liked the Fender more because of the low end but maybe put them both in a mix to really test the sounds.
Same about me, but there is no really big difference.
I have a Vintage and i really like it. No competition for my USA Strat. But a pretty nice one in the Collection.
I've a Vintage Thomas Blug model. I've removed the dummy coil and wired it like a std strat, but I've not played my USA strat fpr about a month since I got the V6. Amazing value for money and a all round work horse instrument. No cheap import switch, it had a oak grisby style switch as stock.
red strat with tortoise is sweet
Mexican (ceramic pickups) vs Vintage VS6 (alnico V) pickups. It comes down to a matter of preference. Ceramic are known for warmer and fatter sound with alnico more clarity and bite. IMHO
I myself love the vintage brand guitars but that buzzing on the pickup switching is terrible saylike
Glynis Burdon sounds like dirt got in there. Easily fixed.
Yup. Squirt contact cleaner in, twiddle knob, repeat as necessary. Done. Now get on with the rock n roll!
Gotoh key resolv that. I gonna instal a Alpha and thats it...
The fact that the Fender costs more, AND you decided to make upgrades on it to match the tuners and trem that come standard on the v6....This seems significant
I believe the black nut on the Vintage model isn't just plastic. It's supposed to be composite to prevent binding.
True. It's graphite, that's distinct characteristic for Vintage guitars, at least for V6.
That was an excellent demo! I notice slight noise on selector switch on the Vintage! Both sound great! I'm glad you didn't do any silly overdriven sounds which tell nothing!
Yeah I heard it too, sounds like it's got dirty pots.
I mean it’s always good to do a clean and an overdrive for those folks who like to play overdriven
I personally like the mim better,the vintage sounds a little too bright for my ears.
And this MIM model has 2 more tone combinations, thanks to this neglected switch. It's really awesome guitar.
Close your eyes and listen. In my opinion the v6 wins. ( lube the selector switch tho).
Not sure if the issue isn't just your guitar i have a vintage v6 reissue d not the icon i dont have that crackling noise at all as for me I've owned an American fender many made in Mexico fender strats and many squier strats and in my opinion my vintage V6 was a total upgrade sounded better great quality and my vintage was a little bit heavier then my American HSS fender maybe I just found the right deal
You should play more than talking.
What happened to the selector on the Vintage Icon? Very noisy...
But what a splendid sound... more fenderish than the Fender.
change switch which is cost £1.5 or spray with wd40 and you will get 2x better guitar then overrated fender
Hello Jesse, I believe the comparisson should have been done with fully original parts to be more accurate and reliable.it gave me some ideas though. I have a little question: did you have to modify something on the fender to fit the tuners or did they just fit right then?
Did you upgrade the MIM to the standard of the Vintage (tuners, bridge) technically?
Vintage icon for me beautiful,warm tone and looks great ..Could play that guitar anywhere
Are the trem block materials different on the two guitars, since they now have the same type of bridge?
I don't own both. So I have no bias whatsoever. Base on the tonal quality. Fender wins. I cannot speak for the build quality or the feel of each guitars since I don't own one. But fender has more tonal characteristics, while the vintage has a one dimensional tone. Not that I say vintage has bad tones, but fender clearly got this comparison.
4:00
5:28
The vintage has something special going on
Yes, price :-)
That made in Mexico fender has Wilkinson trem when it returns does it go back in tune?
Yes. Btw, every tremolo stays in tune if it's set up properly.
Hi Jesse, nice review, thank you.
The Vintage body is basswood. I have a V6 Thomas Blug signature model. Great instrument.
I think the body is ash
Get the Vintage, spray some contact cleaner in the 5 way switch and call it a day...
I came here to research the Vintage Icon V6 but the main thing I’m taking away from this video is your vibrato. You have excellent vibrato!
😂 thanks for the kind words Dean 🙏
I'm pretty sure that the vintage has a graphite nut. It does on the V6 I have.
YEP its a graphite nut, all Vintage guitar came with Graphite Nuts
Nubone
Hey bro, does Vintage have a slimmer neck similar to a regular fender strat?
?
Both guitars sound good, V6 just as good for that price...sadly this toggle switch crackles like mad....but this you can also encounter with a genuine Fender...I had that problem
it is something that happens a lot. Often it has to do with melting the wires of the pickups. A seller told me who repaired it. It is one of the last actions on the production of
the guitar. When the person does his job too fast or is sloppy, this happens...I hear its a typical Fender thing. So maybe it happend here also. It doesn't have to be the switch
and yet it can be the switch...depends on the situation. But I think its not normal that it cracks like that.
Just the video I was looking for, thanks! When you talk about the thinner neck, do you mean thinner or narrower?
Maybe on the next time, you open the tone control on the fender too 🙌
Thanks for the comparison Jesse 👍🏻
Nice video man. Love both but vintage with that price really awesome!.
the fender blows the v6 into the weeds, the guy enjoyed playing it sounded way better on the fender, the V6 was obviously a struggle and had poor quality electrics
I've been wondering if I should pull the trigger on the V6. Thanks for helping me decide that's the one I want.
the vintage is korean made?
Don't know why you had this issue i have a vintage reissued v6 a friend of mine bought his Fender we hooked them into the same amp my Vintage V6 blew that Fender Player Series away it had much better tones had more volume power and had the quality of a American series Fender Strat & my Vintage V6 weighted a few more pounds than a Fender it was so good I brought a Vintage V100 the man who makes Vintage originally worked for Leo Fender
Thanks Jesse, lovely playing.
Omg i love how the vintage sounds 'vintage' fender.
For those who want to skip to the actual playing go to 4:03
I have an fr V6 and a classic vibe with Wilkinson parts also
V6 sounds like a real Strat. IMO - a lot better than MIM.
The only bad thing in Icon Series (for me) is a crappy look. F for fake.
By the way - nice playing. Thanks for this comparison :)
Cheers.
+Alojz Wafel Thanks, yes agreed V6 is a great sounding guitar, you can get the non-reliced version - I agree the relic job looks pretty bad
Fender wins all the time, the vintage is a awesome guitar, but it's not a Fender
I bet if you replaced the toggle switch and did a blind sound test everyone picking the fender would change their mind
Guitars are made for guitarists, Fender, Gibson, Ibanez, SX and so on are tools of Hendrix, Slash, Vai, Me and so on.
Why the competition? There's always someone who is gonna have better. Let's be content with getting in the zone not the means of transport getting there.
Your right its not a Fender and it sou b ds Awsome all you fender guys just paying for a name tag there's still alot better guitars than Fender but that's just my opinion !!!
vintage sound great but you must fix the 5 ways switch it has poping and noise when you move the switch.
Man clean the electronics!!!
The Vintage sounds beatiful
I really dig my Vintage V6 strat!!!
4:04 vs 5:30
4:10 vs 5:36
4:15 vs 5:42
4:21 vs 5:48
4:27 vs 5:55
4:35 vs 6:04
4:30 vs 6:08
Beautiful review!
what amp did you use in this video?
+Alex Hoffman This would have been the Kemper
Why is it crackling when u switch the pickups?
+Mr.Skipps Haven't played this guitar for a long time, the switch is a bit dirty. No problems when it was new
+Mr.Skipps Because of bad connections and wiring and grounding.
+Mr.Skipps Most often its just cruft in the switch itself. some electrical contact cleaner in there n move it through its range a few times will take care of it easily enough.
It's true that Vintage wiring is not as good as Fender stuff but it does the job and is not costly to upgrade.
Malcolm Browning Your argument is something that I already expected...I've owned more than a dozen Fender MIMs and a few American and I never had the slightest problem with any...and that's what you pay for...peace of mind...
Now if you don't like the sound of the Pups that's subjective...it's your taste, personally I think they're great except for the Bridge Pup on Strats cuz of lack of tone knob....I mean even Guthrie Trapp's Tele is equipped with Mexican Tele Pups and he says he loves them so taste in sound is not an argument because if you said that they had shitty output like a squier bullet then that would be an argument because it's lacking in quality but not the Pups that come in Fender MIMs. but hey...like what you like.
I just bought an Epiphone Les Paul Studio...and here we're talking cheap guitar, I put a 498T in the Bridge and a Dimarzio Air Classic in the neck, push pull pots to split the coils and the guitar is mind blowing, mainly for two reasons 1- it sounds great and 2- it stays in tune for hours even after doing crazy bends. take care. Mike. PS and I've been playing for 30 years. expensive guitars are great but some cheap ones are also great.
the vintage looks like it needs a bit of mantenience Jesse, those sounds of non-conection are like so, anyway great guitars, sound and playing!!
I thought the Vintage has a graphite nut?
Vintage V6 is better, in terms of specs, than some MIM Fenders, mostly 90's MIM, 2006 and up models go side by side more or less. The Vintage is more price friendly, has good woods, locking tuners, Wilkinson bridge and pickups, graphite nut... quality. I got mine for USD 100! Plays damn fine! Set it up well and you got an axe that has nothing to envy against a MIM.
Wow, how and where did you buy it for $100?
@@DieselDiaz From someone who cant wait enough to get rid of it :-)
I might be wrong, but isn't that nut graphite?
They're both plastic nuts
Jesse Fildes thanks
I saw another review and the guy said it’s graphite
I have a v100 paradise LP copy and that’s a graphite nut, by a firm called ‘nubone’, despite being white and looking slightly odd to the untrained eye. So I know they do make guitars with graphite nuts.
I own a Vintage (without a dud pickup switch) and it sounds awesome. But the comparison isn't that accurate as the MIM you buy won't have been 'upgraded' with Vantage parts. They are both good guitars - sound is in the ear of the beholder in anycase 🙂
If you like, put different Pickups in the Strat and you good to go. Or sell it and keep the V.
I thought the Mex strat sounded slightly more bassy - probably because more heavy guitar. And so slightly more attractive clean sound.
Yes, I thought the same.
Old Blue because it has ceramic pickups compared to the alnico of the vintage. Ceramic tends to sound darker.
Noach Private , the mexican strat is a deluxe with alnico pickups i believe (Fender noiseless if i remember well...)
Need to have both of them.
Very close sounds... The Vintage Icon V6 with better PUs i think can match perfectly the MIM Strat
What do u think Jesse?
+Enrico Zurma Honestly I think the V6 pickups are better than the pickups in my Fender
+Enrico Zurma Not sure what pickups are in that specific MIM but people often buy Wilkinson pickups to upgrade the MIM Standard! They're really good for a modest price.
Comparisons need a refresh now that the mex strats have alnico pickups.
This model hasn't. It still has Fender noiseless pickups. But also has locking tuners in stock equipment.
Nice demonstration. I subscribed your channel. Cheers.
Thanks for the sub!
That Vintage 5 way switch is terrible. Crackin like crazy
Theres not a lot in it but the Mexi strat wins for me - though not in looks
The Vintage sounds twice as good but get a new 5-way switch
Vintage sounds great, but I am not feeling that static. Electronics need some work? Shielding?
Sounds good though. Remind me of some Tex mex pick ups by Fender.
That's not a shielding problem, that's cheap import electronics and wiring on a cheap guitar. Fender uses the same electronics on their MIM and their USA guitars. If someone wants a Stratocaster, buy a Stratocaster
Randy Woolum
Yeah, I am with you.
I have a mex strat, a squeir strat with upgraded pots and tex mex pick ups for fun and love it! And then the fsr tele made in Mexico is great. .love it. All my guitars but the Squier and an American tele were nex made and I an happy / have more than I deserve.
But I'd seen and heard some vintage brand stuff, a tele in particular. Donahue - something that was written up well. But the static in this strat was off putting for sure..
Nice playing
Nice review brother, thumbs up
vintaage electrinics are bad... tried few on the guitar store ftom the display and they all have some electronic issiue or flaws like sharp fret edges
Teach me that little run you do after you begin with the E chords please :)
Contact cleaner please.
vintage is superior ....though affordable ...i have a squier, mim and a vintage icon flamed sunburst in gloss finish...the vintage makes me play like me
You can't say that, although I also like the Vintage company very much, but the comparison here is purely factual junk! Because both Strats have different body woods! The Fender has an ash body and the Vintage V6 a poplar (or later alder) body! Then the fingerboards are made of different woods! We have two totally different guitars in front of us, which are constructed completely differently, so no comparison makes any sense!
Fender wins this one. It just sounds richer.
Jeff Smith agree. It is much spankier while the Vintage sounds generic warm....
You should have used a Fender with a rosewood fingerboard. The maple one will create a brighter tone.
Make believe :-)
For the price, I’ll deal with a slight grain when switching pickups. Could just be a lemon too
If it's scratchy when you change pickups and or turning the tone / volume knobs you probably have dirt or dust in your pots.. dirty pickups..canned air my friend blow that stuff outa there
Where is the vintage strat made?
In a factory
Yes. At a factory in Vietnam.
..and the most obvious difference? The Vintage has 22 Frets whereas the Fender has to make do with 21 ;-)
the body is alder
i have the tobacco burst version but non relic'd
The pickups on the Vintage sound better to me, too. That switch needs to be replaced, for sure.
The vintage V6 can beat any Fender except a custom shop strat.
Jhs Vintage guitars have graph tech nuts. Mexican strats i think are poplar and vintage Basswood.
Tom Clements Music sure depends on which Mexican Strat you are talking about.... as he said, the Deluxe Player Strat he is using (and my blue sapphire one) are ash body.
@@ghalston5641 mine was a standard from 1999. I modded the help out of it 😂😂
still waiting for a REAL comparison...
Rogerio Sarto
LOL
pickup switch comparison I think,
The cheap mexicana ate this thing with broken switch.
The vintage is a far better tone for me. Sounds like a vintage (small v) strat to me.
That really thick lacquer on a lot of Fenders is not a good thing, and kills the natural sustain and timbre of the wood.