Fender makes the best guitars

Let's refresh ourselves on the resolution: "Fender makes the best guitars." Now, what terms did we agree to evaluate the resolution on?"hardware, honorable and respectable history (ex. various guitar idols who have used...[our guitar of choice for this debate]), and innovative design.Contention 1:You said: "Popularity and marketing does not equate to the "best guitar". The fact that famous people play a specific brand of guitar also does not equate to the "best guitar". Although a guitar maker may innovate some new accessory or feature this also does not equate to the "best guitar."Popularity and marketing, in reference to the terms outlined that you agreed to debate, is definitely a clear indication to a respectable and honorable history (which we agreed is aspect of evaluating the best guitar). I think it is only logical to say that because if Fender had not had a respectable and honorable history they wouldn't be popular or fared well with marketing."Although a guitar maker may innovate some new accessory or feature this also does not equate to the "best guitar."Why did you take this debate if now you are going against (as well as not even addressing my evidences) the things we outlined in the first round? The tremelo system Fender designed set a precedent and was such an innovation it revolutionized guitars from there on. (This is just one innovation/design from my opening argument I consider of great importance)Also, you said:"In my opinion there is no best guitar but rather the needs of the person playing it. Factory guitars are better for beginners, they are cheap they are more durable and come in a myriad of designs to choose from. But they are over engineered and this affects sound quality. Factory guitars are over engineered on purpose to avoid costly warranty repairs and replacement."I cannot take this serious in the least bit... Especially after the list I gave on honored and VERY respected guitarists who have chose Fender of all guitars as their main guitar choice. Honestly, people like Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and George Harrison cannot be dismissed as beginners. Anyone can say any guitar is better for beginners, here watch... Gibsons are better for begginners. You said: "Factory guitars are over engineered on purpose to avoid costly warranty repairs and replacement."And they avoid them because there is no need (in a generalized sense, there are outlyers within any scenario like this, even your perfect luthier) for warranty repairs and replacement because the "over engineeed" genius has led to superb design in their guitars - they get it right the first time.Also, you say they are "over engineered" (which can be a good thing, I would argue. Fender has over engineered their products to get them to the fine guitars they are) while also saying they are generic and processed. Sure, they have figured out how to mass produce them, but you don't think they have put thought into their factories for creating their world renowned instruments? Cheap?! Are you kidding me? Let's review the "Eric Johnson Stratocaster Maple"First off this thing costs about $2600, for my pocket book that's definitely not cheap. Anyways, specs:BodyBody: AlderBody Shape: Stratocaster®Body Finish: * (0117702803, 0117702806, 0117702809, 0117702801) Nitrocellulose LacquerNeckNeck Shape: Soft "V" ShapeNumber of Frets: 21Fret Size: Medium JumboPosition Inlays: Black Dot Position InlaysFretboard Radius: 12" Radius (305 mm)Fretboard: MapleNeck Material: 1-Piece Quartersawn MapleNeck Finish: Nitrocellulose LacquerNut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)Scale Length: 25.5" (64.8 cm)Neck Plate: Custom 4 Bolt NeckplateTruss Rod Nut: Original Vintage StyleElectronicsPickup Configuration: S/S/SBridge Pickup: Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coil Pickup with Countersunk Mounting ScrewsMiddle Pickup: Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coil Pickup with Countersunk Mounting ScrewsNeck Pickup: Specially Voiced Eric Johnson Single-Coil Pickup with Countersunk Mounting ScrewsPickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck PickupControls: Master Volume, Tone 1. (Neck Pickup), Tone 2. (Bridge Pickup)HardwareHardware: Nickel/ChromeBridge: American Vintage Synchronized TremoloBridge Cover/Tailpiece: Includes Chrome Bridge CoverTuning Machines: Staggered Vintage Style Tuning MachinesString Nut: Synthetic BoneSwitch Tip: Parchment Switch TipTremolo Arm/Handle: American Vintage Tremolo ArmToolsSaddle Height Adjustment Wrench: .050" Hex (Allen) WrenchMiscellaneousStrings: Fender® USA Super 250R, NPS, (.010-.046 Gauges)Unique Features: 12" Radius Fingerboard, Countersunk Holes in Pickguard for Pickup Mounting Screws, Height Staggered Vintage Style Tuners which Eliminate the Need for String Trees, Vintage Tremolo with Silver Painted Block and '57 Style String Recess (No Paint Between Base Plate and Block), 5 Tremolo Springs and No Back Tremolo Cover PlateAccessoriesCase/Gig Bag: Deluxe Blonde Hardshell Case with Black Ends (Black Interior)Pickguard: 1-Ply Parchment, (8 Hole)Included Accessories: Deluxe Blonde Hardshell Case with Black Ends (Black Interior), Strap, Cable, "Ash Tray" Bridge CoverControl Knobs: Parchment PlasticThat is top class built, even if it is factory built.http://www.fender.com...Contention 2: You said: "Ask any experienced or prominent guitar player what they look for first and foremost in a guitar and they will tell you sound and intonation are the most important features in any guitar."Fender has so many different models of guitars as well as sets of pickups that the "sound" variations a player is looking for is endless. Once again, look at the list of undeniable guitar geniuses who have used these guitars and the ease they played on them (intonation) as well as how amazing their sound was.Fenders have been hailed to revolutionize how guitars sound by Jimi Hendrix showcasing what Fender guitars are capable of at Woodstock 1969. http://www.youtube.com... , http://www.rollingstone.com...The Stratocaster and and Telecaster have been copied by almost all or possibly all guitar manufacturers in design and looks because of their superb design and sound."The Stratocaster first appeared in 1954, incorporating many design innovations based on feedback from professional musicians, Fender staff and Leo Fender himself. Its third single-coil pickup offered more tonal possibilities, its sleekly contoured body made it more comfortable, and its double cutaway design made access to upper registers much easier.Most important, however, was the addition of the new Fender vibrato (or "tremolo") bridge, an innovation originally intended to let guitarists bend strings, thus achieving the pedal steel-like sound so popular among country music artists of the day." http://www.fender.com...It's body shape and strategically placed third coil pickup gave it a new playability the world had never seen in such a way as Fender designed.Questions/Comments:You have yet to note any renowned musicians (there are some, but not to the extent to combat Fender's endless loyal community) to use hand made guitars. You said: "Most, if not all prominent successful guitar players play a specific brand of guitar because they are being paid by the company who makes them to play them. It is most unlikely their favorite guitar or guitar of choice." - Please prove this to be true, getting paid big money does not = why they use it.Leo Fender was a luthier when designing his groundbreaking "master designs" for Fender. I would argue he is the luthier to ever lived because his designs for the Telecaster and Stratocaster are still being copied today. Why aren't your luthiers being renowned for their amazing guitars?