Fender is Uninspired for 2013

[Tvrtko]

They should start new line: "Double road warn" and "Double vintage modified"....

[obimark]

Part of the beauty of Fender is the timelessness, my 2012 P-Bass is by and large the same as the first 1950s one. ANd if it ain't broke DON"T F** it up!

[petrus61]

I'm just glad they seem to be keeping the mim classic line intact. As for the two new colors, they couldn't be more boring. In fact, they are rather cheap looking. Would it really kill them to just do a sonic blue or sea foam already?

[Smallmouth_Bass]

To a certain extent, Fender is a victim of their own success. It may be harder for them to "innovate" than others as they have certain expectations; to produce their classic models which are the industry standards.

[Ed_in_NE_Ohio]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Fender has been juggling with the same 5 models for 40 years.
I'm not sure how this comes as a surprise to you.
They are doing the right thing though. Every time they bring an innovation on the table, it fails. People want Fender to be Fender.

Huge +1 on this.
When a huge percentage of the market wants your traditional products exactly as they are, it is rather crazy to change them.
When it comes to products and the marketplace, change for the sake of change is silly (and almost always unprofitable).

[pringlw]

Well I don't have any of the newer EBMM basses so I won't defend them other than to say that the Bongo seems to have some die hard fans.

Originally Posted by vinnydbass

Agreed Fender is not the innovating type. And Agreed that EBMM has brought fresh ideas, but other than the stringray and the sterling, the basses this brand offers simply do not impress me. the bongo looks like a toilet seat, the big al looks like gumby's head, and neither of them have impressed me when i've gotten a chance to play em. The bongo, big al and reflex are basses i've tried a couple times, i wanna like them, but i find them uncomfortable and i don't find anything special about the tone. EBMM's sound will always be a stingray in my head. my 90s stingrays are so much better than the ones they sell now. just my opinion. Fender is the company that produces the tried and tested models that set a standard. There are plenty of brands that make fenders better than fender (lakland, sadowsky, etc..), look there for innovation.

[pringlw]

Yeah this seems true. Rickenbacker also falls into this. They pretty much just bang out a few models these days and that's it. I sometimes wonder if the CEO even bothers to show up for work most days.

Originally Posted by Ed_in_NE_Ohio

Huge +1 on this.
When a huge percentage of the market wants your traditional products exactly as they are, it is rather crazy to change them.
When it comes to products and the marketplace, change for the sake of change is silly (and almost always unprofitable).

[Jazz Ad]

I think Rickenbacker is pushing the recipe too far.
A brand with such a potential and image should show flawless finishes and perfect service, rather than relying on fans that will pay for a Ric whatever it is.
The Cheyenne was a perfect step in this direction but it was 20 years ago.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by pringlw

This is a surprise? I love my Fender don't get me wrong, but I don't look to Fender for innovation and freshness.

Exactly.

[nick333]

Originally Posted by Sleeq

Regretfully, 2013 has so far been a letdown in regards to new offerings from Fender.

- Cheap looking new colors

- only 2 new models, both Custom Shop (the Precision Pro is a huge step back from 2012, including the boring black color).

- No new announcement for the American Vintage line.

I mean, I'm a Fender guy to the bone (got four of 'em!) but the lack of innovative, let alone, new, offerings is simply disappointing.

You might want to check this place out, looks interesting....http://luthiersaccessgroup.com/

[Templar]

Originally Posted by mcm

There's only so many things one can do with a bass. Fender's got too much stuff IMO

Yeah no kidding. Fender has so much going on, past and present, it's overwhelming. Add in the Squier stuff and the CS....it's almost ridiculous. How many choices can anyone need?

[superdick2112]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Who gives a crap if they're innovative or not? Only their designers who stand to get paid if a new design catches on. Innovation is highly overrated if you ask me. What good is innovation if nobody likes it?

+1

Look at Ric - they haven't introduced any new bass models in years, yet they continue to thrive by offering tried & true classics. Not every bass manufacturer needs to push the envelope to remain a success, and there are plenty of others to look to for those seeking cutting edge design.
I love the fact that bassists have so many options regarding classic vs. modern, stock vs. custom, affordable vs. high-end....

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by Templar

Yeah no kidding. Fender has so much going on, past and present, it's overwhelming. Add in the Squier stuff and the CS....it's almost ridiculous. How many choices can anyone need?

Excellent point! I would rather see Fender narrow stuff down a bit that release more new models.

[bumperbass]

Originally Posted by Templar

Yeah no kidding. Fender has so much going on, past and present, it's overwhelming. Add in the Squier stuff and the CS....it's almost ridiculous. How many choices can anyone need?

Yeah, I agree with this. I think they just want you to be so confused, that you'll just buy a MIA. All the innovation is tried out first with Squier (except with some things, like the reverse body/headstock stuff), and those innovations come and go.
The color choices are really bland. Black, SUNBURST, and a few other colors. How about a transblack or some quilted finishes? What's the big deal? How much disruption can it pose on an assembly line to throw in a few colors? Stage lights these days make it nice to have a cool color. Black doesn't work.
I am just glad I can buy a car close to the color I want.

[SBsoundguy]

What are the new colors?

[Profania_bass]

Originally Posted by SBsoundguy

What are the new colors?

As far as I can tell from this thread they are Boring and More Boring.

[mellowinman]

Jade Pearl Metallic


Mystic Red

Charcoal Frost Metallic

Mystic Blue


Mahogany Stain

Amber Burst

Natural

Candy Apple Red

Olympic White

OK, which of these are new, and which of these are "boring?" I like all of them.

Here are some colors Fender is NOT going with this year:


Pea Green


Invisible


Pink and Lime Green Plaid


Barfing Pumpkin


Ugly Christmas Sweater


Angry Nixon


Specimen

[awilkie84]

Originally Posted by pringlw

This is a surprise? I love my Fender don't get me wrong, but I don't look to Fender for innovation and freshness. The only big, major mass produced American bass company that constantly pushes the innovation envelope IMO is EMBB.

I think you meant EBMM

[ggvicviper]

I say wait a little bit. Fender probably will show some stuff at NAMM. Sometimes they introduce things mid year too.

LOL @ mellowinman

[pringlw]

Sorry to see them drop Specimen. Lol