Fender is Uninspired for 2013

[Sleeq]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Discontinued? I am aware it was "discontinued" a couple years ago, but that was just code for "we are changing what color paint we use." The MIA models are regularly "discontinued" because of this. Is the Jaguar Deluxe gone? I think it is still on their site.

It was discontinued in the West for about a year or so.

[rimbaud]

Yes, but Kubicki left Fender in 1973.... the kubicki fenders went after that on the market.

You can find many independant luthiers that have been working @ Fender either...

As I said, if they want innovations, they need to reach someone outside of the "firm" to get it. Phil Kubicki was already independant and working for Factor at this time.

As Bill Lawrence was independant, and still he is....

Do you read any innovations from a guy working at the custom shop for example ? no, the guy strictly obey to the marketing manager "built some CS and shut up, if you want to do something else, that's your own business".

[metron]

The last thing Fender needs to do is add more to their overbloated product lines. I would love to see them dump a ton of it and do something for the usa line like g&l does. 5 of their most popular models offered with a decent variety of colors and options.

[BassmanAK]

Originally Posted by Dredmahawkus

I just bought that same exact bass from someone on here used....its great isnt it!

It is. I'm surprised that there aren't more guys beating the drum about 'em.
Oh well.
More Sadowsky killers for us...lol

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by metron

The last thing Fender needs to do is add more to their overbloated product lines. I would love to see them dump a ton of it and do something for the usa line like g&l does. 5 of their most popular models offered with a decent variety of colors and options.

You know, I never really thought about it until I read this comment, but they really do have a lot of options. I mean its all just variations on this or that, but their is a lot to choose from.

[Diesel Kilgore]

Originally Posted by gleneg61

If you wanna see Fender innovation, just check out their Japan site. End of story.

Hollow body jazz! I want it now.

[bassist4dalord]

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.

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.

I agree with these two. Sure, Fender sticks to what they know. Why? Because they've made millions with what they know. Want looks of a Fender, but sound of something different? Mod a Fender, or build a Warmoth, Sandberg, Alleva-Coppola, Carvin, Sadowsky, Valenti, Nordstrand, Fender Custom Shop, etc bass that sounds and looks how you want it to.

Looks like GMC is being unoriginal for 2013, too- All they offer is trucks. Why not a 4cyl. convertible with all-wheel drive??

Not trying to be rude, just ranting a little.

[Mastermold]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

I'd get a Specimen P.

LOL

[Marial]

Originally Posted by mellowinman

[IMG]

Specimen

I would totally rock this.

[bigsnaketex]

This may not "inspire" you - but it sure inspires me!!


http://www.themusiczoo.com/product/1...dstock---Used/

[Deaky]

I don't feel particularly inspired by makers like Sadowsky or Lakland when I look at them.

All I see is Fender copies basically!! What's inspiring about that?

Fender does it best for many tastes and budgets. To me they are the original and best.

Yeah I'm a Fender guy and I really don't see the point of this thread..

[the wako kid]

I think fender should have an option that allows you to get a custom color on a standard fender bass for a slightly higher price than the american standard,that way they could please all you color grubbers. I do agree though,that they could offer more color options and less pointless signature modelsfrom people who don't even have recognizable tones(nate mendel, I'm looking at you). there are quite a few rthat are amazing and quite different form standard fenders,like steve harris' sig,but then they come out with a sunburst 50s P and it's stings signature model and demands a high price for absolutely no reason.



ffender needs to focus on less models and more customer oriented options than red black white and sunburst.

[stiles72]

Originally Posted by wvbass

Not necessarily. My NR Thunderbird is nitro, and they are in the same price range as an MIA Fender. The MIA Poly finish probably has a bazillion less finish blems that the Gibson nitro, though.

+1 Nitro does take more work than Poly to make it look nice- that's why Poly is used by the vast majority of makers nowadays.

All Gibsons have a Nitro finish. Even the satin/faded/worn whatever you want to call them - those all have a very thin amount of satin Nitro sprayed on them. Open a Gibson case and take a wiff Mmmmmm Nitro~~~~

[Greevus]

Fender could afford to experiment more if anyone could, now couldn't they? yeah, people want Ps and Js, but i think a bit more would be cool too.

[bigsnaketex]

Well I LOVE my Steve Harris Fender and it's cured my GAS (for the time being!).

[ggvicviper]

Fender has a reason why they do what they do. P's and J's are the standard for sure because they sell well for Fender.

The truth is Fender HAS ventured out to new territory. It's just that nobody buys it when they do (Zone, Prodigy, Prophecy, MB, Dimension), so they have what is called "tweaked traditional" when they want to experiment. That's why we have the Blacktop series and the Modern Player.

The Reverse Jaguar Bass was wildly un-Fender - it was introduced relatively recently.

[georgestrings]

Originally Posted by Deaky

I don't feel particularly inspired by makers like Sadowsky or Lakland when I look at them.

All I see is Fender copies basically!! What's inspiring about that?

Fender does it best for many tastes and budgets. To me they are the original and best.

Yeah I'm a Fender guy and I really don't see the point of this thread..

It's just another lame Fender bash - nothing more...


- georgestrings

[Deaky]

True George

[Templar]

Originally Posted by Greevus

Fender could afford to experiment more if anyone could, now couldn't they? yeah, people want Ps and Js, but i think a bit more would be cool too.

Seriously?

[wvbass]

Originally Posted by rimbaud

Yes, but Kubicki left Fender in 1973.... the kubicki fenders went after that on the market.

You can find many independant luthiers that have been working @ Fender either...

As I said, if they want innovations, they need to reach someone outside of the "firm" to get it. Phil Kubicki was already independant and working for Factor at this time.

As Bill Lawrence was independant, and still he is....

Do you read any innovations from a guy working at the custom shop for example ? no, the guy strictly obey to the marketing manager "built some CS and shut up, if you want to do something else, that's your own business".

I agree with what you said, but what I was trying to say is that it probaby was helpful to Phil as he was starting his business to be able to say he had worked at Fender doing design work. I agree that his innovative ideas happened after he left Fender and wasn't restricted to tweaking existing designs.

So, the Fender name probably helped Phil first. Once he established his name, Fender then was able to benefit from marketing basses as having "Kubicki" electronics. I think the reason they turn to guys like him and Bill Lawrence is so they can market the name. Fender knows that when they are the innovator, it usually isn't well received. When sombody else contributes to a Fender design, though, it seems to go a little better.