|  | | 
11-15-2012, 09:29 PM
| | | | Made in Mexico? C'mon give a break. Answers plaese.
This starting to drive me crazy, so much so I have to comment. Is it me are does producing a signature bass in Mexico undermines a musicians credibility? A musician is a Brand in a way, you wouldn't spend $1200 dollars on a a designer suit made in Indonesia would you?
Fender is only hurting themselves with this nonsense, What kind of profit margin do they need from a mass produced instrument? I'm sure the technology they have today they can mass produce one in America for $250 dollars including marketing etc... and still keep Americans working, this hurts the brand. No one is clambering to get to the old Fender's made in Japan and they are decent instruments, they want Made in the USA.
J mascis had a signature Jazz Master made in Japan and it didn't sound like a Jazz Master or less you changed the pickups. Japan makes instruments comparable to America in my opinion, but that Jazz Master fell short, so much so JM didn't play one in concert, I suspect because it kinda stunk or maybe he felt like a sellout. Is it the greed of the musician or the Fender; both?
I've ask this question before, what does it cost to produce a Jazz bass in America? anyone? 20 years ago I new a guy who worked in the Bicycle industry and I ask him how much did cost to produce a downhill Mountain Bike frame in Taiwan? $50 dollars and it retailed for $1200. All that welding and high end Aluminum, $50 bucks. Now I'm sure the manufacturing has been moved to Mainland China and it still cost $50 bucks.
I saw a documentary on Manufacturing Clothing in China and the cost of your $100 or $300 dollar blue jeans? $5 dollars per unit, all that stitching; $5 Dollars. I'm just want to give you an example on how cheap it is to manufacture off shore.
Bulova used to produce watches in Switzerland and were one of the desirable Swiss watches. Then moved manufacturing to America and the brand went to pot, great watches are made in Switzerland, France etc.. not America. Recently they're trying to resurrect the brand by producing a watch back in Switzerland. That's branding, a good watch is made in Europe and people will pay the price asked. I should mention that product will hold a lot of it's value in resale. I'm not in business but even I've learned this by observation.
I know there are shareholders and employees etc.... But this is driven by something else. Greed?
Thanks for enduring my screed. |
11-15-2012, 09:44 PM
|  | Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion. | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ohio | | | I don't think Fender could mass produce a bass in this country for that money you factor in wages, benefits and the hoops businesses have to jump thru in this country and you couldn't make it for double that and make a profit.
__________________
Ohio Bassists Club # 230
Mark Hoppus Bass Club #3
Honorary Wisconsin Bassist Member #10
Fuzzrocious Club #134
Variax Bass Club #2
Club Verellen #3
Fender Cowpoke Club #36
Lone Wolf Club #5
|
11-15-2012, 09:53 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia | | | America has high wages. Asia/Mexico does not. Just because you're paying American price for a bass does not necessarily mean its worth the tag. More often than not, the price on American instruments has more to do with making up for money lost through labour costs rather than quality itself. I've tried a few MIA Fenders that were left in the dust when compared to their MIM counterparts both in sound and construction.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by Phalex  I was under the impression that all Fenders produced in North America are to varying degrees made by Mexicans. | |
11-15-2012, 10:02 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Metro St. Louis | | | I have played a MIM Marcus Miller Signature a few times, and there is absolutely nothing cheap about it. I think some people need to get over negative stereotypes of Mexico and actually look at the bass.
__________________
Vintage Yamaha & Peavey Fan!
G-K MB210, killer bang for the buck!
Spector Rebop Deluxe V, my best gift ever!
|
11-15-2012, 10:09 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Pittsburgh | | | ju gotta problem weeth Mejico mang?
|
11-15-2012, 10:20 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: ca | | | Musicman produces fantastic basses for under 2k. Made in San Luis Obispo California, USA. I have seen brand new Stingray's go for 1499.00.....Can't beat that for a top quality American made bass. |
11-15-2012, 10:23 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: ca | | | ^^A little off topic but I do agree with the OP. |
11-15-2012, 10:23 PM
|  | Moderator Moderator | | Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Fargo, ND | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese I have played a MIM Marcus Miller Signature a few times, and there is absolutely nothing cheap about it. I think some people need to get over negative stereotypes of Mexico and actually look at the bass. | I thought the Marcus Miller 4 string basses were MIJ??  And the 5 strings were made in the US? Or am I completely wrong?
EDIT: After checking another thread, I see I was wrong---they are now made in Mexico, apparently. The one I (briefly) had a few years ago was MIJ, though, I am positive. Didn't realize until now they had switched production to Mexico.
__________________
Roscoe Century 3005 #6091/Roscoe Century 3005-J #6264/Roscoe Century 3005-JM #6393/Eden WT1205/ Eden D610XST
Last edited by Ryan L. : 11-15-2012 at 10:26 PM.
|
11-15-2012, 10:25 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: ca | | | I believe the Marcus was originally made in japan but Fender moved the production to Mexico. |
11-15-2012, 10:27 PM
| | Reggaefied User | | Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Swiss Alps | | | Where does Japanese Whisky fit in your theory?
Things change, while reputation shouldn't be confused with the real thing. Judge things by their quality and not their place if origin. |
11-15-2012, 10:27 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Suntory I saw a documentary on Manufacturing Clothing in China and the cost of your $100 or $300 dollar blue jeans? | I pay $20 - $30 for my jeans. Even when Levi's were MIA I paid less than $50 for them. I don't know anyone that owns $300 jeans.
__________________
Clubs: Thunderbird #8,Gibson #39,Yamaha #19,Lakland Owners Group #23,U.S. Peavey #5,Short-Scale Six-String #3,Kala Ubass #3,Brice #6,G&L #57,Carvin #203
|
11-15-2012, 10:30 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: DR Strings, Walker-Enfield Cases | | Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: La Jolla, Kalifornia | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Showdown I pay $20 - $30 for my jeans. Even when Levi's were MIA I paid less than $50 for them. I don't know anyone that owns $300 jeans. | Yep....show me a guy with 300 dollar jeans and I'll show you a moron who needs to punched in the head..... 
__________________
MarkBass Club #72 - Fender MIA Club #37 - Rickenbacker Club#160 -
Ampeg Club #6 - Fender Jazz Club #35 |
11-15-2012, 10:32 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia | | Quote:
Originally Posted by grrg63 | Lol'd a bit too hard at that.
__________________ Quote:
Originally Posted by Phalex I was under the impression that all Fenders produced in North America are to varying degrees made by Mexicans. | |
11-15-2012, 11:05 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Jersey | | I wish i was sober enough to answer this appropriately  It will need to wait until tomorrow though 
__________________
W&T, Carvin, Elrick, and Fender Jazz basses
Bongo #54, Carvin #80, Fretless #295, Elrick #40
|
11-15-2012, 11:07 PM
|  | 6 String Nut | | Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Santa Barbara, CA | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Buster Brown Yep....show me a guy with 300 dollar jeans and I'll show you a moron who needs to punched in the head..... | Show me a guy who pays over a grand for a bass guitar... 
__________________
I bongo, you bongo, he she me....bongo?
|
11-15-2012, 11:09 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Jersey | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Epitaph04 Show me a guy who pays over a grand for a bass guitar... | Says the guy with the 6 string Bongo in his avatar
__________________
W&T, Carvin, Elrick, and Fender Jazz basses
Bongo #54, Carvin #80, Fretless #295, Elrick #40
|
11-15-2012, 11:14 PM
| | Patiently Waiting For The Next British Invasion. | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ohio | | Quote:
Originally Posted by jim777 Says the guy with the 6 string Bongo in his avatar |
Heyyyyyyyy ohhhhhhhhh !!!!!!!
__________________
Ohio Bassists Club # 230
Mark Hoppus Bass Club #3
Honorary Wisconsin Bassist Member #10
Fuzzrocious Club #134
Variax Bass Club #2
Club Verellen #3
Fender Cowpoke Club #36
Lone Wolf Club #5
|
11-15-2012, 11:23 PM
| | 6 String Nut | | Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Santa Barbara, CA | | | The point is that the guy who is in the Rickenbacker club, MIA Fender club, Ampeg club, etc is crapping on a guy who theoretically buys 300 dollar jeans...
Answer: I'm defending the guy buying 300 dollar jeans......
__________________
I bongo, you bongo, he she me....bongo?
Last edited by Epitaph04 : 11-15-2012 at 11:32 PM.
|
11-15-2012, 11:30 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Sheepshead bay, Brooklyn, NYC | | | oh, this thread again.... |
11-15-2012, 11:33 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Epitaph04 The point is that the guy who is in the Rickenbacker club, MIA Fender club, Ampeg club, etc is crapping on a guy who theoretically buys 300 dollar jeans...
Answer: I'm defending the guy buying 300 dollar jeans...... | Hey, if someone wants to waste $300 on a pair of jeans that is their right. But even if I was Bill Gates I wouldn't spend $300 on a pair of jeans.
__________________
Clubs: Thunderbird #8,Gibson #39,Yamaha #19,Lakland Owners Group #23,U.S. Peavey #5,Short-Scale Six-String #3,Kala Ubass #3,Brice #6,G&L #57,Carvin #203
| | Thread Tools | Search this Thread | | | | 
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off | | | |
