Should Fender.........

[Nobody]

Should Fender bring back the Prophecy or some other "modern" or "different" bass? Currently they only make 3 basses(Precision, Jazz, and Mustang). They have 32 Jazz basses, 20 Ps, and just the one Mustang. That's by their own admission.(see their website) Fender® Products They obviously don't need to put out unique designs but why not get some of that market share? I'd like to see the Prophecy produced again.

[Tommygunn]

If it didn't sell once, its not going to again.

[OldDog52]

Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass

[Pitmaster]

They need to do something. I know they have added some active electronics so they need to keep going with that. I know people like the vintage look and tone, but they need to add something for everyone...........

[seungkoo]

I think it is something for everyone.

[tdub0199]

I like Fender just the way they are..... but I see your point.....

[Coop Soup]

I think most people buy a Fender because they want a Fender. I know I'm not looking for something modern when I look at Fender.

[tdub0199]

Originally Posted by Coop Soup

I think most people buy a Fender because they want a Fender. I know I'm not looking for something modern when I look at Fender.

^ Exactly ^

[yellofury]

they are trying to do something though:

they are releasing relatively affordable and quality basses from Squier:
like the new Jaguars with shortscale and humbucker models
I do believe Heartfield and the like were cool basses but they just didn't sell well unfortunately
Imagine if Warwick started to sell J bass copies .. would it sell as well as Thumbs and Corvettes? probably not

[JimmyM]

Fenders that aren't the Precision or Jazz have been pretty dismal failures on the market. They always seem to do something wrong on non P or J's, and they just don't sell. I have a P Lyte, and honestly, it could have been so much better had they put good pickups in it and made a more sturdy neck.

[MouseRat]

Rule One of business is don't try to be all things to all people. Ferrari won't be coming out with a hybrid model any time soon.

[Fresh Eddie]

I would rather see a reissue of the Roscoe Beck bass.

You can find Prophecies and JP-90s and whatnot at really good prices used.

[Craig_S]

Typically, people don't really buy "unique" Fender instruments, so the sales probably don't justify the cost of development and setting up production.

EDIT: Jimmy beat me to it.

[msb]

Everybody and their pet poodle has been making copies of Fender designs maybe Fender should have a wack at someone else's .

Perhaps a Fender Bongo would be the ticket .

[Melik]

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

If it didn't sell once, its not going to again.

The markets and buyers call for different things now than what they did in the 80's and 90's. But yeah, it would be too much of a risk for Fender to reissue instruments that didn't sell once

[Tommygunn]

Originally Posted by Fresh Eddie

I would rather see a reissue of the Roscoe Beck bass.

You can find Prophecies and JP-90s and whatnot at really good prices used.

One of the most badass basses I've ever played... ever. The best fender I've ever played.

[Antares]

Originally Posted by MouseRat

Rule One of business is don't try to be all things to all people. Ferrari won't be coming out with a hybrid model any time soon.

Ferrari Goes Green — Literally — With a Hybrid | Autopia | Wired.com






That being said. I agree with you. However companies seem to be doing this all the time though.

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by Fresh Eddie

I would rather see a reissue of the Roscoe Beck bass.

+1

ROSCOE BECK V (5-String)

BODY: Special Design "Modern-Vintage" Select Alder Body
COLOURS: 3-Color Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, Shoreline Gold, Teal Green Metallic (Polyurethane Finish)
NECK: Maple, Asymmetrical Oval Shape (Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
MACHINE HEADS: Hipshot Ultralite Tuning Machines
FINGERBOARD: Pao Ferro or Maple (9.5" Radius)
NO. OF FRETS: 22 Dunlop 6105 Medium Jumbo Frets
BRIDGE: Gotoh Bridge (Strings-through-body/top-load)

PICKUPS: 2 Special Design Side By Side 5-String Bass Humbuckers
CONTROLS: Master Volume, Master Tone (with Push/Pull Mid Shaping Feature)

PICKUP SWITCHING: 3-Position Blade Pickup Selector Switch:
Position 1. (Bridge Side), Bridge Pickup
Position 2. (Middle), Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. (Neck Side), Neck Pickup, 2-Mini-Toggle Coil Selector Switches.
Mini-Toggle Switch 1:
Position 1. (Bridge Side), Both Coils of Neck Pickup in Series Humbucking
Position 2. (Middle), Front Coil of Neck Pickup
Position 3. (Neck Side), Both Coils of Neck Pickup in Parallel Humbucking
Mini-Toggle Switch 2:
Position 1. (Bridge Side), Both Coils of Bridge Pickup in Series Humbucking
Position 2. (Middle), Front Coil of Bridge Pickup
Position 3. (Neck Side), Both Coils of Bridge Pickup in Parallel Humbucking, Push/Pull Mid-Shaping Tone Switch/Pot

HARDWARE: Chrome
PICKGUARD: 3-Ply Mint Green, 4-Ply Brown Tortoise Shell
SCALE LENGTH: 34" (864 mm)
WIDTH AT NUT: 1.875 (47.6 mm)

UNIQUE FEATURES: Posiflex Graphite Neck Support Rods, Asymmetrical Neck Profile, 6-Bolt Neck Plate, Locking Strap Buttons

[Webtroll]

I'd like to see the Performer brought back with a 5 string version available (also tight spacing) and better, active electronics. I hated those stupid pickups, but with EMG PJs it was a fun as hell bass. Fast neck too.

[Nobody]

Yeah the Performers intrigue me. But I guess people don't want to see post 60s innovation from Fender.