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2011 Fender American Special P & Js

#61
It seems here that "special" is a derogatory term. Like, "isn't that special?". I can only imagine that Fender will up the price of the standards to compensate because the pricing is just too close and their lineup seems too saturated. I'm in agreement that if they had offered a passive PJ as the special it really would have been "special".

BTW, hasn't the grease bucket tone control always been a part of the Highway One series?
 
#62
Chrisk-K said:
For $999, only the uneduated will buy a Special.

Pay $250 more to get the MIA Standard. Then, you get more colors options, better pickup(s), a high mass bridge, a graphite-reinforced neck, a nice hardshell case and a better resale value.

What was Fender thinking?
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They were thinking market diversity. They are reacting to what bass buyers are doing.

Want MIJ/MIM cost but want US made = MIA standard

MIJ/MIM cost = cheap or just can't afford the bucks

US made = some kind of delusion that no one else can build quality

IMO, Lakland do a fantastic job meeting market demands, US made instrument top notch and get what you pay for, Skyline made outside and still a killer bass and get a hell of a lot more than what you pay for.

I don't think it's the quality of workmanship that's the issue on Fenders it's the materials and parts used. The MIJ/MIM MIA mean nothing. If the MIJ was assembled in the states it would be just the same. Crap tuners are crap tuners.
 
#65
bassplayer8953 said:
For a grand it ought do be pretty good right out of the box (that's right...box...since you don't get a case included:spit:)...

...as a mod platform that you're going to tear apart anyway, might as well start with an SX...
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Granted that price is ridiculous and Fender is performing some sort of chain-yanking. but so is starting on an SX to mod. Just saying, lets talk apples to apples (Fender Family) SX is an orange, or perhaps a lemon. Unless, modding is your game not bass playing. If the latter then I would be starting on a Squier, especially for its tactile feel, smell and comfort of play. Smelled a SX lately, yikes;)
 
#69
SlingBass4 said:
They're basically a Highway One with poly finish and standard Fender semi-vintage bridge. Decent price point - hard to get hurt. I've gone with Highway Ones and not looked back ;)
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Yeah, an '06 or later Highway One on the used market for around $500 is a pretty good value, IMO... For those that don't know, '06 is the year that their necks got the powerflex rods... Oh, and the "grease bucket" thing sucks, IMO - but is easy and cheap to swap out...


- georgestrings
 
#70
Xavier Zed said:
Granted that price is ridiculous and Fender is performing some sort of chain-yanking. but so is starting on an SX to mod. Just saying, lets talk apples to apples (Fender Family) SX is an orange, or perhaps a lemon. Unless, modding is your game not bass playing. If the latter then I would be starting on a Squier, especially for its tactile feel, smell and comfort of play. Smelled a SX lately, yikes;)
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...just making a point. BTW, I own 4 Fenders, so I feel qualified to render an opinion. And 0 SX's...
 
#72
Guys- no inferences to anything involving the Special Olympics or mental/physical handicaps, please. We have several parents here with handicapped children, and equating them with being of lower quality is not cool.
 
#75
steamthief said:
I've got a '97 California Precision Special and it rocks.

Good thing this is a Fender thread; if it was a Lakland thread, the ban hammer would be swinging at all the negativity.
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See, the Cali Specials were/are cool, because they offered the PJ option at a modest price. The new ones, not so much. As for the rest of your post, oh please.
 
#79
Xavier Zed said:
I hear you my friend. I am just talking Fenders and the family myself. I don't like to hear SX mentioned in the same sentence. They are, as perviously stated. good modding platforms for modders.
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I've owned 4 or so Fender basses over 35 years, all MIA so I'm qualified to have an opinion too. I still own 1 Fender bass and 1 SX.

I can mention Fender and SX in the same sentence all day long.
My SX bass was/is great without ANY mods.
 
#80
So I finally figured out Fender's game. It's to boost sales of the HW1! Before the Specials came out I had no interest in HW1 (mostly because no maple fretboard option) but now I feel like they are a really good deal! If you do a "compare" on Fender's site, the HW1 is clearly a better bass and it's street price is $200 less!

Well done, Fender! Now complete the deal by offering a maple fb HW1 and you have me.
 

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