Another Fender price increase?

[Plain Old Barry]

Fender is a business. When things are so nutty they can't keep up with demand, and folks are willing to pay almost anything for any of their products, and their costs are skyrocketing simultaneously (it now costs several times what it did a year ago to ship anything across the ocean), they're gonna see what they can get for their stuff.

What many non-business owners often fail to understand...

The time to raise prices is when you have high demand for your product or service, not when demand is down. You may lose a few sales, but your margin per item goes up.

Many folks often make the mistake of raising prices when they don't have enough business, driving part of what they actually had away.

 

[Black_In_Mind]

With all these threads about price increases and the crazy state of buying used gear I can't help but feel relief that none of this will affect me in the slightest.

I do feel for those that get priced out of an instrument they were seriously considering, though. Had plenty of those moments building up to the gear I currently have.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

Same price as the American Original '60s Jazz; $2,049.

What I think is remarkable is the AO '70s Jazz is now listed for $2,299 or $250 more then the '60s. That makes me suspect the '60s Jazz price will go up soon, too. Fender isn't doing an across the board increase at once, they're doing the increases in stages, for whatever reason.

Global supply chains are in massive disarray now for a variety of reasons and I suspect Fender may also be challenged in maintaining the staffing levels they want or need.

the 250 is for the inlays and binding

 

[Grinderman]

the 250 is for the inlays and binding

See, yet another reason why I don't prefer and never choose block inlays and worse yet binding.

I suspect more Fender products are likely headed up price-wise sooner than later, nonetheless.

 

[Bass Viking]

It's gotten to the point where it's cheaper to put together a Warmoth parts bass than to buy an American Fender.

 

[micguy]

25729105[/URL], member: 46070"]It's gotten to the point where it's cheaper to put together a Warmoth parts bass than to buy an American Fender.

…and you get what you want in terms of woods, hardware, etc. You get the flexibility of a custom shop for a rather reasonable price.

 

[yandelenka]

I noticed a price increase on Epiphone guitars as well just last month. I picked one up for $585CAD before tax in August, and a week after I brought it home the price at the same vendor was up to $630CAD.

 

[Bass Viking]

…and you get what you want in terms of woods, hardware, etc. You get the flexibility of a custom shop for a rather reasonable price.

That's right. Customization used to be the main advantage, it wasn't a money-saving option. Now it's different.

I have to say that I've yet to play a Fender I liked as much as the Warmoth parts basses I've assembled.

 

[Silky Johnson]

The AM pro II line seems like a pretty good deal by comparison to their other offerings. I'm sure in 2022 once they fill backordered ones they'll change the colors and raise those to like $1800 tho

 

[Kukulkan61]

Everything is marked up, I see basses that use to be mine selling for hundreds more than I sold to them, you give great deals and they make a bigger profit, I'm done with that game, cant beat em join em...

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Yikes! You'd think, after a year of record sales and profits, at a time of crushing financial insecurity for a lot of folks, that maybe they *wouldn't* do this kind of thing. But then, I have no doubt they'll keep selling well, so I guess we gotta learn to love what we've already got.

In your case, I think you'll just about make it; we've seen some mighty fine looking basses in your arsenal

Thank you. I’m thankful and blessed with the basses I have .

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

yep, just noticed a massive price increase. i swear this is the second in 2021 alone

That’s what I found so shocking . It is the 2nd one this year. And people are still waiting to get US Geddy Lee they ordered back in 2020 before both price increases.

 

[40Hz]

Inflation. Simple economics

Not.

Current US inflation rate is around 5%. That equates $50/thousand. Fender’s recent price increases are significantly higher than that.

The tried and true spiel of blaming "COVID" is why its high.

Pretty much.

Fender isn't doing an across the board increase at once, they're doing the increases in stages, for whatever reason.

It’s called “strategic pricing.”

In plain English it means charging as much as you can get away with charging. No other reason given - or needed.

Global supply chains are in massive disarray now for a variety of reasons…

As far as guitars and basses go I doubt global supply chains are too big an issue for Fender since the supplies needed to build them are very likely sourced domestically rather than internationally. Amps and electronic instruments are a different matter. Maybe.

 

[Knavery]

Here you go.
Have fun with this. Fender guitars and basses have not increased above the rate of US inflation in over 60 years.
Ask yourself the question, Do You Want or Need a Raise?
Inflation Calculator | Find US Dollar's Value from 1913-2021

I used my ES-335 as an example. It's pretty dead on with what they cost now. as opposed to 12 years ago or so.

 

[Captain Chaos]

I just noticed the USA Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass is now $2049?!?!
When did this happen?

That’s quite a jump from last summer 2020 when I got mine new from Sweetwater for $1400.

Damn it!!

I wish I had know!!! I want another Geddy Lee so bad but I guess it’s not happening.

 

[Killing Floor]

I used my ES-335 as an example. It's pretty dead on with what they cost now. as opposed to 12 years ago or so.

Yeah, I’m not trying to sound like a jerk when I posted that. But it tracks pretty well. There are some outlier models and limited, collectible exceptions. But Fender, Gibson, EBMM and others are spot on. I don’t want to pay more for my next guitar but if I think of it in terms of inflation it makes it a little easier. Plus, if there was some nefarious greed-based motive they wouldn’t be making anything in Corona, CA. It’s tough but I get it.

Some brands like Epiphone and Squier are significantly behind inflation and could easily justify much higher increases so I can’t fault anyone for trying to contain rising operating costs.

 

[secondbestcody]

I have a EBMM Darkray coming, and being the anxious person I am, I keep checking them out on their website. I just noticed today that the granite stone one went up to $2,899, even though they’ve been sold out for about a month now, and the black ones are now $2,699.

 

[nonohmic]

I saw they are charging almost $500 for new Squiers nowadays and I almost had an accident in my pants.

I just checked prices home in NZ. $999 for the CV range. Uffda.

 

[jd56hawk]

I just checked prices home in NZ. $999 for the CV range. Uffda.

Are the prices high for all basses, the same as in Australia?
How do you guys manage?

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I have a EBMM Darkray coming, and being the anxious person I am, I keep checking them out on their website. I just noticed today that the granite stone one went up to $2,899, even though they’ve been sold out for about a month now, and the black ones are now $2,699.

What was the original price?