are fender really worth it?

[iriegnome]

I am not a fan in general of fender, but I do own 3 of them. I don't think the value of a Fender is proportional to the cost, but a lot of people feel differently. I bought the one's I have because they were just exceptional. i love the way they play and feel. Most I have played I have not liked at all though. So, the moral, if you like it, it may very well be worth the money.

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

Personally I'm always a little wary of a shop that has more pianos, violins, trumpets, etc than guitars/basses. It shows where their priorities lie!

+1

 

[rustynuts]

GC lets everyone drool over their basses, helps drive a discount on the final price.

Yeah, two extremes there...On one side you have GC who lets anyone and everyone manhandle the equipment and then you have places like this that treat them like museum pieces.

I prefer a shop somewhere in the middle who keeps control of who plays it but doesn't expect you to buy without playing.

 

[dvh]

I bought my Fender 50's Precision Bass (MIM) used (very, very slightly used - the thing was mint) for $550 Canadian.

It's the finest bass I've ever owned. Up here new they are about $800 plus tax.

 

[Nedmundo]

Based on your description and the price, I think it's an American Vintage '75 Reissue. I tried one of these two weeks ago, and I loved the feel, look, finishing, and tone. Here's one:

http://www.theperfectbass.com/explo...103020101&W=STORE&P=N&S=1001081&U=1&SS=1&CR=Y

However, the $1,899 price is mighty steep. That's close to boutique territory, and several hundred more than the American Standard, which I suspect many players would prefer regardless of price. And there's also the Geddy Lee signature, which has the blocks and binding, and costs less than the Am. Std.

So don't patronize that shop, and if possible try the others before shelling out for the AV '75. Don't get me wrong -- it's wonderful and I'd like to have one -- but you may find better value elsewhere.

 

[i like tictacs]

I have never found one fender that I've played to be worth anywhere close to the price tag, but granted I've only played them at music stores and I haven't been able to set them up.

 

[chjohnst]

I just returned a Fender American Deluxe and picked up a Warwick Corvette for half the price. Two different types of basses of course, but I thought the Fender was a little overpriced. Really nice bass though just lacked any sort of character to it. Had a wonderful tone and a wonderful feel for the neck.

 

[Sam Evans]

That is perhaps the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Find another store, whatever, but do NOT buy from these people.

Indeed. These people are idiots. Anyone who plays guitar or bass knows that you have to see if the instrument feels right to you. Take your business elsewhere. Hell, I'd even buy it online and send it back if I didn't like it rather than buy it from a place like that.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Although my Fenders are currently on the block (I don't know if I will keep them there,) I think most Fenders are easily worth what they cost new, and many are steals used. Fenders come up short compared to expensive boutiques, but since they are 1/2-1/4 the price of a boutique, they ought to come up short.

 

[Jim Carr]

We've got a place like that around here too: Willis Music. Mostly Pianos, brass and woodwinds but also Fenders and Gibsons. Same attitude. Same totally ridiculous attitude.

Odd. I have done business with all branches of Willis in Lexington. No problems, good service, knowledgeable. May be it was a bad day when you were there? I'm not a shill, just a customer of local Kentucky music businesses.

PS. I would never buy an instrument that the store would not let me play. To the OP, find another store. There are some great bass shops in AZ.

 

[blipndub]

No most are not but maybe the one you found is. What is any bass worth but what someone is willing to pay for it?

 

[dreadheadbass]

so £1200 is a little steep then?
i had my doubts it would be so expensive when i asked they informed me it didnt come with a case or strap or.... well anything really but then again this is the same store that wants £400 for a modded squier jazz bass
oh n its not vintage its about a year old i think (i'm not an expert on them but its defo not vintage)

i dont intend on buying from this place but i do need to play one to make sure i can get my tone and also to see if the neck is my cup of tea the problem is usa fenders are a rare sight in the shops especially now the import tax has gone bonkers there's 100's of fender knock offs but no genuine article sadly

just to help clarify which bass it was it was this one but a fender not a squier and the pbass was the same apart from being....well a pbass

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Squier-Vintage-modified-Jazz-bass-guitar-New_W0QQitemZ230317435729QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item230317435729&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

 

[MtManiac]

so £1200 is a little steep then?
i had my doubts it would be so expensive when i asked they informed me it didnt come with a case or strap or.... well anything really but then again this is the same store that wants £400 for a modded squier jazz bass
oh n its not vintage its about a year old i think (i'm not an expert on them but its defo not vintage)

i dont intend on buying from this place but i do need to play one to make sure i can get my tone and also to see if the neck is my cup of tea the problem is usa fenders are a rare sight in the shops especially now the import tax has gone bonkers there's 100's of fender knock offs but no genuine article sadly

just to help clarify which bass it was it was this one but a fender not a squier and the pbass was the same apart from being....well a pbass

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fender-Squier-Vintage-modified-Jazz-bass-guitar-New_W0QQitemZ230317435729QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item230317435729&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

He didn't say Vintage, he said Vintage *REISSUE.* A modern reissue of a vintage model. Did you look at the link to theperfectbass.com posted above? I don't believe there is a current reissue P bass that looks like that however. Plus, P bass wouldn't normally have binding or blocks - I would guess it is Japanese rather than American.

You won't get "your tone" until many many years of playing. And likely not even then...

So just pull the trigger! You'll be the only one in town with a Fender P, and you can say with self satisfaction that you didn't buy it from the pricks down the street, like your buddies will have to do if they want to be as cool as you.

Also - the neck of a MIJ or a MIA reissue P bass will feel different from a current American Standard model.

My advice is to just buy a new one online, via whomever is reputable in the UK as an online Fender dealer. If you have any issues, you can bug the p*$$ out of the local shop to get it fixed under warranty, since they're a Fender dealer.

Other than that - what sort of help were you looking for?

 

[dreadheadbass]

He didn't say Vintage, he said Vintage *REISSUE.* A modern reissue of a vintage model. Did you look at the link to theperfectbass.com posted above? I don't believe there is a current reissue P bass that looks like that however. Plus, P bass wouldn't normally have binding or blocks - I would guess it is Japanese rather than American.

You won't get "your tone" until many many years of playing. And likely not even then...

So just pull the trigger! You'll be the only one in town with a Fender P, and you can say with self satisfaction that you didn't buy it from the pricks down the street, like your buddies will have to do if they want to be as cool as you.

Also - the neck of a MIJ or a MIA reissue P bass will feel different from a current American Standard model.

My advice is to just buy a new one online, via whomever is reputable in the UK as an online Fender dealer. If you have any issues, you can bug the p*$$ out of the local shop to get it fixed under warranty, since they're a Fender dealer.

Other than that - what sort of help were you looking for?

just a bit of guidence really i missed the link above just clicked on it now its gotta be said that thing is pure sex on legs

ok the pbass your saying is a MIJ version? that may be true i couldnt see the headstock thanks to the bass above it and i wasnt allowed to touch so i couldnt move it to check
what is it known as then is it just a wood finish fender Pbass or does it have a model name?

 

[MtManiac]

Is it the Tony Franklyn fretted P bass shown on Fender's website?

Invalid Link Removed

 

[dreadheadbass]

Is it the Tony Franklyn fretted P bass shown on Fender's website?

Invalid Link Removed

thats pretty much it but it was a straight Pbass not a jazz/P combo and the neck had black binding

is it some kinda custom shop thing do you think?

 

[heavyhitter]

All basses are unique like people. I do feel that the MIA is worth the money and they are fine pieces.

The MIM can a real steal for the cash! The QA on MIM can be spotty but they also have some real gems! Play alot and find that 'gem' and to me those are worth more than they cost, especially used. (not a scientific fomula by any means but I usually find and AWESOME MIM in about a 1to10 ratio, I own 2 MIA and 4 MIM's and 1 MIK)

 

[rustynuts]

Odd. I have done business with all branches of Willis in Lexington. No problems, good service, knowledgeable. May be it was a bad day when you were there? I'm not a shill, just a customer of local Kentucky music businesses.

PS. I would never buy an instrument that the store would not let me play. To the OP, find another store. There are some great bass shops in AZ.

This one is (was? Could be gone now) in Louisville. I used to go in quite often to buy strings as they were convenient but never would buy a guitar or bass because of their policy of not letting anyone touch the instrument without paying for it. This was a few years ago though so they may have changed by now but I haven't been back. Too many buyer friendly options in the area.

 

[rokkitt]

a member of staff takes you into a quiet room, plugs it in and plays it FOR you and tells you how great it is etc

cool!


I would ask if thta person is going to go play your gigs for you, and bring home your paycheck!


Oh, walk in with cash in hand...then ask

if they say no, ask if they have the same "demo" program with the pianos.....


good luck!


yes, I like fenders..... you need one in your arsenal!

big al

 

[bad_andy]

Fenders are classic. If you want to re-sell they'll hold up pretty well. If you're less concerned about that, however, here's my $.02.

Sub $200 - SX, no question. If you get a good one, it'll stack up to something 2-3 times the price range.

Sub $800 - This, for me is the sweet spot for US, Japanese and Korean Fenders. However there's strong competition from the foreign G&L stuff at this price.

Plus $1000 - I just don't see doing a Fender when if you're going to spend this much you could get a new or used US G&L or a used Valenti or Sadowsky, etc.

For new, there's now way I'd spend $2000 on a Fender when compared to the Fender-esqe stuff the builders are doing. Sadowsky, Valenti, Alleva, Lull, Fodera NYC, etc... You've got choices.