Biggest Fender Gripe

[Johnny Fingers]

I like my Fender bass. Never much liked their guitars.

 

[MrAB4003]

Exactly. I think they produce amazing instruments, but I don't see how a standard, mass produced P or J can cost more than $1000.

Absolutely! Some of the most expensive MIM Fenders cost $1,599 (MonoNeon Jazz Bass anyone?) for reasons I can't even imagine. And the MIM Fenders have been lacking in quality over the last few years to the point where Squiers have eclipsed them in quality for a fraction of the cost. This has made me suspicious of MIM Fenders despite several people on TB raving about them.

One thing Gibson got right IMO was not having a plant in Mexico and leaving the less expensive models for Epiphone. This might be an unpopular opinion, but I wish Fender would do the same so they can focus their resources on Squier and their MIA instruments.

 

[juancaminos]

I like my fenders, about half are fretted with no issues. My only fret sprout issue was with a Tobias. It was the first time I even heard of it.

 

[MrAB4003]

Their line of fretless basses leaves a whole lot to be desired.

I'm looking to buy a fretless bass, but I'm not sure which one to pick. I'm curious to know why you feel that way about Fender's fretless basses.

 

[MovingPitchers]

All the "lower tier" models I've played and owned were great QC. All the CS or American made ones were horrible.

Weird experience for me.

 

[MrAB4003]

Huh, the “corporation” part had me assuming it was publicly traded. I’m sure someone’s getting rich from all the corner-cutting all the same.

Not all corporations are publicly traded. There are even some corporations that are owned by single owners who want certain tax advantages.

 

[kerrycares]

My only gripe is that they don’t offer a quality 70’s pick up spaced Jazz Bass V other than a Custom Shop.
The closest model they offered was the Marcus Miller V.

 

[dusterdan70]

My biggest Fender gripe? That’s easy……

that EVERY time i go on their website the uber-annoying “Fender Play” banner pops up and I have to hit “No Thanks” for the 10millionthbazillionth time!!!!

 

[TrevorG]

Quality control makes buying on line a no go for me. I’ve played top of the line fenders with defects so bad they were unplayable. When they’re good they’re good but you won’t know just by looking at one. While they can blame the present economy for the price hikes they’ve always been too expensive. Love my Fenders very much. The company… not so much.

 

[andare]

That’s because fret sprout is more often an environmental issue than a manufacturing issue; especially if it happens seasonally. If your humidity is consistent you wouldn’t expect issues.

I have MIM Fenders and Squires, all bought in the middle of dry winter, and only the Fenders had fret sprout. Sample of 5 or 6 only.

 

[selowitch]

While I own several Fender basses and several by other companies, my 2009 Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass gets played the most often. I am not knowledgeable enough to assess Fender Musical Instruments Corporation as a company.

 

[bmusic]

I have no gripes with Fender, or Pillsbury, Kohler, or Netflix. When they have what I want, I’m glad they’re around, and when they don’t, I don’t give them a thought.

Gee…should I?

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

(Snip) ... So I really have no gripes about Fender just a question?

Mr Leo with all that you have designed why is there not a two octave bass neck as a factory option?

Thanks
Clayton

+1,000

 

[whero]

I've never owned a Fender (or Squier) bass that disappointed me.

My main gripe is about their parts catalogue. I can buy a 5-string bridge, but not a 5-string set of tuners. Or a 5-string neck. Or a fretless neck. I should be able to buy pretty much any part I want to build or mod a bass.

My second gripe is I'd like to look at basses on their website and be able to filter by 4- or 5-string, fretted or fretless, active or passive. They would be much more meaningful, or useful, to me than colour.

My third gripe is that there are a lot of them out there that I don't own.

 

[mercbass]

My biggest gripe is I don't have enough of them.

 

[Jogobass]

The size of the body. I like Ibanez soundgear shaped body and neck. I could never go back to such a big slab of wood.

 

[marchone]

This. Fret spout is ususally a one-time problem and fix. And how do you deal with it by sanding rather than filing the frets?

Sounds like the OP is using their incompetence to bash Fender for no reason.

You are parsing my words. Big deal. Sand instead of file. Sue me.

 

[marchone]

Fret sprout happens, but it isn't difficult to fix once and for all.

It's a pain in the patootie.

 

[tvbop]

My beef is that the necks aren't thick enough

This, which Squire have cracked. My CV70's P neck is the best neck ever, not quite as thick as a genuine 70's b/bat neck but miles away from the skinny standard neck which all manufacturers seem to adopt. Its an extraordinary instrument and I've had many Fenders.

 

[marchone]

Oh look! Another Fender bashing thread. Cue the same cast of characters, with the same old complaints.

No. Not a Fender bashing thread but questioning a design choice. My Fenders are terrific instruments overall.