CG/Fender rant

I have nothing against MIMs or relicing, but I cannot justify paying (around here) 1100 € for it.

Well, it's just not the bass for me.
(I love how it looks though.)

I know Ezbass around here owns one, and he likes it a lot.

You say you liked the tone, you liked the feel, you liked the looks...
So uhm, maybe you can justify buying it.



And a 78 fretless P isn't a holy grail of basses?
Dude, come one... for 600$. I would have walked out with that one without hesitating.



I know where I can get a 71 fretless P. But they're asking 3300 € for it.



Maybe the Roadworn MIMs are worth it. For those that can appreciate them.


Allow me to make a comparison to Squiers.
I never thought I would pay 390 € for a Squier bass.
But that changed since I layed my hands on a Classic Vibe 50s precision bass.
I'm going to buy another one, it's a steal for such an amazing bass.

 

They wanted a thousand Percent for their bass? a thousand percent of what?

 

First, the 78 P bass for $600.00 is still about $500.00 more than it should be. IT'S AN OLD USED INSTRUMENT! Second, Fender AND Guitar Center have received so much hype and free publicity from forums like this that the prices will continue to go way up until people stop saying things like "Fender is the original and that's what people want". People spending the kind of money you mention on ANY Fender product are being taken for a ride.

 

Of 10 dollars.

 

Well, that's your opinion.



I bought a 1700€ Fender and have been taken on a ride,... the greatest ride of my life.

I don't regret shilling out that much for that Fender, I'm so glad I did.



Ow, and the bass I got wasn't hyped.... it was just one of the, if not the best bass I played so far.

 

I'm happy for you, and yes that statement is MY OPINION. I'm entitled to that opinion after seriously trying to like Fender instruments. I could never bring myself to drop serious cash on one. They don't do much for me in the tone department, they don't play all that great to me, and I don't believe that a factory produced instrument should cost more than $700.00.

You don't think asking $1200.00 for a Mexican Fender is due to hype? Come on, I remember when they cost $199.99 . . . oh wait, it's reliced.

 

So let me get this straight. There was a bass. It played and sounded great by your own account. You didn't want to buy it because its made in mexico and its $1200 bucks.

Relic debate aside, I think the roadworns are great. I don't care where an instrument is from (like that really should affect the price?) if its a good instrument. While caring less where its from, I like to see if I can justify if its a good enough instrument for that chunk of change (whatever the amount they're asking is)

Remember, the only difference between MIM Fenders and MIA Fenders is, that MIMs are made by Mexicans in Mexico, and the MIAs are made by Mexicans in California.

Also, for what its worth, I really want a fiesta red jazz. I've been duly impressed with all the RoadWorns that I've played.

 

You need to go back and buy the $600 78 P and the $1000.00 75 Jazz. those are way below current market value. Sell them for a profit if you don't want them. As far as the price of a roadworn, people are buying them so they must be fairly priced -- there is no other criteria for "fair" price here.

 

It's a supply and demand issue. A bass is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. A 20 year old Tobias is worth more today than when it was originally sold. A 1 year old Tobias is only worth about half of what it sold for. Go figure!

 

I woulda jumped on the $600 Fretless Pbass, and the %1000 Jazz.. they both sound special, especially that %1000 Jazz bass!

 

At my local shop, they have a fiesta red road worn jazz that out plays and out sounds every other bass on the rack. If I had the 1200 I would buy it in a hearbeat. I don't care if the thing is made by rabid wombats on crack in a gutter in San Guacamole.

 

If it feels good, and sounds good; why buy anything else at the same price that doesn't get the same results? The fact that it is Mexican clearly doesn't mean a thing like GeneralElectric pointed out. Some people are pathetic.

Edit: This is not directed at anyone in particular.

 

A $600 78 Fretless P-bass is probably beat to crap and modified. I'd pass personally.

 

I figure it's because the 20 year old Tobias was made by Mike Tobias himself whereas the 1 year old was made by Gibson.

 

I'm not 100% sure what the "rant" is questioning?

$1200 is about street price for a new RW. They are mighty fine playing instruments and apparently are worth it to the folks who are buying them.

Folks are willing to pay $2k for a Rickenbacker, MIJ Squiers are collectable, Ampeg is being manufactured in Vietnam. 20 years ago I would have thought that was crazy talk.

But anyway, I'd like to know more about this $600 fretless P bass?

 

GE, I'd bet your spot on with this.

But I'd also bet that the Mexicans in Mexico aren't being paid the same wage as the Mexicans in California. US Federal law mandates a minimum wage. Not to mention tax/tarrif breaks from "importing". Otherwise why would Fender need a Made in Mexico factory at all? Why not build a bigger US factory?

I don't understand Fender's logic.

And If the perception among the buying public (as far as Fender goes)is that "US Made" is better than "Made in Mexico"
Why not buy a US made and "Relic" it yourself? I dont see the point of Fender Relicing an instrument vs a self Relicing job as being more valuable. If your into the "reliced look" that's what you dig anyway. And I'd bet the majority of Road Worn buyers choose those specifically on apperance alone.

IMO Fender as a corperation has gone bananas.

God Bless, Ray

 

You know Ray, I don't even like Relics and I want a road worn

 

It's very easy to make a guitar look beat up and abused, it is a bit trickier to make it look naturally worn. Most of the home relic jobs look terrible.

 

For the price of the road worns, just buy a MIA and PLAY it till it gets worn

Edit: Haha beat me to it LilRay