Fender American Design Experience

[SIFJiggy]

I think your right, they need to see some sales numbers to make it worth there dime to continue the program. Its business 101, you start with an intial offering to guage interest, if thats successful than you can afford to offer more options, pretty simple really. So show some interest with your pocket book and maybe we'll get all the wishlist stuff in time, money speaks the loudest

I TOTALLY would be buying one out of principal.
I have a perfectly good FSR hand stained jazz - I would LOVE to get a new one- budget is not calling for it whatsoever. So unless one of you foolios wants to give me a G note for the FSR- I'll be waiting for the PJ option, hoping ADE makes enough sales to continue expansion.

 

[ShoeManiac]

Ok, I get that. Next question is why can't I put a maple non-pearl block jazz neck on a Vintage spec bass? I want the high mass bridge that the vintage spec has, but the neck options don't allow for that. Why not just 1 big pool of all the parts? Why split it into 2 limited categories?

That's because those particular necks aren't in the parts pool at the American factory that's putting together the American Design Experience basses. Just look at the country of origin of the Jazz basses with maple necks that have painted blocks and binding:

-Geddy Lee Jazz bass - Formerly made in Japan, now made in Mexico
-American Deluxe Jazz bass - MIA, but these necks are 21 frets as opposed to 20 fret necks like the rest of the series


Just looking at the source factories and different neck specs, not every neck is going to work for this program.

 

[Fletz]

I think your right, they need to see some sales numbers to make it worth there dime to continue the program. Its business 101, you start with an intial offering to guage interest, if thats successful than you can afford to offer more options, pretty simple really. So show some interest with your pocket book and maybe we'll get all the wishlist stuff in time, money speaks the loudest

Did my part.

 

[Addison]

Did my part.

Me too!

I already ordered this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And I am scrambling to come up with the money for this... should have it in a couple of weeks:

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As stock and traditional as they both might look to you righties, neither of these configurations have been available to lefties in over 30 years, without going through the Custom Shop... so I am PUMPED.

 

[awilkie84]

That's because those particular necks aren't in the parts pool at the American factory that's putting together the American Design Experience basses. Just look at the country of origin of the Jazz basses with maple necks that have painted blocks and binding:

-Geddy Lee Jazz bass - Formerly made in Japan, now made in Mexico
-American Deluxe Jazz bass - MIA, but these necks are 21 frets as opposed to 20 fret necks like the rest of the series


Just looking at the source factories and different neck specs, not every neck is going to work for this program.

Yes they are. If you choose Vintage spec, you get a rosewood neck, or 2 choices of block necks. No plain maple with black dots. You do, however, get vintage spec bridges. Are you telling me that choosing Vintage spec means you're not getting an American bass, even though it's the American Design Experience?

If you choose Modern spec, you get the plain necks, but not the vintage spec bridges. -_-

Hell, the modern spec has the American special neck, but NOT the bridge that goes with it.

I have one of those Vintage BA2 style bridges on my MP Jazz and LOVE it. Is it so much to ask for a basic maple neck with THAT bridge?

What's their reasoning behind having 2 groups of parts that can't be interchanged? Are they made in different plants?

 

[Addison]

From their FAQ:

Does vintage-style hardware fit on a modern ADE instrument or vice versa?

No. Vintage-style parts have screw mounts and dimensions that are not always compatible with those of modern Fender instruments. Only compatible components will be available for selection in the configurator as you create your ADE instrument.

Link: Invalid Link Removed

 

[bluesblaster]

Me too!

I already ordered this:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And I am scrambling to come up with the money for this... should have it in a couple of weeks:

Invalid Link Removed

As stock and traditional as they both might look to you righties, neither of these configurations have been available to lefties in over 30 years, without going through the Custom Shop... so I am PUMPED.

quite a deal for you south paws

 

[Stranger Danger]

Me too!



I already ordered this:



[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]



And I am scrambling to come up with the money for this... should have it in a couple of weeks:



Invalid Link Removed



As stock and traditional as they both might look to you righties, neither of these configurations have been available to lefties in over 30 years, without going through the Custom Shop... so I am PUMPED.

I'm happy for you. Very cool even if it's a little vertigo inducing!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I can really see how this offering from Fender is great for lefties - that I get. The rest? Meh.

 

[Tbone76]

Because other than the historically inaccurate Classic 70s p bass, Fender never made a p bass neck with blocks and binding.

I was flipping thru the book "Fender: the Golden Age 1946-1970. On page 242 the is a picture listing a 1968 Charcoal Frost Precision bass with a maple block and bound board. So they apparently did make at least 1.

 

[KyleSerlington]

I was flipping thru the book "Fender: the Golden Age 1946-1970. On page 242 the is a picture listing a 1968 Charcoal Frost Precision bass with a maple block and bound board. So they apparently did make at least 1.

i saw that pic in another book and never really cared for that finish until i saw that pic, i love it.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Bitch and complain. They should definitely scrap the whole thing because it doesn't have everything that 3 guys on the internet want but probably wouldn't buy anyway.

Guys, this is a huge step forward for Fender.

 

[Fletz]

Bitch and complain. They should definitely scrap the whole thing because it doesn't have everything that 3 guys on the internet want but probably wouldn't buy anyway.

Guys, this is a huge step forward for Fender.

+1

 

[Fletz]

Order placed. FULL review upon reciept:

 

[awilkie84]

Bitch and complain. They should definitely scrap the whole thing because it doesn't have everything that 3 guys on the internet want but probably wouldn't buy anyway.

Guys, this is a huge step forward for Fender.

If 3 guys on 1 forum are complaining about some pretty blatant flaws in the program, chances are there are MANY more who just aren't saying anything here.

Also, nobody's been able to answer my question of why the Vintage & Modern parts can't be interchanged.

 

[Addison]

Also, nobody's been able to answer my question of why the Vintage & Modern parts can't be interchanged.

I did.

 

[Matt R.]

Bitch and complain. They should definitely scrap the whole thing because it doesn't have everything that 3 guys on the internet want but probably wouldn't buy anyway.

Guys, this is a huge step forward for Fender.

That's right. And does Fender Custom Shop (again, which this ISN'T) send you free coffee with every purchase? Hell no!!

 

[Matt R.]

Can't remember if I posted mine earlier and I'm too lazy to look back but here's mine

 

[awilkie84]

I did.

That only explains the bridges, because they probably drill the bridge mounts on the bodies in 2 piles.

It does not explain the neck options being separate.

 

[Fletz]

I will say it one last time (okay, probably NOT the last time), but, folks, this isn't the Custom Shop stuff. Fender would gladly build me a uniquely painted P-bass with p/j pups and a bound and blocked maple neck. They'd even throw on a d-tuner and a bad-ass bridge if I asked. But it would be a Custom Shop Bass and it would also cost $4,000+

The American Design Experience gives me a range of "options" that are available on many off the shelf basses and a few that aren't. It gives me some ole reliable and some unique colors, a few neck choices, pickguard, bridge and even string choices. Not a lot, but a few.

Let's look at it this way: I can buy an American Standard P-bass at Guitar Center for $1,300. New, in box and generically built, thrown on a truck and then put up on a wall in East Bumblefark, NJ to be abused and fondled by a thousand hacks.

On Tuesday, I paid $250 more to get the pickups I wanted in a color that isn't currently available, with the pickguard that I think looks best and with the Jazz neck I wanted. It also has custom neckplate - kinda cool - and, more importantly, it will be put together - FOR ME - when they get my order. After it's built and QC'd (hopefully) they will put it in a box in California and ship it to my home. Those things alone are worth the additional money to me.

If you do the math, it actually is a good deal:
Tort guard: $53
Pickup swap: $89 (plus labor to be done professionally)
American Standard Jazz neck: $450 (on ebay)
Custom neckplate: $25
Custom paint job: $250 (total guess there)

Now, you can argue all you want that the options available aren't the ones you want (or are not willing to pay for at Custom Shop prices), but that does not make this a great stride forward. It is for people willing to pay a slight premium (about 15%) for choice. If you build a generic, stock black and maple P-bass this way, you are crazy and yes, this isn't for you. But if you want to have a unique bass, factory built, with a limited lifetime warranty, and unique to you, then it is a very cool thing.

The bottom line: Fender haters will not like this no matter what. Those people should get a Calvin peeing on Fender logo and put it on their rear windshield. Here, this is for you: