Fender American Design Experience

[ModuMan]

Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy a CAR USA Fender & an aftermarket Tort guard? By a few hundred?

Sure, if CAR was an available option. The current red is "Mystic Red" and not really my thing. I nearly went with a gold anodized guard but figured I would get that later if I wanted to. The other nice thing is the choice of case with a small upcharge depending on the version. Realistically, my choice of guard, color and case put me $275 over the price I'd pay at GC for a stock American Standard so that was worth it to me.

 

[awilkie84]

Sure, if CAR was an available option. The current red is "Mystic Red" and not really my thing. I nearly went with a gold anodized guard but figured I would get that later if I wanted to. The other nice thing is the choice of case with a small upcharge depending on the version. Realistically, my choice of guard, color and case put me $275 over the price I'd pay at GC for a stock American Standard so that was worth it to me.

Aren't SKB fitted cases included with MIAs? Mine came with one.
As for CAR vs Mystic Red, there's really no difference. Very slight shade variations, but I can't tell one from the other when they're not labelled & side-by-side.

 

[ModuMan]

Aren't SKB fitted cases included with MIAs? Mine came with one.
As for CAR vs Mystic Red, there's really no difference. Very slight shade variations, but I can't tell one from the other when they're not labelled & side-by-side.

Maybe you can't...

As for the case, I dunno. That's just the one I wanted. Strange though, if you have to pay "extra" for it. Hmmm...

 

[Matt R.]

Neither of mine are available retail

 

[GBassNorth]

That's about $500 more than an off the shelf MIA.

Actually the difference is about $350 on the cost of the bass. And considering the options I selected while playing with the configurator its not a bad up charge.

 

[Fletz]

Mine is unavailable retail. Modern p-bass, j-bass neck and lake placid blue / tort guard.

Oh yeah, and '58 pups

 

[Stranger Danger]

Actually the difference is about $350 on the cost of the bass. And considering the options I selected while playing with the configurator its not a bad up charge.

If you're paying $1300-$1400 for an off the shelf MIA then yes that's correct. Most of us are pretty savvy buyers and usually pay a lot less than that. I'm not saying ADE isn't a great thing. I've been one of its defenders. But it's a significant difference in price. No question about it.

 

[GBassNorth]

If you're paying $1300-$1400 for an off the shelf MIA then yes that's correct. Most of us are pretty savvy buyers and usually pay a lot less than that. I'm not saying ADE isn't a great thing. I've been one of its defenders. But it's a significant difference in price. No question about it.

Since I'm not actually buying a MIA Fender or an ADE I and was only playing around with the configurator I chose to just refer to GC list prices. Trust me, I'm plenty savvy when it comes to buying instruments. For comparisons like this where you aren't actually discussing a specific bass at a specific store where you've negotiated a specific price its best to just reference the typical list price. In which case my original post stands. I don't consider a $350 upcharge far off the list of a MIA considering the options I selected that aren't available with the MIA. I do suspect that purchasing a new MIA off the shelf and modifying it to match my ADE spec exactly would cost even more than the ADE option even if you were a savvy buyer.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Since I'm not actually buying a MIA Fender or an ADE I and was only playing around with the configurator I chose to just refer to GC list prices. Trust me, I'm plenty savvy when it comes to buying instruments. For comparisons like this where you aren't actually discussing a specific bass at a specific store where you've negotiated a specific price its best to just reference the typical list price. In which case my original post stands. I don't consider a $350 upcharge far off the list of a MIA considering the options I selected that aren't available with the MIA. I do suspect that purchasing a new MIA off the shelf and modifying it to match the my ADE spec exactly would cost even more than the ADE option even if you were a savvy buyer.

It's actually not the best way to compare them because you can haggle with and get discounts buying an MIA from a retailer. FMIC will do no such thing. In actual cash out of pocket, the ADE is going to cost anywhere from $500-$700 more. I do think to get exactly what you want that it's worth it to most people.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Also you're comparing the absolute top price for an American Standard against the lowest possible configuration on ADE. Every bass I've built on there has been at least $1700, some as high as $1900.

 

[GBassNorth]

It's actually not the best way to compare them because you can haggle with and get discounts buying an MIA from a retailer. FMIC will do no such thing. In actual cash out of pocket, the ADE is going to cost anywhere from $500-$700 more. I do think to get exactly what you want that it's worth it to most people.

You just don't get it. The ADE option costs $500 to $700 more than a stock MIA that doesn't have the same options. Not exactly apples and oranges but certainly different apples. My point is that if you use the ADE route and spec a precision bass with the sunset metallic paint and a maple fb jazz neck and vintage hardware its going to cost about $1600. A typical off the shelf MIA will have about a $1200 sticker price but could probably be had for closer to $1000 with discounts, coupons and dickering. Now remember you've got your heart set on those options in the configurator so if you want to match that exact spec going the stock off the shelf route you'll need to have the body repainted, replace the neck with a jazz neck, remove and replace the headstock stickers so it doesn't say jazz bass, refinish the headstock, and possibly swap out the hardware for vintage options. I bet you're now at or over the cost of an identical ADE and your bass value has been diminished because its no longer stock or under warranty.

 

[Matt R.]

$1200 for an MIA bass isn't list, it's retail. MSRP is usually in the $1700 range.

 

[GBassNorth]

$1200 for an MIA bass isn't list, it's retail. MSRP is usually in the $1700 range.

Correct. I've updated my post to reflect this.

 

[Fletz]

Not retail:

Lilypbass by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr

 

[awilkie84]

You just don't get it. The ADE option costs $500 to $700 more than a stock MIA that doesn't have the same options. Not exactly apples and oranges but certainly different apples. My point is that if you use the ADE route and spec a precision bass with the sunset metallic paint and a maple fb jazz neck and vintage hardware its going to cost about $1600. A typical off the shelf MIA will have about a $1200 sticker price but could probably be had for closer to $1000 with discounts, coupons and dickering. Now remember you've got your heart set on those options in the configurator so if you want to match that exact spec going the stock off the shelf route you'll need to have the body repainted, replace the neck with a jazz neck, remove and replace the headstock stickers so it doesn't say jazz bass, refinish the headstock, and possibly swap out the hardware for vintage options. I bet you're now at or over the cost of an identical ADE and your bass value has been diminished because its no longer stock or under warranty.

Some of the "heart set on" basses I've seen people make are EXACTLY what would roll off a production line. Some are very close, but just have a different pick guard or bridge. Are those pieces (even combined) worth the $500 upcharge? No. This program's great, if you're ordering a bass that is completely unavailable through dealer channels (a Lake Placid Blue P with Tort Guard & HMV bridge with a 60s Jazz neck). But if you're ordering a Black P with a gold guard & Badass Style bridge & P neck, just buy an American Special & throw a gold guard ($60 dealer price) and BA2 ($120ish dealer price) on it. Congrats. You've saved $420 dollars! Oh, you want different pick-ups, cool. $100-140 later, you're STILL in the green. Hardshell case? You're getting closer to breaking even, but you're still almost $100 ahead.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

$1200 for an MIA bass isn't list, it's retail. MSRP is usually in the $1700 range.

MSRP, the price that *no one pays* is higher than that. The Fender web site has them at $1900:

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Zzounds has this bass for $1300;

On the Fender Design Configurator, My custom made J totals to $1700 - a $400 premium for getting exactly what I want but still less than MSRP. a 25% bump, if you will.

Really, not that bad - and if I were a lefty, this would be VERY attractive.

 

[Matt R.]

Really, not that bad - and if I were a lefty, this would be VERY attractive.

Fo sho. That's why I got two

 

[Stranger Danger]

I'm pretty sure I get it.

 

[awilkie84]

MSRP, the price that *no one pays* is higher than that. The Fender web site has them at $1900:

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Zzounds has this bass for $1300;

On the Fender Design Configurator, My custom made J totals to $1700 - a $400 premium for getting exactly what I want but still less than MSRP. a 25% bump, if you will.

Really, not that bad - and if I were a lefty, this would be VERY attractive.

For S&G, I designed this same bass on the ADE. $1624.99. That's $325 more than the American Standard's actual retail price! And, yes...I included the right case & custom shop pickups.

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  Orientation:
• 
  Right-Handed
  
  
• Included with your instrument:
  Owner’s manual, ADE collectible booklet, Strap, Polishing cloth, Cable, Adjustment wrenches and Genuine Fender tremolo arm (included with Stratocaster® guitars only)

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

For S&G, I designed this same bass on the ADE. $1624.99. That's $325 more than the American Standard's actual retail price! And, yes...I included the right case & custom shop pickups.

Sure - which is why you wouldn't buy it through the ADE, you'd just go to GC and buy it.

HOWEVER, if you wanted a custom configuration or a lefty...

For me, the options that they offer aren't quite enough to get me seriously interested - but that's me. Offer a few more finish options and I think this idea might really take off.