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Fender American Design Experience

A piece of paper from Fender for a custom designed instrument built from PRODUCTION parts will not give the guitar a higher resale value. You just payed a premium for a non-custom build to get the pieces you want put together. It's an American Fender built from a parts bin, not the Custom Shop.

It's not going to hurt the resale value, but it's not going to increase it beyond what an American Standard would be. People buy VINTAGE Fenders for the prestige, not parts bin Fenders.

In a rational world, you are right. But in this world, where simply TERRIBLE '70s fenders are now considered desirable (even reissued!) and some Squiers are now considered "vintage" - anything the with the word Fender on it is a assigned value for more than its worth.
 
If G&L's "custom" model is the same, then please point out instances where a "custom" G&L commanded a substantially higher premium.
Other than their limited "special runs" G&L's entire business model is "custom built to order" instruments all made out of bin parts, for the most part. There would be nothing to compare it to.
Off the shelf parts assembled into a non-standard configuration = frankenstein. That's been the definition for years.
Right... when YOU do it yourself AT HOME.

I have never heard of a factory instrument referred to as a Frankenstein. In fact, I have always been under the impression that the term "Frankenstein" is the antithesis of the word "factory".
 
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Other than their limited "special runs" G&L's entire business model is "custom built to order" instruments all made out of bin parts, for the most part. There would be nothing to compare it to.

Right... when YOU do it yourself AT HOME.

I have never heard of a factory instrument referred to as a Frankenstein. In fact, I have always been under the impression that the term "Frankenstein" is the antithesis of the word "factory".

At this point it looks like we just don't agree on the definition of Frankenstein. I see these falling more into that category than they fall into a true "custom" category. You disagree; there's not much we can say that will change that, clearly.

Either way; with the G&L model, custom or off the shelf = the same resale.

So, based on that model, resale on these basses will likely be in or around the resale value of a normal American Standard from the same year.

I agree that folks will occasionally pay $50 or $100 more for a specific color, but I doubt anyone is going to pay $500 extra, resale, for a Jazz neck on a P, with a bridge and pickup upgrade, in an non-standard color.
 
I'm not going to go back through 22 pages of posts. lol If you're curious, go re-read the thread...

Ok, just did.

Looks like you're mistaken. With the exception of Addisons post a few minutes ago I don't see anything on this thread that indicates that most people here feel they can resell these basses for much more than a used MIA. Maybe a slight premium for a rare color or neck option or something special for a left handed player.

So looks to me like your statement on post #408 - "... not come anywhere near what people in this thread are expecting for resale value...." Is mistaken or an exaggeration of the discussion.

Like I said before, I do agree with you on the resale value most likely being around that of a similar used MIA and it looks to me like most others are assuming that as well.
 
Are any of the body colors in the ADE not normally available on an off the shelf Fender?
What if that color option had very few builds in the ADE and what if after only a year Fender decided the ADE wasn't working well so they shut it down.
Would the buyers of that now very rare color have a bass that might have a different resale value than off the shelf basses of the same age?
Would that value increase over time?
Is a factory original shell pink Jazz made in the '60s worth more than a sunburst Jazz of the same year and in the same condition?
 
Wait, I'm confused.
Both the ADE's I am getting are straight up 50s and 60s era models, nothing unusual about them, except that they are models that aren't typically available to me otherwise.

So does the fact that I'm a lefty automatically turn my basses into FrankenFenders because they are parts assembled into "non standard" basses? ;)
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1400263629.116074.jpg
 
Wait, I'm confused.
Both the ADE's I am getting are straight up 50s and 60s era models, nothing unusual about them, except that they are models that aren't typically available to me otherwise.

So does the fact that I'm a lefty automatically turn my basses into FrankenFenders because they are parts assembled into "non standard" basses? ;) View attachment 419930

Must be so! I'm a right handed player and I wouldn't pay a dime for either of those Franken type basses... :whistle:



Actually, I think they look cool, if I were a lefty I'd be all over em.
 
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Wait, I'm confused.
Both the ADE's I am getting are straight up 50s and 60s era models, nothing unusual about them, except that they are models that aren't typically available to me otherwise.

So does the fact that I'm a lefty automatically turn my basses into FrankenFenders because they are parts assembled into "non standard" basses? ;) View attachment 419930

Clearly, guys like you are the ones who will benefit the most from this. Good on ya.
 
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At this point it looks like we just don't agree on the definition of Frankenstein. I see these falling more into that category than they fall into a true "custom" category. You disagree; there's not much we can say that will change that, clearly.
I think most people will agree with me... I've worked professionally in the music industry for 20 years in sales and manufacturing. I'm pretty familiar with how the term is most used.

Either way; with the G&L model, custom or off the shelf = the same resale.
Since "off the shelf" USA G&L's don't exist (as I said before), this comment makes no sense.

I agree that folks will occasionally pay $50 or $100 more for a specific color, but I doubt anyone is going to pay $500 extra, resale, for a Jazz neck on a P, with a bridge and pickup upgrade, in an non-standard color.
I can't remember a single time where I mentioned a specific dollar value.

A Custom Shop is a custom built instruments.
Hate to tell you this, bud... but an ADE instrument is ALSO custom built. I custom picked all the stuff, the factory is building it, and it isn't available in ANY store. That is the definition of custom.

They're not using pieces from a production bin. They're building the entire bass from blanks. The ADE does not do this.
Wait a minute... ADE instruments are not built from blanks? Then how are they built?

Do you honestly think that Custom Shop bodies are each manufactured one at a time for each individual order? Do you think they fire up the CNC machine every time someone orders an alder body P-Bass? Not hardly.

MASTER BUILT Fenders are built to order from the ground up by one person... different ball game.

The one major thing that designates a Standard Custom shop instrument is that all the parts are manufactured in a different part of the factory by a smaller group of people than the American Standard basses. They do much smaller runs of their "production models" and then also do the "Team Built" runs on individual basses that are custom ordered. They choose better woods and take more time doing the work and the setups. That's why you pay more.
 
Wait, I'm confused.
Both the ADE's I am getting are straight up 50s and 60s era models, nothing unusual about them, except that they are models that aren't typically available to me otherwise.

So does the fact that I'm a lefty automatically turn my basses into FrankenFenders because they are parts assembled into "non standard" basses? ;) View attachment 419930

If both models are not normally available in a lefty config, that means they're taking off the shelf parts from basses that are available in lefty, and reassembling them for you in a configuration similar to a 50 or 60 era reissue. Honestly I'd call that a gray area. You aren't buying an actual 57 AVRI or w/e, you're having them build you one from parts.

I guess it would make sense to not use the term "Franken" as it seems to be insulting to some. I understand that standpoint as it often denotes really terribly put together instruments. These are clearly not in that category and I'm not trying to insult them. My main beef is with the price premium; you literally throw away $350 to redesign an American Standard. That will not come back in resale.

As others have pointed out though, this sort of thing is a god send for lefties. You are literally buying instruments you could not order before. In that instance I'd have to say this product is a complete success. It's just a bummer the "lefty tax" is so high.
 
Since "off the shelf" USA G&L's don't exist (as I said before), this comment makes no sense.

You can buy them from the shelf at a music store, not built to your specifications. Those resale at the same price as one that you had custom built for yourself.

If I call them, and have one built in a color I love, there's no premium when I resell.

Fender ADE vs Fender off the shelf is essentially the same.

Hate to tell you this, bud... but an ADE instrument is ALSO custom built. I custom picked all the stuff, the factory is building it, and it isn't available in ANY store. That is the definition of custom.

I'm confused, when you bought your last car, and had them install a different stereo, that made it custom?
 
I think most people will agree with me... I've worked professionally in the music industry for 20 years in sales and manufacturing. I'm pretty familiar with how the term is most used.

Ah, so years of experience means you're right? Far from, my friend. I work with many people with years of experience in my industry and I prove them wrong all the time. Experience =/= knowledge. A little bit of humility would do you wonders.

Hate to tell you this, bud... but an ADE instrument is ALSO custom built. I custom picked all the stuff, the factory is building it, and it isn't available in ANY store. That is the definition of custom.

There's a difference between a custom build and a custom order. Production level materials do not go into the Fender Custom Shop basses. You can't specify neck dimensions, special inlays, etc on an ADE. You have a group of parts to choose from. That's a custom order, not a custom build.

Wait a minute... ADE instruments are not built from blanks? Then how are they built?

Do you honestly think that Custom Shop bodies are each manufactured one at a time for each individual order? Do you think they fire up the CNC machine every time someone orders an alder body P-Bass? Not hardly.
No but, as I stated above, the ADE does not give you custom options. You're getting what they have in stock. The CS will let you choose neck/nut widths, custom inlays, custom pick-up routes, etc. Hell, you can have a mute added to your bass that's not even available on a production model. The ADE doesn't even give you the option of a P/J.

MASTER BUILT Fenders are built to order from the ground up by one person... different ball game.

The one major thing that designates a Standard Custom shop instrument is that all the parts are manufactured in a different part of the factory by a smaller group of people than the American Standard basses. They do much smaller runs of their "production models" and then also do the "Team Built" runs on individual basses that are custom ordered. They choose better woods and take more time doing the work and the setups. That's why you pay more.

Yeah, and you're not getting that with an ADE, so why would the resale value be better? What exactly garners a higher return on an ADE than an Am Std on the used market? The piece of paper that says you pressed a few buttons on a computer to get pieces from a parts bin put together at a shop & shipped out to you an an increased cost to you?
 
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You can buy them from the shelf at a music store, not built to your specifications. Those resale at the same price as one that you had custom built for yourself.
Once again... THEY ARE ALL CUSTOM ORDERED.

Even if a dealer orders one, they still pick nut widths, colors, and whatever else.

Do you get it yet?

I'm confused, when you bought your last car, and had them install a different stereo, that made it custom?
cus·tom-or·der [kuhs-tuhm-awr-der]
verb (used with object)
to obtain by special or individual order
Link: Link Removed

cus·tom [kuhs-tuhm]
adjective
made specially for individual customers
Link: Link Removed

Yeah, and you're not getting that with an ADE, so why would the resale value be better? What exactly garners a higher return on an ADE than an Am Std on the used market? The piece of paper that says you pressed a few buttons on a computer to get pieces from a parts bin put together at a shop & shipped out to you an an increased cost to you?
I've explained it a half-dozen times already as a POSSIBILITY.

Try reading my posts.