Fender American Original Basses ... ????

[JakobT]

If you're FMIC, here's the problem:

You have four core products (Strat, Tele, Jazz Bass, Precision Bass) that have been in continuous production since the 1950's. You have a large corporation with thousands of employees and several factories that have to stay profitable. You have to keep selling to enable everything to continue. And you have over time been unable to establish any new hot-sellers with the staying power of your four core products.

So, the constant pressure of 'This Year's Model' is huge, as you must stay faithful to the original, yet offer something to make customers reach for their wallet, which is a very tricky balancing act. Made even more complicated by the fact that guitar players are far more conservative in what 'new' they'll accept, and bassists who want something a bit more modern or different will quickly run to Lulls or Sadowskys for a modern take, or the boutique builders for a completely different take on bass. In other words, Fender almost by tradition CAN'T get real modern real fast.

So you see what we've seen for quite a while now: Endless variations on the cornerstone models, and the endless rotation of the model names is part of their way to convince you that THIS one is the latest and greatest.

And I take a completely different view on the Custom Shop pieces: Save for the few truly amazing 'magazine cover' pieces, it's a left-handed comment that their regular production pieces ain't all that, and that you should be honored to pay 4 or 5 grand for instruments you could screw together yourself: I promise you there is no Magic Fairy Dust in them. But, it's another contributor to their cash flow, so I totally 'get it'.

I do not envy them in this task.

For me personally, and probably like a lot of you, I could spec exactly what I want in a Precision or Jazz, buy all the parts separately, and build (or have assembled by someone qualified) exactly the Fender I always wanted, but they don't offer as a catalog item I can buy at a dealer. The aftermarket parts market is huge for these classics, and is exactly why a Squier or MIM is plenty good enough for me as I can modify it to exactly what I want cheaper than I could buy an Elite or Custom Shop piece, if I didn't assemble one from scratch. Your results may vary . . . . .

I think you’ve hit the nail squarely on the head. And FWIW, I think Fender’s doing a pretty good job, all things considered. Fender has an important heritage to preserve, and they have to deliver something fresh AND classic at regular intervals. That’s not easy to do. A lot of the people who keep second-guessing Fender are just considering their own needs and wants, but Fender has to take a broader view in order to stay in business.

 

[lhindrum]

I just bought one of the 60's Jazz Basses and I'm loving it. I bought it basically because I wanted a quality American instrument with a nitro finish and this fit the bill perfectly. As others have mentioned I'm also expecting the year specific instruments to become custom shop exclusive. Maybe it's just me, but I can see the sense in this decision.

 

[bobba66]

The white Tony Franklin was the only one I really wanted. Priced out of my range, unfortunately.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I just bought one of the 60's Jazz Basses and I'm loving it. I bought it basically because I wanted a quality American instrument with a nitro finish and this fit the bill perfectly. As others have mentioned I'm also expecting the year specific instruments to become custom shop exclusive. Maybe it's just me, but I can see the sense in this decision.

I’m happy for you but, in my opinion, it would have been easier to offer the Am. Pro. model with an option for nitro finish and, maybe, matching headstock or custom colours ... by the way, did they give you the pickups covers in the box? Did the bass have holes already to install them?

 

[Midak]

I don't think the AP and the AO feature the same neck to start with; same fingerboard radius, yes, but not neck shape.
And of course, they feature different hardware, pickups, headstock, even body shape.

 

[lhindrum]

I’m happy for you but, in my opinion, it would have been easier to offer the Am. Pro. model with an option for nitro finish and, maybe, matching headstock or custom colours ... by the way, did they give you the pickups covers in the box? Did the bass have holes already to install them?

Fair point. There are holes in the pickguard but not in the body.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

I don't think the AP and the AO feature the same neck to start with; same fingerboard radius, yes, but not neck shape.
And of course, they feature different hardware, pickups, headstock, even body shape.

Correct ... but those of the Am. Pro. are objectively better especially in terms of how you manage the truss rod ... in short ... I like the idea but I can’t justify enough a line of basses with those characteristics although the price is quite attractive ... waiting for other opinions of users who bought them

 

[Midak]

The whole point of the vintage Fender lines is, I believe, to have an instrument that looks and feels like the ones our heroes had back in the day. So, an AO having a nitro finish does not fall into that. Even if many are complaining about the truss rod access (which I really understand), many may find it part of the whole vintage character.

On the other hand, I can't see any point for someone that has everything he/she needs with an AO to be irritated with Fender offering something he/she doesn't need.

 

[Kmonk]

New instrument sales are down for every manufacturer. They are trying to come up ways (in my opinion gimmicks) to get people to buy new.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

The whole point of the vintage Fender lines is, I believe, to have an instrument that looks and feels like the ones our heroes had back in the day. So, an AO having a nitro finish does not fall into that. Even if many are complaining about the truss rod access (which I really understand), many may find it part of the whole vintage character.

On the other hand, I can't see any point for someone that has everything he/she needs with an AO to be irritated with Fender offering something he/she doesn't need.

Of course ...

 

[Pbassmanca]

Hi gang, new member here.

What’s with the long looking stems on some of the tuners in the pictures of the Original Basses? Looks goofy.

Hey there, welcome. I know what you're talking about, but I like the look. Each to there own bro!

 

[pigpen1]

That heel adjust trussrod ̶ ̶B̶U̶G̶ "feature" was fervently lobbied for by the union of guitar setup technicians

I'll bet...lol. It's crap.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Hey there, welcome. I know what you're talking about, but I like the look. Each to there own bro!

TBH I also like the long stemming the ninth pegs

 

[Glazenn]

I don't see what's the point with the covers. Very few players use them, most don't, or even find it's just bothering. I mean use them as a playing help (like Marcus Miller with the neck pickup cover used as a thumb rest). Mine on my AVRI '62 Jazz are both still in their paper wrapping.

 

[Alain Decont]

Hi everybody! To those who got one of this ¨new brand Fender¨,can you guys show some pics and/or talk about the sound and feel of the instrument,please?

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Waiting for one in candy apple red ...

 

[Pet Sounds]

So do the AOs come with the chrome pickup and bridge covers in the case? I'm one of those players who like and use them. The Fender specs are silent about them.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

So do the AOs come with the chrome pickup and bridge covers in the case? I'm one of those players who like and use them. The Fender specs are silent about them.

For what I know yes they do.

 

[walkbassman45]

 

[Pet Sounds]

That LPB P-Bass is the one AO that gives me some GAS.