Fender basses; what's new for 2015?

[Neon Blues]

before a few sites pulled the description last week (no pictures available of course) I saw they should be releasing another Steve Harris model, this time it will be Olympic white West Ham bass with logo and pinstripes.

As an very serious West Ham fan and Iron Maiden fan. I'd be first in line!

 

[OutToPlayJazz]

There are a couple of great suggestions on the [okay, J's and P's it is, then!] front. I loved strangerdanger's idea of an American Standard P&J with the Precision body and jazz neck. If it had the Am.Std bridge and through body stringing I'd definitely buy that. P&J is one of my favourite sounds.

I also noted someone's mention of a decent preamp. Maybe the Big F could play the custom guys at their own game and do a premium Jazz/P with the Aguilar pickups/preamp, or something from Nordstrand, etc? Just as long as there was a proper passive tone and an active/passive bypass, it'd be just about ideal.

 

[Neon Blues]

Also, I think the Fender Jazz and Precision is as good as it's ever going to get. It can't be improved.

Give us some better colours outside of CS. Surf Green, Seafoam Green, Teal, More Seminole Red, Daphne Blue. AND MATCHING HEADSTOCKS!!!!

 

[TonyP-]

I have to say those blasted ash bodies are pretty nice looking.
That with a glossed bound & blocked neck would be delightfully delicious.

(For those against modding, I would still drop a set of Nordstrand and Audere in there)

 

[Sleeq]

GENTLEMEN.

I present to you the presskit for Fender's 2015 NAMM Show.

You're welcome.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

New basses:

FENDER BASS GUITARS
Artist American Geddy Lee Jazz Bass
Artist Steve Harris Precision Bass
Deluxe Active Okoume Jazz Bass
Deluxe Active Okoume Jazz Bass V
Deluxe Active Okoume Precision Bass
Limited Edition Sandblasted Jazz Bass with Ash Body
Limited Edition Sandblasted Precision Bass with Ash Body
Standard Dimension™ Bass IV
Standard Jaguar Bass

FENDER BASS AMPLIFICATION
Bassman® Hybrid 500
Rumble™ 112 Cabinet
Rumble 210 Cabinet

 

[Sleeq]

Continuing from the above post:

FENDER CUSTOM SHOP BASS GUITARS
1959 Journeyman Relic Precision Bass®
1960 Journeyman Relic Jazz Bass®
2015 Limited Edition 1955 Precision Bass Relic
2015 Post Modern Precision Jazz Bass Journeyman Relic
2015 Post Modern Precision Jazz Bass NOS
2015 Post Modern Precision Jazz Bass Journeyman Relic
2015 Post Modern Precision Jazz Bass NOS

 

[davidchampoux]

GENTLEMEN.

I present to you the presskit for Fender's 2015 NAMM Show.

You're welcome.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

New basses:

FENDER BASS GUITARS
Artist American Geddy Lee Jazz Bass
Artist Steve Harris Precision Bass
Deluxe Active Okoume Jazz Bass
Deluxe Active Okoume Jazz Bass V
Deluxe Active Okoume Precision Bass
Limited Edition Sandblasted Jazz Bass with Ash Body
Limited Edition Sandblasted Precision Bass with Ash Body
Standard Dimension™ Bass IV
Standard Jaguar Bass

FENDER BASS AMPLIFICATION
Bassman® Hybrid 500
Rumble™ 112 Cabinet
Rumble 210 Cabinet

Finally!! Exactly what I was looking for!!

 

[Hank Scorpio]

GENTLEMEN.

I present to you the presskit for Fender's 2015 NAMM Show.

You're welcome.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Thanks for this, very helpful!

In addition:
SQUIER® BASS GUITARS
Squier Dimension Bass
Squier Dimension Bass V

Looks like from this year, you'll be able to get a Dimension in the Squier, Modern Player, MIM, MIM Deluxe, MIA Std, and MIA Deluxe lines. That's a big investment in the new design - they must be selling some, but I've never seen one out. However, I'll be very surprised if now I don't end the year with at least one in the stable.

I presume the Squier Dimension won't be VM/CV as it has no history to draw from, hopefully will still be of a good quality. I'm praying for a passive, two humbucker setup, rather than the active versions, or the MP triplebucker.

The addition of MIM Jaguar's is pretty cool, too.

 

[J Gold]

6 string, 24 fret jazz bass?

...no?

 

[dje31]

I have to say those blasted ash bodies are pretty nice looking.
That with a glossed bound & blocked neck would be delightfully delicious.

(For those against modding, I would still drop a set of Nordstrand and Audere in there)

You beat me to it...at least on the neck. I could probably live with stock electronics...initially, at least...

Would probably change pickguard to parchment or parchment pearloid before P/Us, etc.

Make mine blue, please.

 

[Roda]

Well, there go my hopes of seeing a 70s reissue P bass any time soon. I don't get it - Fender's business plan is basically making as many variations of the same guitar as possible and calling it a new series, model or submodel. For example, the 50s P-bass is available with a poly finish (Classic) and with a nitro finish (Road Worn and Classic Lacquer). Same exact bass, three different models. And it's not that they're shy of their 70s heritage either - right now, I count one 70s Strat, three Telecasters and two Jazz basses. So, the reputation that the originals have regarding QC certainly hasn't affected their desirability, otherwise those models would have been long gone. So why is it that, with all those 70s reissues and numerous P-bass variations, Fender still hasn't made a proper 70s P-bass? I know, there was the Classic 70s P-bass, but as far as i can tell, the neck didn't have a thick U profile nor did it have a 7.25 radius and for me, the neck is the main feature on a bass. Everything else is just cosmetics.

 

[bassbully]

Well, there go my hopes of seeing a 70s reissue P bass any time soon. I don't get it - Fender's business plan is basically making as many variations of the same guitar and calling it a new series, model or submodel. For example, the 50s P-bass is available with a poly finish (Classic) and with a nitro finish (Road Worn and Classic Lacquer). Same exact bass, three different models. And it's not that they're shy of their 70s heritage either - right now, I count one 70s Strat, three Telecasters and two Jazz basses. So, the reputation that the originals have regarding QC certainly hasn't affected their desirability, otherwise those models would have been long gone. So why is it that, with all those 70s reissues and numerous P-bass variations, Fender still hasn't made a proper 70s P-bass? I know, there was the Classic 70s P-bass, but as far as i can tell, the neck didn't have a thick U profile nor did it have a 7.25 radius and for me, the neck is the main feature on a bass. Everything else is just cosmetics.

I agree, thought the 70's fender were garbage?

 

[marko138]

I'd love to see Fender do some more Shell Pink, Seafoam Green, Sonic Blue, and darker "antique" cream type colors. It'd be nice if colors like these weren't only offered intermittently at the upper price levels. Maybe even some FSR Mexican models or American Specials could get the new color options......................meanwhile back in the real world I'll just go back to perusing the run-of-the-mill black, burst, and oly white offerings..............

I'd have a hard time not running out and immediately buying a seafoam jazz bass.

 

[awilkie84]

They really don't sell that many P5's compared to Jazz 5's.
A MIM would be about $600+
You can find used MIA's for around $800. Why mess with the MIM? And the Squier is very nice for the price.

I'd like to see the numbers breakdown for the VM J5 & P5, and the USA J5 & P5. The numbers might not be THAT far off. Also, Fender doesn't make money on the used market, so a new offering for them would let them into that price range.

 

[Lethgar]

Squier Dimension!

 

[bassburner]

Also, I think the Fender Jazz and Precision is as good as it's ever going to get. It can't be improved.

Give us some better colours outside of CS. Surf Green, Seafoam Green, Teal, More Seminole Red, Daphne Blue. AND MATCHING HEADSTOCKS!!!!

Agreed. And if they're pushing the online sales they have no excuse not to do it. I'm on the lookout for a nice P-style but with the limited options in finishing I'm in no way limiting myself to Fender considering I take it as default that I'll want to swap out the pickups.

 

[TDR1138]

I'd like to see two things... First, a Classic Series P with a rosewood fretboard. Don't care if it's 60s or 70s, but just want a 1.75" nut with vintage radius and rosewood.
Second, a 5-string version of the MIM Deluxe Active Precision. I think that would hit the gap between the American and Squier P5s without stepping on too many toes.

 

[awilkie84]

I'd like to see two things... First, a Classic Series P with a rosewood fretboard. Don't care if it's 60s or 70s, but just want a 1.75" nut with vintage radius and rosewood.
Second, a 5-string version of the MIM Deluxe Active Precision. I think that would hit the gap between the American and Squier P5s without stepping on too many toes.

Yeah, you could even reuse the neck from the MIM Dlx Jazz V and Dimension V to cut down production costs!

 

[Jeff K]

How about marking the Precisions with a "64th Anniversary" badge on the front of the headstock, replacing the first "E" in the "Fender" decal?

And maybe the case could play "When I'm 64," music box fashion, when it is opened?

How about auto-tuners on every bass, as Gibson is doing... And maybe an "Auto-play" function, too... Perhaps there is a 'smart card' that could be inserted into the bass so that it self-operates, player piano style -- could save a lot of unnecessary elbow grease.

Maybe do away with strings altogether and make the fretboard more of a Guitar Hero proposition...

How about a Pete Wenz autograph on the 12th fret of each and very bass.... And a silhouette of Sid Vicious on every case? And by the way, all case linings should be in leopard, like the Billie Joe Armstrong Les Paul Jr cases.

Open up the color options in general, but -- and this is essential -- Eliminate all red basses. There should be no offerings in this color, and in fact, Fender should have a "buy-back" program akin to what local cops do when they collect guns -- except in this case, the goal would be to remove all red basses from the pool -- offer upgrade quality trades as an enticement, if necessary.

Ha ha!! I had to laugh at this. I used to feel SOMEWHAT like this. Except that I didn't mind seeing red basses played by others. I just didn't like them for myself for some reason. But as the years have gone by, I've gradually changed my tune. I currently own a hand-stained Red Wine Jazz, and I'm getting an '09 Candy Cola Jazz (to be delivered today). Of course I AM old. Maybe I just can't see things like I used to...

I used to love Natural Ash Fenders. I have an AV Reissue '75 Jazz and a '75 P, both Natural w/maple boards. Now I'm finding THEM a tad boring. The AV Reissue is now up for sale in the Classifieds after being my go-to for years. Maybe it was the red ones that drove me to this act of insanity!!

 

[Ler]

Curious to know what Artist American Geddy Lee Jazz Bass is about.