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Fender MiM Rumors true?
- Thread starter J. Crawford
- Start date
If you are correct, Fender can shove it.
I feel you, man. They're being kinda weird about it,
I totally agree with your point. I don't think they're gonna be able to move MIM up like they want. But they are going to try to do what they did with Squier. That's why the Marcus Miller and Geddy Lee prices have jumped so sharply. They're trying to open that area of the market for Squier.They released a pretty good 70s style Jazz(sound familiar?) and I'm sure they have a few more models up their sleeves(maybe the Steve Harris signature) to try and beef up the MIM line. Basically make it more respected.
Fender has been doing these kind of things recently. Another example of this strategy has been seen fairly recently. They released the Joe Strummer Telecaster (a relic finished signature) to see if the Mexican factory could handle doing relic finishes in a cost-effective way. It worked well. People bought those guitars, and now we have the MIM Road Worn series.
Engine207
Losing faith in humanity...one call at a time.
With prices so high, it seems to me that the used market is where value lives, but you gotta be patient...
I recently found an '03 MIM Precision on Craigslist for $100. I call that bass Grand Theft Precision, since I basically stole it from the guy. It had been in his closet for four years and had more dust on it than the dishes in my grandma's china cabinet. I had to pounce on that bass because by the time I got there an hour after he posted it, he'd had several calls offering him more money than the $100 he was asking. Since I had a Benjamin, he just took it.
When I got it home I cleaned it up with some Lizard Spit, slapped on a nice Gotoh 201 bridge, some D'Addario Chromes and had a good set-up done. I'm still into it for less than $200, and the thing looks, plays, and sounds outstanding.
Best thing to do is keep a browser tab open to your local (and one or two nearby) Craigslists. Check a couple of times a day (if you have the time) and jump on the deals when they happen.
Thats what Ive started doing, I've found a couple of P-s one is a 92 MIM for 295.00 that I'm working on now (wearing down the wife
) and another whose year is unknown is 400.00 both in great condition.That being said I agree that the used market will be the new hot spot for fenders, save for all the rich people who can just pay 1500.00 for a bass.
and - IMHO - some of the squires I have played are MUCH better than some of the recent MIM Fenders I have played!!!
Agreed. Sometimes I forget MIM is an option recently. The price hike will probably end up with me having my second SX.
Gee, I said something very similar in a post here month ago and was practically crucified.....but I agree with your thought! I think they (muckity mucks at Fender) are moving the VM and or CV lines into the MIM spot.
Egads I hope not! Though it would give those of us who claimed the VM or CV series are built like basses worth 3x as much a chance to prove our point....
I see used Fenders and squiers pricing going up due to demand for them over new....
Methinks a few other name brands will enter my stable before a 6 - 700 dollar MIM or CV.... When a Standard or American Fender costs as much as a Lakland or Custom Build like a Valenti, why would I buy a mass produced Fender?
Why would I pay as much for a New Fender Geddy Lee as a new Rickenbacker?
I see Fenders move as a way for them to maximize profits. Charge US made pricing on foreign made instruments. Costs have gone up, but raising prices disproportionately on their lowest cost to produce basses really makes them more money selling the "low end" of their line than the top end.
And if their amp prices follow suit, the Bassman 250/210 I am considering is just flat out of the running, that puts that amp the same price as other amps twice as powerful with a bigger cab......
Don't get me wrong, I wish them well but I think jacking prices now is only gonna sell more higher end competition and much much more Fender like basses from imported lines... SX, Turser and many more....or basses like Peavey's Milenium, Johnson's Catalyst and several Schecters becoming much more desirable.
Agreed. Sometimes I forget MIM is an option recently. The price hike will probably end up with me having my second SX.
Only 2? LOL!!
That also really makes an SX, with upgraded electronics and a fret job waaaay more attractive than a Fender, and makes the extra time and money into the SX even more of a value.
Im agreeing. An SX with modded everything sounds much better than a stock $700 MiM P bass.
But thats just me!
But thats just me!
new fenders are not worth what they are going to be charging after Feb. 1st.
if you want a fender, i'd say buy used.
if you want a fender, i'd say buy used.
I'm actually surprised that I haven't been flame for this one. Fender IS moving Squiers into the MIMs old market...However you won't see CVs or VMs going for $600. I think they're gonna bring out some other stuff. I'm thinking they'll have active basses, Duncan Equipped basses, and "reissues" at the top of Squier's line. SX maybe able to bite into the lower end of Squier, but I think that future Squiers will have features that SX doesn't offer. My theory is that CV and VM will be the New "MIM Standards", and the coming price hike seems to prove just that.
The used market is going to be nuts if this does go down like it looks.
Us members of TalkBass are quite spoiled when it comes to Fender-styled basses. I can only speak for myself when I say that I NEVER gave Sadowsky or Lakland a shot before I joined TalkBass. I always passed them over for the Big names like MusicMan and Fender. Also, many of the custom builders are unknown to people that don't troll forums all day
Fender probably won't lose business or make people buy the High-End Competition. I feel this is for one reason only...the name. I always wanted a Fender because they are the "bass to have" for many people. They may lose sales because of players that are "In the know".
Let's say that a person that a regular joe (Hereby refered to as Mr.X) walks into Guitar Center looking for a Fender MIA J-Bass. He sees a MIA P Bass and a Lakland both for $1500. He may pass up the Lakland because he can get the Fender name at the same price. Regardless of how the Lakland sounds or feels. Mr. X may not even play said Lakland. If Mr. X does his research, then yes he may be more apt to choose Lakland.
The same can be said for Sadowsky. Many of the Sadowsky owners on this forum have stated that they really shine through at gigs, and maybe even sound a little disappointin in when played alone. If Mr. X is trying out a MIA next to a Sad, he may just buy the Fender because it sounds the same, costs a little less, and well...it's a Fender.
You hit the nail on the head though. Fender wants to sell foreign made basses at domestic made prices, and in turn create a Gibson like situation with it's MIA basses.
I want to clarify something though...
Am I upset by this? Well, a little. No one wants to see prices on anything moving up...except the manufacturer in some cases.
Am I angry at Fender? Does this affect me? Am I "crushed" by this? No. I really had no plans in the near future to purchase a new Fender and I am only toying with the idea of buying another Squier (GAS)
But as always, if the right deal comes along....no matter whch name is on the headstock..... (GAS)
Am I upset by this? Well, a little. No one wants to see prices on anything moving up...except the manufacturer in some cases.
Am I angry at Fender? Does this affect me? Am I "crushed" by this? No. I really had no plans in the near future to purchase a new Fender and I am only toying with the idea of buying another Squier (GAS)
But as always, if the right deal comes along....no matter whch name is on the headstock..... (GAS)
Squier makes some really good instruments. I don't have experience with the new stuff from India, but the Indonesian stuff from Cor-Tek is great quality and has been for a while. Many people say that Epiphone is better than Squier, but that mindset is probably only created by Epiphone instruments being more expensive. So Squier is gearing up to go head to head with Epiphone. I think one product line that might be in question is the Squier Affinity series. It doesn't seem to make sense to have the Affinity series and the Starcaster brand, and I just don't see the Affinity instruments going much higher in price. Who am I kidding, Affinitys will go up in price and Starcaster will never make it into music stores. The two markets stay separate and profit increases.
With so many MIMs available in the used market for a fraction of the new cost, I don't think anybody should worry about list prices increasing.
Some disconnected sellers might try to get more for their used instruments, but the used market is defined by offer and demand, and there is and will be a lot of offer in the coming times.
Some disconnected sellers might try to get more for their used instruments, but the used market is defined by offer and demand, and there is and will be a lot of offer in the coming times.
TheGrizz es muy inteligente!
But in seriousness, you guys are right about the used market. After joining TB, I see no buying of new instruments in my future. And if so, only for a custom bass or one where I feel the need to have to.
Carry on, Im learning.
But in seriousness, you guys are right about the used market. After joining TB, I see no buying of new instruments in my future. And if so, only for a custom bass or one where I feel the need to have to.
Carry on, Im learning.
Yes, got two so far and still lookoing at a MIA P-Bass (we're haggling as it has a small scratch). I was told the prices for all fender products were going up, this includes the squier line. The prices you have posted are MSRP however. I was told they would be approx 30 to 40% of that, in other words MIM P-Basses are still going to be right at 550.00 which is still about a 40% price hike (MIM P-Bass here in vegas is 399.99). It was also rumored that the CV P-Bass (tele looking lake placid blue one) my be discontinued by the release of the 2010 line.
As it stands now, I am taking Bill Mason's advice and snagging the MIA P-Bass today, I've got them down to 850.00 w/ case.
