Fender Player Meteora Bass

[Old Blastard]

So the passive toggle is an emergency switch in case the batteries boot at gigside. That's one way to think of it, then it becomes a plus!

Still, it seems like a passive tone is a no brainer

 

[blacktocomm]

I've been playing the last 30 years without a passive tone control. How did I ever manage? I even did studio recordings without one. Someone pass the charcuterie board. I need something to go with all the whine.

Cool story. It’s really too bad that your experience playing bass isn’t exactly the same as everyone else’s. I use my tone control a lot.
If you only liked and ate cheese pizza would people that prefer pepperoni be whiners? You’ve been eating cheese pizza for 30 years and never needed any stinking pepperoni. Why the heck should anyone else want it?

 

[thornshadow99]

No matter how many people get along just fine without a tone control, most people prefer the option.
If having no tone knob at their fingertips is a problem for some bassists, why is the fact that most want it, a problem for others?

Exactly. It is funny to taunt people because they want a common feature on their new electric bass. I’m not complaining because a new line won’t come in magenta glow-in-the-dark polkadots or something like that.

 

[thornshadow99]

The bottom line is that Fender should’ve informed us in all the intro articles and the demos that the Meteora did not have passive tone controls. If that’s how Fender wants to design this electric bass, that’s fine. I have no complaint with their design approach as long as I know what I’m getting into. And if I had more info, there’s a good chance that this Meteora wouldn’t be in my house right now. I may try to return it but I doubt that will be possible. At least it’s a fine bass otherwise.

 

[Old Blastard]

I'll play one when I get a chance. It may be that I love the active tone and don't need a passive option. Most likely I'll wait the 3 years it will take for them to decide to kill it and pick it up cheap like I did my Jag Deluxe and Starcaster

 

[Ricky Rioli]

If only the Stingray had a passive tone control

 

[defdog99]

For years Fender's been promoting TBX and such.

Now they should be promoting FENDERFLAT(tm) technology. lol.

 

[thornshadow99]

If only the Stingray had a passive tone control

Stop whining.

 

[Ramonesfan59]

If you want this pickup combo with passive tone controls (but without the funky body) there's always the Blacktop Precision bass.

 

[defdog99]

Fender says to buy a $3k Ultra bass to get the passive tone knob!

 

[thornshadow99]

I emailed Nate Navarro and asked him why he did not mention that the Meteora did not have passive tone contols (which would be worth a mention I think). Honestly, I am not expecting an answer.

 

[defdog99]

Didn't see the Meteora or the Squier 40th basses at my GC today, but I did see the new Fender Player Plus Top jazz bass in Green.

 

[deepestend]

Adding a passive tone control isn’t that hard if you really want it.

 

[jd56hawk]

Yes, definitely easier than painting those unfinished headstocks to match the Tequila Sunset and Opal Spark models.

 

[thornshadow99]

I talked to Fender and they are willing to take it back under their 30 day return policy. I have not made The Decision yet but I'm tending towards a return since I don't really feel the need for active pickups without being able to properly use passives as a backup.

 

[Nookster]

Now I'm starting to think about the one I bought. Is the lack of passive tone control going to be a big enough issue to hold back sales? Is the Meteora going to be the next discontinued model? If that happens, what will happen to it's current or future value? I really like this bass so I'm happy with my purchase and I love it's quirky look. I'm getting old and both of my daughters play so all of my guitars are going to them someday so who knows what this one will be worth to them in 30 years? Just a thought.

 

[jd56hawk]

Yes, they'll be discontinued just like the Raacal and in ten, twenty and thirty years they'll be sellimg for slightly more than they're worth...exactly like they are today.

 

[BBassBassington]

The best way to make money on these is going to be to buy one used or on clearance in 3-5 years. Get it at its cheapest point and wait. Parts will dry up, some will get cannibalized, etc. Eventually prices will start climbing as they find their ways into the hands of people who really wanted one.

Where prices settle depends on the delta between how many people really want one now and how many people actually buy one now. Bigger that difference the more likely you are to make money.

 

[thornshadow99]

The best way to make money on these is going to be to buy one used or on clearance in 3-5 years. Get it at its cheapest point and wait. Parts will dry up, some will get cannibalized, etc. Eventually prices will start climbing as they find their ways into the hands of people who really wanted one.

Where prices settle depends on the delta between how many people really want one now and how many people actually buy one now. Bigger that difference the more likely you are to make money.

My guess is that the Meteora will make a great bass for someone who wants an interesting-looking instrument in their collection. IMHO, it is more of a novelty than a general utility bass.

 

[Nookster]

My guess is that the Meteora will make a great bass for someone who wants an interesting-looking instrument in their collection. IMHO, it is more of a novelty than a general utility bass.

Exactly what I was thinking. That's it in a nutshell.