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Fender poll. Part 3.
- Thread starter two fingers
- Start date
I checked "Something Else". There are a huge number of choices. I just like to try different things. Fender makes fine professional grade instruments. I do own a MIM P from 2016 and immediately dropped in 1/4 pounders and changed the pots. My 2006 CIJ Geddy is stock only in body and neck, everything else was replaced. But that is just me. I am sure others would have been fine with the stock PUPS, pots, etc. Workmanship was fine on the stock instruments.
Marked nothing. I like Fender style, but my preferences are a bit different than what they currently offer.
Even if I were to buy a Fender, it'd be a used one. I feel they're a solid value used, but in lieu of what else is currently available a Fender at new prices just doesn't seem worth it to me...
I look at them and think, "for that money I could have it custom built by _____ with____ additional features that I want.
Even if I were to buy a Fender, it'd be a used one. I feel they're a solid value used, but in lieu of what else is currently available a Fender at new prices just doesn't seem worth it to me...
I look at them and think, "for that money I could have it custom built by _____ with____ additional features that I want.
Something else:
While technically it doesn't have a Fender badge, Squier falls under the parent company.
I want a Squier version of the '58 reissue P, for less than 500 bucks, please and thank you. I'd rather not have to shell out close to a grand for late 50's spec. Especially since I already own a few basses. I just want a cheap bass with those specs. Is that too much to ask?
While technically it doesn't have a Fender badge, Squier falls under the parent company.
I want a Squier version of the '58 reissue P, for less than 500 bucks, please and thank you. I'd rather not have to shell out close to a grand for late 50's spec. Especially since I already own a few basses. I just want a cheap bass with those specs. Is that too much to ask?
I think it’s production ended in 2010 with the newer, full sized body deluxe models.
My gripes about Fender come in several flavors.
First, aside from the Custom Shop, they keep moving away from the specs on the P and J that made their basses a standard. For those instruments, they would be much better off to take a page from the Custom Shop approach and apply that to their product instruments. Tell the marketing department to keep their little fingers out of the design process. The base instruments need no refinement. They need higher quality materials and construction.
Second, Fender keeps failing on a whole lot of fronts with anything other than the P and the J. For one thing, their active onboard preamps have been a hot mess. The performance of the preamps is just barely useable, and the construction design is modeled after a rats nest. Complete fail, and not a great starting point for a modern bass.
Also, regarding new designs, they keep using the GMC approach of shotgunning different designs, then dump them as soon as the sales figures aren’t there, moving on to the next failure. They need much more of a pragmatic approach of continuous improvement, sticking with the design as they iron out the wrinkles. Like Honda or Toyota.
And, they have had some good starting points. The Marcus Miller V had THE most J flavored neck I have ever played on any 5 string bass. PERFECT tapers. But, they dumped it. And, in their abject obstinance, the Custom Shop won’t even use that taper. It has simply been banished to the Twilight Zone.
No, the company just keeps making utterly stupid decisions with their bass offerings. Sadly, our market is just an afterthought; and no one at Fender really cares about basses. It really is unfortunate. They could do so much better.
First, aside from the Custom Shop, they keep moving away from the specs on the P and J that made their basses a standard. For those instruments, they would be much better off to take a page from the Custom Shop approach and apply that to their product instruments. Tell the marketing department to keep their little fingers out of the design process. The base instruments need no refinement. They need higher quality materials and construction.
Second, Fender keeps failing on a whole lot of fronts with anything other than the P and the J. For one thing, their active onboard preamps have been a hot mess. The performance of the preamps is just barely useable, and the construction design is modeled after a rats nest. Complete fail, and not a great starting point for a modern bass.
Also, regarding new designs, they keep using the GMC approach of shotgunning different designs, then dump them as soon as the sales figures aren’t there, moving on to the next failure. They need much more of a pragmatic approach of continuous improvement, sticking with the design as they iron out the wrinkles. Like Honda or Toyota.
And, they have had some good starting points. The Marcus Miller V had THE most J flavored neck I have ever played on any 5 string bass. PERFECT tapers. But, they dumped it. And, in their abject obstinance, the Custom Shop won’t even use that taper. It has simply been banished to the Twilight Zone.
No, the company just keeps making utterly stupid decisions with their bass offerings. Sadly, our market is just an afterthought; and no one at Fender really cares about basses. It really is unfortunate. They could do so much better.
They are over-priced.. But I picked, New models.. I like short scales..something other than a Mustang..I want more on the lines of SG/ebo body & 1.5 neck or smaller
I've always had a 'thing' for the Zone 5... maybe someday... ]edit[ to elaborate - I am drawn to the wide / wide, p/j, vol / pan / bmt controls. Body is just traditional enough, but not quite Fender traditional... Who knows, after playing or owning one it might lose the appeal, but outward impression makes this a Fender of my desires
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Fender Dimension. Good idea. Poor execution. They could have knocked this one out of the park. Instead they opted for crappy electronics and poor production quality. Instead of improving on a basically good design, they dropped it. It smacks of a company who lost their passion for the products they build a long time ago.
slobake
resident ... something
Right now I have an Am Std P that I have been very happy with for several years. I also have a MIM P that I upgraded with Wilde (Bill Lawrence) pickups. It is a great backup. Don't need another bass so nothing could convince me to buy another Fender right now.
I may be building a Fenderbird this year but that is more for the building experience than having another bass.
I may be building a Fenderbird this year but that is more for the building experience than having another bass.
I have a Fender Roscoe Beck V that I absolutely love. It's not perfect, but for what it is designed to do, it's still a great instrument. I attribute the success of this instrument to the passion Roscoe put into this bass when he was with Fender. He absolutely insisted on the production units being a real pro instrument that was true to the original design. And then there was Bill Lawrence designing and building truly unique electronics.
I also have a Fender Precision with a custom pickup. (Dan something or other, I honestly don't remember.) For me, a good basic 'P' is just the thing for some recordings.
I also have a Fender Precision with a custom pickup. (Dan something or other, I honestly don't remember.) For me, a good basic 'P' is just the thing for some recordings.
Sometime in the future, I'd like to get a P bass mostly for collection purposes. Who knows... maybe I'll use it for recording. P's have a very unique tone that are difficult to almost impossible to achieve with contemporary basses. Same with Rickenbackers. The vintage tone aspect is very appealing. That's why Fender has been so successful, but yet frustrating because the company rests on its laurels.
For the price of US factory line made Fenders, I would rather spend that money on a Sandberg or a Maruszczyk. I would concider a Fender bass if they also made the mod shop available for Europe.
Win the lottery
, because I am gassing for a Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, Black body and black blocked maple neck and I would replace the pick guard with a black one and I would 'have' my 73 Jazz Bass that I regret selling years ago. I love Fender basses and guitars but I really have enough. Except the Geddy Lee. And a Telecaster.
They’d have to discontinue Squier and deplete the used market, for a start. A new Fender is way past the point of diminishing returns in terms of “bang for the buck.”
hi twofer 
I found it!
Fender poll. Part 4
Which is the best Fender Ultra thread of the Week?
this one?
Fender American Ultra Series - ???
or this one?
Dealer: Fender Ultra to replace Elite
or…
FENDER ULTRA?!
or this one?
Any one Know what Fender is Announcing on 11/05/19?
or?
Carrot News Megathread
because a good poll needs a carrots option!
greetings
Wise
If you have a suggestion for a 4th part, I'm open to it.
I found it!
Fender poll. Part 4
Which is the best Fender Ultra thread of the Week?
this one?
Fender American Ultra Series - ???
or this one?
Dealer: Fender Ultra to replace Elite
or…
FENDER ULTRA?!
or this one?
Any one Know what Fender is Announcing on 11/05/19?
or?
Carrot News Megathread
because a good poll needs a carrots option!
greetings
Wise
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As an owner of a 2002 MIJ Jazz, and a 2004 MIA P-Bass, a few things come to mind.
One, the color choices of Fenders leaves a lot to be desired - For me, personally. Also, when I do find a Fender body, and color, I like, it doesn't have a Maple fretboard, or when I find a Maple fretboard, it is a body, and color, I do not like. Thus, the two Fenders I do own, both are older models, sourced over the net. One off of Reverb, and the other poached off of Fleabay.
Now, Fender comes out with the American Ultra Jazz, in Plasma Red Burst, Maple fretboard, plus block inlays - And it is a Five-String!!! No sale for me, there.
And, finally, go into any music store, and there are no Fender Basses to try out.
One, the color choices of Fenders leaves a lot to be desired - For me, personally. Also, when I do find a Fender body, and color, I like, it doesn't have a Maple fretboard, or when I find a Maple fretboard, it is a body, and color, I do not like. Thus, the two Fenders I do own, both are older models, sourced over the net. One off of Reverb, and the other poached off of Fleabay.
Now, Fender comes out with the American Ultra Jazz, in Plasma Red Burst, Maple fretboard, plus block inlays - And it is a Five-String!!! No sale for me, there.
And, finally, go into any music store, and there are no Fender Basses to try out.
I'm sticking with more pickup options. If they come up with a nice pickup, with a sweet spot for it, put it on a Jazz or Precision body. There's no need to do a Dimension, or other new body. They'll put Humbuckers on Strats. Why can't we have a Stingray type pickup on a J or P?
