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Fender poll. Part 3.

What would it take to get you to buy a new Fender bass?

  • Lower prices.

    Votes: 198 25.2%
  • More color options.

    Votes: 69 8.8%
  • New and completley different models.

    Votes: 75 9.6%
  • Go back to making them exactly like they did in 1959.

    Votes: 61 7.8%
  • More local availability so I can try them out.

    Votes: 42 5.4%
  • Being able to order direct from Fender with any options I want

    Votes: 59 7.5%
  • Nothing would make me buy a new Fender.

    Votes: 144 18.3%
  • Something else. Please elaborate.

    Votes: 94 12.0%
  • Better Quality Control

    Votes: 43 5.5%

  • Total voters
    785
I voted for lower prices, though really I don't think the prices are so high as to be unreasonable. The chances that I would get a new Fender any time soon are slim, only because I bought a new one 9 months ago.

There is one thing that I think Fender should do, even though it wouldn't prevent me from buying a new Fender, and that's more options with regards to cases/gig bags. Specifically, Every Fender should have, at the very least, a gig bag with excellent all around protection. It doesn't need to be a Mono bag, but something better than what they offer. And, the Player basses aren't even offered with a gig bag, which is ridiculous. And, the bag included with the American Performer, a $1200 bass, comes with the same lame gig bag as the old standard MIM basses.
 
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Heavy Nitro Relics. Very Heavy. Relics. Like CS, but period correct.
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I voted price, but I have to also note color options as well. Part of the big appeal of EBMM instruments is that they look stunning and always have new exciting colors to balance out the more traditional burst/black/white options.

I like traditional, with the option to get something eye catching and new.

While this is debatable to many on here, when I buy a Sire or Yamaha I don't feel like I've been had. The only Fender range that I've gotten that didn't make me feel like I was paying more for a name was the Player series. This too is debatable and just might be my weirdness.
 
I voted more color options. Sienna burst with a maple neck / black blocks? That doesn't work for me, but a rosewood neck with pearl blocks would be nice. Not sure why they can't offer whatever neck / body color option YOU want. I guess that would become a "custom shop" option that takes it out of the standard production line - therefore....can't do it.

Another thing that would be nice IMO is if they'd offer a slightly undersized Jazz 5 bass - like Sadowsky - or the "dinky J" body that Warmoth offers (but they don't offer a "dinky J5!" or I would have built one up by now with a Fender neck). In addition to an undersized J5, maybe chamber the dang bodies to get them back to a reasonable weight of 8 to 9# vs the current 10 to 11#. That's actually another huge reason why I won't buy a Fender J5 - too heavy. I did own a Fender P5 for a while, but once again, the body just seemed too big IMO of course - the weight wasn't bad though - maybe 9 lbs.

Speaking of the P5 - why not offer a PJ5 ?!

I know - personal preference. I happen to like slightly smaller bodies after having owned a Tobias Killer B5 (Burbank shop) since 1990. And I recently discovered that I like the Roscoe LG series basses (very small body). And some folks like heavier basses with full size bodies.

The only Fender I currently own isn't even 100% Fender: Jazz Bass 4 with Fender neck, rosewood + pearl blocks on a Warmoth Dinky J body. My other Fender "style" bass is Warmoth - PJ 4 with a P body / Fender style neck.
 
My # 1 is a used Fender Elite Jazz V.
Im not shopping.... I got a great deal, I’ve had it refinished to my liking and it weighs less than any other 5 string I’ve ever owned .
The neck fits my hand like a glove .

I don’t think I can get another bass that I like as much with these specs for what I paid for mine . Even with the refinish , it was a steal.

I do think lower prices would help Fender move more product.