Fender poll. Part 3.

[PWRL]

To start, I love Fenders. I'm looking at USA Jazzes, at the moment. For participation purposes, I answered "lower prices" because that would be nice.
So, what would make me even more liable to buy a Fender instead of G&L or Warmoth would be to put the right vintage appointments where they belong. Put the right fretboard radius on the American Original series. Why they have a 9.5 radius, I'm not sure.
Alternately, I don't think the vintage phillips head type truss rod head should be on anything ever again, vintage or no. I've never met a single person who likes having to take the neck off or jab a screwdriver in there, instead of just using a simple 3/16 hex key.
However, I don't have much of a problem with Fender. I think they should bring Sunn back, but that's really about it. I like Fenders, and I'll probably buy another one within a year, I bet.

 

[eJake]

I will not buy another new Fender. That's what you guys with day jobs are for. I will buy them "used" from you when your significant other complains about how many you have.

Besides I'm still all wet from the bath I took on the 2015 American Deluxe V that I never should have bought new.

 

[Fun With Dirt]

I dunno. I already own one. I was alright with the price. Wasn't cheap... but I love it and it is the only bass I have. Don't really want another. If I lost this, I would try to replace it with as much exactly the same thing as I could.

 

[Mastermold]

+1. I'm willing to pay Mod Shop pricing, but not Custom Shop pricing. The ability to order direct remains essential, as my local authorized dealer – a mom & pop – closed up earlier this year.

+2
I've already got a bunch of Fender basses and I really like playing them. But the "Mod Shop" is still of interest, and they have increased their color options. I just wish they had more configuration options like back when it was the "American Design Experience." As I recall you could mix and match better back then.

 

[dcbluesbass]

A Gig!! Chance to play!!!

 

[bassliner50]

Nothing would make me buy a new Fender (or any other new instrument for that matter). There are inumerable used instruments out there. I can evaluate them, coax them back to perfect condition if need be. (and usually they need quite a bit). Although I can afford to do otherwise, I choose to aquire used. Why? Personal satisfaction of self improving a worthy canidate, economy, benefit to seller who needs cash, recycling of instruments, there are no expiration dates on instruments, etc. That said, I approve the purchase of new instruments to others who choose to do so.

 

[Glenn Johnson]

I voted "something else". For me they will need to improve quality control considerably for me to buy another Fender. The last two MIAs I've purchased (AmPro and AO60 P-basses) both had serious issues and should never have left the factory. The Player P-bass I purchased also had issues. And the new Squiers... well, after reading the mixed reviews around here it seems like a lottery so I haven't bothered.

For me Fender hit a peak with the rock solid later version of the American Standards, the AMAZING last decade or so of AVRIs and also the Chinese Squier CVs which were outstanding for their price range. Everything since has been a huge disappointment from top to bottom IMO.

My 2015 AV '59 P bass in White Blonde, ash body and maple fretboard is OUTSTANDING. Now that I put a set of the TI jazz flats on it, it is even better! Cheers!

 

[bassliner50]

So where is Fender poll Part 2?

 

[Nephilymbass]

Answer the question and discuss however you wish.

I am unable to edit the poll anymore for some reasons. The choice ending in "ip" is supposed to be "Being able to order direct from Fender with any options I want."

Check out these two as well please.

For me it would be "Something else". Bring back the Roscoe Beck 5.

OK let's do this. Fender poll. Part 1

Fender poll. Part 2

I have two fenders at the moment. An acoustic and a 5 string jazz. I’d like to see a few different models introduced in the player series line personally. I know it sounds crazy because fender has made so many variations on a jazz and p bass throughout the years but ironically enough there are two 5 strings in particular that they always seem to ignore.

There is no mid priced 5 string p. They did a squier version for a bit which I believe is discontinued now and then the American p5 that is a huge jump up in price for something as simple as a P bass. I would think a 5 string player series precision bass would be a good seller.

Also would like to see a player series jazz Fretless 5. Not getting my hopes up on that though. They’ll often have 4-5 different 4 string Fretless basses ranging from Squier to MIM to MIA and at times even did things like made a 6 string fretless Steve Bailey signature. I just don’t get why they blow off the 5 string crowd.

 

[hardtop]

Price is a factor but Im probably a buyer if they had 35" scale 4 strings. Also, Better, beefier, bridges.

Reverse P pickup configuration option and luminlay side-markers would be cool too.

 

[Tom Gallo]

Lower prices for USA instruments and a much larger choice of colors.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

I voted "something else", but only because I have little interest in another Fender, but nothing against them, either. They just don't do anything that I need. I've got fantastic non-Fender P and J basses, and my biggest loyalty is to G&L, Regenerate Guitar Works (RIP), and Brady Muckelroy.

That said, I wouldn't ever say "never" to another Fender. I've had a couple of REALLY exceptional Fender Jazz V's in my time that I really wish I still had.

 

[Alex J]

If they released a 70s style jazz or precision in mocha brown I'd chuck money at them immediately.

Or if they made the mod shop available in the UK.

 

[Crash 56]

I wish Fender would offer a five string with tighter string spacing, something like G&L does. I guess I could just get another G&L.....

 

[Snaxster]

Answer the question and discuss however you wish...

tf, I like your Fender poll series and voted in each. When I realized what my honest answer was for this one ("Go back to making them exactly like they did in 1959"), I started guffawing.

What is past is past. It ain't coming back. But man if I could get a 1959 Precision and a 1960 Jazz as from a time machine, new from the factory, I would have all the Fender bass guitars I could ever need.

 

[Mannyinnewyork]

Medium scale basses. I love my medium scale jazz bass but it's 25 years old and I doubt I could replace it.

 

[lizardking837]

I picked 'Something Else.'

For me price is the biggest factor. I have my 'GAS List' and other basses that I'm interesting in buying and 99 times out of 100 price is the defining factor in whether or not I am interested or willing to buy a bass.

Of the other options 'Making them like 59' would be nice but I feel like it would be a step backwards spec wise, on the other hand, handbuilding them would probably cost as much as the Custom Shop (see paragraph one).

It would also be nice to see more customize option and better pricing the mod shop, especially for basses.

So to summarize I would like more customizability (if that's not a word, it is now) and at a better price point.

 

[Charlzm]

I am totally a Dingwall player now, so, to get me back, Fender would have to offer something as good or better at a similar or lower price.

 

[Chickenwheels]

A 9lb. Roscoe Beck V. I already have a heavier RBV and even the weight of that doesn’t bother me too much, however, a lighter bass would be an improvement on an already amazing instrument.
There are gazillions of Fender 4 strings out there second hand. That’s how I’ve always bought them.

 

[Gizmot]

I played a 60s P for quite a few years and came to the realization that I needed something else. I got rid of the P, got a Ric 4001 (in ‘79) and swore I’d never have another Fender bass. Other than my G&Ls and MusicMans, I’ve kept my promise to myself.