On the “make them like ‘59” thing: I played a 1958 Precision last week. It wasn’t anything amazing, really. Nice, but not astonishingly so. Also, QC was up and down right through all production years.
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Fender poll. Part 3.
- Thread starter two fingers
- Start date
There are no wrong honest answers to an opinion poll.
Fender really hasn't ever produced a product that speaks to me. I own a Fender P and a Fender J (with P neck) because it's against the law not to. Because I already own one of each, there will be no need to ever buy another.
The only NEW Fender bass I've bought was an 08 Road Worn Fiesta Red Precision. I've still got it, it's a beauty!
And..... I bought that online.
I voted for more local availability, as I'm in a small city, and there's maybe 6 Fender basses instore at any one time. Never 2 of any one model, so if you luck upon one that fits you, it's a real good day.
I did like a Am Pro Jazz that was in there a while ago, but didn't get it then, and it was gone the next time I went in.
And..... I bought that online.
I voted for more local availability, as I'm in a small city, and there's maybe 6 Fender basses instore at any one time. Never 2 of any one model, so if you luck upon one that fits you, it's a real good day.
I did like a Am Pro Jazz that was in there a while ago, but didn't get it then, and it was gone the next time I went in.
Burwabit
Likes guitars that tune good and firm feelin women
Price and quality of Fenders are good. I like how they play and sound, esp. passive Fenders. I own 4 but have never and will likely never buy a new one. It's not you it's me. I buy used. I have never in my life bought a new bass. Amps yes, basses no.
The ONLY thing that would persuade me is some kind of a clearance/liquidation sale that approximates used prices.
The ONLY thing that would persuade me is some kind of a clearance/liquidation sale that approximates used prices.
$700+ bucks (probably more assuming a case and new strings) is above my budget for a hobby. And that’s a Mexican Fender. My used MIM jazz and Frankensquier make appropriate bass-like noises that are good enough for me.
I chose Being able to order direct from Fender with whatever I please...If you're going to have a Mod Shop, let us choose how we want it exactly! I would have bought several by now, but the choices are so limited, why would I want to spend that kind of money if it's not what I really want? I buy bodies and necks and my own parts now and build 'em the way I want. Have several NBD's in the works and will be revealing soon!
Well, I was torn but ended up voting lower prices. I don't have a P-bass and it's on my list to get. Looking at a new USA Fender P-bass, and having heard so many QC stories, I just don't "feel" (true, no first had experience) that it would be better than a G&L LB100 or certainly have as many color options, so it would have to be cheaper. And with so many good basses from other companies, and then the used market, there's so many other good options. Seems to me that their MIM P-bass is their best deal for a new bass.
I choose lower prices. You pretty much order what you want from Fender. Granted for more money. More color/fret board option can be had through the Mod shop, of course for more money. The Custom Shop can get you anything you want (Fender wise) starting around $4K.
I Fender style instrument can be had for far less and in some cases better quality than an off the shelf Fender.
I Fender style instrument can be had for far less and in some cases better quality than an off the shelf Fender.
I modded my 91 MIM Precision (bought new in 92) with a jazz neck and other pickups. Just played one of the new player Precision basses a month ago. There is something about such a simple bass that is perfect in its own way. It was really nice and I am going to buy one later this year. I chose something else (which really isn't the right option).
I voted something else: More disposable income. I have a Warmoth jazz that I love. I'd like a P bass, but it's pretty low on my priority list. If I had a big pile of money and GAS, I'd probably pick one up.
I love everything about Fender American J 5 basses except the weight. I prefer the passive version and can live with the price......but I have no use whatsoever for a bass that weighs over 9 lbs. It took me 10 years to find my '98 Am Std J 5 that weighs 8.2 lbs and has no dead spots......it has been my #1 for several years and will be pried from my cold, dead hands.......still patiently looking for another....
DiabolusInMusic
Functionless Art is Merely Tolerated Vandalism
I said nothing would but that is because I am happy with my current stable, not because of Fender's offerings (or lack thereof).
I voted “more color options”. That said I understand why Fender shys away from this, particularly with higher end models.
As a consumer it would make sense for them to do new color offerings, say every year for lines like the American Original series. The problem is Fender ends up in competition with its own products that are on the used market. If this year’s color is Lake Placid Blue and I want Burgandy Mist that they did two years ago then...
Given the modular design of their most popular instruments maybe they could do a little more with the Mod Shop, but again they have to limit the options to avoid cutting into the Custom Shop’s territory.
I suspect they’ll continue doing more of the limited run pieces as they’ve done for Guitar Center, Wildwood, Chicago Music Exchange, etc... That’s a pretty low risk venture for them and seems to be working well as a business model.
I have to hand it to Fender. Their toughest challengers are consumer indifference and their own past, and they seem to be doing well offering a range of products at every price point.
As a consumer it would make sense for them to do new color offerings, say every year for lines like the American Original series. The problem is Fender ends up in competition with its own products that are on the used market. If this year’s color is Lake Placid Blue and I want Burgandy Mist that they did two years ago then...
Given the modular design of their most popular instruments maybe they could do a little more with the Mod Shop, but again they have to limit the options to avoid cutting into the Custom Shop’s territory.
I suspect they’ll continue doing more of the limited run pieces as they’ve done for Guitar Center, Wildwood, Chicago Music Exchange, etc... That’s a pretty low risk venture for them and seems to be working well as a business model.
I have to hand it to Fender. Their toughest challengers are consumer indifference and their own past, and they seem to be doing well offering a range of products at every price point.
There needs to be more colour combination choices.
These things are mostly just bolted together from parts bins. I see absolutely no reason why you can't buy a (for example, don't fact check me!), say, Lake Placid Blue with a maple fingerboard, and tort 'this year.' You might have been able to in 2016, or 1998, or whatever, but not this year...
I shouldn't be difficult to order something like that without it being too custom - even from Mexico.
"Jeff" (or whomever - Jeff is a fictional character) in production drops a maple board neck, a tort pickguard, and an LPB body on the line, retrieves it the other end, and hands it shipping. Nothing else has to change.
However, the way it is now is that the Mod Shop has to be involved and they simply do what 'Jeff' did, and charge a bunch extra.
Sure you can get an LPB Precision with Maple, but you get a black pickguard in the Performer series! Not in the Professional series....no LPB there..
I'm sure the painting of a few extra bodies isn't too tough on them. I doubt that they'd have overstock.
Think how much business Fender lost to Carvin over the years because Carvin made 'custom' guitars from parts.
These things are mostly just bolted together from parts bins. I see absolutely no reason why you can't buy a (for example, don't fact check me!), say, Lake Placid Blue with a maple fingerboard, and tort 'this year.' You might have been able to in 2016, or 1998, or whatever, but not this year...
I shouldn't be difficult to order something like that without it being too custom - even from Mexico.
"Jeff" (or whomever - Jeff is a fictional character) in production drops a maple board neck, a tort pickguard, and an LPB body on the line, retrieves it the other end, and hands it shipping. Nothing else has to change.
However, the way it is now is that the Mod Shop has to be involved and they simply do what 'Jeff' did, and charge a bunch extra.
Sure you can get an LPB Precision with Maple, but you get a black pickguard in the Performer series! Not in the Professional series....no LPB there..
I'm sure the painting of a few extra bodies isn't too tough on them. I doubt that they'd have overstock.
Think how much business Fender lost to Carvin over the years because Carvin made 'custom' guitars from parts.
I'm something else. Essentially, I have what I need, but if they came up with something I was interested in, I'd check it out (I don't buy unplayed). For example, the cabronita did interest me, but I have not been able to find one to try (and of course, now it would have to be a used one.).
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