Fender poll. Part 3.

[mattj1stc]

FWIW, I'm not against Fender, and per the previous poll, I've purchased 4 new Fender basses (3 MIA and 1 MIJ) over the course of my life. Further, I have an affinity for the Precision style design, so Fender definitely did something right.

The reason that I don't buy Fenders anymore is that other companies make better quality, more cost effective versions of the same basses that I would normally have bought from Fender. Specifically, I've had very positive experiences with the Lakland Skyline Precisions, which again, I've found to be better made and lower priced than the Fender USA series.

Also, the spread between the Lakland Skylines and MIA Fenders is where I usually value new purchases. While I suppose I could afford a customer MIA Lakland or a Custom Shop Fender, that's too much to spend to me. Still, I would likely favor the Lakland over Fender as they would be more cost effective. Just my $0.02.

 

[CTBassGuy]

The Vintera line looks really nice. I’d like to be able to play one as a demo or trial. But I’m not going to pay anywhere close to $1000 for a Mexican made instrument... Sorry Fender.

 

[Muttleybass]

It's not about the quality, it's about the playability. When I was looking for a slimmer necked 4 I just liked the MM Sterling over the Jazz. When I was looking for a higher end 5 string, the Pre and Jazz 5 string necks are the same if not very similar and felt thick and heavy to me. They didn't feel right, so I found a Sandberg that I love for less then a used US Elite. Always wanted an older Jazz, but nothing I found made me crack my wallet. Had a red '78 rosewood/white block come damned close, tho'. Just a tad heavy and was over $2K.

And yep, their Elite series are way over-valued for what you get, IMO. Simply, there's less expensive options that will do the job as well or better. YMMV.

 

[Tommy V]

as far as Fender basses go, I have what I want.

 

[Nephilymbass]

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.

I also own a Dingwall and I’m in the same boat when it comes to the American made fenders. The prices have gone up to the point where they are now in a price range with a lot of serious competition.

But I do own two import fenders and wouldn’t be against buying another. I think they are a good value.

 

[Charlzm]

I also own a Dingwall and I’m in the same boat when it comes to the American made fenders. The prices have gone up to the point where they are now in a price range with a lot of serious competition.

But I do own two import fenders and wouldn’t be against buying another. I think they are a good value.

I have a CIJ GLJB from 2000 that's a great bass; love the neck, sounds great, looks cool. I never play it and it sits in its case in the closet because it just doesn't do anything for me anymore.

I'm all about those 5 string multiscales now. I have replaced the factory pickups in my Combustion with Nordstrand Big Singles and the factory pickups in my Afterburner 1 with Nordstrand Big Splits. They are far and away the best sounding and best playing basses I have ever had.

I just don't see how Fender can get me since they are not innovators and do not venture from traditional shapes and configurations.

 

[sears]

I'm not one who likes going to guitar stores is my problem. If I were to stumble on a NOS USA Dimension and try it out and love it, that'd be the most likely scenario in the short term. But when will I get to a store? Try never.

 

[Bassmantd]

Custom tops and electronics.

 

[Fluid Power]

Something else.......
With all the great deals on American Std Fenders out there used there's no reason to purchase new! Although I love my Fender P I bought new!
I own all American made basses.
1 Gibson
1 Peavey
4 P Basses: 2 Am Std, 1 Am Performer and 1 Am Special
3 J Basses: 2 Am Std and 1 Am Special
1 Rick

Just lots of great deals out there if you look.
YMMV

 

[Rebel Rocker]

I have all I need for now. (4) P basses, (2) Jazz, (2) Dimensions. All American Standards. And a few other brands. But I'll take a Fender plugged into a Mesa or Ampeg any day.

 

[pbassnut]

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.

Based on what I've seen, I would have to agree with this. Though I've heard plenty of TBers rave about their American Pro basses, almost all the ones I've seen on the racks in stores have been mediocre at best with some being downright horrid (especially given the price point they were being sold at). On the other hand, most of the 2013 to 2016 American Standard basses I've been exposed to (including a 2013 AS P and a 2016 AS J that I personally own and are both outstanding for what I like) were good ranging to stellar. I also concur on the early Chinese Squier CV basses. I have a tricked out Chinese made Squier CV P that I bought offa TB years ago that has a Seymour Duncan Antiquity II pickup, USA pots, orange drop cap, Gotoh 201 bridge and had professional fretwork done to it that is quite stellar for what it is. Of course, it was heavily modified in a positive manner by the previous owner. The drummer in one of my bands liked it so much, he wanted to get one from the same era himself and recently picked one up offa eBay. His is totally stock, yet it plays and sounds just as good as mine does so I think those bad boys are pretty darn good based on what I've seen * ... especially given their original low price point.

* However, I did see some Chinese Squier CV Ps and Js on the racks when they first hit the street that were pretty bad so they aren't all winners.

 

[GBBSbassist]

I wouldn't buy a new one now simply because I already have a P bass that I love.

That said, I'd wager many people would buy them if the prices were a tad lower. The issue I have with their prices is that at this point, there are so many builders out there making P style basses that are just flat out as good or better than Fender at the same or lower price point. With as many instruments as Fender is able to produce in a month vs. other manufacturers, their costs should be a lot more competitive when you're producing a product that isn't unique in any way.

 

[flyingfinbar]

I love Fenders. Love the old ones. Love the new ones. I just don’t like buying brand new gear. It’s nothing personal with Fender, either. I have an AVRI 63 P, an AVRI 62 J, and my ride or die six string is a ‘52 Hotrod tele...I just don’t like buying new.

 

[BogeyBass]

wouldn't take much to convince me

everything else is a copy, they are dumb looking

rather have the original

 

[Spidey2112]

"Nothing would make me want to buy a new Fender."

Nothing to do with price, QC, etc.

I have bought two new, and one used. I enjoy all of them, thoroughly. Regarding my situation, the stable is pretty full...

... there is one non-Fender on the way, too... could I have bought another new Fender? Yes.

Even if I didn't own a Fender, I would probably still get a used one... pretty generic, definitely mainstream, workhorses, etc.

What were we talking about?

 

[Spidey2112]

If you have a suggestion for a 4th part, I'm open to it.

If you can get Bruce Willis for the lead role, count me in.

 

[juancaminos]

I don't need another bass at this time, but if I did I would by a Jaguar or Aerodyne.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Fender basses just don't excite me. Nothing wrong with them, and if I need to play one I'm fine with it.

 

[bearfoot]

These are pretty cool, "modern", and not very spendy.

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if I needed another gigging, maybe road warrior 4-string workhorse, I might go for one of these, also not expensive -

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[dmt]

Prices are a bit high these days, but I could buy another Fender (they’re my favorite bass brand, after all).

Problem is, I already have 4 and I only need so many basses. I’ve got 2 Precisions, a Jazz and an MIJ Mustang. If anything, in the long term, I don’t really need two Precisions, so I’m just as likely to sell one as I am to buy another (maybe an American Performer Mustang in seafoam green, heh heh).

Ya know, thinking about it, I actually might have already pulled the trigger on an American Performer seafoam green Mustang that’s available at a local store (I haven’t tried it, but they’ll bring it in from their warehouse if I so much as give the word) if it were cheaper. The price made me tell them "Nah, that’s alright" when they asked if I wanted them to bring it in to the shop. Still, I’ve been thinking about going back. But every time I followed that thought with, "Nah, it’s a bit much and I don’t even need another bass". So, I’ll go back and vote "lower prices" in the poll