Fender predictions for 2024?

[cnltb]

More 'new' and Oh so special Ps and Js.

 

[Phaidrus]

Not a prediction but a quick assessment of a couple of Pbasses I own. So judging from my limited experience with my 2008 Am.Std. Pbass and my 2017 Am.Prof. Pbass, I'd say that

- the 5-bolt neck joint is, aesthetically, a deal breaker

- current high mass bridge works well, so why change it?

- fluted tuner shafts work well with rounds; have never put flats on this bass but can imagine it may be a problem with longer, thicker E flatwound strings, e.g. GHS, being forced to tighter bends.

- the V-Mod pickup I never liked and replaced it with a 62 Original

- 63 C neck profile & tall narrow frets make a faster neck with increase playability, better suited to more technical playing

- as of color choice, as long as there is OW on offer, I'm covered.

 

[SteC]

This is a fun game

You might well be right about a new range next year. Part of the reason for my timing of buying an American Professional II before the end of the year, was so it doesn't get snatched away and replaced with something more expensive. I suppose the risk I run is that there might be a colour in the new range that I like more than what I got. If they start doing the fretless in Sienna Sunburst, I'll be annoyed. But, I'll console myself with the fact that I'd definitely have spent more if I waited.

I agree that Dark Night will go. I like it, but it's kind of a quirky choice, and when I was shopping for my fretless, it seems it's not stocked as widely as the Sunburst and Olympic White ones (they will both stay).

I keep wondering whether Fender will go back to rosewood (instead of pau ferro) for some of their ranges, with the CITES thing having been lifted.

Wait what's going on with CITES now haha? It's hard to keep track.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

What will FMIC do in 2024? Release 3 signature jazz basses and 3 signature P basses, none of which will have 5 strings

 

[manchego_eggo]

Not sure if Fender will change much in their instrument lineup.

I do look for additions and improvements to the Rumble series of bass combos, amp heads and cabinets to counter/compete with the success of Ampeg's Rocket Bass series.

(I'd like to see a 500 or 800 watt, self contained (no extension cab needed for full wattage), drivers vertically aligned, 212 combo.)

omg a rumble 212 would destroy my wallet. Especially with neo drivers!

 

[jd56hawk]

I don’t own any short scales, but for the right one, I’d buy one. I like the idea of fat notes on the upper register of the D and G string. I think the Rascal needs to be short scale, and an “American Professional” treatment would be pretty cool, so long as they ditched the VMod pickups and did something cool with the dual humbuckers.

Yes, I never came close to buying a short-scale bass, but if I actually see this one hanging up at one of the stores I frequent, I'd have a hard time walking out without it.

 

[MtManiac]

Yes, I never came close to buying a short-scale bass, but if I actually see this one hanging up at one of the stores I frequent, I'd have a hard time walking out without it.

What *is* that?

 

[JakobT]

I’m looking at you, Dimension!

Probably not. The Dimension was an interesting bass, but if it couldn’t reach sufficient popularity and sales in four years, it clearly wasn’t going to happen.

 

[jd56hawk]

What *is* that?

Italia Cavo.
I'd buy it even if I saw it on Reverb without having the opportunity to try it, actually, based on how good this Italia is.

 

[petermwright]

Wait what's going on with CITES now haha? It's hard to keep track.

I could be wrong, but I thought they lifted the restrictions on rosewood.

 

[Killing Floor]

I predict Fender recycles 3 colors from the palette. Maybe Pearl White, Sonic Blue and Black. And of course 3TS will remain.

And I predict TalkBass servers will need to be replaced because not Some but All Y’all will freak the duck out that Precision Basses and Jazz Basses are being discontinued when you see the color change announced. Just like y’all did in 2023 and 2022 and…

I LOVE Fender. It’s the look and feel and sound of rock’n’roll. And every other genre for 70 years. But Fender hasn’t changed squat since before Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon.
Love ya, but it’s true.

 

[bassdude51]

(If not already mentioned.) "Ahh, higher prices?"

 

[covermego]

No prediction here, but as @Bunk McNulty posted, a medium scale line would probably get a good amount of sales. I'd jump at a medium scale Dimension or a Jazz. I'm currently playing my Affinity Jaguar basses and totally dig them (especially after doing pickup mods, lol).

 

[DuluthDank]

I'd like to see more light wood options. The roasted pine bodies on the American Pro II jazz basses usually run around 8 lbs.

Why not roast an alder body for weight reduction and paint over it? I like the weight but not necessarily the look of roasted wood.

 

[OnTheDownLow]

I'd like to see a '69 telecaster bass reissue. If it has that horrible amber tint on the neck though that's an instant deal breaker.

 

[jim nolte]

In a stunning turn of events Fender will be bought out by Dean.

 

[Stranger Danger]

A 35” scale 5 string with a modern 12” radius would be ideal

So it definitely won’t happen

 

[TK4261]

2024 price increase for sure....

 

[Thumpin6string]

My prediction is they will close the US factory and ship everything overseas and then raise prices to the same range as Fodera.

 

[DrBnz]

I'd like to see the truss rod adjustment "WHEEL" come back.
The issue of neck dive would be good to address. Smaller headstock / lighter tuners, etc.
Pull the neck into the body more for a shorter overall length
More color options - I like the red ideas
Adjustable NUT design
New bridge design - nothing sharp (like height screws) sticking UP