Fender price increase

[Jim C]

I think this is the thing to me: there are better basses for $2k than US Fender. Certainly better basses for $1k than MIM Fender basses. Imo Fender hasn't been worth it for a while

I don't disagree with this thinking but haven't played that many basses that I could say this about.
$2.4K for Stingrays seems high but they sell a ton of them and the do play great
I think you might find a low option Sandberg for $2kish
Maybe the new Sadowsky's?

Which are on your list?

 

[Harper]

I’ve been playing bass for 29 years and have had a Fender or several in the stable for the majority of them. Of all the gear trends that have come and gone in that time, two things have remained constant:

1. People loooovvvve to complain about Fender.

and….

2. You sure see a lot of Fenders on TV, in music stores, etc.

Just saying. *shrug*

 

[TheArchitect]

You’re all the very best virtual friends! I’d give you a discount if I could.

But if I were Fender’s CMO I’d raise prices on every electric bass and guitar twice a year until it adversely affected dealer commitments. Then I’d restructure dealership agreements as they expired and proactively decrease discount protections to any legacy dealer unwilling to commit to an annual unitary increase in order volume.

Demand trumps supply with this brand.

You must have worked for Gibson... That works if you have no competition. They have some..

 

[bordinco90]

Wow. Glad I have what I have!

Same here!

 

[Geri O]

Yeah it's a weird thing how somehow Fender gear is perceived as snobbish at times, when in truth Fender has historically always been the "workingman's guitar"..."the 2X4 guitar"...the mass-produced, screwed-together, "affordable alternative" to the other much more expensive USA-made guitars down through the years (Gibson, Gretch, Rickenbacker, Guild, to name a few).

I guess it's the inevitable paradigm progression, once the uber-cheap imports arrived from places that practically use slave labor and commit hideous environmental abuses in order to "compete".

So now apparently, playing a Fender is "gear snobbery", but playing a Chinese Squier is "socially and environmentally responsible"?

But wait....how do the Glarry and SX fans view the Squier players?....as gear snobs?

I gotta say, you make some really good points here!….

 

[blendermassacre]

I don't disagree with this thinking but haven't played that many basses that I could say this about.
$2.4K for Stingrays seems high but they sell a ton of them and the do play great
I think you might find a low option Sandberg for $2kish
Maybe the new Sadowsky's?

Which are on your list?

G&L L-1000, Dingwal D-Roc, Sandberg probably. For a little more you get into "custom bass on sale" territory

Also for $2k, there's a hell of a lot of used basses that are fantastic, even tho that's not really what this discussion is about

 

[Sam Dingle]

here is what I've saved. It'll be interesting to see any increase. i just saved the main series of basses

 

[ADHD librarian]

About three years ago I ordered a Kiloton Tribute for $AU860, today that'd cost me $AU1069.
That's about a 25% increase in price over three years.

There's a hell of a lot of shipping involved to get stuff to Australia & our dollar has been slowly trending down against the $US for about ten years.

 

[BAG]

Imagine if Fender disappeared tomorrow.


Just buy a bass that does the job but doesnt have the snob appeal.

When I think of Fender basses, “snob appeal” isn’t part of those thoughts.

Actually, I understand what IamGroot implies.
I'm pretty confident that you could find thousands of posts on this and other forums about people who have been scoffed at for playing a Squier, or people who have missed out on a gig as they don't own a Fender.

While Fender were at one time considered "the working man's bass" over the past 20 years or more it has changed to the point that an American Made Fender is something to aspire to and if you don't own a Fender bass you're not really serious as a bass player. Even owning a Mexican Fender is considered an inferior choice amongst some musicians.

The people in the crowd???? They couldn't care less.

 

[IamGroot]

Actually, I understand what IamGroot implies.
I'm pretty confident that you could find thousands of posts on this and other forums about people who have been scoffed at for playing a Squier, or people who have missed out on a gig as they don't own a Fender.

While Fender were at one time considered "the working man's bass" over the past 20 years or more it has changed to the point that an American Made Fender is something to aspire to and if you don't own a Fender bass you're not really serious as a bass player. Even owning a Mexican Fender is considered an inferior choice amongst some musicians.

The people in the crowd???? They couldn't care less.

Thank you

 

[Joe Nerve]

Thanks for this. Guess whose waiting till 2023 to sell his Fenders ?

Just sold a Mustang. Have an American P and an MIM Jazz to go.

 

[IamGroot]

Yeah it's a weird thing how somehow Fender gear is perceived as snobbish at times, when in truth Fender has historically always been the "workingman's guitar"..."the 2X4 guitar"...the mass-produced, screwed-together, "affordable alternative" to the other much more expensive USA-made guitars down through the years (Gibson, Gretch, Rickenbacker, Guild, to name a few).

I guess it's the inevitable paradigm progression, once the uber-cheap imports arrived from places that practically use slave labor and commit hideous environmental abuses in order to "compete".

So now apparently, playing a Fender is "gear snobbery", but playing a Chinese Squier is "socially and environmentally responsible"?

But wait....how do the Glarry and SX fans view the Squier players?....as gear snobs?

I think improvements in manufacturing and quality control have made many imports "workingmans guitars" today.

 

[roswell1965]

I didn't know William Devane was a bassist

Is it safe??

 

[blendermassacre]

I think improvements in manufacturing and quality control have made many imports "workingmans guitars" today.

this is my opinion as well. Also I feel like in the past all of the "cheap" brands were trying to imitate fender, but now it feels like not 100% the case. I will say my $500 Sire D5 has made me happier than any Fender has (I've owned a slew of MIM, MIJ and MIC fenders, played quite a few American ones)

 

[Sharko]

Squier would never let this happen

 

[blendermassacre]

Squier would never let this happen

lol those anniversary Squiers for $599 disagree

 

[roswell1965]

Anyone bother to compare what a Fender cost in the 60's to todays dollars?

Bingo.
Even at 2K a MIA Fender is an incredible bargain.
/ thread

 

[roswell1965]

Lucky the cost of practicing isn't increasing eh.

Only the opportunity cost: all those tik-tok clips unseen and time not spent chasing one's tail in internet gear forums LMAO

 

[blendermassacre]

Only the opportunity cost: all those tik-tok clips unseen and time not spent chasing one's tail in internet gear forums LMAO

Moving an amp and cab next to my work desk has done wonders. If I'm just sitting here avoiding work it's easy to get a quick 30 in instead of picking up my phone. Practicing on company time is better than free.

 

[BlueTalon]

Bingo.
Even at 2K a MIA Fender is an incredible bargain.
/ thread

For 2K, they should offer more options and have more consistent quality.