Fender price increase

[DWBass]

No offense, which are the cheaper boutique American made basses available for purchase new? Just because Harley Benton's are so cheap, you think they should just price American Fenders at $499.99? When these never costed that low even back in the day?

American boutique basses will always be several thousand dollars, whether the models are "simple"
P basses or 3 pickup custom electronics versions.

Boutique quality instruments not made in the USA can be excellent, and one can prefer them to an American Fender-but it's not apples to oranges, which is what many popular YouTube reviewers fail to understand, or are being misleading about. No offense intended once again. I also seek "value"-not rich-but it is not a fair comparison when comparing Indonesia vs USA production costs. Much easier to produce fancy "super boutique" basses at a lower pricepoint when you do not have to pay as much to produce them.

I get it. Just saying Fender is now in a different territory price wise and there are better basses at that same price point. They are competing and producing lesser quality (my educated opinion) instruments. No offense taken but I won’t ever buy a new Fender. Not a fan of their necks anyway. I’m spoiled with my Lakland neck profiles.

 

[Snert]

And where are all the Fender detractors to demonize the hi-end FSO builders (insert any name) whose prices are multiples of what Fender's prices are? How is a $6K NYC Sadowsky worth three times what a Fender costs?

I have long stated that I think they are even more overpriced for what you get.

You have to suspect that the Fender haters are even more contemptuous (envious?) of owners of high dollar gear, than of the typical Fender owner.

Not at all. I've owned a couple of Alembics and other expensive boutiques, purchased second hand at far more than a new MIA Fender or EBMM. I really liked them but chose to move them on for other financial reasons, not because I though they were bad.
FWIW, I don't 'hate' Fenders, I just don't think they're worth the money, couldn't care less about the history as a tool purchaser and don't find them comfortable ergonomically. I've stated this before more than once, but if you don't love them around here and/or think Leo is a god (capital G here only for the actual God) then some bring out the very loaded term 'hater'.

Note, the above would also apply to new EBMMs which I think are just silly money.

"Paying for the name" is more like paying for the legacy. That legacy has value to many, and the same can be said for other iconic guitar brands.

If I needed a P bass, especially for the aesthetics, I'd but a HB. Any work it needed I can do and I would still be better off than a new MIA by almost a factor of 10. It would not lose any particularly significant value in terms of actual $, do exactly the same job, and would have the benefit of annoying gear snobs.
So, not interested at all in paying for the name or legacy.

Their QC is so bad and the prices are SO HIGH that I wouldn't even consider it ever.

I've mentioned here I'm sure, that I had the opportunity to play a very expensive Gibson LP CS recently and was surprised how poor it was in FnF especially for the exalted price. There are plenty of clones I'd rather have for far less money, such as a FGG lawsuit era one (which I have).

If you love MIA instruments, Fender, EBMM or whatever and are happy to pay for them and fell you're getting a lot out of that, wonderful, I honestly hope they bring you joy. Just don't assume all of us feel the same way, and try not to get your panties in a twist when we express it, and can find an equivalent tool for much less money.

 

[Iridescentone]

I don't think they get a pass. I don't really like stingrays so spending over $2k for one isn't it for me. Rics are so hit or miss that I don't know that I would buy one new, and especially one I couldn't play first. Sucks about G&L because I like the features and would like to have one.

Gibson is in it's own category. Their QC is so bad and the prices are SO HIGH that I wouldn't even consider it ever. I don't even know why they're bothering now. (info if you haven't seen: )

My reference to "the other guys" was mostly re the hi-end FSO makers like AC, Sadowsky, etc, in response to the poster who I quoted, not much to Fender's direct competitors, not re Ric, Gibson, EBMM, G&L, etc.

 

[Black_In_Mind]

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

I'm sure the snobbery with Fender basses has to do with the perception out there that Fender basses are part of the band image and anything less than a MIA Fender or a Fender decal on the headstock is seen as less professional. Doesn't take many of those kind of people to cause a stink with the internet around to document it.

 

[Iridescentone]

Yeah the last bass I looked at used had an incredible bow in the neck and the truss rod was stripped. The seller advertised it as perfect working condition. No thank you. Glad it was in person because I just lost 20 minutes of driving instead of having to fight them over a Reverb refund.

I love a deal but I also recognize that this is a luxury hobby. If I can afford $400 for used gear that I don't need, I can wait until I have $600 for new gear that I don't need. New gear usually lasts longer and hasn't been beaten up by anybody.

Some gear is great used. Cabinets for example. But instruments, nah, not unless I can put my hands all over it and make sure its truly in good shape.

Different strokes...

I'm in the other camp when it comes to used gear. I avoid used amps, cabs, and generally most electronic equipment, including home entertainment stuff. Been burned too many times.

I equate buying used elec gear with buying used cars or motorcycles, which often results in inheriting "somebody else's troubles". What do people do when their car develops an issue that's not worth having fixed?...they sell it or trade it before the problem worsens to the point that no one will want it. The "hot potato" scenario?

Used basses don't scare me. I can take care of minor issues myself, and don't mind doing so. Serious probs beyond the scope of what I'm willing to work on, or are beyond my abilities...I just return them. There are usually enough red flags in a listing to avoid potential pitfalls (which is an acquired skill learned by rote). It's still a hassle but....

 

[FFEJY]

For sale in my town for 725$ . Good deal? Someone mentioned this bass here.

 

[Krizz]

In five years, will everyone be bemoaning the fact that a MIA fender is now somewhere between $2500 and $2750, and wishing for the days when they were just $2000, like today?

 

[thrashingbass]

I do not think Fender was a god/only a P bass matters etc. But I am used to and love Precisions, because I started with a P bass style bass. I can happily use non-Fender Precisions as well, if they suited me. They have to have a special appeal, whether value, body design, feel, etc. But may as well stick to Fender for a Precision bass? That is all. I do not put anyone, individual or company, on a pedestal. There is a lot of "reverse gear snobbery" against honest, non-bragadocious Fender fans. Personally do not care if a bassist only plays chinese instruments-they should play whatever inspires and allows them to make the music they love.

But the workers deserve to be paid. Just because one does not favor a Fender over a Harley Benton, does not mean American Fender "is not worth it". The HBs just take almost no production money to make in comparison. With such a extreme practical view, very few companies deserve to exist, and the local builders should just quit and surrender all production to overseas.

What I would grant any critics is that USA made instruments better have top notch quality control compared to the budget lines. No excuse for shoddiness when you are representing top of the line instruments. However, QC accidents could happen-just should not be the norm.

 

[Wood and Wire]

What am I looking at here?

It looks like a sharks arse hole.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

What am I looking at here?

It looks like a sharks arse hole.

 

[skycruiser]

What am I looking at here?

It looks like a sharks arse hole.

I was afraid to ask...

 

[Iridescentone]

I don't think they get a pass. I don't really like stingrays so spending over $2k for one isn't it for me. Rics are so hit or miss that I don't know that I would buy one new, and especially one I couldn't play first. Sucks about G&L because I like the features and would like to have one.

Gibson is in it's own category. Their QC is so bad and the prices are SO HIGH that I wouldn't even consider it ever. I don't even know why they're bothering now. (info if you haven't seen: )

When Gibson introduced the gen2 EB4 I thought they may have finally struck gold with a sleek, light, twin pickup bass with good ergos and a reasonable price tag for a USA-built bass. I missed out on that one, waited too long for a nice used one to pop up...then in a blink of the eye, they were disco'd. I would still like to snag one like this, someday...

 

[blendermassacre]

I do not think Fender was a god/only a P bass matters etc. But I am used to and love Precisions, because I started with a P bass style bass. I can happily use non-Fender Precisions as well, if they suited me. They have to have a special appeal, whether value, body design, feel, etc. But may as well stick to Fender for a Precision bass? That is all. I do not put anyone, individual or company, on a pedestal. There is a lot of "reverse gear snobbery" against honest, non-bragadocious Fender fans. Personally do not care if a bassist only plays chinese instruments-they should play whatever inspires and allows them to make the music they love.

But the workers deserve to be paid. Just because one does not favor a Fender over a Harley Benton, does not mean American Fender "is not worth it". The HBs just take almost no production money to make in comparison. With such a extreme practical view, very few companies deserve to exist, and the local builders should just quit and surrender all production to overseas.

What I would grant any critics is that USA made instruments better have top notch quality control compared to the budget lines. No excuse for shoddiness when you are representing top of the line instruments. However, QC accidents could happen-just should not be the norm.

Saw this today...

 

[Bassic_desires]

As further info to my original post . . .

Today, I spoke to the owner of our local music store, who is almost exclusively a Fender dealer. He confirmed a 10-15% price increase for most Fender products from 1 Jan. In response, I ordered a Fender Jazz bass. It should arrive next week

 

[Snert]

Today, I spoke to the owner of our local music store, who is almost exclusively a Fender dealer. He confirmed a 10-15% price increase for most Fender products from 1 Jan.

The local distributor likely also wants the current stock depleted to zero before the new stock arrives at a higher price. If you have old stock at $1000 hanging next to new stock at $1150 it's going to invite questions re pricing and at best simply looks bad so I bet the distributor is offering discounts to the dealers, or some other accommodation as well. This would apply to many brands.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

Fender's way overrated.

Yeah, but they sure have great resale value! Never had an issue selling one!

 

[Shawn Luckman]

I know we are questioning Fender's upcoming price hike but I own, a vintage Hofner 500/1 and the prices of new Hofner 500/1's make Fender prices look good.

 

[FFEJY]

What am I looking at here?

It looks like a sharks arse hole.

It's a rare one-eyed cyclops shark:

Pictures: Rare "Cyclops" Shark Found

So rare, apparently this lady ate it like a burrito.

Still looks better than that Lakland bridge.

 

[Snert]

Still looks better than that Lakland bridge.

LOL!

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

It's a rare one-eyed cyclops shark:

Pictures: Rare "Cyclops" Shark Found

So rare, apparently this lady ate it like a burrito.

Still looks better than that Lakland bridge.

Or the Moollon headstock …