Fender Purists Probably Won't Like This Idea

[cassanova]

How would you feel if Fender went about making a modern looking bass instead of thier traditional body styles, and headstocks. Think something along the lines of their MB4/MB5 design, but with: slight body/headstock modifications, active electronics, quality wood, quality pickups, and hardware. Basically a higher end MIA Model.

 

[Geri O]

It’s been done several times over the years.

You see where those non-FSO basses are now….

 

[jd56hawk]

One that looks like that?
(Seriously, putting a 2x2 headstock on a Boxer doesn't help at all...it's every bit as uninspiring.)
The same as most of their other new ideas...no way will it fly.
Here's the best non-traditional bass they've ever made and we all know how this was received.

 

[BadSanta1281]

Why change old technology that still sells amazingly well?

Fender is the Harley Davidson of bass guitars. They build what their customers will buy.

 

[RSey716]

Naw, keep Fender, Fender. When you mention that brand for basses the first thing to come to mind is either a Jazz or Precision. Some folks like and some don't. That's fine But they are still and industry standard that others get compared to. Good or bad. Can Fender improve? You bet. Nothing is ever perfect and any process can be improved but to revamp a name for the sake of modernization would be a mistake. "Modern" basses have come and gone in popularity but Fender Jazzes and Precisions, as they are and look, are timeless. Just my 2cents.

 

[Thundar]

How would you feel if Fender went about making a modern looking bass instead of thier traditional body styles, and headstocks. Think something along the lines of their MB4/MB5 design, but with: slight body/headstock modifications, active electronics, quality wood, quality pickups, and hardware. Basically a higher end MIA Model. View attachment 4376640

If you want an American made version of that, then buy a Spector

 

[Lownote38]

My MB-5 has been a trusty workhorse since I bought it new in 1994. It's a great bass that Fender didn't hype enough. If anyone here doesn't want theirs, I'd be glad to take it.
I really miss the days of Fender Japan experimenting. Power Jazz Bass Special, Precision Lyte, MB-5, etc. Cool basses!

 

[Cabrodante]

fender zone

 

[Mastermold]

What is “modern” looking anyway? Seems like a pretty subjective criteria.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Fender cannot win if they tried. TB alone would have a 300 page thread on why Fender should just stick to Fenders. Along side it would be another 300 page thread on why Fender doesn’t modernize.

 

[darwin-bass]

Fender needs an offshoot brand name. Something free from the Fender baggage where they can build modern stuff. Smaller headstocks, light weight hardware slimmer bodies. But not with Fender on the name or anywhere the name.

Sort of like Lexus. Made by Toyota but without the Toyota name.

 

[Wilmingtonian]

Why change old technology that still sells amazingly well?

Fender is the Harley Davidson of bass guitars. They build what their customers will buy.

I'd say Rickenbacker is closer to that, not that I think your sentiment is wrong. But Fender comes out with stuff that differs from their core/historic/venerable/traditional line a lot more than Ric or Harley ever would.

 

[WillyW]

7ender barely makes 5 strings, they don’t need to change.

 

[Keith Guitars]

They did this in the '90s with the Prophecy line.
Decent basses, actually, but nobody wanted a Fender that looked like a Tobias or an Ibanez.
They just bought Tobiases and Ibanezes.

The irony is that nearly all the big companies that build "modern" fancy basses also make at least one Fender-inspired model.
It would be fair enough for Fender to flip the game...but they're too busy making money with Ps and Js.
(Though the Custom Shop did make one very odd, very modern looking bass for Tye Zamora from Alien Ant Farm.)

 

[jbrew73]

Ibanez has that style covered already. Let fender build fenders.

 

[matante]

Fender needs an offshoot brand name. Something free from the Fender baggage where they can build modern stuff. Smaller headstocks, light weight hardware slimmer bodies. But not with Fender on the name or anywhere the name.

Sort of like Lexus. Made by Toyota but without the Toyota name.

I don't see why one would care about this unless they actually work for Toyota. Before Lexus existed no one said, "I really wish Toyota would compete with Mercedes."

 

[Killing Floor]

Why change old technology that still sells amazingly well?

Fender is the Harley Davidson of bass guitars. They build what their customers will buy.

Yeah! Think about it. When you buy a Harley the first thing you do before you ride home is roll it to the shop to install the Screamin' Eagle kits and a lot more. Fenders are the original guitar/bass modding platform.
That's not good or bad, it's just an observation.

 

[two fingers]

How would you feel if Fender went about making a modern looking bass instead of thier traditional body styles, and headstocks. Think something along the lines of their MB4/MB5 design, but with: slight body/headstock modifications, active electronics, quality wood, quality pickups, and hardware. Basically a higher end MIA Model. View attachment 4376640

Because the B words would lose their ever loving minds. And a B word tantrum is ugly.


(Apparently I'm not allowed to call them Boomers by name. They get offended.)

 

[u2brothr]

Sort of like Lexus. Made by Toyota but without the Toyota name.

I drive a Scion xB..... but loves Fender.
"shrugs shoulders"

 

[chanson]

Fender needs an offshoot brand name. Something free from the Fender baggage where they can build modern stuff. Smaller headstocks, light weight hardware slimmer bodies. But not with Fender on the name or anywhere the name.

Sort of like Lexus. Made by Toyota but without the Toyota name.

I mean, technically Fender owns Jackson, Charvel, and others. Some of the stuff that has been produced under those brands has been a bit more experimental and modern than Fenders. Look at the Jackson Spectra basses, for example.