Fender Purists Probably Won't Like This Idea

[Polish Thunder]

Fender created the original P and J bass design that has been played by the some of the greatest bass players over the years in some of the most iconic songs of all time. Fender is the innovator, not the replicator (like a G&L, Lakland, Sire...).

Personally, I do not care if Fender came out with some modern designed basses. I would not even give them a passing glance. I like the look and feel of a traditional Fender bass and it gives me the old school sound that I love and want to play.

Why change if it ain't broke?

I say let the other bass manufactures that provide the modern bass designs have at it with those that prefer that design. Hey, to each his (or her) own.....

 

[Max Bogosity]

Apparently a 'modern-looking' bass is one that looks like 40 years ago instead of 60 years ago.

 

[GeorgesEric]

Fender runs a business, probably ran by a conservative group. The P and the J models are their money makers.

Just like GMC has been selling the same Savana van for the last 20 years.

 

[Jefenator]

The modern lines seem harder to mess up IMHO. This Roscoe isn't my all-time favorite visual design by a long shot, but it's good enough looking. The playability & very Fender-inspired sound are what makes this a total keeper of a workhorse.

So, I'm not too worried whether the actual Fender corporation ever delves back in to the modern shapes. AFAIC other makers have that very well covered.

 

[Paul New]

You have some reading to do around here. They do, and have, in the past.

And I also stated blatantly that there are exceptions. And I also said that these things are true in my experience (here and elsewhere).

And Mommy knows how to cut my PBJs with a smiley face so I'm never leaving here.

I don't remember the outrage when Fender introduced, just one example, the American Deluxe models. Anyone? In fact, I was so not outraged that I bought a Jazz. Wish I still had it. Small body, 24 frets, onboard preamp, new pickup design, maple veneer top...i think your experience must be too limited to serve as the basis for predicting the reaction of such a huge block of people.

 

[cassanova]

Fender has tested the waters a few times with the Dimension, Blacktop, Modern Player etc. the only successful one is the PJ..

All those had a vintage type look to them. Even the Dimension had the traditioinal headstock and somewhat traditional vibe to its body style.

So, it seems as though you think the vast majority of boomer bass players are fine with new bass designs, especially from Fender?

You seem to be implying that if Fender took off in an entirely different direction, putting the P and J in the back seat only offering a couple of black and burst models while the new models came with choices galore, boomer bass players wouldn't have a problem with that at all?

I'm not implying putting the P or J on the backburner at all. I'm simply suggesting adding an entirely different line to their aresenal. One that's not a the traditional body style, or headstock style they have. A bass designed for the modern player. I like Fenders too, but there's going to eventually come a time Fender will have to rethink it's image. Most younger folks, playing modern metal and prog rock, don't typically go for a Fender. I think if they built one for them, and marketed it right, they'd stand a chance of having a sucessful bass.

 

[alack]

I wonder if the Martin Co. goes through this on guitar forums?

 

[Hevy T]

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.

You mean like maybe Jackson or Charvel?

 

[tpaul]

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.

This is a great idea. They could experiment all they want without threatening their core business.

 

[J-Bassomatic]

Like an Aerodyne?

Mmm - Aerodyne! That's one that is different enough but still classic. Would love me an Aerodyne but can't/won't/shouldn't/shan't must..resist..must..resist..grrr arrrgh. Whew, that was close! Too close Jeezy!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Mmm - Aerodyne! That's one that is different enough but still classic. Would love me an Aerodyne but can't/won't/shouldn't/shan't must..resist..must..resist..grrr arrrgh. Whew, that was close! Too close Jeezy!

Get it! You've got more than enough to pay your bills. They aren't gonna make them forever. When they stop production, prices are gonna sky rocket!

 

[wazzel]

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.

They did in the 90's. Heartfield was a fender line. Some even have fender on the headstock.

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[antfarm]

 

[Doublesixes]

Ah....no.

 

[MattZilla]

Just doing my part to get this monster to twenty pages by Tuesday.

the best modern bass is coming from Ableton, FL Studio, and Reaper…

not from people fretting wire strings to wire frets implanted into a piece of wood.

 

[bobalu]

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

Fender Response: "Been there, done that - got the low sales figures to prove it."
Aerodyne, Dimension, Fender Electric XII, Maverick, Performer, Katana................ I'm sure I'm missing a few.

 

[RichterScale]

All those had a vintage type look to them. Even the Dimension had the traditioinal headstock and somewhat traditional vibe to its body style.

I'm not implying putting the P or J on the backburner at all. I'm simply suggesting adding an entirely different line to their aresenal. One that's not a the traditional body style, or headstock style they have. A bass designed for the modern player. I like Fenders too, but there's going to eventually come a time Fender will have to rethink it's image. Most younger folks, playing modern metal and prog rock, don't typically go for a Fender. I think if they built one for them, and marketed it right, they'd stand a chance of having a sucessful bass.

But, why do you want Fender to build it? There are so many other instrument builders, big and small that build sooooo many different basses. And many of them are higher quality. Even if they are the same overall quality, so many of them are so much more versatile and sound great without modifications, out of the box.
So, why do you want Fender to build something fresh? Contrary to what many others believe, if you play a ton of other basses, you'll quickly learn that the P bass stopped being the benchmark for what a bass "should" or can be, a looong time ago.
Just like Leo stood on the shoulders of others and made improvements to other people's inventions and designs, other manufactures have taken some of Leo's improvements and further improved them. If you like Fender for whatever reason, great. But don't sell yourself short. There are soooo many other great instruments out there.

 

[JimmyM]

I wonder if the Martin Co. goes through this on guitar forums?

Maybe you're too young to remember the Martin/Ovation wars from the 70's.

 

[BlueTalon]

Fender has pretty much painted themselves into a corner. They will continue to thrive making the same basses everybody already knows them for. They can basically coast on their legacy in that regard. But their legacy does not extend to anything new. The crowd that already buys Fenders will keep buying the old-style Fenders, and the crowd that doesn't already buy Fenders isn't going to start when they offer something non-traditional.

 

[Durham52]

Is the reason some people keep asking for Fender to make more modern basses because they want a bass that says Fender on the headstock, but that is really more an Ibanez, or a Warwick, or a Spector, or whatever?