I haven't bought a new Fender since '14. I hope it fit into one of the 'Good Fender' threads and avoided the 'bad' Fender threads.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
- Status
Just choose one that speaks to you, and if it has simple fixable issues, it should be fantastic.
Been gigging it ever since. It's only been onstage about 200 times + or -. No trouble so far.
Shrug.. I have a 2017 Deluxe Active P Special I bought new. It's a great bass that I doubt I will ever sell. I also had a 2001 MiM Jazz that was also pretty decent.
That said I currently own two Schecters that are also every bit as good as the Fenders.
You're going to get lemons in any mass produced product. Fender makes approx. 13,000 guitars a month they won't all be winners.
Maybe it's just me, But It seems a total waste of time and energy to get emotionally invested and upset over a chunk of mass produced wood, paint and metal. Not happy with it send it back. Simple.
That said I currently own two Schecters that are also every bit as good as the Fenders.
You're going to get lemons in any mass produced product. Fender makes approx. 13,000 guitars a month they won't all be winners.
Maybe it's just me, But It seems a total waste of time and energy to get emotionally invested and upset over a chunk of mass produced wood, paint and metal. Not happy with it send it back. Simple.
Last edited:
Bacchus !
My cheapo BJB1RSM build quality and outstanding factory fretwork are on pair to Vintera 50s P. No shame at all on less than USD300 Bacchus.
It’s pretty wild that they would mess the wiring up like that! With as many instruments as fender makes I’m sure plenty slip past QC like that. I consider my self pretty fortunate as I’ve owned more basses then most bass players have played in their lives (yes I know I have a problem) and I’ve never seen issues like this with my instruments, and yes I’m a huge fender guy!
I think the issue is Fender not engaging in dialog on this forum. They do not have an Andy or Mr. Moody.
But then look at Fender as a company. It is different ... many sub brands, price points all over. Not apologizing for them, but lack of dialog hurts companies all the time. For some it's a cost they can endure. Maybe they decided that the low QC and bad press is negligible.
The OP by his claim is a big operation. more than 20 Fenders a week. Dealing /selling/buying 40k instruments. Of course folks are going to want to know who/where he/she is. I do not think Fender will be sending a hit squad or a character assassin if the profile is known.
I understand the need for privacy and if so, all these would be water under the bridge. It still does not solve the problem, that Fender does not engage in dialog here and on other forums.
Buy something else or as a repair shop, stop fixing Fenders.
Reviews and forums matter. We just do not know if Fender is doing something about it.
songwriter21
I have an obsession for wood. The musical kind.
hey, @TJL --- thanks for the heads up! too bad your real-world POV inspired so many to question your experience (intentions?)! only on TB! 
but it's encouraging to know that there are cats like you who can make someone's instrument purchase come closer to matching their dreams!
re: biases (mine): if i already thought 7ender branded products were outrageously overpriced your 'reporting from the field' did nothing to change my take.
but it's encouraging to know that there are cats like you who can make someone's instrument purchase come closer to matching their dreams!
re: biases (mine): if i already thought 7ender branded products were outrageously overpriced your 'reporting from the field' did nothing to change my take.
The cosmetic issues I could understand. But the wiring issues? They are supposed to plug the instruments in and play them before giving the OK to ship, yes?
A couple of observations here….
By the number of Fenders the OP claims to be repairing every year, or whichever year he’s referring to, that’s 2 and 3/4 Fender basses per day, if the OP works 7 days a week. If we take out the usual day most everyone takes off every week, that pushes the number of Fender basses he works on is a little more than 3 Fender basses per day.
Just sayin’….
And shall we make a list of other manufacturers with no representation here?
As a member with no dog in the hunt where Fender is concerned, I find the level of unevenhandedness (my autocorrect went nuts over that), well, actually not that interesting and not that surprising, I guess.
Just a kinda interesting 12-page exercise in it.
Exactly. 300 work days per year, as well as my own purchases adds up to around 1K per year. Fenders are literally omnipresent out there, and comprise about 40% or what comes in here. Sure I get plenty of Gibsons and Martins too, but beyond that, brands like Smith, Fodera, Alembic, etc. are much fewer and far between. The ratio of Fender product is no surprise as it reflects their share of the guitar market. I do work for a couple of Fender dealers as well, so the new stuff right out of the box shows up on my bench regularly. I do no advertising, and I do not need more work as I do not want to expand or have instruments take long to turn around. I do no finish work any longer other than some crack repair, and I am done with neck resets. I try to keep jobs to no more than a three day turnaround and in most cases same day. I can not take time to answer the phone all day, and even this thread has affected my available time to the point where I likely will not post another. Word of mouth is my method of advertising, and those who know, know. Sorry to be so mysterious, but if you talk with most luthiers here in L.A. they probably have the same thing to say about the ratio of Fenders.
I remember it very well. A time of inconsistency for sure. And now they've become the "affordable" vintage. But some nice instruments got through. I bought a '75 P in the '90's. The neck pocket won't stand scrutiny but the neck is laser straight and it weighs 8 lbs. A keeper.
They 100% are! And in a perfect world every instrument they produce would be perfect. But like EVERY thing that is mass produced there’s always going to be a few that slip past QC
Exactly!
I have owned and played a lot of instruments. Some good and some bad....from various brands. Fender is not the only company that has occasional QC issues.
After the most cursory spot check of this thread, I will say that we probably have a full bingo card of infractions. I haven't yet decided whether or not to invest the 3 hours of my life to issue them. I'm closing this thread, and it will not reopen.
Do better, or take a vacation before I force one on you.
Do better, or take a vacation before I force one on you.
- Status
