Fender suprise

[JumboJett35]

Just left my local music shop. I finally played one of the new Standard series. I am genuinely impressed with the example I played, one of the white Precisions. Played through a rumble 40 and it sounded very good for the price. It was well balanced and the neck was very nice. No rough edges on the fretboard and a smooth satin finish that is comparable to my MIJ Aerodyne neck which is absolutely wonderful.

I wasn't sure how to feel like many others when these were announced but if I were new to Bass and this was my first Fender, I would be thrilled. Heck, if it had been the candy cola paint, I would have left the store with it. For me it would be the perfect mod platform to swap bridge and pickups. Most likely tuners down the road but I don't think it's necessary.

Many people consider these Squier with Fender on the headstock but in terms of fit finish and feel, I would put the standard on par or even above the current player series of Mexican basses. I do think the weakest point of these basses is the electronics but for a new player, they are perfectly suitable to start rocking away.

I also played one of the Player Meteora basses and wow also. I really like the body shape, how well it balanced and how nice it sounded. I own no active basses but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those. Problem is for me, I don't like the colors or want the Pau Ferro board. I really like the American Ultra in Solar Flare with maple board but for $2,300, I question if it's worth 3x the one I played.

TLDR: Play and listen with your own ears before making a judgement based on a YouTube video. Just my humble observations on the above mentioned basses. Have a nice day everyone!

 

[jbassbrett]

The standard series is really great, I gig one regularly

 

[MtManiac]

I tried a couple at some stores last weekend, and was impressed. I wouldn’t put them above the Player II series, but definitely at least at par or better than the Player series. Necks felt really great.

 

[Gervais Cote]

My only concern about this new made in Indonesia standard series is the truss rod and neck wood.

For the truss rod, I couldn’t see if it was a single or double action. I prefer by far a single action because I can remove the truss rod nut, lube it with synthetic grease and put it back in place to avoid any seizure over time. I would also like to know if the quality of the steel is standard rated or if it’s a "softer low cost" steel.

For the wood of the neck, if it’s a rock hard maple, then I’m confident. If it’s a softer wood that wasn’t dried with a kiln process, I’m concerned about its stability and the need to tweak the truss rod more often.

Lately, I saw some "import" basses with necks that were so flimsy they require a truss rod adjustment up to 4 times a year. Hopefully, this is not the case with this new standard series.

 

[Plain Old Barry]

Lately, I saw some "import" basses with necks that were so flimsy they require a truss rod adjustment up to 4 times a year. Hopefully, this is not the case with this new standard series.

My Epiphone Jack Cassady resembles that remark.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Just left my local music shop. I finally played one of the new Standard series. I am genuinely impressed with the example I played, one of the white Precisions. Played through a rumble 40 and it sounded very good for the price. It was well balanced and the neck was very nice. No rough edges on the fretboard and a smooth satin finish that is comparable to my MIJ Aerodyne neck which is absolutely wonderful.

I wasn't sure how to feel like many others when these were announced but if I were new to Bass and this was my first Fender, I would be thrilled. Heck, if it had been the candy cola paint, I would have left the store with it. For me it would be the perfect mod platform to swap bridge and pickups. Most likely tuners down the road but I don't think it's necessary.

Many people consider these Squier with Fender on the headstock but in terms of fit finish and feel, I would put the standard on par or even above the current player series of Mexican basses. I do think the weakest point of these basses is the electronics but for a new player, they are perfectly suitable to start rocking away.

I also played one of the Player Meteora basses and wow also. I really like the body shape, how well it balanced and how nice it sounded. I own no active basses but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those. Problem is for me, I don't like the colors or want the Pau Ferro board. I really like the American Ultra in Solar Flare with maple board but for $2,300, I question if it's worth 3x the one I played.

TLDR: Play and listen with your own ears before making a judgement based on a YouTube video. Just my humble observations on the above mentioned basses. Have a nice day everyone!

Just left my local music shop. I finally played one of the new Standard series. I am genuinely impressed with the example I played, one of the white Precisions. Played through a rumble 40 and it sounded very good for the price. It was well balanced and the neck was very nice. No rough edges on the fretboard and a smooth satin finish that is comparable to my MIJ Aerodyne neck which is absolutely wonderful.

I wasn't sure how to feel like many others when these were announced but if I were new to Bass and this was my first Fender, I would be thrilled. Heck, if it had been the candy cola paint, I would have left the store with it. For me it would be the perfect mod platform to swap bridge and pickups. Most likely tuners down the road but I don't think it's necessary.

Many people consider these Squier with Fender on the headstock but in terms of fit finish and feel, I would put the standard on par or even above the current player series of Mexican basses. I do think the weakest point of these basses is the electronics but for a new player, they are perfectly suitable to start rocking away.

I also played one of the Player Meteora basses and wow also. I really like the body shape, how well it balanced and how nice it sounded. I own no active basses but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one of those. Problem is for me, I don't like the colors or want the Pau Ferro board. I really like the American Ultra in Solar Flare with maple board but for $2,300, I question if it's worth 3x the one I played.

TLDR: Play and listen with your own ears before making a judgement based on a YouTube video. Just my humble observations on the above mentioned basses. Have a nice day everyone!

Good post. You have a very good grasp on the economics of buying a bass.

One of the best parts of being a bassist today as opposed to say 50+ years ago when I started is the multitude of price points nowadays. From entry level, to hobbyists to advanced hobbyists, pro level to collectibles there is a bass that just about any one can afford and still be presentable. IMO I think the idea of modding hobiest-advanced hobbyist instruments brings the most bang for the buck.

 

[JumboJett35]

I tried a couple at some stores last weekend, and was impressed. I wouldn’t put them above the Player II series, but definitely at least at par or better than the Player series. Necks felt really great.

I have no experience with the Player II but my player Jazz has been wonderful after a pro setup. I did swap the bridge to a high mass but it's stock otherwise. I put alot of time on that bass when I first started playing. It's currently tuned BEAD and I don't play it as much but it's one I will never sell. Hopefully pass down to my future children.

 

[JumboJett35]

Good post. You have a very good grasp on the economics of buying a bass.

One of the best parts of being a bassist today as opposed to say 50+ years ago when I started is the multitude of price points nowadays. From entry level, to hobbyists to advanced hobbyists, pro level to collectibles there is a bass that just about any one can afford and still be presentable. IMO I think the idea of modding hobiest-advanced hobbyist instruments brings the most bang for the buck.

Thank you. I try to be smarter in my purchases as I get older. I only started playing three years ago and have acquired nine basses. My first being an American Pro II that I paid $1800 for. I knew not much about basses other than I wanted a sunburst with Rosewood. Also I figured, American, it has to be the best and I could get my money back if I didn't stick with it.

I truly love that P bass and will never sell it aswell but reason I bring it up is because one can buy an American Pro II used for roughly $1100 now. I have basses that's cost $500-$600 that play just as well. Usually you get what you pay for but I have learned price doesn't always reflect quality.

 

[MtManiac]

I have no experience with the Player II but my player Jazz has been wonderful after a pro setup. I did swap the bridge to a high mass but it's stock otherwise. I put alot of time on that bass when I first started playing. It's currently tuned BEAD and I don't play it as much but it's one I will never sell. Hopefully pass down to my future children.

Also, I’ve been dying to try a Meteora, but I have to agree with your opinion on the colour combos, and local stores *never* have them in stock. Guitars yes, basses no.

 

[DrBnz]

I finally got a Meteora. What a shocker that was. Just looking at it you think that it has to have neck dive. Nope, mine sits right where I left it. And a tone that's incredible.

 

[MtManiac]

I finally got a Meteora. What a shocker that was. Just looking at it you think that it has to have neck dive. Nope, mine sits right where I left it. And a tone that's incredible.

Which one?

 

[J Wilson]

We are at a stage where Fender and Gibson, companies deeply tied to their great legacy models, are in a position by a technology to replicate those 50's/60's landmarks relatively easily:

You simply do exhaustive 3D scans of those models, forensically examine the wood, finish, electronics, and hardware.

This forms extremely detailed digital models of, say 59 LP's or Broadcasters.

Translate these into sophisticated build programs for multi-axis CNC woodworking centers, and you can make letter perfect reproductions all day long. Simply budget the caliber of materials to be used to build to a given MSRP (or MAP), whether you want Murphy Lab or Fender Custom Shop, or Squier, Epiphone, or . . . Fender Standard.

And all of this can be sent anywhere in the world to wherever you want to build a production site (or use a contract builder) and advantage local production costs to the cost structure you want to achieve. These processes have evolved to where the amount of handwork involved is low, and you set costs by how much handwork you want to include and the added time it takes.

And all of this will be accelerated by Private Equity owners, though the tariffs will scramble the math for a while, at least.

My only real question is what if you used their Indonesian builders to use top shelf wood, finish, electronics, and time budgets to get them perfect. How much pull would 'Buy American's if Ultra 2's suddenly listed for a grand?

 

[evs]

I had a similar experience with both the Standard and the Meteora.

I've played a few Standards recently and really love them.
The necks just works for me.
IfI didn't already have a Squier 40th Vintage P and J, I would absolutely buy a Standard to fill those P and J roles.

I also picked up a Meteora on a whim at a store.
Very cool bass.
It balanced perfectly well and the body seemed a bit smaller than the P or J basses.
I played the Silverburst Player Plus with maple fingerboard.
Looked awesome. Neck felt familiar.
Totally would rock one.

 

[DrBnz]

Which one?

I got an Ultra II - All of it kinda shocked me. First that it sat so well - the neck was pretty good (I really like em a bit fatter, but its good as is) - then the tone was outrageous. I started to play and stopped.... thinking "oh no, I wanna turn all pedals off and hear it naked." Then I looked - it already was! Holy smokes! Now I'll admit that I'm not a "ACTIVE BASS" kinda guy, but this thing is a riot to play. I only have two others in the arsenal that I put in the "outrageous" category. An old Stingray and an old Pedula Raptor and this one.

 

[lowplaces]

For the truss rod, I couldn’t see if it was a single or double action

Dual action on the Standards.

 

[MtManiac]

I got an Ultra II - All of it kinda shocked me. First that it sat so well - the neck was pretty good (I really like em a bit fatter, but its good as is) - then the tone was outrageous. I started to play and stopped.... thinking "oh no, I wanna turn all pedals off and hear it naked." Then I looked - it already was! Holy smokes! Now I'll admit that I'm not a "ACTIVE BASS" kinda guy, but this thing is a riot to play. I only have two others in the arsenal that I put in the "outrageous" category. An old Stingray and an old Pedula Raptor and this one.

Awesome!

 

[Yahboy]

My only concern about this new made in Indonesia standard series is the truss rod and neck wood.

For the truss rod, I couldn’t see if it was a single or double action. I prefer by far a single action because I can remove the truss rod nut, lube it with synthetic grease and put it back in place to avoid any seizure over time. I would also like to know if the quality of the steel is standard rated or if it’s a "softer low cost" steel.

For the wood of the neck, if it’s a rock hard maple, then I’m confident. If it’s a softer wood that wasn’t dried with a kiln process, I’m concerned about its stability and the need to tweak the truss rod more often.

Lately, I saw some "import" basses with necks that were so flimsy they require a truss rod adjustment up to 4 times a year. Hopefully, this is not the case with this new standard series.

All indo Squier bass i been own need more truss rod adjustment per year, atleast 3-4 times. Even indo CV50P ( 5 unit i been own )has thick neck !.

My CIC Squier Mattfreeman P and Vintera 50s P neck need tweak 1 time per year,

But the China made cheapo Bacchus BJB1RSM's Roasted Maple Neck are tweak less than 3 times since 2019 until this last April before i remove it.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Dual action on the Standards.

Oh, I see. It’s a no go for me then.

 

[Gervais Cote]

All indo Squier bass i been own need more truss rod adjustment per year, atleast 3-4 times. Even indo CV50P ( 5 unit i been own )has thick neck !.

My CIC Squier Mattfreeman P and Vintera 50s P neck need tweak 1 time per year,

But the China made cheapo Bacchus BJB1RSM's Roasted Maple Neck are tweak less than 3 times since 2019 until this last April before i remove it.

My favorite necks are the Fender MIM jazz made of roasted maple and the Warmoth of the same wood with steel reinforcement so I’ll stick to that !

 

[PizzaBall]

When the standard series announced, I had this wild idea that I'm still kind of keeping in the back of my head as a possibility.

Fender has been in Mexico for a while now, and while this may not be as true now due to... US Policy changes (trying to avoid starting a political discussion folks) I was playing with the idea of Fender eventually moving operations from Mexico to Indonesia. It might be cheaper operating costs for them if these are made under the same roof as Squiers.

I kind of look at Fender as sort of the KTM of the guitar/bass world. Maybe not so true anymore but back in the day, KTM had an engine displacement for everyone lol. 50, 65, 85, 105, 125, 144 (eventually became 150), 200, 250, 300, 350, 450, 500, 525...

Fender / Squier seems to have an instrument for anyone at any price point.