Fender's lack of bass evolution

[Durham52]

Despite what might be called 'hair splitting', the violin seems to be essentially the same as it was 4 centuries ago. To quote the Smithsonian Institute, Antonio Stradivari: 1646 - 1737, "His interpretation of the geometry and design for the violin has served as a conceptual model for violin makers for more than 250 years." Given how treasured his violins are and that they are still favored by many of the best/most famous players, it would be reasonable to assume that any small tweaks and "innovations" haven't done much to improve the instrument, if at all.

But getting back to Fender basses, they work pretty well for both Fender and their customers just as they are. (With a few minor tweaks and innovations over the past 70 years.)
Anyway, I think people tend to overlook "innovations" from Fender because the basic platform and appearance of their offerings look more or less the same. Aren't they now on their 4th or 5th version of noiseless pickups?They have offered active electronics and have tried a host of other minor changes over the years. The fact that most people still prefer the old favorites, with just a few more color options, or a choice of fretboard woods, would tend to tell Fender that if you're onto a good thing, stick to it.

 

[MustangWally]

Antonio Stradivari

Yep, a Strad is still the high-water mark for violins!

 

[butterfingers1]

Along with violins I also mentioned drums, pianos and trumpets yesterday.

How about acoustic guitars? Any substantial changes in the last century? Yet this simple instrument revolutionized music and produced the second blossoming of the art after the first "classical" period of the Enlightenment.

Painting hasn't really improved since the Renaissance, nor sculpture from ancient Greece and Rome.

 

[MustangWally]

So are we all in agreement that Leo created the perfect bass right from the start and nothing since is any improvement? I'm good with that! (Flames in 3... 2... 1...)

 

[SJan3]

Those aren't tweaks, you're just being difficult because you weren't aware of the history and don't want to admit it. You even disregard changes that happened in literally the 20th century during the lifetime of people who are still playing.

An instrument produced in 1750 which was unmodified would sound totally different to an 1850 one, and one in 1950 would sound different to an 1850 one which was set up period correct.

Over the course of the past 500 years, there were changes to the instrument in virtually every century of its existence.

Meanwhile, you're going to argue that the Fender P-Bass is the perfect iteration of the instrument, and there shouldn't and won't be an evolution?

Hell, the bass guitar is just finally around long enough for the first inklings of evolution to take place.

Oh, my. You are hell bent on making your point. From where I stand, the violin and the Fender Bass have remained the same except for a few tweaks but in appearance and function they are, in essence, the same.

 

[butterfingers1]

Wow, that's what it took to dampen this thread.

 

[Mike N]

I've always equated the Fender P to the Smallblock Chevy engine........ been around for 60+ years, fits everywhere and it's the standard to which all others are compared to. Both are still being made new today and will continue to be the most popular in their class.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[Jeff Scott]

...Smallblock Chevy engine........ been around for 60+ years, fits everywhere and it's the standard to which all others are compared to.

Generalize much?

 

[Mike N]

Generalize much?

Not really.

 

[Btbp]

LMAOLOLOL

the last constructive post on this thread....

 

[Vic]

I'm sure this has already been said, so I guess I'll +1...

First, Fender has a long time industry standard that a great and continuing success is built upon. Second, every time Fender has tried to really break away from that, it's been a flop, because different things are not what people go to Fender for. They go to Fender for a "Fender bass", which generally means some sort of P or J, with very few exceptions.

So given the above, at least IMHO, Fender's staying the course and keeping improvements fairly incremental, makes very good sense to me, and I'm still a very happy (multiple) Fender bass owner.

Let other brands do different things. Vive La Différence.

FWIW.

 

[T Lukianowicz]

Anyone else notice Fender's lack luster efforts to come up with new designs? The "new" models are just P and J re-treads or re-configurations. When's the last time they introduced a new through neck model?

There's only so much you can do with a bass and the sound you get out of it. 99% of the sound is the player. How many people can differentiate the sounds of a P-bass vs J-bass et al when the band is blasting out a song and you're somewhere in the audience. For the most part the bass is bottom end and it plays a support role.

 

[TJL]

Like Curley in the movie City Slickers said while holding up a single finger, find the "One Thing" and do that. Fender should and for the most part has done their "One Thing" since the company started. The few times they have deviated, have produced short lived oddities that never caught on. Leave the innovation to the boutique builders who have the time and skills to create something special, and who are ok not turning a profit.

 

[MrNige]

Anyone else notice Fender's lack luster efforts to come up with new designs? The "new" models are just P and J re-treads or re-configurations. When's the last time they introduced a new through neck model?

Didn't they come up with a new bass a few years ago ( I only just found out ) the something ending in ioun anyway it was active and sort of stingray sounding and then poof it was gone! Now you have to look to the used market which makes it hard to try it out with your own kind of rig.

 

[Vic]

Didn't they come up with a new bass a few years ago ( I only just found out ) the something ending in ioun anyway it was active and sort of stingray sounding and then poof it was gone! Now you have to look to the used market which makes it hard to try it out with your own kind of rig.

i think you're talking about the dimension, and yah, one of many examples of why they should just stay the course.

 

[Doug P]

I think Fender could expand their "Mod Shop". Not really a custom shop where there is no end to what ya might ask for.
If they want more 5 and 6 string business, offer a few ways to build one, I don't think they offer any builds for those.
The materials are all used on stock models I guess, so the parts aren't going to be obsolete???
I know they don't want to get too close to the Custom Shop but they don't let the community know much about it. I've never seen an ad or story in Bass Player or......about the Mod Shop.
I've also said before , they might expand on the Aerodyne. Keep MIJ, add alder body, blocked neck ( like mine ) etc...... proven seller just only one look ??
So, I'm happy with my 7 Fenders and not looking to purchase anything until the world is back somewhat to "normal".

 

[Gordon Mills]

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it", is probably their philosophy. While so many people still record with them and so many other manufacturers are still copying their designs, they figure, improve the electronics and improve workmanship, but don't tamper with their great designs.

 

[Geddaric]

They try, and the results don't sell. The Dimension was a recent casualty of disinterest.

I actually liked the Dimension. Played one in local music store, but was turned off by the full-time active electronics. I hate having a dependency on 9v batteries.

 

[PWRL]

I actually liked the Dimension. Played one in local music store, but was turned off by the full-time active electronics. I hate having a dependency on 9v batteries.

I see. I didn't know it was full time active.

 

[PhatBottomBass1]

Anyone else notice Fender's lack luster efforts to come up with new designs? The "new" models are just P and J re-treads or re-configurations. When's the last time they introduced a new through neck model?

Without reading all replies...

"POSITIONING: The Battle for Your Mind"

The market position that Fender holds in the Bass market and in the minds of the market is so strong. The idea of deluding that market-share by running a "me, too" or an "also ran" product is not a good idea in the business of selling Bass guitars. Product improvements on the well established design and mixing in a classic Mustang Bass and a Jaguar modification keep it like; Nathan's Hotdogs. Having foot-longs, bun fillers and franks. Those are all still Nathans Hotdogs.

The book title above was given to me by the 4th largest retail music chainstore owner years ago and is a very good relatively short read.