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Fender's lack of bass evolution
- Thread starter lucas303
- Start date
They did. The '72 Tele bass with a Bill Lawrence designed humbucker in the neck position. Sounded like an earthquake. People hated them. They reissued a dual pickup version called the Modern Player Telecaster and it is Fender's version of an EB-3.
I hated them so much I owned two of them decades ago. I did mod them slightly, though, one more severely than the other (think bandsaw).
And, I added a Rick hi-gain pickup near the bridge on them for some added "dimension".
I feel like they could take a risk for the few of us that want something innovative, like one new affordable one and one premium one. I especially think they could try just doing a well designed , simply modified double p bass, maybe with a fast neck for us heavy rockers (that combo sounds great). Or maybe a vintage tele, or mustang with specially designed bridge pickup for brighter aggressive tones as well as the classic tones that model is known for. Also a model with sweet spot placed humbucker with switching for multiple tones like Reverend and G+L have done with success. I understand they cant go too far out there, but maybe give the design talent to whip up one or two new designs a year..I feel they could afford to do it and see how successful it is and decide whether or not to do it next year... I'm greatful for the new ones they've put out recently, and new colors are also appreciated.
Right....
And maybe, they could put them in GC for $399 and everyone can go down and play them and then buy one on the 30 day loan program and then return it and see if you can buy used for $179...
Perhaps cut costs by using slave labor and recycled paper and make a fortune!
Go to Warmoth, do what you want and pay for it and keep it!
A couple things... first, Fender can't afford to cater to the "few". If they're gonna' do something, it has to be popular enough to justify the cost on ROI, and on their level, that means LARGE sales. Secondly, they've already tried a bunch of things like you suggest... likely the reason you don't know about them is because they were flops and they had to discontinue them after a relatively short time. Check the Fender history books... I bet you find a bunch of stuff that never lasted that kinda' match what you're talking about.
Bottom line is, that "other stuff" already exists with other legitimate brands (such as Ibanez to name only one of many). Fender does well to stick with what truly works for them, and that's simply not the different stuff.
YMMV/IMHO.
Innovation is not what the musician wants. He wants to sound like the guy on the [record / radio / video].
An innovative sound by definition is NOT what everyone is listening to.
Once an artist gets to those dizzy heights where he can play "his" sounds - winds up with trying to recreate a lost memory of the past... rarely innovative.
Peavey's T-40 bass had plenty of innovation - and didn't sell... (coil blending tone controls, phase, heavy as a tank) ((The coil blending tone controls were too fussy and complex to use in the middle of a gig. Now, if PV offered a 4 way selector of blended controls, THAT might have piqued interest))
Ironically, the busy pro's pick simplified instruments - less pickups, less controls, etc. The Gretsch 3 way switch tone control (hi-bypass-lo) was Chet Atkins' contribution. In a live situation, trying to find an elusive tone setting is impossible. Better to have 3 generic - and easily selected tones.
IN this day of computer linked instruments, the "next" innovation will be focused on interfacing with the DAW.
An innovative sound by definition is NOT what everyone is listening to.
Once an artist gets to those dizzy heights where he can play "his" sounds - winds up with trying to recreate a lost memory of the past... rarely innovative.
Peavey's T-40 bass had plenty of innovation - and didn't sell... (coil blending tone controls, phase, heavy as a tank) ((The coil blending tone controls were too fussy and complex to use in the middle of a gig. Now, if PV offered a 4 way selector of blended controls, THAT might have piqued interest))
Ironically, the busy pro's pick simplified instruments - less pickups, less controls, etc. The Gretsch 3 way switch tone control (hi-bypass-lo) was Chet Atkins' contribution. In a live situation, trying to find an elusive tone setting is impossible. Better to have 3 generic - and easily selected tones.
IN this day of computer linked instruments, the "next" innovation will be focused on interfacing with the DAW.
Snarky snark!
Well that's what I've done and like my Warmoth, but I guess I'm a sucker for big companies putting forth some effort to show some passion for their craft. I guess plenty of people can relate to only running a business to satisfy the investors though...snarf
Maybe, like the Fender fanboys (and girls) loving P's and J's, Gibson afficiondos like Tbirds and EB's.
BOTH makers are criticized when they try to be innovative.
BOTH makers are criticized when they stick to tradition.
Damned if they do, damned if they don't, go figure.
You may disagree, but I think Fender has actually done both. I don't think the two are necessarily mutually exclusive, and I personally feel Fender has shown plenty of passion for their craft... maybe not in the ways you'd prefer, but I think they have.
Like it or not, the Fender brand carries both a pedigree and a stigma.
Gibson has to be real careful regarding any moves they make in the Bass market...
Anything they touch turns to sh*t! They have the touch of death for Bass!
This is very true. People like to just say Fender only makes P and J basses but they have actually done a lot of variation on those lines over the last 30 years as well as introducing new lines and signature models. Yes, they are pretty traditional, but it's not true to say that they have simply put out the same instruments for the last 50 years. Fender has likely been the most successful guitar/bass manufacturer ever and its not just because of their name. They have made adjustments along the way in regards to production and marketing and it isn't easy to stay relevant for that long.
I disagree with those who don't believe Fender can innovate, its just they don't risk their reputation on new innovations that could flop. All of their innovations come out in the Squier line. The biggest buzz about Fender lately has been the Squier Mini Precision, the $179 bass that is like a 3/4 precision body , with a 28.6 inch precision neck and precission pickup
For sure, there are plenty of there
For sure, but I can't help but feel like there's something more interesting they could produce that I'd like to try out. I do like my instrument to provide my live, go-to settings that I can get to without even looking and then more weird, unusual sounds for recording. And the brand I use to that effect inspired my namesake. I am definitely in the minority; I use effects and atleast three drives / fuzz on my board and use multiple techniques/pickups within one song. I have lusted after a few of Fender's "failed" designs, but never could afford them at the time... I suppose I should just get a Stu Hamm and a Performer and quit bitching!
I remember back in the late 60's when Fender first tried solid state amplifiers and they failed miserably, A manufacturer has to produce what the market will buy and what will work well once in the hands at home of the consumer so Fender is careful and often starts their "innovations" in their Squier line
So then
I know this is your opinion and not a fact because if it were true, then Gibson have been continuously trying to kill the bass guitar since 1953.
The fact they are still manufacturing and selling basses suggests you are wrong, or Gibson are better at making basses than killing them.
I play both a '73 Jazz and a 78 RD Artist, I like them both immensely.
BTW, what do you play? Fender by any chance?
I've said this for the longest time!! They've been resting on their name for the last 30 years!! Nothing new same old...
It would be nice if Fender made a production sixer. Not the DR or the high priced Steve Bailey, just standard P with a stable 5-piece neck and dual pickups.. Sixers sell and an affordable one would make a nice edition to some player's stable. It would also quiet the BL and sound guys that pigeon-hole us when they insist on a fender.
