Gee...thanks Fender/Squier....for nothing

[tubatodd]

In addition to no new Squier offerings from Fender this year, it appears the price for a Classic Vibe bass has now gone up from $399 to $429. Looks like that happened over the weekend. Quite disappointing.

 

[el murdoque]

So what?
Transport from the far east to the west has gotten a lot more expensive due to covid and basically everyone that relies on that transport jacks up their prices (not only in music, but in general).

Fender/Squier do the same few basses for more than 50 years now and they occasionally
do different colors - what's the big deal when the Squier lineup does not change ?

 

[Harper]

Yeah, that's the way of the world; things seldom get cheaper, and $30 is hardly an unfair jump. I remember when the Japanese made Geddy Lee Jazz bass was like $600 new.

 

[JW56789]

Lots of cost issues in container shipping these days, from COVID delays, new emission regs for the giant ships, fuel costs, etc., or possibly Squier volumes are at a point where FMIC may be using them to make up some income from a COVID-ridden Cali and Mexico, where I'm sure production has been slowed due to personnel/quarantine issues.

 

[Bass V]

for those buying new basses off the online rack why would a few $ increase matter much, especially after a struggling economy took a massive kick to the teeth with covid and still gets worse? not that I want Bezos etc to have have endless personal bonanzas at all other's expense but contributing to the economy via buying a bass is pretty trick IMO if you're financially capable of luxury purchases. as far as Squier et al my cheap lil Bronco isn't letting me think about much else.

 

[blacktocomm]

I own 3 CV Squiers and think they are still a good bang for buck purchase even at $429. It always sucks when the price of anything goes up, but que sera sera.

 

[Bassclef46]

im sure fender/squire will come out with some sort of anniversary model by the end of the year. Oh wait.

BTW what is with the fender custom shop? seems they are now just a production factory for high prices remakes. When i look on Reverb I see nothing but pre made models now for $4000

 

[Oddly]

Prices go up, never down. That's a basic rule, surely?
I've been holding off on buying a classic vibe 50's precision in the vain hope that they'd re-introduce the original butterscotch colour, as the sunburst and white blonde do nothing for me, and I'm convinced as soon as I buy one of them, the colour I want will be announced!
Anyone know when new variations tend to show up?
I know NAMM is often where things are announced, but didn't see anything this year.
I'd happily pay another 50-100 euro to get what I want...it'd still be way cheaper than a re-fin.

 

[buldog5151bass]

1. It's more popular.
2. With COVID, shipping is taking longer and is more expensive.
3. With the new administration, fuel costs have already gone up, and likely will continue to go up.

It's still a great deal.

 

[Gorn]

I’m fine with Fender not making new things every year. It’s Fender. I don’t expect drastic innovation from them. A $30 price increase isn’t unreasonable at all.

 

[Killing Floor]

I can only think of one thing that isn’t affected by inflation...













...love. You’re welcome.

 

[jdaunt]

Actually it happened overnight. Have been eyeing a new Player Jazz and the price was $699 as of last night, this morning it’s $749 most places now. Amazon still has them for the old price for now.

 

[dalkowski]

Buy used.

 

[2F/2F]

Yet they are still significantly better built guitars than the $250 Mexican Fenders of 2–3 decades ago. Then you realize that general inflation "is a thing," and you should understand that you are getting faaaaaar more bang for your buck these days.

Also, you can't reasonably expect any private company to charge less for anything than people are willing to pay. Demand is huge right now. Guitar stores are having trouble keeping things on the shelves. Bottom line, end of story: People will pay it. If you ran a business, would you charge any less than people were willing to pay?

 

[bassliner50]

You can buy used if you want the bargain.

 

[boombloom]

It's a commodity. It's worth what people are willing to pay. If you and enough other people decide not to buy at that price perhaps the folks at Fender will bring it down again. Right?

 

[buldog5151bass]

I can only think of one thing that isn’t affected by inflation...


...love. You’re welcome.

Whenever I buy a gift for my wife, I see otherwise...

 

[jd56hawk]

That's one reason I usually recommend the older, better Squiers.

 

[TDR1138]

Actually it happened overnight. Have been eyeing a new Player Jazz and the price was $699 as of last night, this morning it’s $749 most places now. Amazon still has them for the old price for now.

I was thinking I might pick up a Player fretless in a few months. If they’re pushing $750 now, I might as well start looking at used American ones.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

for those buying new basses off the online rack why would a few $ increase matter much, especially after a struggling economy took a massive kick to the teeth with covid and still gets worse? not that I want Bezos etc to have have endless personal bonanzas at all other's expense but contributing to the economy via buying a bass is pretty trick IMO if you're financially capable of luxury purchases. as far as Squier et al my cheap lil Bronco isn't letting me think about much else.

No lie there my brother!