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

[Jrussblues]

Everything I’m hearing is that demand is way up because people are choosing at home hobbies.
The used market seems to be up now as well. Seeing higher end used stuff up 20-30 percent from where it was about 5 years ago.

 

[tubatodd]

Don't take up the tuba then... you'd be in for a shock

Yes I've paid $17k for 2 professional tubas before. Please read my follow up post.

 

[ga_edwards]

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!

I'm with on the sunburst, I really don't like sunburst finishes at all. The white blonde however I rather like. In fact, I liked it so much I bought one last year. Lovely instrument.

 

[ga_edwards]

30 quid inflation, yeah, as others have said it's to be expected.

The price jump Yamaha slapped onto the Attitude Ltd3 compared to the Ltd2 a few years ago however.... eye watering.

 

[Fialka]

You can go and buy "real" American made ones for 2000$ if you don't like their prices. I think that CV squiers are still a bit cheaper right now than what they used to go for ~5 years ago and wages had gone up where I live significantly.

 

[DirtDog]

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.

And not only that - as working conditions in overseas factories begin to achieve western expectations for supporting human rights/ending child labour, etc, these overseas goods will eventually cost as much to manufacture “there”’as they do “here”. And then add in shipping costs.

Enjoy these favourable market conditions while you can, kids!
I remember paying $429 for an overseas-manufactured Squier bass in 1992 - and sure as a schiesse, it was not nearly as good quality as a current Squier CV or VM. I was only also making something $6/hr back then.

 

[Valvehead]

All prices rise every year. Next.

 

[DirtDog]

All prices rise every year. Next.

I think the shareholders of Carnival Cruise stock would disagree.

 

[Bass Viking]

Huge First World Problem...

You do understand that Talkbass is all about first world problems? We’re not here to discuss poverty or infant mortality.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

The 1972 Fender catalog MSRP for a burst/rosewood/righty was $293. You could buy one from a shop for $225.

Adjusted for inflation, about $2,100 in today’s dollars.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Inflation is like a hamster wheel
You make more ,or don’t , and everything keeps going up, wages go up , goods go up.
View attachment 4152225

Yup, one heck of a tax.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Whe I popped my head into Guitar Center to get some strings I was speaking to one of the salesmen about inventory.

He said all cheaper instruments, around the $500 price point, they can’t keep in stock.

With COVID, everybody is stuck at home learning a new skill/craft with their extra time.

With inventory blowing out the door, it’s just business to raise your prices if you can get it.

It’s like getting another $3 on a snow shovel on blizzard day.

 

[Bassclef46]

Everything I’m hearing is that demand is way up because people are choosing at home hobbies.
The used market seems to be up now as well. Seeing higher end used stuff up 20-30 percent from where it was about 5 years ago.

is it demand or production shortage. Covid kills production across cali and overseas. Shortage causes buyers to snatch up everything as soon as its posted. Thus giving the illusion that demand is up causing buyers to act quicker than normal. Classic sales techniques.

 

[31HZ]

is it demand or production shortage. Covid kills production across cali and overseas. Shortage causes buyers to snatch up everything as soon as its posted. Thus giving the illusion that demand is up causing buyers to act quicker than normal. Classic sales techniques.

It's absolutely both: higher demand, reduced supply availability. This is not a sales gimmick dreamed up in a back room.

Many if not most raw materials cost much more than they did a year or two ago. Some materials that were taken for granted as broadly available are now being phased out due to shortages and/or cost. Lumber costs in general have skyrocketed more than any time in the last 70 years. Skilled labor is harder to find in a pandemic labor market. People are stuck at home looking for a new hobby to help pass the time constructively.

Oh yeah, and WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

Fender to Discontinue Using Ash in Production Models

Invalid Link Removed

Invalid Link Removed

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Bassclef46]

again the shortage has created the illusion of a demand. what you really should be asking is hwo are the sales numbers. just because everyone on youtube says demand is up doesnt mean sales are up. Of course demand is higher now because there is nothing available which increases demand. Of course this wasnt created in a back room, but they sure take advantage of it just like everyone has.

 

[Doctor Morbius]

From the point of view of FMIC, it would be irresponsible to their shareholders for them to NOT raise prices after a banner year in sales. The board members have to answer to more than just the consumers.

 

[Killing Floor]

My grandma used to talk about getting a quarter and going to the movie theater and spending the entire Saturday watching films and eating popcorn.
If I listened to her I would have been able to predict inflation.

But all kidding aside, the slow and steady price increases in consumer goods means that the economy is healthy. If your favorite bass stays the same price for several years or decreases it’s time to plan for a depression.
Given a binary choice between you paying 10% more for a bass and a global economic catastrophe I’d choose you paying more.

 

[Kukulkan61]

If you really want a CV you should get the older ones made in China, you may have to shop used but they are worth it and better quality then the new Indo ones..

 

[31HZ]

again the shortage has created the illusion of a demand. what you really should be asking is hwo are the sales numbers. just because everyone on youtube says demand is up doesnt mean sales are up. Of course demand is higher now because there is nothing available which increases demand. Of course this wasnt created in a back room, but they sure take advantage of it just like everyone has.

Hi.

“I would never have predicted that we would be looking at having a record year,” said Andy Mooney, the chief executive of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the Los Angeles-based guitar giant that has equipped Rock & Roll Hall of Famers since Buddy Holly strapped on a 1954 sunburst Fender Stratocaster back in the tail-fin 1950s.

“We’ve broken so many records,” Mr. Mooney said. “It will be the biggest year of sales volume in Fender history, record days of double-digit growth, e-commerce sales and beginner gear sales. I never would have thought we would be where we are today if you asked me back in March.”

 

[blacktocomm]

If you really want a CV you should get the older ones made in China, you may have to shop used but they are worth it and better quality then the new Indo ones..

As someone that owns both Chinese (‘51 P) and Indo (Mustang and P) CV basses, I gotta disagree with this. I see it being thrown around a lot here, but I can neither see, feel or hear any major difference in quality of any of my classic vibe basses.