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

#101
freedomryder said:
I'm just over here still waiting for Fender or Squier to make a lefty bass that's NOT a P or Jazz (preferably a Mustang).
Think I'll still be waiting a while. :meh:
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You will unfortunately - American manufacturers are uncompetitive when it comes to making left-handers. Music Man only spits them out occasionally, and Fender doesn't make anything except its vanilla models in left-hand drive. Even Rickenbacker makes more! Schecter is about the only stand-out. Otherwise, Warwick, Sire/MM, Ibanez, Sandberg and ESP make a half-decent range. Not so bad.

Fender Japan has made a lot of interesting leftie stuff in the recent past, and if you hunt around you can find a mid-80s LH Elite with PJ pickups. I regret not buying a LH Aerodyne Jazz for about £700 five years ago. Since FMIC took over Japanese production, it's killed all LH manufacture. Nice one, lads - what is this, 1920 again?
 
#103
tubatodd said:
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.
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All things considered, $30 doesn't seem outrageous. I mean it breaks that "psychological barrier"' of the first number being a 4 instead of a 3, but I don't see a big issue here.
 
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#104
Gorn said:
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.
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And really, when has Fender introduced a truly new bass and not the 100th version of something or another "signature" P or J bass.
 
#105
SteveC said:
And really, when has Fender introduced a truly new bass and not the 100th version of something or another "signature" P or J bass.
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I guess the Dimension was the last actual innovation from them, even if it’s meant to be Stingrayish and not entirely original. But it hasn’t caught on. Fender basses are still either precision or jazz as far as most people are concerned.
 
#106
SteveC said:
And really, when has Fender introduced a truly new bass and not the 100th version of something or another "signature" P or J bass.
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To be fair, they have tried - and the market responded with a big fat raspberry. If the demand is basically for continual variations of the same two basses, Fender would be daft not to respond with exactly what they want!
 
#107
satjhmo said:
To be fair, they have tried - and the market responded with a big fat raspberry. If the demand is basically for continual variations of the same two basses, Fender would be daft not to respond with exactly what they want!
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Right. I've always felt that Fender has WAY too many models and variations. And the differences are not that great. Active and passive, 4 and 5 string versions of a P and J is about all they need to make. Add in a Mustang maybe. Same with guitars. Make a Tele and a Strat.
 
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#108
SteveC said:
Right. I've always felt that Fender has WAY too many models and variations. And the differences are not that great. Active and passive, 4 and 5 string versions of a P and J is about all they need to make. Add in a Mustang maybe. Same with guitars. Make a Tele and a Strat.
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Do you think if Fender expanded the mod shop options they could get around this? Serious question.

I realize their prices would be high on everything, but it would simplify some offerings.

I also do not think this is actually going to happen.
 
#109
SteveC said:
Right. I've always felt that Fender has WAY too many models and variations. And the differences are not that great. Active and passive, 4 and 5 string versions of a P and J is about all they need to make. Add in a Mustang maybe. Same with guitars. Make a Tele and a Strat.
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And Jaguars.
And Jazzmasters.
And the Duo-Sonic.
And the Acoustasonic.
And 8 types of acoustic guitars.
And ukeleles.
And a dozen guitar amps.
And effects units.

Did I miss anything? :D

While it is certainly true that Fender is cranking out tons of variations of the Big Four (Tele, Strat, P, J), they do occasionally innovate (Acoustasonic) or make minor changes to classics (countoured heels).

Competitors like Gibson, EBMM and Rickenbacker follow similar patterns -- focusing heavily on classics and variations thereof.

Even more innovative companies like Ibanez crank out minor variants of SRs and JEMs for decades.
 
#110
To be honest, I'm not really looking at Fenders lately. It's cool that they reissue all the classics, but I'm more interested in modern basses at the moment.
The raise in prices is unavoidable. Luckily we can get a great quality bass for less now.
Ibanez,Jackson,Sire,Epiphone,and Cort all have great options under $1000. Even under $500.
 
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#111
SgtHulka said:
Anybody paying paying $430 for a McDonald's cookie cutter Squier when you can get some REALLY nice used instruments for about $500 should have their head examined anyway.
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Oh, really?

Can you find me a 70s style Precision with a modern C neck, walnut finish and a relatively light body, from a seller who will take returns, for $500 including shipping? kthx. :D
 
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#115
I buying that Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass Maple Fingerboard in Black;
upload_2021-2-8_17-6-7.jpeg

GC is backordered.

Recently I bought the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Classic Ray24 Maple Fingerboard Electric Bass Butterscotch at GC for only $349.
And that was a good deal.It plays perfect.

I hope the Squier is a good bass too.

I just recorded with the Ray24 this morning on video;

 
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#116
I attended a jam session a couple of weeks ago and tried a colleague's Indo CV 60's jazz bass - purchased online a few months ago.

The quality of this CV jazz was streets ahead of the '78 jazz I owned and played as my sole instrument for 20 years. The CV was very well put together, with a great feeling neck and good-sounding pickups. A totally gig worthy instrument, and all for the princely sum of $500 AUD.

My point: Even with the price increase to $429 USD, an instrument of this quality represents very good value for money.
 
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#117
ahbradot said:
I buying that Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jazz Bass Maple Fingerboard in Black;
View attachment 4160401
GC is backordered.

Recently I bought the Sterling by Music Man StingRay Classic Ray24 Maple Fingerboard Electric Bass Butterscotch at GC for only $349.
And that was a good deal.It plays perfect.

I hope the Squier is a good bass too.

I just recorded with the Ray24 this morning on video;

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my husband owns a squier CV '70s jazz i got him 10 months ago, and it's very nice. finish, build quality and hardware are nicer than my recently sold MiM mustang, and the '70s jazz tone is stupendous - i actually like the tone better than my CV '60s jazz as it has more lows and presence. neck has a great feel if you like a slimmer neck.
 
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#118
pcake said:
my husband owns a squier CV '70s jazz i got him 10 months ago, and it's very nice. finish, build quality and hardware are nicer than my recently sold MiM mustang, and the '70s jazz tone is stupendous - i actually like the tone better than my CV '60s jazz as it has more lows and presence. neck has a great feel if you like a slimmer neck.
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Wonderful pcake, that's great knowing. I've heard some really decent samples and reviews of that 70s Jazz Squier. I'm looking forward to getting it. Thanks for the input.
 
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