HELP: New Dimension Bass Purchase Inquiry

[Jaysonk1011]

Hello all!
I created an account for the purpose of asking this question, so please excuse me if I break any rules in regards to the forums here. I would really appreciate the communities input and everyone & anyone's help!

Just to give a little context, there was a sale at a local Long&Mcquade that listed a Fender Dimension Bass (AM DLX DIMENSION BASS IV VIOLIN BURST [19-5400-733]). I did some research before-hand, as one hopefully does on big purchases, on the pros and cons of this type of bass, on the various basses within a similar price range, and numerous other things, before noticing something puzzling. On their site, what seems to be essentially the same bass, is set at very different prices.

Link 1: Fender Musical Instruments - American Deluxe Dimension Bass IV RW - Violin Burst
Link 2: Fender Musical Instruments - Deluxe Active Dimension Bass, Maple Neck - Natural

The first link is $2050 (this is the one I bought on sale for $1250) and the second being $1350. What's confusing is that the second has two pickups as well as a switch to maneuver between the two. As someone who doesn't know all the ins-and-outs of the bass parts, but is trying to learn, it seems counter-intuitive that I am paying more for less. I know certain famous players prefer a single pickup opposed to double for more nuanced play, and also personal preferences in regards to techniques such as slapping, but I'm still left wondering if I should get the two pickup (2nd link) bass as it'll be close to the same price in the end. I think it may have something to do with the fact that the first is an "American" Dimension bass, where I can only be left to assume the second is not (I recall hearing it was a Mexican one, but I could be wrong).
When I went up to browse the sales, I loved the sound of the bass so much that I made the purchase (disregarding how often I've heard dimension basses go on sale). These questions still have me on the fence with returning it and I am in dire need of an experienced individual's take on the whole situation. In my likely misinformed mind, I imagine a professional would be able to look at these two basses and tell me exactly why the price is the way it is. I am certainly no where near a pro's level so I have no clue if this is truly the case, or if there even is a real reason. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that I want to ensure that I'm making the correct bass purchase as I am a university student and have a really tight budget.
With that being said, price is not a huge concern for me as long as it's reasonable and is made towards a purchase of a long-term primary bass. Bass is a super important part of my life as I play gigs week to week at church, and hopefully soon after an audition next fall, school. Super excited to upgrade from my precision bass so I've been getting a little impatient lately.

So yeah, essential the questions are these: Why is the bass with the extra pickup less expensive, and should I get the second link bass?
Is the single pickup inherently better or worst? (I asked the resident bass player employee, but he seemed to be at a loss)
And finally, do you think I got a good value for the bass itself? I've played the same Fender Precision Bass for years now due to being a university student.

 

[dxb]

Yeah Deluxe is made in Mexico and American Deluxe is made in USA. Both should be good but obviously Made in USA will be quite a bit more expensive. As far as single pickup VS two, that's really just about personal preference. With the 3-band EQ, you can get a lot of tones out of either model.

Also, I don't know what the exchange rate or shipping would work out to, but Musician's Friend has that Deluxe on sale for $628 USD. Might be a better deal than the one you linked to:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-deluxe-active-dimension-bass-guitar-maple-fingerboard

 

[Killed_by_Death]

I've been told that GC will not ship internationally & MF is part of the same company.

 

[dxb]

MF does international shipping but not on every item. The OP would have to check and see if that particular bass ships there or not.

 

[Jaysonk1011]

Thanks for the quick response and insight dxb!
It is $830, which is quite a bit lower than the price I paid, although it is the non-american model. Unfortunately, will not ship to me as I live in Canada.
Some of the comments were helpful though- "wish I paid more for the US version" and comments on the 18.5lb being too heavy have informed my decision!
I may be jumping the gun, but I guess what they say about US Fender guitars having better construction is more often than not correct. I always assumed that Mexican fender guitars were better for some reason, as well as having some sort of collectors appeal.
Anyway, this is great! I've found loads of great bases within my price range thanks again for sharing!!

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I've been told that GC will not ship internationally & MF is part of the same company.

MF will ship internationally but certain products are licensed for sale outside of America. Fender is licensed to a Canadian 3rd party so only that 3rd party can sell new Fender products in Canada. MF will ship used Fender items across the border.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Thanks for the quick response and insight dxb!
It is $830, which is quite a bit lower than the price I paid, although it is the non-american model. Unfortunately, will not ship to me as I live in Canada.
Some of the comments were helpful though- "wish I paid more for the US version" and comments on the 18.5lb being too heavy have informed my decision!
I may be jumping the gun, but I guess what they say about US Fender guitars having better construction is more often than not correct. I always assumed that Mexican fender guitars were better for some reason, as well as having some sort of collectors appeal.
Anyway, this is great! I've found loads of great bases within my price range thanks again for sharing!!

Bear in mind that shipping an $800 bass across the border will not be the end of your payments. There will still be taxes, usually about 10%. If you do ship internationally, be sure to use USPS and not a courier like UPS or Fedex. UPS and Fedex will add significant charges to any international item, especially if it costs $800.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

MF will ship used Fender items across the border.

MF only sells new instruments.

 

[HeavyDuty]

The guy at MF who posted the 18.5 pounds comment is on crack. I have two Dims and they are similar in weight to Jazz basses.

Really, even the heaviest log Stingray I’ve ever seen was less than 13!

 

[dxb]

Thanks for the quick response and insight dxb!
It is $830, which is quite a bit lower than the price I paid, although it is the non-american model. Unfortunately, will not ship to me as I live in Canada.
Some of the comments were helpful though- "wish I paid more for the US version" and comments on the 18.5lb being too heavy have informed my decision!
I may be jumping the gun, but I guess what they say about US Fender guitars having better construction is more often than not correct. I always assumed that Mexican fender guitars were better for some reason, as well as having some sort of collectors appeal.
Anyway, this is great! I've found loads of great bases within my price range thanks again for sharing!!

Glad I could help. In my experience USA and Mexican Fenders are both good. The USA models come with more extras like a hardshell case and slightly nicer hardware but they also cost 2-3 times more, largely due to higher wages in California vs Mexico. So as a buyer the decision is usually whether you want something slightly nicer or something more affordable.

If you got a good deal on a USA then that should be a great bass, though I'm sure the Mexican one is quite nice as well. Don't read too much into those comments on Musician's Friend, no way that bass is anywhere near 18.5 pounds. Even with an ash body Dimensions are usually pretty light compared to other Fender basses.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

MF only sells new instruments.

I had no idea they stopped selling used instruments. It has been a few years since I ordered anything off their site.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

They do sell Open Box stuff, which is essentially stuff that shipped out & got returned:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[comatosedragon]

The main difference (IMHO) is that the American Deluxe model (1st link) has an asymmetrical compound-radius neck. The second link is for a bass with the 'standard' C-Shaped neck.

I would buy the one with the better (more comfortable, IMHO; first link) neck, all other things being (mostly) equal.

 

[selowitch]

Are these instruments discontinued by Fender? If so, you might be able to get a better deal on a closeout.

 

[ZenGuitarist]

I've been told that GC will not ship internationally & MF is part of the same company.

That's completely untrue. I live in Canada and buy from MF/GC all the time. Some brands (like Fender) are unavailable for purchase by customers outside the USA but many brands can be bought and shipped internationally.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

OK then, I will stop repeating what I've been told by other Canadians.

 

[ZenGuitarist]

OK then, I will stop repeating what I've been told by other Canadians.

I don't know why Canadians have told you they can't order from them - maybe that was true in the past but it's certainly not the case anymore.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

They probably contacted them about Fenders...

 

[Nephilymbass]

Hello all!
I created an account for the purpose of asking this question, so please excuse me if I break any rules in regards to the forums here. I would really appreciate the communities input and everyone & anyone's help!

Just to give a little context, there was a sale at a local Long&Mcquade that listed a Fender Dimension Bass (AM DLX DIMENSION BASS IV VIOLIN BURST [19-5400-733]). I did some research before-hand, as one hopefully does on big purchases, on the pros and cons of this type of bass, on the various basses within a similar price range, and numerous other things, before noticing something puzzling. On their site, what seems to be essentially the same bass, is set at very different prices.

Link 1: Fender Musical Instruments - American Deluxe Dimension Bass IV RW - Violin Burst
Link 2: Fender Musical Instruments - Deluxe Active Dimension Bass, Maple Neck - Natural

The first link is $2050 (this is the one I bought on sale for $1250) and the second being $1350. What's confusing is that the second has two pickups as well as a switch to maneuver between the two. As someone who doesn't know all the ins-and-outs of the bass parts, but is trying to learn, it seems counter-intuitive that I am paying more for less. I know certain famous players prefer a single pickup opposed to double for more nuanced play, and also personal preferences in regards to techniques such as slapping, but I'm still left wondering if I should get the two pickup (2nd link) bass as it'll be close to the same price in the end. I think it may have something to do with the fact that the first is an "American" Dimension bass, where I can only be left to assume the second is not (I recall hearing it was a Mexican one, but I could be wrong).
When I went up to browse the sales, I loved the sound of the bass so much that I made the purchase (disregarding how often I've heard dimension basses go on sale). These questions still have me on the fence with returning it and I am in dire need of an experienced individual's take on the whole situation. In my likely misinformed mind, I imagine a professional would be able to look at these two basses and tell me exactly why the price is the way it is. I am certainly no where near a pro's level so I have no clue if this is truly the case, or if there even is a real reason. Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that I want to ensure that I'm making the correct bass as I am on a university student and have a really tight budget.
With that being said, price is not a huge concern for me as long as it's reasonable and is made towards a purchase of a long-term primary bass. Bass is a super important part of my life as I play gigs week to week at church, and hopefully soon after an audition next fall, school. Super excited to upgrade from my precision bass so I've been getting a little impatient lately.

So yeah, essential the questions are these: Why is the bass with the extra pickup less expensive, and should I get the second link bass?
Is the single pickup inherently better or worst? (I asked the resident bass player employee, but he seemed to be at a loss)
And finally, do you think I got a good value for the bass itself? I've played the same Fender Precision Bass for years now due to being a university student.

The difference between the amount of pickups is very subjective. Im not a huge fan of neck pickups. My experience is they get in the way when slapping and are usually too muddy sounding to add any real benefit. When I’m really into it at a show I don’t want to have to look down and make sure I’m not hitting a neck pickup if I try to pop the g string for example. Another issue I’ve had is the strings touching open pole neck pickups and causeing a very nasty unwanted clipping noise. But yeah tone wise neck position pickups are hit or miss. Gotta have them in a jazz bass but for musicmans for example I prefer single pickup. Im sure a pick player that never plays any slap style might have the total opposite opinion.

 

[joebar]

I've had both for a little while and I prefer the H over the HH
two totally different voiced basses.
the H has a more stingray of a sound.