I Just Don't Understand Fender!

[two fingers]

Fender doesn't understand Fender, either. Corporations are not intelligent, intelligible, or self-aware constructs. They are designed to make profit, not sense.

Sounds about right. And I'm fine with that actually. If they only concentrated on offering every model imaginable so that each would sell about 3 units then they would fold in minutes. Never mind the legal obligation they have toward their share holders. If you can do better start your own non-profi tbass company. Best of luck with it.

 

[Flaked Beans]

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[Flaked Beans]

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[MovingPitchers]

The Dimension Vs look really interesting for me. I wish the MIM one has the 4+1 tuner setup. I wanted a Stingray 5 but the Dimension might make an excellent and cheaper alternative.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Fender doesn't understand Fender, either. Corporations are not intelligent, intelligible, or self-aware constructs. They are designed to make profit, not sense.

Management. managers. Should I say more.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

While working on a thing here, I got thinking about Fender and the basic problem that they face: They are a company who is anchored to the past and so struggles to find ways to increase market share. To meet that challenge, they make far too many variants of established designs and, on occasion, try to make something new - an effort that usually fails (sorry kids, I don't see the "dimension" bass having any more legs than the "heavy metal strat"). They are not a car company and so cannot just change the sheet metal to get someone to "trade in"; The technology of a bass or guitar is only so flexible.

Me, were I running Fender?

Well, aside from nixing all of the crazy / more or less meaningless variants of their core products, I think I'd offer some real options. Make the deluxe J bass a set-neck bass with really good aftermarket electronics. Offer some real top-woods, not that insultingly silly "photo flame" finish they did for a while. Improve their neck mounting scheme on their bolt-ons, ala Lakand or Sadowsky - - LEARN from their competition, not ignore them.

I'd also take the base model instruments and, rather than offer a zillion signature/tribute models, just offer more colors, every year. How hard would that be?

 

[SirMjac28]

Stranger things have happened, but I suspect rather is that this is just another one of many models that they never really pushed nor gave much of a chance to - no chance to build up a rep or a following before they're gone - so then why bother? It's the "throw a bunch of things at customers in the hopes that at least a few of them stick" approach, rather than seriously trying to market each product.

I have to respectfully disagree because Fender put some serious money into developing that new line pretty much from the ground up the biggest problem is bass players are the slowest to adopt to anything new that's why the majority of their revenue comes from 50+ year old designs. If Fender was rolling in dough like Apple they probably could afford to carry every model in that line a little longer but they aren't so they have to make business decisions and do some cuts. It also looks like Gibson will be making a similar decision with their EB bass a great bass that is just not turning numbers. I'm with you guys it sucks but what can you do?

 

[Flaked Beans]

While working on a thing here, I got thinking about Fender and the basic problem that they face: They are a company who is anchored to the past and so struggles to find ways to increase market share. To meet that challenge, they make far too many variants of established designs and, on occasion, try to make something new - an effort that usually fails (sorry kids, I don't see the "dimension" bass having any more legs than the "heavy metal strat"). They are not a car company and so cannot just change the sheet metal to get someone to "trade in"; The technology of a bass or guitar is only so flexible.

Me, were I running Fender?

Well, aside from nixing all of the crazy / more or less meaningless variants of their core products, I think I'd offer some real options. Make the deluxe J bass a set-neck bass with really good aftermarket electronics. Offer some real top-woods, not that insultingly silly "photo flame" finish they did for a while. Improve their neck mounting scheme on their bolt-ons, ala Lakand or Sadowsky - - LEARN from their competition, not ignore them.

I'd also take the base model instruments and, rather than offer a zillion signature/tribute models, just offer more colors, every year. How hard would that be?

thats san diego man

 

[gjohnson441496]

No you can disparage Fender the company all you want. Just don't say anything negative about, or call into question the mystical virtues of, a Fender bass itself. Because Leo got it right the first time. And I can use a P bass for anything including dicing tomatoes. And my Made in Jakarta Squier SMOKES your Fodera....

ROTFL! Jakarta made Squier smoking a Fodera! Hahahaha! I know right? I've heard it too. Dude, all you got to do is MOD IT!!! Hahaha!
Thanks for the laugh man!

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

thats san diego man

Yes. Yes it is.

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

I have to respectfully disagree because Fender put some serious money into developing that new line pretty much from the ground up the biggest problem is bass players are the slowest to adopt to anything new that's why the majority of their revenue comes from 50+ year old designs. If Fender was rolling in dough like Apple they probably could afford to carry every model in that line a little longer but they aren't so they have to make business decisions and do some cuts. It also looks like Gibson will be making a similar decision with their EB bass a great bass that is just not turning numbers. I'm with you guys it sucks but what can you do?

Disagree - that is to say, saying that the "Dimension" is somehow an innovative design - - it's just not. I played a few, and they felt/sounded to me to be like a mediocre model of EBMM. So if Fender is going to try something new, I'd like to see them try something that's *actually* new - not faux new.

 

[gjohnson441496]

That single pickup is put in a location that is very hard to replicate with a two pickup bass. On two pickup Stingrays, keeping the bridge pickup in the Stingray position means that the neck pickup is very close to neck and it is awkward for slap. On the Dimension HH or Lakland, the bridge pickup is closer to the neck which gives a thinner sound.

You are absolutely correct. I read somewhere (or actually saw a youtube vid review) that the single H Dim specifically enhances the ability to slap, as opposed to the HH where the neck pup is not conducive to slapping.
NOTE - I own a HH model but don't do a ton of slapping but slapping, for my uses and ability can be done on it... However, your point is well taken.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Of course........hence not understanding a single pup.

The fact is not difficult to grasp. A pickup in that position gets a certain sound that cannot be duplicated. Once a pickup is put in that sweet spot, it very difficult to place a second pickup in a useable location, therefore a single pickup becomes a logical option.

 

[TMARK]

That single pickup is put in a location that is very hard to replicate with a two pickup bass. On two pickup Stingrays, keeping the bridge pickup in the Stingray position means that the neck pickup is very close to neck and it is awkward for slap. On the Dimension HH or Lakland, the bridge pickup is closer to the neck which gives a thinner sound.

I don't think this is true. I've owned an H and an HH Ray at the same time. The neck pickup on the HH does not get in the way when slapping. I found the second pickup to make the Stingray HH an incredibly versitile bass. Same with the Dinension HH I spent some quality time with. Just brilliant.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I don't think this is true. I've owned an H and an HH Ray at the same time. The neck pickup on the HH does not get in the way when slapping. I found the second pickup to make the Stingray HH an incredibly versitile bass. Same with the Dinension HH I spent some quality time with. Just brilliant.

I owned a HH SR5, and it was a monster bass that I only let go because of a cash emergency. I got used to it, and I could slap just fine, but it did crowd my usual slap position. The Dimension HH is great, but it does not sound like a Stingray to me.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Stranger things have happened, but I suspect rather is that this is just another one of many models that they never really pushed nor gave much of a chance to - no chance to build up a rep or a following before they're gone - so then why bother? It's the "throw a bunch of things at customers in the hopes that at least a few of them stick" approach, rather than seriously trying to market each product.

Dude, you are so absolutely right. I BEGGED my local guitar stores to get a IV HH Ash model in to try (Sam Ash, GC and some local shops), none did. I saw a reduced price on it (profile pic), bit the bullet, and purchased it from a store 3000 miles away... very happy with it. It appears they are not really pushing every model of the Dimension bass like they should be. It really is an incredible instrument. I can't put it down. I actually forced myself to take my jazz bass out of the case today!

 

[crucislancer]

Better not do that here! You' be amazed how the whole tb community unites as soon as you so much as say something to the effect of "fenders aren't perfect". You'll want to avoid that, trust me

Nope, it would be more like half the TB community, and most likely that half (including myself) is getting a little bored with the "I don't understand Fender" or "What's the point of Fender" threads that turn into the usual hate thread thanks to the usual suspects. Why don't you guys start a club? It would give you a place to complain about the company and instruments that you love to hate, because the internet needs just a bit more hate

 

[David Jayne]

I've never heard of a Dimension until now. This may be a hint at the answer. I may not be hip to everything but I don't live under a rock, either.

 

[I Need a six...]

Nope, it would be more like half the TB community, and most likely that half (including myself) is getting a little bored with the "I don't understand Fender" or "What's the point of Fender" threads that turn into the usual hate thread thanks to the usual suspects. Why don't you guys start a club? It would give you a place to complain about the company and instruments that you love to hate, because the internet needs just a bit more hate

I never said anything to the effect of "I hate fender". I happen to love my p bass, it's an important peice of my life. Fenders are not perfect, is what I said, and with that, no bass is perfect. Even the $10,000 fodera basses are not perfect.

 

[The Bass Clef]

I think Fender just doesn't care all that much about their basses honestly. They sell so many more guitars and offer such a wide array of models, options, colors, etc.. compared to their basses, that I think when a bass model doesn't just take off like a rocket, the suits in Corona don't have much patience to for it to eventually catch on. After all, they could be making more Ps and Js on those CNC machines (or more strats and teles is more like it!). Money money money muuuny. I've said it before.. I love Fenders, but don't care much for Fender.