Is Fender overpriced?

[chris_b]

Fender don't have a price. They have a range of prices for a range of models.

They still seem to be selling a lot of basses so I guess they are priced just where they need to be.

 

[Williethump]

Not mine, $460usd last year used. 2014 MIJ lightweight ash P-bass. TI Jazz flats, Seymour Duncan pickups, tangerine velvet flame turbo hardshell antique case.
Look like it going 100 standing still. And tone, hmm hmm hmm, girl.

 

[Jack Butler]

Depends. Like someone mentioned, adjusting for inflation they are about the same price they were in the 50’s. That works for the USA made stuff as a direct comparison. Personally, some of the MIM stuff exceeding $1k new would be more than I’d be willing to pay, but to each their own. Used I think they are often a good deal. My roadworn P was under $700 used and I bought a mint mid 90’s strat about 8 years ago for $250. Both are my main players.

 

[commonplayer]

As a function of supply and demand, they don’t seem to be. I own several Fenders and love them. I’ve also owned several Squier CVs and they were just about as good as the Fenders.

 

[lfmn16]

Hey guys, just wanted to hear your opinion, is Fender overpriced when it comes to basses? With overpriced is, can you get the same specs and playability or whatever you may call it for less money from a different brand?

Most if my life I've been a guitar player, and I stopped buying fender after I owned a MIM strat. Years after I tried some Fender guitars, they have decent and really good instruments, but the price always seemed way off. How is it for basses?

Cheers

This is why you should use the search feature BEFORE you post.

Beaten to death many times, guaranteed to get nasty and no chance of solving this question.

Yes, No, Maybe - there are your answers, pick one.

 

[westrock]

Over the years I have sold three Strats and four basses and made money on all of them. They all seemed over priced when I bought them...

 

[commonplayer]

Really? Why do we have to do this everyday?!?!?!?

You do realize you're free to just skip to the next post, right?

 

[Jim McCoy]

I believe they are ridiculously overpriced. I played a Precision for years back in the 70’s. Back then bands played 3 or 4 45 minute sets a night. By the end of Night I was worn out from holding up this outrageously heavy bass. I believe the best deal for the money today are the Sterling basses. You can get one almost like the Music Man Stingray for a fraction of the price. They are also much lighter than both the Music Man or the Fender. I play a 2015 Rickenbacker 4003 Walnut. I also have a Schecter Stiletto that I am very fond of. This is Schecter’s bottom line bass and it still has active electronics Humbuckers, a 24 fret neck and it is the fastest neck of any bass I’ve ever played. The only drawback is, I’m not 100% pleased with the tone. I like a totally clean sound. The pickups are slightly dirty. If you like a bit of dirt this is you’re perfect bass. I hope I have been of assistance, good luck in your search.

 

[westrock]

Not mine, $460usd last year used. 2014 MIJ lightweight ash P-bass. TI Jazz flats, Seymour Duncan pickups, tangerine velvet flame turbo hardshell antique case.
Look like it going 100 standing still. And tone, hmm hmm hmm, girl.View attachment 3840841

Nice job on that sweet deal...

 

[Phalex]

They seem to be selling a fair amount of instruments, so I’d say they are not over priced.

 

[micguy]

Some folks think they’re overpriced. Enough folks think they aren’t that they keep Fender in business. Which means they’re priced about right.

 

[JW56789]

YES.

 

[JW56789]

NO.

 

[JW56789]

BUY SQUIERS.

 

[CaptainWally]

In all seriousness, no I think they are priced pretty competitively.

They've got some nice products these days!

 

[jamro217]

Fender is as overpriced as Ford is. Fender makes everything from a Bronco to custom shop counterfeits of celebrity owned classics. As a large corporation they must perform market research to determine the flinch point of consumers so they maximize profits. Boutique manufacturers can be considered criminally overpriced for charging tens of thousands of dollars for instruments. Or can they? You can compare Fender basses to cheap sweat shop copies and judging solely by the price tag deem Fenders overpriced. Boutique builders may spend months on one instrument choosing the wood, electronics, hundreds of man hours of labor making sure every detail is as perfect as it can be. Is that worth more than one piece of band sawed basswood out of one thousand? It's up to you to decide. I think instruments are like people. They are all individuals. If you happen to get the absolute best piece of basswood and the best grain of wood in the maple neck, the best batch of cheap electronics from an outsourced company and the first run of a new drill bit, you could have a fantastic instrument for a great price. It could go the other way, too. A miserable dog that sounds and feels terrible no matter how many mods you perform. You got the worst piece of wood, a warped neck with lots of runout, the last bass made on a Friday afternoon and skipped over by QC. Regardless of what you pay, instruments vary.

 

[Mister Molina]

I think that they are a reference point to know if other brands are overpriced.

Like others said, for value buy used.

 

[Ryan L.]

Nope, I don’t think they’re overpriced at all. I’ve also never gotten these bad ones some people talk about, and I’ve owned a lot of Fender basses.

 

[IamGroot]

Fenders cost the same as they did 60 years ago, when adjusted for inflation.

However, the consumer has a much greater selection of brands today with high quality and high performance at substantially lower prices.

The business analyst would probably say something to the effect that Fenders are overpriced for most buyers, but there is a devoted fan base that is willing to pony up the money.

 

[4001]

My Squier says "by Fender".