New Fender Tribute Models

[LeFunk Machine]

They don't even have to be tribute models. Why not just make a Jazz bass with double mudbuckers, or a mudbucker and a single coil in the bridge? It does not have to be all that complicated as a signature or tribute model.

Fender is so narrowly focused on their formula they don't even have a production of a P bass with a Jazz neck. It is literally two parts they have already.

Do you think Fender hasn't thought of releasing P-bass with jazz necks? They have but it just doesn't suit them business wise. It's all about the money nowadays. Its gonna make them a lot of money shortem but long-term, its not a money maker. They'd rather have you buy both and flip the necks or buy a replacement neck.

 

[matty1039]

Do you think Fender hasn't thought of releasing P-bass with jazz necks? They have but it just doesn't suit them business wise. It's all about the money nowadays. Its gonna make them a lot of money shortem but long-term, its not a money maker. They'd rather have you buy both and flip the necks or buy a replacement neck.

I know. But it says to me that they won’t do a basic modification out of mass produced, existing parts so they definitely won’t undertake something radical like a Mudbucker jazz.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

I know. But it says to me that they won’t do a basic modification out of mass produced, existing parts so they definitely won’t undertake something radical like a Mudbucker jazz.

Definitely.

 

[GregC]

Yes, Sarcasm. It really was a pretty popular bass, quite a few were sold. Fender didn’t stop production because it didn’t sell, they stopped because they lost Beck’s endorsement.

there are a decent number of folks on the Roscoe Beck thread, so there are definitely some RB users on TB. I happen to own 2 of them ... great basses and they must be fairly popular because while quite a few were built, they rarely come up for sale in the used market .... particularly the 4's, the 5ers are easier to find used.

sad thing that Fender dropped the RB line, they were/are so well built and equipped. I believe I have read that some part of the Dimension series basses were driven by elements of the RB.

OK, cool. It didn't seem very popular to me as a regular visitor to TB at the time, but you guys are no doubt more familiar with that situation than I was.

 

[5StringBlues]

This is interesting. I love everything Chris Squire. Is there a story behind this bass? Did he use it live? Thanks!

Here's that bass in pre-Howe YES. I've read he played it on Lucky Seven from his first solo album as well as Sweet Dreams.


Clear shot at 5:06. I want a Squire Squeir.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Here's that bass in pre-Howe YES. I've read he played it on Lucky Seven from his first solo album as well as Sweet Dreams.


Clear shot at 5:06. I want a Squire Squeir.

Wow! Very cool! Thanks!

 

[Wisebass]

hi 58kites

I think Fender could sell some tribute models.

Mel Schacher Mudbucker Jazz

A Jazz that looks like a swiss cheese?

Maybe they will sell when acid has a revival. (with pills as case candy)

Otherwise just buy a P bass (that's what Mel did after that bad trip)


greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[Wisebass]

hi artimus667

FENDER! If you’re listening here’s three things I want from you...

1. Phil Lynott signature p-bass

Fender does that!

The bass is dirt cheap! the case and case candy are hefty!

The sunglasses are expensive!

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[58kites]

A Jazz that looks like a swiss cheese?
Maybe they will sell when acid has a revival. (with pills as case candy)

Otherwise just buy a P bass (that's what Mel did after that bad trip)

And when he did the Grand Funk recordings never sounded as good.
Who cares if it looked like a standard Jazz Bass or not?
There are definitely great bass sounds that can come from that humbucker in that position.
Same with Berry Oakleys choice of pickup in that spot.
Same with what Billy Sheehan did to his P bass in the mid 70's.
Same with what Jack Casady did to his basses.
Same with John Entwhistle.
Glen Cornick.
Etc, etc, etc.

I don't care a whole lot what Fender does really, don't have any Fender made basses,
but I do have several (split) P Basses, and a Squier '72 Tele Bass reissue.
I've found basses that have pickups/pickup configurations that I like the sound of, a Jazz bass is not one of them.
In one case I took out the Jazz pickups and installed a good Thunderbird pickup in the middle spot, which to me sounds better and doesn't dive like a T-Bird.

 

[user362432]

You can always start your own production and see how it goes...

 

[bassgtarman]

I personally would buy a Road Worn Phil Lynott signature bass. In a heart beat. For around 999$. I know it’s only a p-bass but I have a fans love for Thin Lizzy so it’s a no brainer.

I bought a JMJ signature bass because it it was the best platform for a custom project that I was dreaming of and I kept getting priced out of fixer-upper vintage mustang basses. On its own, this was mostly just a great straight ahead vintage type mustang bass. Even if you don’t know who Justin Meldel Johnsen is.

FENDER! If you’re listening here’s three things I want from you...

1. Phil Lynott signature p-bass
2. 1970 American original Mustang Bass in candy apple red w/competition stripe and matching headstock.
3. A well done reissue of some classic Sunn amps.

A LOT of people would probably buy a Phil Lynott P Bass if it was $1000, but $12,000??? That's just silly.

 

[bassgtarman]

It's kind of off the subject of tribute basses, but on the subject of new basses Fender DOES put out, I can't help but think they kind of missed the mark by not giving the Squier Paranormal Jazz a tele-style headstock.

 

[LeFunk Machine]

It's kind of off the subject of tribute basses, but on the subject of new basses Fender DOES put out, I can't help but think they kind of missed the mark by not giving the Squier Paranormal Jazz a tele-style headstock.

Oh yeah, the new Squier Paranormal jazz bass should have definitely came with tele-style headstocks.

 

[58kites]

A LOT of people would probably buy a Phil Lynott P Bass if it was $1000, but $12,000??? That's just silly.

I think this is where opinions will vary wildly about who is a viable candidate for a Signature or Tribute model, based mainly on age of the person you ask.
Both the Allman Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad sold way more records than Thin Lizzy but their bass players were not the front man.
Jimi Hendrix or SRV guitars and Sting or Flea basses are no brainer choices.
The Dee Dee Ramone bass was limited to 1000 basses (I think) and the Ramones were culturally huge to a much bigger audience compared to Thin Lizzy.
This is where I guess Fender would go look at that Rolling Stone list of greatest (most popular in their eyes) bass players of all time thing.
What's strange to me is that Dee Dee Ramone, Paul Simonon, Sid Vicious, Phil Lynott and a ton of other famous bass players played stock Fender Precision or Jazz basses.
So, I see no need to buy their Tribute/Signature bass because a Dee Dee/Paul Simonon/Sid Vicious bass is just the punk standard white P Bass with black guard.
Where Sting has a bass you don't see every day, or Dusty Hill or Flea or the three guys I mentioned, all functionally different than standard Precision and Jazz, so for me maybe a reason to want one.

But the Artist Series instruments, and the Phil Lynott or Dee Dee Ramone limited run helps keep the Fender mystique going that they are the center of the guitar/bass universe past, present and future, which is a good thing for them.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

I think this is where opinions will vary wildly about who is a viable candidate for a Signature or Tribute model, based mainly on age of the person you ask.
Both the Allman Brothers and Grand Funk Railroad sold way more records than Thin Lizzy but their bass players were not the front man.
Jimi Hendrix or SRV guitars and Sting or Flea basses are no brainer choices.
The Dee Dee Ramone bass was limited to 1000 basses (I think) and the Ramones were culturally huge to a much bigger audience compared to Thin Lizzy.
This is where I guess Fender would go look at that Rolling Stone list of greatest (most popular in their eyes) bass players of all time thing.
What's strange to me is that Dee Dee Ramone, Paul Simonon, Sid Vicious, Phil Lynott and a ton of other famous bass players played stock Fender Precision or Jazz basses.
So, I see no need to buy their Tribute/Signature bass because a Dee Dee/Paul Simonon/Sid Vicious bass is just the punk standard white P Bass with black guard.
Where Sting has a bass you don't see every day, or Dusty Hill or Flea or the three guys I mentioned, all functionally different than standard Precision and Jazz, so for me maybe a reason to want one.

But the Artist Series instruments, and the Phil Lynott or Dee Dee Ramone limited run helps keep the Fender mystique going that they are the center of the guitar/bass universe past, present and future, which is a good thing for them.

I think even young people recognize the value of Phil Lynott's bass playing more than how many records they sold. I'll bet if there was a Fender Phil Lynott bass similar to the $12,000 at $1,200 including case and memorabilia I'll bet it would sell.

 

[58kites]

I think even young people recognize the value of Phil Lynott's bass playing more than how many records they sold. I'll bet if there was a Fender Phil Lynott bass similar to the $12,000 at $1,200 including case and memorabilia I'll bet it would sell.

Again, it's a stock Fender Precision bass, so owning one is buying a stock Precision, just like the one ya already have.
I guess I don't understand why that is appealing but maybe you're right...or maybe not.
I also don't think young people know who Phil Lynott is unless they heard of him through Metallica, a band who has been making records for 37 years.

 

[artimus667]

hi artimus667
Yep. I posted an exhausting thread on this bass around when it fIrst appeared. I’ll be holding out for the Road Worn MIM version. Though if money were no object, I’m just the type who’d buy this.


Fender does that!

View attachment 3923669

The bass is dirt cheap! the case and case candy are hefty!

The sunglasses are expensive!

View attachment 3923670

greetings

Wise(b)ass

 

[artimus667]

Again, it's a stock Fender Precision bass, so owning one is buying a stock Precision, just like the one ya already have.
I guess I don't understand why that is appealing but maybe you're right...or maybe not.
I also don't think young people know who Phil Lynott is unless they heard of him through Metallica, a band who has been making records for 37 years.

Thin Lizzy is just good music. The younger folks are finding their way there without too much prodding. The nerds shall lead them. Also I think Mastodon has been covering them in this decade. There’s video of the guitarists and bassist from Mastodon playing Thin Lizzy tunes with Scott Gorham. They were definitely having a nerd moment.

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Thin Lizzy is just good music. The younger folks are finding their way there without too much prodding. The nerds shall lead them. Also I think Mastodon has been covering them in this decade. There’s video of the guitarists and bassist from Mastodon playing Thin Lizzy tunes with Scott Gorham. They were definitely having a nerd moment.

Phil Lyonott ruled. If the young people don't know it, they should do some research. Phil Lynott was outstanding.

 

[TinIndian]

I think its a cool idea. I've always dug that Tele bass that Pat Vegas from Redbone played. Whether Fender would go for it is doubtful.

The Dimension was brought up earlier. My problem with those is purely esthetic, the upper horn looks too short and the pickguard was horrendous. But thats just me.