• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Should Fender.........

Nobody

Inactive
Jul 14, 2004
2,144
4,005
gravel
Should Fender bring back the Prophecy or some other "modern" or "different" bass? Currently they only make 3 basses(Precision, Jazz, and Mustang). They have 32 Jazz basses, 20 Ps, and just the one Mustang. That's by their own admission.(see their website) Invalid Link Removed They obviously don't need to put out unique designs but why not get some of that market share? I'd like to see the Prophecy produced again.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OOD
they are trying to do something though:

they are releasing relatively affordable and quality basses from Squier:
like the new Jaguars with shortscale and humbucker models
I do believe Heartfield and the like were cool basses but they just didn't sell well unfortunately
Imagine if Warwick started to sell J bass copies .. would it sell as well as Thumbs and Corvettes? probably not
 
Fenders that aren't the Precision or Jazz have been pretty dismal failures on the market. They always seem to do something wrong on non P or J's, and they just don't sell. I have a P Lyte, and honestly, it could have been so much better had they put good pickups in it and made a more sturdy neck.
 
Rule One of business is don't try to be all things to all people. Ferrari won't be coming out with a hybrid model any time soon.

ferrari_599_hy-kers_01.jpg

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]


:hiding:



That being said. I agree with you. However companies seem to be doing this all the time though.
 
I would rather see a reissue of the Roscoe Beck bass.
+1

ROSCOE BECK V (5-String)

BODY: Special Design "Modern-Vintage" Select Alder Body
COLOURS: 3-Color Sunburst, Candy Apple Red, Shoreline Gold, Teal Green Metallic (Polyurethane Finish)
NECK: Maple, Asymmetrical Oval Shape (Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
MACHINE HEADS: Hipshot Ultralite Tuning Machines
FINGERBOARD: Pao Ferro or Maple (9.5" Radius)
NO. OF FRETS: 22 Dunlop 6105 Medium Jumbo Frets
BRIDGE: Gotoh Bridge (Strings-through-body/top-load)

PICKUPS: 2 Special Design Side By Side 5-String Bass Humbuckers
CONTROLS: Master Volume, Master Tone (with Push/Pull Mid Shaping Feature)

PICKUP SWITCHING: 3-Position Blade Pickup Selector Switch:
Position 1. (Bridge Side), Bridge Pickup
Position 2. (Middle), Bridge and Neck Pickups
Position 3. (Neck Side), Neck Pickup, 2-Mini-Toggle Coil Selector Switches.
Mini-Toggle Switch 1:
Position 1. (Bridge Side), Both Coils of Neck Pickup in Series Humbucking
Position 2. (Middle), Front Coil of Neck Pickup
Position 3. (Neck Side), Both Coils of Neck Pickup in Parallel Humbucking
Mini-Toggle Switch 2:
Position 1. (Bridge Side), Both Coils of Bridge Pickup in Series Humbucking
Position 2. (Middle), Front Coil of Bridge Pickup
Position 3. (Neck Side), Both Coils of Bridge Pickup in Parallel Humbucking, Push/Pull Mid-Shaping Tone Switch/Pot

HARDWARE: Chrome
PICKGUARD: 3-Ply Mint Green, 4-Ply Brown Tortoise Shell
SCALE LENGTH: 34" (864 mm)
WIDTH AT NUT: 1.875 (47.6 mm)

UNIQUE FEATURES:
Posiflex Graphite Neck Support Rods, Asymmetrical Neck Profile, 6-Bolt Neck Plate, Locking Strap Buttons

3420328275_da0757ddcc_z.png
 
I'd like to see the Performer brought back with a 5 string version available (also tight spacing) and better, active electronics. I hated those stupid pickups, but with EMG PJs it was a fun as hell bass. Fast neck too.