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I think they intend on tariffs on Korea also, just not as high as some countries. Whatever Korea charges as a tariff on US goods, reciprocal increases to be announced in April.The next basses I want to purchase are made in the USA and Korea. Hopefully, tariffs won't apply for Korea any time soon.
I welcome it because maybe more beginner bassists will realize there are other basses to buy instead, better basses.***???
Why would anyone want MORE EXPENSIVE instruments???
You mean like all the other 1st world countries do? I'd gleefully pay out half my income in taxes if we had good public transportation, infrastructure and universal health care and education. All this "freedom" I supposedly have isn't really paying the bills or giving me any peace of mind.Same. I would gladly pay a little more in taxes if it meant subsidizing things we need here.
You do not need new basses every year.

Threads like these in effect are influence how people should spend their money on instruments. No such threads on Fodera or Sadowsky price increases, because that is the "If you have to ask. how much it cost..." community. This extension should go beyond instruments but then the forum rules.And yet no one said they were planning on buying one, so the scolding is unnecessary. How people choose to spend their money is their business, and not really the point of the discussion. It's a general discussion about pricing policy influenced by current external economic factors, which very well will be echoed in other gear we purchase too. It goes beyond Fender.
You are assuming USA instruments are better built than in other countries. Which isn’t true.Fender is absolutely pulling a “get yours while they last” sales tactic here. I don’t blame Fender, it’s a good opportunity to scare potential buyers into the fact that prices are going up so if you snooze you loose… hopefully in the end it forces Fender to build and buy their components here, and Americans buy less but better quality instruments?
You may need new basses, to you second hand included but not new from Fender and other manufacturers. Also get a bass regardless for music, or your collection, not because it is like an essential. I got too much and do many of us. I think I only know one active member here who has only 1 bass and he gigs.
Tariff reversal: President Trump wrote on social media that he was suspending new tariffs on most imports from Mexico and Canada until April 2. The exemptions, covering goods brought into the country under a trade pact Mr. Trump signed in his first term, came just two days after he incited a trade fight by imposing tariffs of 25 percent on two of the nation’s closest economic partners.
I don't think it can happen overnight.....and what about things that cannot be made in the U.S.?
and who says a manufactured trade war is ever going to benefit the "common good"?
Most complex items that are assembled in the US use foreign parts - pretty much anything that uses electronic components will use foreign sourced materials.But American-made often has components made elsewhere, which are increasing in price.
Not that I'm aware of. You may have some boutique/small batch/handmade items, but in order to get cost effective parts they need to be sourced from overseas - especially as i mentioned above, with electronics.Are there ANY US manufacturers left making misc. guitar parts like bridges, strap pins, trussrods, chrome plated parts, etc, or is it all imported?
Yup. If your cost of goods goes up 25%, guess what happens to the cost (and therefore price) of the overall productThe world's a small place these days. Ain't much that isn't connected somehow.
Why? And do you understand the implications of that comment?I'm willing to take a hit for the common good. The U.S. has to make our own parts. Imo
We (in the US) already do pay taxes to subsidize things that we "need" - and a ton on a ton of things that we don't need, both directly and indirectly. It's not in any country's best interest to provide every single good that a country needs. I don't know how non-bass players will react if all of the sudden taxes go to directly to bass manufacturers.Same. I would gladly pay a little more in taxes if it meant subsidizing things we need here.
Everyone was a beginner at one point, this just serves to raise barriers to entry.I welcome it because maybe more beginner bassists will realize there are other basses to buy instead, better basses.
I haven't bought a bass yet this year. It's only February, but I can feel the shakes and the DT's coming on ...Oh boy…am I really reading this at TB?![]()
You mean like all the other 1st world countries do? I'd gleefully pay out half my income in taxes if we had good public transportation, infrastructure and universal health care and education. All this "freedom" I supposedly have isn't really paying the bills or giving me any peace of mind.
Meanwhile, the Mod shop is currently offering free upgrades. With 10% off the first order, I'm feeling very tempted to order one...
Is it the whole Fender line, or just Mexican imports that may be subject to a 25% tariff? ?
And that's the unfortunate truth, a lot of US companies may use a Trade War as an excuse to price-gouge, sounds like maybe Fender is jumping on that bandwagon.
Yep, that’s exactly what I mean!You mean like all the other 1st world countries do? I'd gleefully pay out half my income in taxes if we had good public transportation, infrastructure and universal health care and education. All this "freedom" I supposedly have isn't really paying the bills or giving me any peace of mind.
Meanwhile, the Mod shop is currently offering free upgrades. With 10% off the first order, I'm feeling very tempted to order one...
FYI Fender are owned by the Hawaiian firm Servco, which is privately held.Fender has been able to scrape by with the eensiest of wee profit margins for a long time. There is no way to reduce their minimal profits further, much less sate their starving shareholders begging crumbs on Wall Street. I guess average people will have to take the hit and spend a few of their huge stacks of cash.