Significant Fender price increases coming next month

[Jazzdogg]

I bought a new P-bass for $300 in 1973. The equivalent today is about $2,150, which nonetheless sounds high to this old man.

Then again, I still think a gallon of gas ought to cost about twenty-five cents, and a new F-150 should cost less than $20,000. Growing older ain't for sissies.

 

[J Wilson]

If the post-COVID experience is any example, price raises from that have never gone back down.

But it will all be down to business decisions, which are difficult right now with the yo-yo up and down nature of the tariff environment, in terms of 'bringing jobs back to America', that's going to be a real hill to climb:

It will take years to build, train staff and get up to speed, and on top of amortizing those costs, now your wages will be many multiples of what you paid in the Far East, and you get to deal with Workers Comp, benefits, SS and unemployment, etc. This is a non-starter, as any offshore company instantly realizes their price advantage is gone, and volunteering to quintuple costs is not something most businesses would go for.

It's a global economy. Trying to reel back into a 100% Made in America or any other country rarely makes sense any more, parts chains reach around the world.

I dare say Fender will not be alone: Any rational company is likely bound to pass on tariff driven costs or cease operating, should these taxes stay in place long-term.

 

[devnulljp]

Just as well all our wages went up 30% too, right? Right?

 

[TheArchitect]

Is it the whole Fender line, or just Mexican imports that may be subject to a 25% tariff? ? Doesn't sound like a great idea in a market already awash with perfectly playable, high quality instruments for 1/4-1/2 the price, not to mention a complete glut of used instruments. What new "improvements" are they offering to justify a price increase? Fender makes good quality basses and guitars, but they aren't 2-3 times "better" in terms of playability or tone than their competitors, at least to my ears and eyes. This sounds like Bad Business 101 to me.

Suffice to say, this is what tariffs do. Do you not understand this? Its not on them to offer improvements to justify increase. Its on the government to justify the tariff. Its not going to be limited to Fender or music gear. They are not doing this because they want to. They are doing this because their costs just went up significantly.

 

[TheArchitect]

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. Curious to see if the other Majors follow suit. It's not much skin off my back either way (yet), since I build my own instruments.... until a similar level of inflation hits the price of rough lumber (which is already insanely expensive) and guitar parts, of which virtually all are imported. Up is Down, Night is Day. Interesting times we live in.

Its glaringly apparent a lot of people have no idea what a tariff is or how this will effect them

 

[J Wilson]

And just to be sure we are all on the same page:

These tariffs will be 100% paid by you, me, and every other American: There are NO costs whatsoever to the country of origin. The Government of These Here United (!) States can not tax any foreign country. You can think of them as a 10, 25, whatever percent we're talking about tax on me and you . . . or Fender, Gibson, PRS, et al.

 

[Levitamin]

And just to be sure we are all on the same page:

These tariffs will be 100% paid by you, me, and every other American: There are NO costs whatsoever to the country of origin. The Government of These Here United (!) States can not tax any foreign country. You can think of them as a 10, 25, whatever percent we're talking about tax on me and you . . . or Fender, Gibson, PRS, et al.

Although I would imagine there will be indirect costs to the countries of origin due to the fact that they will see a drop in total exports to the US because of the tariffs.

 

[J Wilson]

Although I would imagine there will be indirect costs to the countries of origin due to the fact that they will see a drop in total exports to the US because of the tariffs.

Which will likely be more than offset by the like-for-like tariffs on US imports that they have enacted.

 

[Dust2Dust]

And that's the unfortunate truth, a lot of US companies may use a Trade War as an excuse to price-gouge,

Like they used "Supply chain issues" during and after the pandemic. I mean, sure there were some legit issues, but some companies got a little carried away with that.

 

[Dust2Dust]

Fender is absolutely pulling a "get yours while they last" sales tactic here.

I'm grateful you folks were here to point that it to me! I was online loading a sunburst P in the cart!

I can't keep living my life like this!

 

[Dust2Dust]

And just to be sure we are all on the same page:

These tariffs will be 100% paid by you, me, and every other American: There are NO costs whatsoever to the country of origin. The Government of These Here United (!) States can not tax any foreign country. You can think of them as a 10, 25, whatever percent we're talking about tax on me and you . . . or Fender, Gibson, PRS, et al.

This is an outrage!

 

[Deleted member 394181]

If it were only that simple

From my point of view it can be. Maybe there are some people out there game to do it. Won't be tomorrow, but maybe someone decides to make what we need. Maybe there's a warehouse building somewhere, idk. America, I now have some hope again. Naive? Maybe. I hope in the future were not beholden to people who would cheat us.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

Musical Instruments are the least of my concern when it comes to tariffs. Better not have an Air Conditioning failure this summer. Clothing which almost all of it is made elsewhere. Food, Medicine, and certain folks electricity is at stake. The list of items that we're about to pay more for is endless..... unless the stock market dropping facilitates a moment of fiscal clarity..... get ready for long peroids of volatility on your bank account, savings, and retirement 401k.

 

[jd56hawk]

That is the reason?

Hmmm.

I think for 50+ years now, people of all economic means have always realized that there are both more expensive and objectively "better" basses available. You are the first person I've ever come across in 40 years of doing music that expressed the opinion that they WANTED instruments to be MORE expensive.

I hope folks give you that "special pricing" you want, when you're shopping for gear. Good luck with it.

Maybe some people realize that there are better basses, but many beginners don't. Many naturally think Fender.
Maybe if they see a Fender Player bass sells for $1,000, they'll ask "What would you suggest I try instead of an MIM Fender? I'm just a beginner and can't afford paying that much."
Other than that, I have five basses right now, two very special, not only because I found good prices, but because I thought outside the box.
Shouldn't everyone?
(One, not so far outside the box...it's an FSO. Yes, better than any Fender I've ever played, no, I'm not your typical Fender detractor.)

 

[friskinator]

Musical Instruments are the least of my concern when it comes to tariffs. Better not have an Air Conditioning failure this summer. Clothing which almost all of it is made elsewhere. Food, Medicine, and certain folks electricity is at stake. The list of items that we're about to pay more for is endless..... unless the stock market dropping facilitates a moment of fiscal clarity..... get ready for long peroids of volatility on your bank account, savings, and retirement 401k.

Me and my wife are planning on not buying anything for the foreseeable future unless it's something we truly need. Thankfully, all the big ticket items (cars, house, clothing, etc.) are in good shape. Not looking forward to essentials going up in price, but there isn't a damn thing we can do about it.

 

[J Wilson]

Me and my wife are planning on not buying anything for the foreseeable future unless it's something we truly need. Thankfully, all the big ticket items (cars, house, clothing, etc.) are in good shape. Not looking forward to essentials going up in price, but there isn't a damn thing we can do about it.

And a real result of these tariffs: A LOT of consumers are thinking this, rightfully hanging on to their money until the way forward becomes clear. Businesses will do the same thing, the economy slows down, and hopefully not into Recession.

 

[moon-bass]

From my point of view it can be. Maybe there are some people out there game to do it. Won't be tomorrow, but maybe someone decides to make what we need. Maybe there's a warehouse building somewhere, idk. America, I now have some hope again. Naive? Maybe. I hope in the future were not beholden to people who would cheat us.

It's not even remotely feasible or possible (in the vast, vast majority of situations), but especially with regards to components.

 

[bass12]

They should lower their prices. None of the new Fenders I've tried over the past year (with the exception of one Squier - if you want to consider that a Fender) have been remotely impressive. Some of the most uneven sounding basses I've ever played.

 

[MovingPitchers]

My last Fender I bought full price was 2018...a Player series for $899 CAD.

I still have it as my main #1. Any other Fenders I'll try to buy used.

 

[meisi]

My last Fender I bought full price was 2018...a Player series for $899 CAD.

I still have it as my main #1. Any other Fenders I'll try to buy used.

Imo there is no need to buy more than one fender of a certain type.

Mine are MIM's from 2000. $300 a pop, nice.

Upgrade what you need and the rest suits just fine.