What’s up with Fender?

Did Fender used to offer more color combinations than they do now? I don’t think they did but I could be wrong.

 

I feel like they've never had a ton of color options, they just change it up once in a while with an additional limited color or two, usually in a new model, rather than in their standard lines.

They also discontinue colors and the 80s was long ago.

 

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Fender...-Fingerboard-Sienna-Sunburst-1500000311629.gc

 

I've been in this biz a long time but never heard of an "ash inlay" on any Fender P-Bass neck. Are you, by any chance, referring to the walnut skunk stripe on the back of the neck?

If you've got your heart set on a new red P-Bass with a maple board and skunk stripe, I would take a serious look at Fender's Vintera Series '50s Precision. You can get it in Dakota red and it pretty much ticks all your boxes. It's made in Mexico but honestly, the older Classic series basses and their successors, the Vintera series P-Basses are, IMO, better basses than the American P-Basses from the '70s and '80s. Don't get hung up on the "if it's not made in the USA, it's crap" bullpoopie. Play one for yourself. If you like its feel and sound that's all that matters. A good instrument is a good instrument. At what geographical coordinates on this planet the pieces of wood were crafted and assembled is completely irrelevant. Good craftsmanship knows no political borders.

The Vintera '50s P comes in red, has the maple board you want and sounds like a Precision. I recommend you check one out.

 

I have a Mexican PBass Noir and I love it. A quality instrument by every standard.

 

You could always build one on Fender.com in the mod shop. That way you can get exactly what you want.

 

I wonder if the Fender Custom Shop is available in the UK? That could be a, possibly expensive, solution.

 

Mexican-made Fenders these days are of very high quality. Somewhere around 2008 Fender stepped up their quality remarkably. I have a 2012 MIM Jazz and it's a great bass, very playable and easily my most reliable instrument.

 

You can definitely order CS in the UK.

 

IMO there is a quality difference between US made Fenders and MIM, even the Vintera series compared to the Performer series (least expensive US-made current models.) While the MIM are certainly great instruments and worth owning, the craftsmanship, materials, hardware and electronics in the US made models are a cut-above. Still, I would take KBD’s recommendation and go for the Vintera if you want a red P-bass. It will be as nice as any ‘70s or ‘80s US model and probably exactly what you’re looking for. You may want to budget for a luthier to set it up, and a case or better gig bag than it comes with (the Performers also come with low-end bags.)

 

Lucky you, it's only available through a brick and mortar retailer in Canada. I cannot design a bass off the Fender website and order it. Fender is one of the few retailers that is shutting Canadians down.

I am thinking that we should retaliate with a maple syrup embargo. This is outrageous!

 

Oh I don't know about direct from Fender, I haven't lived in the UK for 11 years. But you can order through a retailer for sure

 

There’s more than a few of the Fender Vintera Precision basses in Dakota Red available brand new on Reverb.

 

Do give the UK fender website time to load up, at first it will seem to be giving you not much, and then when you're making your choices again give the site time to respond to your clicks.

Precision Bass | Mod Shop

And have fun with that configurator!