Rickenbacker seems the complete opposite. They refuse to introduce a budget line, refuse to outsource overseas, and unfortunately refuses to introduce new products. They could actually use a little more of that.
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What has fender done? ? ?
- Thread starter chris1125
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Rickenbacker seems the complete opposite. They refuse to introduce a budget line, refuse to outsource overseas, and unfortunately refuses to introduce new products. They could actually use a little more of that.
Very true. And boy do they get lambasted for insisting on that business model.
Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
Good point.
They choose to maintain a higher standard instead of doing more volume and a greater profit; both gross and net.
For you young youngsters, there is no bargain line that is being produced for the love of music; it is all about money.
Comapnies like Lull, Sadowsky, AC, etc are working off of a completely differernt business model.
That's also why their basses go for beau-coup bucks. They probably make more per unit than most other instrument companies that enables them to continue to practice the way they do. Not a bad thing - they merely don't aim for max. growth.
For some reason, I only know Americans who practice this kind of really weird patriotism. Is "being a loyal American" the only reason you try to by American made products exclusively? Or do you actually think that stuff with "made in USA" on it is automatically better stuff? Have you ever heard a Chinese man say "I only buy Squier 'cause they're made in China, all the American stuff is crap"? No, because most people know that not everything that's made in the USA is automatically fantastic. Some examples: cars, beer, records, and indeed guitars. You may like it or not, but my Danish-built bass and my Japan-built bass will probably outshine many American instruments.
Or am I now a non-loyal Dutchman? Should I only buy real Gouda cheese, Heineken beer and tulips?
And now for the Fender thing: I don't think they should have branded the Modern Player series "Fender", 'cause then you get questions like this. They are very similar to the Squier Classic Vibe (I've tried both) and if they had called it the Squier Modern Player series or Classic Vibe Plus or something, nobody would have complained. Also, nobody would have said "hey, these instruments are fantastic, why aren't they called Fender?". Because that's what people don't do. Generally. I bet that if you'd play a Squier CV without a brand name on it, and you wouldn't know the series at all, you'd think it's a Fender.
I like how their higher standard includes one of the worst bridges ever when it comes to setup.
Return it ! For $400 Fender anything is usually better than their competition. As far as China goes, they make everything from A to Z............why complain, if the same bass was made in the USA, it would have been $899 or some other obscene price.....................
If fender didnt insist on such high profit margins they could be a lot more competitive.....
If you dont like it, talk to all the die hard fender loyalists. They are the ones that will pay anything for that instrument, no matter how ubsurd the price/quality ratio gets
Disagree and agree.
"All their stuff will be made in China or Asia eventually." This will not happen.
" and be ready to pay more for American Fender as the months progress."
I think this is a fair prediction, given the fact that the value/cost of American-made Fenders has continually increased since the very first P bass was made back in 1951.
I didnt say that , I said its a company thats out to make money,which you agree with, by saying every builder is out there to make money .
Leo listened to players and thus made modifications based upon there preference. The modern "fender" unlike small boutique builders has the revenue to where they can keep throwing things at the wall tell its sticks,as i said in my first post.
Once something sticks like the classic vibe squiers they then try something else like making fenders in china as well.
Meh. At $1600, it's slightly more than a MIA Fender, and considerably less than Sadowsky, Lull, etc.
Do you mean Chinese products, the people who live there, their government, or trade practices?
Just curious, not starting a debate.
A-Step-Towards said:
And once fender finds something that sticks the lulls, sadowskys and laklands of the world copy it
whether MIA, MIM, or MIC, I dont care for any of them. Ive played the 1k-2k range fenders and been totally underwhelmed, and ive played the $199 squire and thought...whats the difference? Dont get me wrong..there are some differences but not near enough to justify price difference. To brag about a MIA fender is almost an insult to American craftsmanship. They really are nothing special IMO. Ive played (and own) $500 asian instruments that feel and sound far superior to any fender Ive played.
Plus they are ugly. But I guess this is all subjective. to each his own. One thing is for sure. Fender will continue to sell a crap load of instruments to the kool aid drinking masses.
Plus they are ugly. But I guess this is all subjective. to each his own. One thing is for sure. Fender will continue to sell a crap load of instruments to the kool aid drinking masses.
acebase62 said:
Just the knee-jerk reaction to Chinese products like in the OP. No analysis, criticism, or explanation. Just: Made in China = bad
You are all entitled to your opinions, but the kool aid thing always makes me laugh.
There is a good reason less expensive Asian made instruments cost less to buy- they cost less to make. People want American made, for whatever reason (e.g. patriotism, perceived better quality, nostalgia, not knowing there are alternatives), but they have to pay for it. A portion of the increase might be due to higher margins due to the perceptions of higher quality, real or imagined, but it's not some cult brainwashing or whatever that expression is supposed to mean. It's an insult to people's choice, it's rude, and uncalled for. But respect is not something I've found much in people who claim to know better than anyone else what is right for others.
Carry on, nothing being said here that hasn't been said one million times, and it's just as boring and laughable this time around. I'll continue to enjoy my Fenders, my Japanese copies, my cheap and expensive old American basses, and I will continue to not give a damn what you or anyone else plays if it pleases them. Because everyone has their own reasons for what they do and what they buy, and people like the poster above must feel the need to be superior or they wouldn't care either. Frankly it's extremely childish and has no place here, and only the anonymity of the internet gives people the courage to be so rude and offensive.
Dont care.. never owned one and never will. Either ya dig a bass or not and should not be based on its production point. I can almost guarantee the very phone or computer you used to post your message is chinese. Fenders doing what it has to since they havnt put out a quality piece in a really long time.. why not out source? Im sorry but I feel you can only live off your name for so long..maybe Im wrong in this.
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