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What's up with stores and Fender?

#45
steve_rolfeca said:
I've been looking for various new basses and guitars lately, and although life is returning to normal in a lot of places, no-one seems to have any stock.

Sweetwater and Fender are a perfect example. Just look at these numbers:

Between $300 and $749.99, Fender has 42 models listed on Sweetwater. When I checked today, just two of those models (four actual basses in total) were available:
  • Black Player Precision (3 to choose from).
  • A B-Stock Surf Green Special Edition Mustang.
I can understand low-volume items getting low priority under the circumstances. That explains why there no fretless basses, no acoustics, no lefties, no Jaguars, no Bass VI's, no 5-strings.

But not even one low-end Jazz Bass? No natural, sunburst, metallic or natural finishes?

It's like a graveyard out there!

Things aren't much better for the 46 models between $750 and $1499.99. Just 7 are in stock if you ignore colour differences: Only one Vintera, no regular Precision basses (just PJ's), no new Performers or Players, no Mustangs, Jaguars, or Bass VI's, almost no signature models, no natural finishes or fretless, etc.:
  • Deluxe Active J bass V in sunburst/maple (4 in stock).
  • Deluxe Active PJ Special in sunburst/maple (4 in stock).
  • Geddy Lee in black (4 in stock).
  • 60th Anniversary Roadworn 60's Jazz in Oly White (4 in stock), sunburst (3 in stock), or Firemist Silver.
  • Vintera 70's Jazz in Inca Silver (3 in stock).
  • Duff McKagan PJ in Pearl White (3 in stock).
  • Used American performer Jazz in Satin Surf Green/Maple.
Of course, Fender would love us all to up our spending, which is why there are 67 models on Sweetwater between $1500 and $3,000. However, things are pretty depressing up there as well. Lefties with money to burn finally hit it big, as they even get a handful of models with more than one to choose from. However, that leaves the rest of us to fight over just 3 models and 4 actual basses, one of which is a demo:
  • Lefty American Professional II Jazz in Dark Night/rosewood.
  • Lefty American Professional II Jazz in sunburst/rosewood (4 in stock).
  • Lefty American Professional II Jazz in Olympic White/rosewood (2 in stock).
  • Lefty Professional II Precision in Olympic White/rosewood (3 in stock).
  • Lefty Professional II Precision in Black/maple.
  • Demo American Ultra Jazz in ultraburst w/Rosewood.
  • American Original 50's Precision in Aztec Gold.
  • American Original 70's Jazz in Vintage White/maple (2 in stock).
What's most remarkable about these lists, is what isn't on there: No Custom Shop, no lefties under $1500, no fretless basses, almost no signature models or natural finishes, and just one lonely 5-string in stock.
Click to expand...
 
#46
steve_rolfeca said:
I've been looking for various new basses and guitars lately, and although life is returning to normal in a lot of places, no-one seems to have any stock.

Sweetwater and Fender are a perfect example. Just look at these numbers:

Between $300 and $749.99, Fender has 42 models listed on Sweetwater. When I checked today, just two of those models (four actual basses in total) were available:
  • Black Player Precision (3 to choose from).
  • A B-Stock Surf Green Special Edition Mustang.
I can understand low-volume items getting low priority under the circumstances. That explains why there no fretless basses, no acoustics, no lefties, no Jaguars, no Bass VI's, no 5-strings.

But not even one low-end Jazz Bass? No natural, sunburst, metallic or natural finishes?

It's like a graveyard out there!

Things aren't much better for the 46 models between $750 and $1499.99. Just 7 are in stock if you ignore colour differences: Only one Vintera, no regular Precision basses (just PJ's), no new Performers or Players, no Mustangs, Jaguars, or Bass VI's, almost no signature models, no natural finishes or fretless, etc.:
  • Deluxe Active J bass V in sunburst/maple (4 in stock).
  • Deluxe Active PJ Special in sunburst/maple (4 in stock).
  • Geddy Lee in black (4 in stock).
  • 60th Anniversary Roadworn 60's Jazz in Oly White (4 in stock), sunburst (3 in stock), or Firemist Silver.
  • Vintera 70's Jazz in Inca Silver (3 in stock).
  • Duff McKagan PJ in Pearl White (3 in stock).
  • Used American performer Jazz in Satin Surf Green/Maple.
Of course, Fender would love us all to up our spending, which is why there are 67 models on Sweetwater between $1500 and $3,000. However, things are pretty depressing up there as well. Lefties with money to burn finally hit it big, as they even get a handful of models with more than one to choose from. However, that leaves the rest of us to fight over just 3 models and 4 actual basses, one of which is a demo:
  • Lefty American Professional II Jazz in Dark Night/rosewood.
  • Lefty American Professional II Jazz in sunburst/rosewood (4 in stock).
  • Lefty American Professional II Jazz in Olympic White/rosewood (2 in stock).
  • Lefty Professional II Precision in Olympic White/rosewood (3 in stock).
  • Lefty Professional II Precision in Black/maple.
  • Demo American Ultra Jazz in ultraburst w/Rosewood.
  • American Original 50's Precision in Aztec Gold.
  • American Original 70's Jazz in Vintage White/maple (2 in stock).
What's most remarkable about these lists, is what isn't on there: No Custom Shop, no lefties under $1500, no fretless basses, almost no signature models or natural finishes, and just one lonely 5-string in stock.
Click to expand...

It isn't just instruments in short supply. Most everything consumers buy, as well as their components, are in with short supply, or their prices have gone through the roof, or both!
 
#52
Acoop said:
I really thought it would be 06 all over again with lost of gear going cheap. ... Well, that didn't happen. ... Big music stores have done very well by shutting down.
Click to expand...

Half and half. The demand for instruments went through the roof, esp. guitars and basses, but the demand for everything gig-related is gone way down (Pa systems, wireless systems, dynamic vocal and instrument mics). Some of the great vendors in that domain like Sennheiser are in trouble. On the other hand lumber is in high demand in the furniture and the construction industry, the prices for lumber are getting higher and higher, a lot of construction work has stopped due to the non-availabilty of wood.

I just remembered how decades ago, Fender stopped to use poplar on their mexican instruments and switched to alder, because there was a high demand for poplar in the furniture industry making it more expensive than alder.
 
#53
I have been bass shopping, and it has been frustrating. In addition, I require a light weight bass, so I am limited to shops that list weights. Not many of them either. I really like Sweetwater, but, as mentioned before, they have such a limited stock.

Yesterday morning I grabbed a 7 lb 5 oz Ibanez SR600e right away from Melody Music Shop. I have bought from them before and basses arrived well packed with easy pickup for me at the local FedEx Store.

I also noticed they have 21 Fender basses in stock and for sale. 21! No, I am not affiliated in any way with this store, but I have been able to get the basses I need there in a timely way and has been nice doing business with them.

Here is a link to the Fender basses, and there are even more Ibanez basses and others:

BASS – Melody Music Shop LLC
 
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#55
This is classic too much demand, not enough inventory.
When things shut down retailers pulled back on orders (nobody knew what was going to happen). If you remember, GC filled for bankruptcy and reorganized their business. Fender, like most companies had to shut down the factory, then open it at reduced staffing. Suddenly stores began getting orders from customers tired of sitting around the house. A Massive amount of orders came in with not enough manpower to fulfill them quickly. Throw in higher prices for wood and other materials, shipping delays, cargo stuck at ports, the perfect storm. This is consistent with many companies (try buying a new camera, car, windows for the house ...) Orders will slowly be fulfilled and new products will probably be introduced and life goes on.
 

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