What's wrong with the Fender Dimension Basses?

[Rodslinger]

I doubt prices will jump. It's being discontinued because they weren't selling, Retailers have been trying to blow these out in my neck of the woods and still keep seeing them for sale.

I hope so!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Abbreviated upper horn and full-sized headstock.

Preemptive response to standard suggestion: "No, I'm not going to buy any more super-comfy straps".

Riis

 

[HeavyDuty]

Abbreviated upper horn and full-sized headstock.

Preemptive response to standard suggestion: "No, I'm not going to buy any more super-comfy straps".

Riis

Both of mine hang just fine on a normal leather strap.

 

[Philibuster]

I have been intrigued by these for some time, but have never seen one in the wild, so I am unable to definitively say whether or not I like them. A quick Reverb search presents a small dilemma for folks that may be in a similar position: there are so many options! For a bass I know nothing about, how do I know if I want a standard, an Am Std, or an Am Elite (or even a Modern Player, if I read correctly)??

I think Fender was presented with a bigger dilemma than I: “Do we introduce this thing on the ground floor and grow grassroots support a la Precision and Jazz basses OR do we offer this new beast as a suitable substitute to all core flavors of P and J?” Obviously, they chose the latter, and here we are today.

I liken it to not educating your child and not sending them to school until 9th grade and then expecting them to graduate with their peers. Could it happen? Maybe, but it is more probable that they do not.

 

[zortation]

Pickguard is too country. Actually, Fender hasn't been able to design a decent looking pickguard for decades.

Fire the pickguard guy.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I have been intrigued by these for some time, but have never seen one in the wild, so I am unable to definitively say whether or not I like them. A quick Reverb search presents a small dilemma for folks that may be in a similar position: there are so many options! For a bass I know nothing about, how do I know if I want a standard, an Am Std, or an Am Elite (or even a Modern Player, if I read correctly)??

I think Fender was presented with a bigger dilemma than I: “Do we introduce this thing on the ground floor and grow grassroots support a la Precision and Jazz basses OR do we offer this new beast as a suitable substitute to all core flavors of P and J?” Obviously, they chose the latter, and here we are today.

I liken it to not educating your child and not sending them to school until 9th grade and then expecting them to graduate with their peers. Could it happen? Maybe, but it is more probable that they do not.

Pondering your comments, I agree, especially about there being so many options. I originally wanted the American Standard, but by the time I saved money for it I found an American Deluxe from a GC in California at such a low price I didn't want to pass it up. Eventually I became disappointed with the sound of the bass in any pup selection. If I find an American Standard at a reasonable price I might buy it.

 

[ruju]

I dig, or dug them..the one that was a natural finish was nice..

I prefer the ATK by Ibanez though..also discontinued..

 

[packrat]

Pickguard is too country. Actually, Fender hasn't been able to design a decent looking pickguard for decades.

Fire the pickguard guy.

Do you think he's a drummer?

B>

 

[The Eristic]

Abbreviated upper horn and full-sized headstock.

Preemptive response to standard suggestion: "No, I'm not going to buy any more super-comfy straps".

Riis

Yup. Played a great Am Deluxe V on clearance at a local shop a few days ago, but, man, neck dive city and the reach feels rather extended for a 34" scale.

 

[mobdirt]

Because music man, Ibanez atk

 

[dxb]

Yup. Played a great Am Deluxe V on clearance at a local shop a few days ago, but, man, neck dive city and the reach feels rather extended for a 34" scale.

LOL, just get a better strap. Besides, I don't find the neck dive to be worse than other 5-string basses that are a similar weight. I actually prefer a bit of neck dive to the alternative of having a really heavy body. Oh, and My 4-string Dimensions don't neck dive at all.

 

[rickbass1]

Picked mine up yesterday and as predicted earlier in this thread they’ll eventually sell @ throw them out the door prices. Must say when I picked it up this morning I was totally blown away by the dimensions great action, how even it is across the entire fingerboard, and how awesome it plays without even plugging it in. Also a different enough kind of animal to the P and J to warrant keeping. Thinking this will be my new go to bass for the next few upcoming shows. So far stoked.

neck

 

[maplenecked]

View attachment 2997917 Picked mine up yesterday and as predicted earlier in this thread they’ll eventually sell @ throw them out the door prices. Must say when I picked it up this morning I was totally blown away by the dimensions great action and how even it is across the entire fingerboard, and also awesome it plays without even plugging it in. Also a different enough kind of animal to the P and J to warrant keeping. Thinking this will be my new go to bass for the next few upcoming shows. So far stoked.

Sweet collection!

 

[buldog5151bass]

Did Wolfgang VH ever play one? I saw an ad on the back of an old BP magazine where he posing with one.

 

[rickbass1]

Did Wolfgang VH ever play one? I saw an ad on the back of an old BP magazine where he posing with one.

Sweet collection!

Yes thanks, the hard part is which one to play, the maple neck and action on the dimension is perfect, will take it out on it’s first gig this weekend.

 

[Old Blastard]

Never got a chance to try it.
Have a jazz, a Starcaster and a Jag Deluxe (MIJ version) and a Squire P sonIve got my Fender down.

Starcaster is awesome, by the way.

 

[Swingin]

I’ve liked the sound of the ones I’ve played. For me it was a lack of passive options and limited color choices.

 

[selowitch]

For me it was a lack of passive options

I believe the American Standard Dimension is passive.

 

[ThaCoast]

One might postulate:
1. The Dimension basses are not good, or not good enough?

2. It's a bass that strays from its brand identity. Thus it competes with G&L, Ibanez, MM, etc. and the feeling is that if you want a bass other than a P or a Jazz variant, that Fender isn't the best manufacturer to consider?

3. Marketing issue behind this model- information not getting to the right audience?

4. I'm completely wrong and this is a super popular model despite the above (admittedly subjective) perceptions.

What's the deally on these things?

1- Dimension basses are good, but not everyone is attracted to something fender than isn't a precision or jazz bass.

2- To say there's better is a personal statement. It does fall in realm of Musicman/g&l standards for Single bridge pup with an active 3 band EQ. (aside from the modern player version which is passive but a 6 position rotary tone switch to activate different coils in the triple bucker pickup).

3- I've not heard much of it other than if i browsed the fender web back when it came out. I was curious, & also played it in store. Bought the Squier version for my GF a year back for xmas & she loves it. I love it too. Nice sound, kinda actually like it better than the Sub ray4 by musicman (although it's a two band EQ, i like the beefy tone of the dimension pickup rather than the clank of the stingray).

4- Subjective. It's a hit or miss. Kinda like how people prefer a precision over a jazz, & vice versa. Or go 180 & like the jaguar bass. It's whatever floats your boat in terms of tone you're looking for. If it feels good, sounds good & plays to your standards, vby all means own one. If not, move on to the next.

 

[GIBrat51]

What's wrong with the Fender Dimension bass?

Have you ever seen a left handed one?
No?
That's what's wrong with them...