I really don't get why people dog on Dims. If you don't care for them, fine - I personally can't stand Jazzes - but many people are vehement about it. Live and let live.
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What's wrong with the Fender Dimension Basses?
- Thread starter tlite
- Start date
I have really wanted to demo one of these for the last 2 years, but NONE of the music instrument dealers within reasonable driving distance of me have had one in stock yet. And now that they are discontinued...
Have they all been discontinued at this point, or just rearranged? I've heard conflicting reports. It'd be too bad if they completely can them, they're a nice interpretation of a modern active bass that's sonically different from other basses on the market, and (at least the USA ones I've dealt with) are very playable.
To me, it's because Fender has model identity rather than brand identity when it comes to basses and guitars. It doesn't help that Fender entered a crowded market trying to expand it's identity.
In other words, when customers looking for a pbass or jazz bass to buy, Fender is usually at the top of the list. But when it comes to dual humbuckers, or some other style, Fender is no longer at the top of the buyer's consideration list. In fact, there probably is far more brand diversity on the top of that list, compared to the former.
Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the dimension bass that I can see.
It would be interesting to see the sales number of the corresponding basses from EBMM that are pbass and jazz bass related. I'll anticipate that they also are experiencing much of the same.
In other words, when customers looking for a pbass or jazz bass to buy, Fender is usually at the top of the list. But when it comes to dual humbuckers, or some other style, Fender is no longer at the top of the buyer's consideration list. In fact, there probably is far more brand diversity on the top of that list, compared to the former.
Otherwise, there is nothing wrong with the dimension bass that I can see.
It would be interesting to see the sales number of the corresponding basses from EBMM that are pbass and jazz bass related. I'll anticipate that they also are experiencing much of the same.
I heard one in a three piece a few years back. Sounded great. However, that's now what I'm going for when I play a Fender. YMMV.
My problem with Fender in general is the lack of short scales outside the Mustang line. Not looking for a huge production run, just the basics. Offer a P, J, Dimension in 3TS, black and red. Everytime Fender has had a short scale offering besides the Mustang in the last decade, it has sold out its limited run. I'd buy a SS Dimension bass.
Check out this video Fluff posted a few days ago. Although it centers on guitar and not bass, I immediately thought it hit the nail on the head with regard to Fender's J and P basses. It's definitely interesting how a brand gets pigeonholed into one or two designs. I have a 90s MIJ Fender MB-5, and although it's a fantastic bass, it wasn't popular upon release, and wasn't popular when re-released in the 2000s as a Squier model either.
TL;DR (sorry).
I’d have preferred to see a Jazz Bass with single or double MM-style p’ups. I think Fender really misses it here. They do it with the Strat and Tele, offering many humbucker, P-90 and TV Jones options — yes, I know about the Cabronita P, but maybe two p’ups guys, eh? — why not an MM H or HH Jazz? Maybe a Jazz with Nordi Big Singles or Bart soapbars? Or even Suhr-style single-pole p’ups?
And here’s the real missed opportunity (IMHO), the Flea Jazz. Yep, its a standard Jazz configuration, but Flea’s Custom Shop model, what he actually plays, has a single MM p’up.
I’d have preferred to see a Jazz Bass with single or double MM-style p’ups. I think Fender really misses it here. They do it with the Strat and Tele, offering many humbucker, P-90 and TV Jones options — yes, I know about the Cabronita P, but maybe two p’ups guys, eh? — why not an MM H or HH Jazz? Maybe a Jazz with Nordi Big Singles or Bart soapbars? Or even Suhr-style single-pole p’ups?
And here’s the real missed opportunity (IMHO), the Flea Jazz. Yep, its a standard Jazz configuration, but Flea’s Custom Shop model, what he actually plays, has a single MM p’up.
Honestly, the Dimension is the only Fender bass that actually speaks to me-- I'm just not going to have the money to buy a new bass for a long time. I do agree with the earlier sentiment, however, that they should have introduced a dual-pickup model BEFORE the single-pickup model. Thus, the initial impression by the buying public would have probably been "jazz bass on steroids" as opposed to "stingray wannabe".
Regarding their Deluxe/Elite model, I think it would have been a better move to ditch the midrange control (which I find to be not terribly useful without an accompanying sweep control anyway) for a pickup pan knob on their 2-pickup models.
The body is comfortable while still giving a nod to the old Jazz bass. The tone is aggressive and metal-friendly with stainless steel strings. The preamp is ok. It's a good bass, but it's not a P or J, even if you can make the argument that it is an "evolution" of the J.
Also, I personally like the pickguard, as it reminds me of that of the Telecaster bass with the giant humbucker in the neck position, or Warmoth's "'72" P-bass, albeit without the portion covering the upper horn.
Regarding their Deluxe/Elite model, I think it would have been a better move to ditch the midrange control (which I find to be not terribly useful without an accompanying sweep control anyway) for a pickup pan knob on their 2-pickup models.
The body is comfortable while still giving a nod to the old Jazz bass. The tone is aggressive and metal-friendly with stainless steel strings. The preamp is ok. It's a good bass, but it's not a P or J, even if you can make the argument that it is an "evolution" of the J.
Also, I personally like the pickguard, as it reminds me of that of the Telecaster bass with the giant humbucker in the neck position, or Warmoth's "'72" P-bass, albeit without the portion covering the upper horn.
The body shape and the pickguard. Otherwise it is a fine bass. I'd prefer a P body with those two $$.
The reason being, so much pop music that evolves into the new pop music is based upon tones of its predecessors and so a player's tonal reference is already adjusted to a certain range + -. That's some of the reason why new models meet some resistance.Oh yes, the knobs were cheap. The bass felt 10x better after I replaced them.Hey, I'm not a Fender fanboy. Gave my first Fender away when I was 20, got it back when I was 40, then added a Jazz and a Dimension. Just because I liked the idea of seeing something a new design.
I think it's interesting that all kinds of luthiers like Dingwall, Lull, Xotic, De Gier, Tobias can make renditions of existing Fender models. They sometimes look odd to me, slightly misshapen, or they add unnecessary stuff. Yet, no one asks the question 'what were they thinking? Nice try, but you got it wrong'. We all see it as valid additions. Personally I think it's Fender's personal failure not to improve these models themselves. Why had Leo Fender to leave his own company to be able to reinvent some of the stuff, like he did with Musicman and G&L? All these fancy expensive Fender copies are boring to me. It's the safe choice for luthiers, but it's not very creative. I expect something new, something of their own. It would be very strange if Tobias would make a Wal or Alembic copy.
But hey...let's imagine the P wouldn't exist at all, Fender started out with the Jazz bass in the 50's, and the P would be presented this year. I wonder how people would respond. Now people say: sure, it has a clunky body, a clunky neck and the sounds you get are very limited....but that's 'how it's supposed to be'. I'm convinced that if before only Jazz basses existed, people would give it the same treatment as the Dimension gets. They might call it a silly attempt by Fender to try something new. Useless, misshapen...not a Jazz bass. They should've stuck with what they got.
To me, Fender's attempt to try something new, in a world full of Fender copies, deserves more respect. And the criticism on the basses is quite consistently based on ideas and assumptions of what Fender must've thought and not on the actual quality of the instrument. Assuming that they wanted to build a MM and criticizing it for being it something else, is not valid criticism on the bass itself. It's about your personal expectations. Many basses were and are built this way. Wals, Pedulla's, Yamaha's, even Gibsons...
Not to start a different fight BUT, gigging musicians who play every weekend night tend to stay with what works and keep it simple so troubleshooting is minimized 'cause it's almost always onstage. Thus, when I started using the Dimension, like my Precision V, you work with what you have and learn to make it work with the other musicians. For many who aren't always in a band, the tones of whatever it is you own may get 'old' or just not be what you like.
Fender is going for a piece of the MM market and I think this product does a respectable job of capturing some of the MM sound and vibe. The problem is if you already own a P and a J and you want the MM sound to your arsenal, why buy yet another Fender when you can add some manufacturer variety to your stable by buying a MM?
Maybe the fender fans only like designs that were bought by a group of people who bought them from someone else who bought them from Leo?
I'm not sure, but as of at least yesterday, they were no longer listed on the Fender website
Nothing is (really) wrong with them. As others have said it's all about if that's what you like and you can/are comfortable with/want to be stepping out from the norm of the standard Fender models.
As someone who loves fender products (jazz bass, p bass, Musicman), none of these basses work as well for all the tunes I am playing in my 13 piece band.
We play jazz, blues, funk, Motown, and soul. The dimension is a fantastic versatile bass. I've spent alot of time with it and have learned how to use the pre amp. I use three switch settings and make minor adjustments to the pre amp to get thru a set. I've used it in the studio as well.
I was not sold on the looks at first, but the features of this bass overshadow that for me. It does so many things right and is a true departure for Fender.
I know some people won't give it a second look, let alone play it for many reasons ( tradition, looks, skepticism) . But those who do might be pleasantly surprised.
We play jazz, blues, funk, Motown, and soul. The dimension is a fantastic versatile bass. I've spent alot of time with it and have learned how to use the pre amp. I use three switch settings and make minor adjustments to the pre amp to get thru a set. I've used it in the studio as well.
I was not sold on the looks at first, but the features of this bass overshadow that for me. It does so many things right and is a true departure for Fender.
I know some people won't give it a second look, let alone play it for many reasons ( tradition, looks, skepticism) . But those who do might be pleasantly surprised.
In my recent search I played around 22 basses and after about 19 I only had a Deluxe dimension on my short list. It was a blue green colour without a pickguard. I was impressed for the price and I preferred in to the jazz Deluxes I tried. But then I played a Sterling which trumped it for feel and tone. Then I picked up a Lakland 44-01. Guess what's getting delivered on Wednesday? I liked the dimension but it did feel odd to be playing Fender that wasn't a P or J. Maybe that's an issue for a lot of folk? It wouldn't have been for me if it had the balance and quality if the Lakland. I guess my point is if you have to have a Fender try a load and pick the best. There are others that do the same but are consistently better. I would have been happy with it but I know I'll be happier with my Lakland.
