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What's wrong with the Fender Dimension Basses?

#161
I ultimately came to the same conclusion. When I compared it to an L-2500, the Dimension came across as very refined, almost 'dignified' in tone. The L-2500 was more of a a snarling beast. When compared to my ACG Uber custom, it lacks the depth and clarity of that bass. (The Uber is a pretty good example of type of sound you get from high-end boutique instruments.) I wouldn't be surprised that a small improvement in the pre-amp would correct these issues.
 
#162
Geri O said:
I played one, I couldn't find a thing in the world wrong with it.

But like a lot of basses, it just didn't move me enough to want one.

I would always recommend someone to give it a good and fair try, though.
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That was my experience as well. Seemed well made, tone was kind of meh. Same way I feel about a lot of popular basses
 
#164
Dbassmon said:
Dimension HH 5 Deluxe

Dimension HH 5 Deluxe

  • Media owner Dbassmon
  • Date added
  • Comments 1
Its a totally pro instrument, beautiful neck profile, flawless workmanship, sounds great... sits in the mix, easy to get a great sound, has a variety of sounds from pickup combinations before you touch eq. It has not caught on because you don't have a huge endorser like Victor or Marcus telling everyone its OK to try this out. Not that Jolanda Charles isn't wonderful but she's not a bass superstar. Looks are subjective but the bass is a quality instrument and has its own sound. Try one.
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I'd have to admit, counter to what I stated previously about Dimensions, I love the look of your bass.
 
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#165
FacStudio said:
Why are so many people comparing the Dimension Bass to a Precision or a Jazz? It's a different thing altogether. :thumbsup:
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I'm not sure that anyone did. I think it's more that some of us were trying to see where this bass fit in Fender's lineup. I think it's only natural that when you talk about Fender basses, you mention not only the brand's most popular products, but the basses that put electric basses, and ergo bass playing, on the map.
 
#166
Kevin Lynch said:
I'm not sure that anyone did. I think it's more that some of us were trying to see where this bass fit in Fender's lineup. I think it's only natural that when you talk about Fender basses, you mention not only the brand's most popular products, but the basses that put electric basses, and ergo bass playing, on the map.
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Of course people compare. Those are THE staple bass tones a against which all other bass tones are judged.
 
#167
dnp41 said:
Of course people compare. Those are THE staple bass tones a against which all other bass tones are judged.
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Bass tones or bass designs? For me personally, tone is an individual and subjective thing. Of course you can't have tone without an instrument, in this case the bass guitar. The instrument is just one of many possible variables needed to achieve tone. Sorry if I sound as if I'm nitpicking, but tone is one of those "holy grail" things that we as musicians (and especially as bass players) try to perfect. Anyway.....I do think your point about making comparisons is spot on.
 
#168
Kevin Lynch said:
Bass tones or bass designs? For me personally, tone is an individual and subjective thing. Of course you can't have tone without an instrument, in this case the bass guitar. The instrument is just one of many possible variables needed to achieve tone. Sorry if I sound as if I'm nitpicking, but tone is one of those "holy grail" things that we as musicians (and especially as bass players) try to perfect. Anyway.....I do think your point about making comparisons is spot on.
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I agree, tone is not the right word, lets call it "voicing" of the bass
 
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#170
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
???? and then? What's wrong with the Dimension line of basses? Stay focused please ... I need to know as I am GASsing ! :cool:
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There is nothing really wrong with these basses. The last 100 of post have summed up some issues people might have with them, either in terms of marketing or personal preferences. But the dimension bass is a great bass. I have the American elite and it is build wise the best bass I've ever owned. My only problem with the bass is that I'm unfamiliar with its voicing, so that is something to get used to. In all honesty that's one of the reasons why all my other basses are all precision type basses. I did however find one setting I really like and when I play basses back to back, the dimension always wins. It is however definitely not a P bass like bass in terms of voicing.if you're gassing for one and can find a great deal on a blow out sale (bought mine for 50% off) I would definitely recommend.
 
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#171
So more than one poster states "the bass sounded cool but did not excite me". I understand what you are saying but it what happens in the context of a rhythm section that should be judged, not demoing it in your practice room. The p bass is a classic example of bass that just does not sound exciting by itself, play it in a band, it's beautiful. Dimension too.
 
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#172
Felken said:
I dunno about you guys, but if I were in the market for a humbucker-type bass, the Dimension would be a serious contender. I love the look. A red body with black pickguard would look killer.
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#179
I think that like most things, they get drowned out by all the interest in and presence of Ps. Js and MM basses.

I feel like these Dimensions have caught on to some folks that really like them, myself included.

They have a lot more umph than MM basses in my experience. A more aggressive sound, more like a Jazz but definitely with an MM flavor because of PU design and placement. They also have a more aggressive response (less of the pillowy roundness that is in the MM) and they don't suffer from the quiet G- far from it in fact. Nice flat radius (12") and very light weight.

The ones I own are the MP Dimension (with the triple coil pickup and coil selector knob), a 4 string Mexican Deluxe and two 5 string Mexican deluxes. All single pickup, very simple.

Some say that the MIM ones have a harsh treble in the preamp. I think that is fair but easy to tame.

They really are cool and worth checking out. Not a cutting edge new product, which may be why they are not at the top of discussion, but a very nice and slightly different take on the MM style bass.
 
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#180
I want to give the Dimension another try, the one I tried at GC a while back gave me a bad initial impression of the bass- it wasn't set up correctly (note to GC- if you put a bass up on the wall, you might sell it if you set it up, heck, even tune it) and perhaps it does feel "cheaper" and less solid than the typical Jazz or P-Bass but I don't think I gave it a fair shake. I'm not adverse to Fender thinking outside the box, not adverse to other models, I owned a US Fender JP-90 which in my opinion is an extremely underrated bass, yes the pickguard was funky but the thing was a player.
 

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