Where Will Fender Go Next?

[Watchootognbout]

........ and even did the boutique ERB thing with their Heartsfield line in the 90's.

Fender produced and ERB line?Who?What?When?Where?How?Your post is the first and only time I've EVER heard of such a line!!I've never seen ANY pictures or articles of such basses in any magazine.Sometimes the lack of adequate promotion is the reason a line does not sell.

 

[JimmyM]

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I spelled it wrong...it's actually Heartfield.

 

[Watchootognbout]

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I spelled it wrong...it's actually Heartfield.

Wonders never cease!Steve Bailey's first bass.I notice that the headstock says DR not Fender.If I saw these on the wall I would not know it was a Fender product.Not that that would keep me from trying one out.

 

[Lo end PUNCH]

How about a decent AND affordable 6 string NOW, with a Squire line as well?

 

[verycoolname]

I meant to post/search for a thread about this, but I think it could be put here. Not sure how recent this is, but I just saw it last week. Fender is doing this thing with their American Deluxe "Plus" Strats, where there's "Personality Cards." Essentially the guitar comes with three cards that can be interchanged, which in turn change the way the guitar is wired. For example, one setting ("Standard") leaves the guitar wired so the knobs control Volume/Tone/Tone, while inserting the "Cutter" card makes it so the controls are Volume/Treble Cut/Bass Cut. The final card, "Blender", turns it into Volume/Master Tone/Pickup Blend. Here's a video demo to make it a bit clearer...



I think it'd be cool if they brought these cards to a bass, most likely a Jazz because it already has the three control knobs. That way you could have it set to be standard Volume/Volume/Tone, or maybe Master Volume/Treble Cut/Bass Cut etc.

I don't think they necessarily have to create a slew of new models to maintain the public's interest (though I'm completely fine with them doing that), they just need to add new features (like the "Personality Cards") to well known models (like the Strat/Jazz).

 

[Jeff Scott]

I think it'd be cool if they brought these cards to a bass, most likely a Jazz because it already has the three control knobs. That way you could have it set to be ... Master Volume/Treble Cut/Bass Cut etc.

Strats have a pickup selector switch; how would you choose pickups on a Jazz Bass with this proposed concept of yours?

 

[verycoolname]

Strats have a pickup selector switch; how would you choose pickups on a Jazz Bass with this proposed concept of yours?

To the best of my knowledge (as stated in my first post this is a relatively new discovery of mine) the "Personality Cards" don't depend on the pickup selecting switch in any way, they merely change what parameters the three control knobs (on a Strat Volume/Tone/Tone, and on a Jazz Volume/Volume/Tone) control. The only card that mentions the pickup/pickup selection is the "Blender" (by selecting various combinations in the five-way switch you choose which pickup is being blended).

Maybe I'm wrong and that's why Fender hasn't done this for bass yet, but I don't think the pickups/pickup selection affect the cards.

(But, like I said, maybe I'm wrong and you're on to something...Sweetwater has more detailed info about it here...maybe I missed something )...

 

[Jeff Scott]

I think the reason this card works with a Strat is because it has a selector switch; just going by your description (I do have to read up on this personality card thing) it apparently changes the function of what the potentiometers do, leaving one to still be able to select what pickup will be affected by these changes.

IMHO, I feel these kinds of things are gimmicks designed more for the manufacturer to be able to make more money by selling the consumer more stuff. Most musicians (again, IMHO) don't want/need more options, they just want a few choices that give them their "ideal" tones. It would be interesting to see how many players use their tone controls (vs. pickup selection/blending) on a regular basis.

 

[Bassmunnky]

Offering All the Vintage colors would be a start-

Dan Lakin is. God why is it so hard?

 

[SanDiegoHarry]

Offering All the Vintage colors would be a start-

Dan Lakin is. God why is it so hard?

Fender appears to be operating like any successful large company - meaning that every decision - color, model, design change - isn't just a "product" decision but a marketing strategy decision. I'll be willing to bet that when they decide not to roll out a "vintage" color that they believe will sell well for one product line its because they will offer that color on a more profitable line. Plain and simple, Fender is in the business of making money, not making folks happy.

Were *I* running Fender, I'd do the same thing - but I'd also reduce my line offerings drastically. But I don't run Fender, so there ya go.

 

[verycoolname]

I think the reason this card works with a Strat is because it has a selector switch; just going by your description (I do have to read up on this personality card thing) it apparently changes the function of what the potentiometers do, leaving one to still be able to select what pickup will be affected by these changes.

IMHO, I feel these kinds of things are gimmicks designed more for the manufacturer to be able to make more money by selling the consumer more stuff. Most musicians (again, IMHO) don't want/need more options, they just want a few choices that give them their "ideal" tones. It would be interesting to see how many players use their tone controls (vs. pickup selection/blending) on a regular basis.

I guess that would make sense...I have to read up on it more too. I'm looking for an in-depth description on Fender's site, but all I find when I search "Personality Card" is the actual product listing.

And I agree that it's definitely a gimmick, and I guess it has yet to be seen whether or not it'll actually work and sell more Strats. We think alike because, while I think it'd be interesting to see a bass with this sort of function on it, I probably wouldn't buy it. However, if Fender is trying to cater to those who want something other than the norm (think someone who has to have the shiniest, most technologically advanced toy) it could be possible that they go in this sort of direction.

IMO they've been heading this way (out of the realm of "Fender Normal") recently, mostly because of the Strat Personality Card thing and the introduction of the Dimension bass.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I'd like to try a Dimension bass, but the only one around here is the cheap one, the Chinese made one; I am only interested in the American made Deluxe with two pickups but I don't think the Fender dealers here will ever get one it, they are far more interested in selling $300 instruments.....

 

[SwitchGear]

I would like to see a roadworn Telecaster bass. Light weight late '60's style.

 

[peterbright]

Fender will come out with a headless 6 string...oops wrong nightmare.

 

[gt96g]

Here's an idea, bring back fender Japan products to the U.S.

 

[Thornton Davis]

Here's an idea, bring back fender Japan products to the U.S.

Now that's something that I'd really like to see happen.

TD

 

[verycoolname]

Here's an idea, bring back fender Japan products to the U.S.

This. There's soooooo many Fender Japan basses that I want. I don't see why Fender doesn't think there's a market for this stuff in the States.

For example, I'd buy this...

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

And this...

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[Ryan Faber]

The new American Deluxe Jaguar basses are excellent and very good-looking basses. The versatility you can get from the Pbass/Jbass pickups must be stellar. Really want to get my hands on one.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Fender will go nowhere.Because it is not in their best interest to go anywhere.They make too much money making exactly what many want.Which is what they've always made.

 

[Shardik]

I kinda hope you are wrong, but I think you are right. Just look at their amps. Some new stuff in the lower price modelling segment, but in the more expensive tube ranges, improvements and news seems to be mostly about the color of the tolex...