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Where Will Fender Go Next?

#141
"Some American made short and medium scale basses would be nice."

+100

There are already a number of MIM, MII and MIC SS and MS Squier basses but, with the exception of the MIJ (white-only) Mustang Bass RI marketed here in the USA, we're pretty much SOL if we want an MIA or even a MIJ Fender. Even the much-greater variety of SS and MS, Fender-branded models and finish choices being sold in Japan seem to only be available here on E-Bay and at a substantial bump in price (unless I'm missing something).

I love my MIJ Fender Mustang Bass RI and would buy another one in a heartbeat if I could get it with a aged-finish maple neck/board and either 3-color burst or aged, natural-finish body.

I generally can't afford new, MIA instruments, but can live with the quality/price of my Mustang (though I did snag it during a 15%-off of street price sale).
 
#142
Mustang Surly said:
"Some American made short and medium scale basses would be nice."

+100

There are already a number of MIM, MII and MIC SS and MS Squier basses but, with the exception of the MIJ (white-only) Mustang Bass RI marketed here in the USA, we're pretty much SOL if we want an MIA or even a MIJ Fender. Even the much-greater variety of SS and MS, Fender-branded models and finish choices being sold in Japan seem to only be available here on E-Bay and at a substantial bump in price (unless I'm missing something).

I love my MIJ Fender Mustang Bass RI and would buy another one in a heartbeat if I could get it with a aged-finish maple neck/board and either 3-color burst or aged, natural-finish body.

I generally can't afford new, MIA instruments, but can live with the quality/price of my Mustang (though I did snag it during a 15%-off of street price sale).
Click to expand...

AFAIK there hasn't been a short or medium scale bass made in USA by Fender in 30 years. I could be missing something though. It seems like a huge gaping maw in the line up.
 
#150
Just FYI:

Do you know what The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Grateful Dead, Cream and Talking Heads all have in common? (Other than being all time bad asses of course!)

All those bands were powered by bass players using short scale basses.

My suggestions:

American Vintage '69 Mustang Bass
American Standard Jaguar Bass SS
American Special Jazz Bass Medium
 
#153
I don't know but I tried a U.S. single pickup Dimension a couple days ago and while it played and felt food, the electronics are so bright , you gotta where shades. I cut the treble completely and it hardly did a thing. Just not what I'm used to.
 
#157
Shardik said:
Personally I was baffled at the amount of different Squier VM models that Fender released recently.

This MAY be a way to probe the market. I expect some of the models to be discontinued pretty soon, while other models may be fetched into the Fender brand with some upgrades. I also think that the market is still somewhat in recession, which means Fender push new models in the lower priced product ranges.

Personally I like that Fender uses the Squier brand to experiment with features and models. It makes the Squier brand more exciting, while Fender models can continue to be a more stable quality brand with well tested models.

One thing I think they should do, not for the sake of change, but because it gives a different balance and is preferred by some, is to make a headstock for 2+2 (on bass) and 3+3. That could be exciting. That market is virtually untapped by Fender.
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The headstock's the best part. They do anything besides the standard Fender headstock or the Tele headstock and I want nothing to do with it.
 

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