Why do Mexican Fenders get all the cool colors?

[Mantis Tobaggan]

The player series are really lovely this time of year. Sage green? Tidepool? Buttercream?

Why does it seem like the American Fender basses are always white, black, burst, and maybe a fourth color that’s a little different?

I’m genuinely curious why Fender is so cautious with their American line when it comes to color options and so creative with their non-American options.

 

[Philibuster]

Preach, brother.

Been trying to figure this out for some time. Fender could at least release a rainbow of colors when a new series issues, then as the series ages, they cease production of the poorer selling models. Each iteration of an instrument could attract a new generation of customers, or at least a new part of one generation.

 

[Snakeman1066]

easy....more people buy the MIM's because of the price factor....more sales = More choices

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

easy....more people buy the MIM's because of the price factor....more sales = More choices

Is that true? Mexican Fenders sell more?

 

[LinusKarlsson]

Well, the new American Performer series got both the satin surf green, satin lpb and the penny colors. I think both are quite left field compared to the regular sunburst. Black isn't even available as an option.

With that said, I would also like some more color options. Whatever happened to custom colors? Without having to buy a custom shop instrument for a million dollars?

 

[Philibuster]

Well, the new American Performer series got both the satin surf green, satin lpb and the penny colors. I think both are quite left field compared to the regular sunburst. Black isn't even available as an option.

With that said, I would also like some more color options. Whatever happened to custom colors? Without having to buy a custom shop instrument for a million dollars?

Touché, @LinusKarlsson. Fender did do fairly well with the color options on the ‘new’ Performer series. According to the Fender Factory Tour at Corona, their best-selling color is three-tone sunburst, followed by black. Supposedly the sales comparisons aren’t even close. I don’t get it. I don’t see all that many 3TSBs for sale in the shops, much less on NBDs or in the classifieds here (yes, I understand TB is a microculture, but that’s my example).

 

[Chef]

No reason not to buy MIM if the colors suit you better. They're excellent basses.

 

[dmt]

 

[dmt]

 

[BassmanM]

View attachment 3278919

Is the third house on the right side sunburst?

The pro series has a sonic grey jazz and the antique olive and CAR precisions, so choices are not as bad this time.

 

[garp]

With that said, I would also like some more color options. Whatever happened to custom colors? Without having to buy a custom shop instrument for a million dollars?

For the time being, Fender's Mod Shop is the compromise, offering a wider (but still limited) selection of colors and options without having to take the full Custom Shop route.

 

[Ghastly]

Honestly, IMO there's something good to be said about both examples above, relating to bass colors.

 

[GretschWretch]

I would be interested in a P-bass finished in 'enery 'iggins just you white.

 

[LkS]

One thing that bugs me about the current Player Series lineup is that the buttercream comes only with maple fretboard ... would love one with rosewood... well pau ferro really...

 

[MoeTown1986]

I just bought a lake placid blue American Original 60's P. I think that's one of the coolest colors.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I also worked on this for ocean turquoise elite jazz for a customer this week. Also American.

 

[shaggy45]

I just bought a lake placid blue American Original 60's P. I think that's one of the coolest colors.
View attachment 3279028

Just bought one too. Pictures don’t do it justice.

 

[MoeTown1986]

Just bought one too. Pictures don’t do it justice.

The metal flake looks SO good in person. It also reacts differently to all the stage light colors. The pic in my avatar is one of my favorites.

 

[gorneyg]

Have you seen their soccer uniforms?

 

[gln1955]

Touché, @LinusKarlsson. Fender did do fairly well with the color options on the ‘new’ Performer series. According to the Fender Factory Tour at Corona, their best-selling color is three-tone sunburst, followed by black. Supposedly the sales comparisons aren’t even close. I don’t get it. I don’t see all that many 3TSBs for sale in the shops, much less on NBDs or in the classifieds here (yes, I understand TB is a microculture, but that’s my example).

*Warning- gross generalizations ahead*

MIA buyers are probably older and more conservative and traditional in their tastes. Hence burst, white and black.

It would be very cool if Fender offered their full pallate of colors as a modest upcharge, but like neck dimensions on P basses, it's just not their business model.