Why Doesn't Fender Offer These As Standard Equipment?

[Turnaround]

So why does Sadowsky use a triple or even a quad string tree on all of his basses?

Because it increases downforce at the nut and prevents rattling that can be the result of less than adequate string installation. It does nothing to increase string tension. Downforce at the nut is not increased tension, which will remain the same with or without the tree.

 

[wvbass]

Lol, guess they assumed their customers preferred Schallers vs. Dunlops. Installing Dunlop pins was the first thing I did as soon as I got the bass.

Hah! My only dog in that fight is that I've got 20-ish basses with Schallers and 20-ish basses with Dunlops. The only wisdom I have is that the new Schallers are better than the old ones, and not committing to one verses the other gives me an excuse to buy more straps, and straps, much like fezzes, are cool.

 

[2cooltoolz]

 

[PolkaHero]

Because it increases downforce at the nut and prevents rattling that can be the result of less than adequate string installation. It does nothing to increase string tension. Downforce at the nut is not increased tension, which will remain the same with or without the tree.

Noted already.

 

[DigitalMan]

Downforce is tension. It just happens to be associated with a different vector.

 

[SgtHulka]

Hah! My only dog in that fight is that I've got 20-ish basses with Schallers and 20-ish basses with Dunlops. The only wisdom I have is that the new Schallers are better than the old ones, and not committing to one verses the other gives me an excuse to buy more straps, and straps, much like fezzes, are cool.

I've still not found any better solution to straplocks than rubber washers. Gave them up years ago.

 

[jd56hawk]

Why doesn't Fender offer their Stealth String Retainers a stock part on all of their bass guitars? I just ordered one for my new American Professional Jazz Bass and it fit perfectly. My MIA Deluxe Jazz came with it standard. It's only a $15 part that probably costs them not even half that amount, why not just make it standard on all models?

Slowly piece by piece I'm getting my Jazz Bass which weighs only 7.5 pounds closer to a Sadowsky for less than half of the price even with the upgrades figured in (preamp, stealth retainer, Hipshot Bass Extender, etc.)!

Maybe because they'd be tempted to rename all their basses, and let's face it, they do that enough already.

 

[wvbass]

I've still not found any better solution to straplocks than rubber washers. Gave them up years ago.

C'mon. I have plenty of Grolsch washers too, and I use them in certain situations, but that's the old man solution. (Hey! I resemble that remark! And while you're at it, you kids get off my lawn.) Rubber washers are an effective way to help keep a strap from unexpectedly coming off your bass. I don't trust them as much as a metal-on-metal solution, and there is no arguing with them being a nuisance when it comes to taking a strap on and off.

 

[Lesfunk]

Why doesn't Fender offer their Stealth String Retainers a stock part on all of their bass guitars? I just ordered one for my new American Professional Jazz Bass and it fit perfectly. My MIA Deluxe Jazz came with it standard. It's only a $15 part that probably costs them not even half that amount, why not just make it standard on all models? !

That’s what makes them “deluxe!”

 

[LUCE]

Because $7.

 

[Bassclef46]

Asking why fender doesn’t or does is kind of like asking why is the sky blue. Nobody really knows why fender does anything they do. Unless you work for fender it’s all speculation.

the string tree is pointless. If you string you bass correctly you don’t have a need for a tree.

 

[Geri O]

When you're ready to answer my original question and done with the smart**# remarks feel free to chime in again.

Dude, you took a splash asking this question to anyone but a Fender employee or representative. You can’t be too taken aback by an answer that doesn’t directly answer it.

And spare me the faux admonishment.

 

[Geri O]

I am a little surprised they don't put them on the Elites/Ultra/Deluxe/Whatevers and market the snot out of that fact that they do.

Actually, they did come standard on the Elite, as well as being touted as such in the ads for it. The Elite I had for a while did have a great B string, but I couldn’t attest to whether the string retainer made any difference. How weird was it that Fender did not equip the new Ultra with those retainers, or their other basses as well.

And frankly, it’s not a big deal to me either way. My Mike Lull has an awesome B string without a retainer or tree of any kind on the B and E strings.

 

[rockinrayduke]

Dude, you took a splash asking this question to anyone but a Fender employee or representative. You can’t be too taken aback by an answer that doesn’t directly answer it.

And spare me the faux admonishment.

Right on.

 

[lz4005]

C I don't trust them as much as a metal-on-metal solution, and there is no arguing with them being a nuisance when it comes to taking a strap on and off.

That's why I use steel washers on a couple of my basses that are prone to the straps falling off. One has had the same strap on it for 5 years. No need to remove them.

 

[CGremlin]

I put these on my A strings, and I think they had minimal effect. But I guess it is lucky can buy them at all. I saw these on a new Fender bass, and when I called Fender to see if I could order just the stealth, they told me they were not available standalone.

I guess something changed. I found three and scooped them up fast.

They've been available online for years: Invalid Link Removed

 

[SgtHulka]

C'mon. I have plenty of Grolsch washers too, and I use them in certain situations, but that's the old man solution. (Hey! I resemble that remark! And while you're at it, you kids get off my lawn.) Rubber washers are an effective way to help keep a strap from unexpectedly coming off your bass. I don't trust them as much as a metal-on-metal solution, and there is no arguing with them being a nuisance when it comes to taking a strap on and off.

I have a strap permanently attached to each one of my 8 basses, so I never take them off.

I've had a strap lock break but never had a strap come off with a rubber washer.

I can put my bass down easily with a rubber washer because there is no significant protruding metal part creating an unstable base.

And while this might be my own error, I've never whacked myself or hit my bass with the strap lock swinging around for whatever reason but it seems to happen to not just me but other people that I've seen post about that here as well.

I mean different strokes for sure but rubber washers just work for me.

 

[SgtHulka]

That's why I use steel washers on a couple of my basses that are prone to the straps falling off. One has had the same strap on it for 5 years. No need to remove them.

I never thought to use a metal washer before. So you just remove the strap button and then put the washer and strap on and then put it back on the body?

 

[mikewalker]

keep in mind the stealth string retainer only works if your machine head has a screw-down bezel (none of the 'vintage' style ones)! I have one I use with a set of hipshot ultralites, and like it a lot

 

[sleddogn]

I'm thinking you put strap on button, then remove screw, put washer on end of button, then screw.