I'm still trying to understand the point of these? I don't think i have ever had issues with string buzz behind the nut. I would likely put these under "accessories people think they need but don't" category.
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Why Doesn't Fender Offer These As Standard Equipment?
- Thread starter PolkaHero
- Start date
In Australia there is a very popular kitchen appliance called the electric kettle. It has one job to do and it does it well - it boils water. Over the years there have been superficial changes and slight improvements but essentially it is still the same as it always was. There is no need to change it because it works. Fender know their instruments work and people keep buying them because they do. Innovation is great but we don’t all need it. The laser pickup basses - can’t remember the brand - are ingenious and sound great but they have limitations that old Fenders don’t have. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.
I think they don't include them because they simply do need to.
They could quite literally have no improvements made to Leo's (I was going to write their but really the they that work at Fender didn't design the models that made them popular) designs with the exact same current appointments and the same level of quality control for the next decade and they will easily continue to sell.
If they want to increase sales, it can be as easy for them as offering some different paint colours particularly those which have been used in the past but are uncommon.
Like the green apple colour was cool, and the dark night colour option was even cooler.
OP I get your point though, they could add a small and cheap improvement, but it's not likely. Change happens really slow for Fender, they took an absolute age to release a 5 String Precision.
For a company that use to be a leading innovator they sure do seem to be resistant to innovation, I think it's quite sad especially when the founder was a continual tinkerer, striving to improve his own designs, maybe that's the reason, the true source of innovation for that company sold it and moved on.
The six string bass in it's B0-C3 configuration has been around for quite a while, most manufacturers offer six string models in their range, maybe fender will have a release date for a 6 string Precision at NAMM 2060. I could be wrong but I think Fender have made only made two B-C 6 string models, the first being for Tye Zamora and the second being for Steve Bailey, I'm not sure if Tye's model was ever for public sale but I think the Steve Bailey one was available for a short period of time.
One day there be abundant string retainers for all, Fender B-C 6 string basses with 24 frets, and some successful new models designed by the current staff at Fender. That's a gonna be a good day.
They could quite literally have no improvements made to Leo's (I was going to write their but really the they that work at Fender didn't design the models that made them popular) designs with the exact same current appointments and the same level of quality control for the next decade and they will easily continue to sell.
If they want to increase sales, it can be as easy for them as offering some different paint colours particularly those which have been used in the past but are uncommon.
Like the green apple colour was cool, and the dark night colour option was even cooler.
OP I get your point though, they could add a small and cheap improvement, but it's not likely. Change happens really slow for Fender, they took an absolute age to release a 5 String Precision.
For a company that use to be a leading innovator they sure do seem to be resistant to innovation, I think it's quite sad especially when the founder was a continual tinkerer, striving to improve his own designs, maybe that's the reason, the true source of innovation for that company sold it and moved on.
The six string bass in it's B0-C3 configuration has been around for quite a while, most manufacturers offer six string models in their range, maybe fender will have a release date for a 6 string Precision at NAMM 2060. I could be wrong but I think Fender have made only made two B-C 6 string models, the first being for Tye Zamora and the second being for Steve Bailey, I'm not sure if Tye's model was ever for public sale but I think the Steve Bailey one was available for a short period of time.
One day there be abundant string retainers for all, Fender B-C 6 string basses with 24 frets, and some successful new models designed by the current staff at Fender. That's a gonna be a good day.
The good thing is that, buried in all of this, is the actual answer to the OP. It was pages ago.
Not sure that's accurate. Apart from a six-string P bass, neck-thru basses, or light wave technology, what do you feel has been missing in Fender's lineup? Surely there must be vast chasms that need to be addressed, otherwise there wouldn't be so many "why can't Fender...." threads popping up on the ever-demanding, never satisfied Talkbass.
I doubt anyone on this forum can name all the various Fender bass models that have come and gone over the decades. Nor all the pickup variations. Fender has had so much bass and guitar gear to offer I don't see how anyone can keep up with it all, or would even want to.
Certain things like a 6-string P bass or a light wave equipped bass are so "niche" that it seems unrealistic to expect Fender to offer them. I don't know why people think Fender is supposed to provide for absolutely everyone's whims and fancies, no matter how esoteric.
Apparently "heavy is the head....". Cheers.
Not sure that's accurate. Apart from a six-string P bass, neck-thru basses, or light wave technology, what do you feel has been missing in Fender's lineup? Surely there must be vast chasms that need to be addressed, otherwise there wouldn't be so many "why can't Fender...." threads popping up on the ever-demanding, never satisfied Talkbass.
I doubt anyone on this forum can name all the various Fender bass models that have come and gone over the decades. Nor all the pickup variations. Fender has had so much bass and guitar gear to offer I don't see how anyone can keep up with it all, or would even want to.
Certain things like a 6-string P bass or a light wave equipped bass are so "niche" that it seems unrealistic to expect Fender to offer them. I don't know why people think Fender is supposed to provide for absolutely everyone's whims and fancies, no matter how esoteric.
Apparently "heavy is the head....". Cheers.
Fair enough.
First of all I think they should divide their range to traditional (nostalgic) and contemporary (current).
Nostalgic would be celebrating their classics in 4 and 5 string models.
Contemporary would be 24 fret, 4, 5 and 6 string models of the Precision, Jazz and the two pickup Dimension basses with modern appointments, ergonomics, weight, sonic versatility (such as a PBass with a Dimension pickup in the bridge position). Have the design team come up with a new bass design for the fourth model type.
Offer the range in a good choice of colours and pricepoints. Include lefties and fretless options.
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They include less serious players because they have string trees? Isn't that a bit of a stretch? Should we say the same for inlays?
I have one of these on a PBass A string, new out of the box. The problem persisted after a string change.
No matter if I maxed-out the string winds, I still had a buzz. So my guess was that I had a poorly cut nut. I added this little thingy and it fixed the problem.
Since then, I’ve had one other PBass with the same issue, same string, so I don’t know if it’s a design on the edge of the envelop or just poopy craftsmanship.
Anyway, I think if Fender included one in their case candy, that would be nice. Or better yet, just check how they play before shipping them out? What a concept. Lol.
No matter if I maxed-out the string winds, I still had a buzz. So my guess was that I had a poorly cut nut. I added this little thingy and it fixed the problem.
Since then, I’ve had one other PBass with the same issue, same string, so I don’t know if it’s a design on the edge of the envelop or just poopy craftsmanship.
Anyway, I think if Fender included one in their case candy, that would be nice. Or better yet, just check how they play before shipping them out? What a concept. Lol.
I wasn't happy with the break angle of the A string after the nut on my Jazz bass (even with the string wrapped around the tuning post correctly), so I added one. There was no buzzing issues, but better safe than sorry.
No, maybe look through the other end of the telescope? Because sales have increased (to wit; the Metro series) to include less serious players more than ever before, might as well include a feature that may seem important to them. Their previous clientele already knew there was never a real issue with the original, time honored string tree arrangement, so why bother adding a superfluous gizmo?
The actual "stretch" would be to assume that Sadowsky, during all his past years of superb bass building, was somehow unaware of a "need" for a bigger string tree? Not likely.
I will say that having a tree that covers the 3rd string is a convenience. Saves the player from the agony of having to cut strings to the correct length. So there's that I guess.
No, maybe look through the other end of the telescope? Because sales have increased (to wit; the Metro series) to include less serious players more than ever before, might as well include a feature that may seem important to them. Their previous clientele already knew there was never a real issue with the original, time honored string tree arrangement, so why bother adding a superfluous gizmo?
The actual "stretch" would be to assume that Sadowsky, during all his past years of superb bass building, was somehow unaware of a "need" for a bigger string tree? Not likely.
I will say that having a tree that covers the 3rd string is a convenience. Saves the player from the agony of having to cut strings to the correct length. So there's that I guess.
I can look through both ends of the telescope and see that improving a product as time goes on isn't evidence of catering to less experienced players... and that's without noting that the price of an instrument doesn't reliably indicate the dedication or abilities of the customer.
But hey, if flexing about stringing a guitar is where you're at in life, have a great 2021.
It's illogical to think that higher priced basses don't attract more serious and capable players. Who do you think has been buying them?....just dentists and hedge fund managers? It's so obvious that I can't take your point seriously.
I'll observe TB decorum and not give your "flexing" comment the retort it deserves.
Who do I think has been buying them? People that desire them and can afford them. Once again, nothing shows that skill is attached to the purchase price.
Feel free not to take my point seriously as it's only fair.
Okay, we can agree to disagree. That's what discussions are for.
The vast majority of those high end basses are, indeed, bought by rich folks, or at least well-to-do. And yes, many of them play beginner-to-intermediate level and just want something good to play when they do. And it's a very good thing because without them, there is no high end bass market for the players who want them, can really play, and have to save for 2 years to buy them.
OTOH, I have the same disdain for calling liking higher end stuff "flexing" as you do. If it makes people happy, I'm all for it. Affects my life in zero ways, you know?
They're fine if you don't move your strap to different basses. But I do, and it's near impossible to do a quick change when you need it. So Straploks. Dunlop is my straplock bae.
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