Why Doesn't Fender Offer These As Standard Equipment?

[JimmyM]

Another consideration: Sadowsky is currently using Hipshot Ultralite tuners are most of their basses. Maybe the string retainers ARE required because you can't make as many windings around the tuning posts?

You can't but you CAN make enough. I have them on two basses.

Yes, I know you're suspended now, but you'll be back, and this will be here when you are

 

[SgtHulka]

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.

It's not too difficult for me to change straps even with the washers. But I understand why many people would like them. Not everyone is as clumsy as me when it comes to hitting myself and my bass with heavy flying straplock ends.

 

[Brad Johnson]

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.

DR Heartfield preceded them. And failed.

It's funny... folks complain about what Fender doesn't offer when in point of fact when they do venture outside the norm the results are often sales failures. The Bailey 6, the Tye signature, both followed the DR Heartfield basses which were also a sales failure. Even cool basses like Roscoe Becks didn't catch on until they were discontinued. People say all sorts of stuff but rarely step up when it's time to buy. So I don't fault Fender... they have stuff that sells.

Couple that with the continued unpopularity of sixes and I don't see what the motivation to do another one would be instead of spending that time on something that sells. And I say that as someone who primarily plays sixes and own several. The market is not there. Fretless is a similar niche... I have several but know the market for them is scant at best, for pretty much the same reason. People will dabble with fretless or sixes, get disillusioned with them because they don't immediately become acclimated and dump them.

 

[JimmyM]

DR Heartfield preceded them. And failed.

It's funny... folks complain about what Fender doesn't offer when in point of fact when they do venture outside the norm the results are often sales failures. The Bailey 6, the Tye signature, both followed the DR Heartfield basses which were also a sales failure. Even cool basses like Roscoe Becks didn't catch on until they were discontinued. People say all sorts of stuff but rarely step up when it's time to buy. So I don't fault Fender... they have stuff that sells.

Couple that with the continued unpopularity of sixes and I dont see what the motivation to do another one would be instead of spending that time on something that sells. And I say that as someone who primarily plays sixes and own several. The market is not there. Fretless is a similar niche... I have several but know the market for them is scant at best, for pretty much the same reason. People will dabble with fretless or sixes. get disillusioned with because they don't immediately become acclimated and dump them.

Yep, Fender ventures out of their comfort zone all the time, always has, and still does to this day. But most people want a Precision or a Jazz (I know I do), so aside from a couple models like the Mustang reissues or the Jag, most of their other models tend to come and go. And they've brought back models that stiffed the first time based on the internet buzz that gave them semi-legendary status, and they've stiffed again.

I say it in every thread of this nature...give your average TBer control of Fender, and they will go from the biggest company on earth to bankruptcy within a year.

 

[thabassmon]

DR Heartfield preceded them. And failed.

It's funny... folks complain about what Fender doesn't offer when in point of fact when they do venture outside the norm the results are often sales failures. The Bailey 6, the Tye signature, both followed the DR Heartfield basses which were also a sales failure. Even cool basses like Roscoe Becks didn't catch on until they were discontinued. People say all sorts of stuff but rarely step up when it's time to buy. So I don't fault Fender... they have stuff that sells.

Couple that with the continued unpopularity of sixes and I dont see what the motivation to do another one would be instead of spending that time on something that sells. And I say that as someone who primarily plays sixes and own several. The market is not there. Fretless is a similar niche... I have several but know the market for them is scant at best, for pretty much the same reason. People will dabble with fretless or sixes. get disillusioned with because they don't immediately become acclimated and dump them.

I think that is quite fair, when they try something new it struggles against their more established lines as they have a traditional following, if their market was demanding 6ers they'd include 6ers. So basically the problem is not Fender, it's their customers. And if people like me say they need to make a six, I better buy one if Fender release one, otherwise I'm part of the problem. Totally on board with that.

I think that as 5ers become the standard, one more string ain't a big deal. BTW that Roscoe Beck bass always impressed me. I though their Dimension bass was cool too.

I think the market is there for at least one B-C 6 string model to be included in their catalogue.

I like a Precision far more than the jazz (so I'd like a 6 string Precision), but because the jazz is such a popular model, surely a reasonably priced 6 string Jazz bass would sell (signature basses are sometimes over priced), whenever I've seen folks posting videos of them reviewing/playing the Steve Bailey 6 they seem like a good idea, they just don't really need to be signature basses if that will pull the price down.

Oh and yes there is some (strong) string retainer action.





Can't they just offer one?

 

[bobyoung53]

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.)!

My American Vintage Hot Rod Precision came with one stock on the A string tuner, I agree, they are nice to have.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Yep, Fender ventures out of their comfort zone all the time, always has, and still does to this day. But most people want a Precision or a Jazz (I know I do), so aside from a couple models like the Mustang reissues or the Jag, most of their other models tend to come and go. And they've brought back models that stiffed the first time based on the internet buzz that gave them semi-legendary status, and they've stiffed again.

I say it in every thread of this nature...give your average TBer control of Fender, and they will go from the biggest company on earth to bankruptcy within a year.

Agreed. People look at this from an emotional POV instead of a business one. Your example of people not buying a second chance item is pretty funny. Talk is way easier than opening your wallet. Making suggestions is easy.

 

[Brad Johnson]

I think that is quite fair, when they try something new it struggles against their more established lines as they have a traditional following, if their market was demanding 6ers they'd include 6ers. So basically the problem is not Fender, it's their customers. And if people like me say they need to make a six, I better buy one if Fender release one, otherwise I'm part of the problem. Totally on board with that.

I think that as 5ers become the standard, one more string ain't a big deal. BTW that Roscoe Beck bass always impressed me. I though their Dimension bass was cool too.

I think the market is there for at least one B-C 6 string model to be included in their catalogue.

I like a Precision far more than the jazz (so I'd like a 6 string Precision), but because the jazz is such a popular model, surely a reasonably priced 6 string Jazz bass would sell (signature basses are sometimes over priced), whenever I've seen folks posting videos of them reviewing/playing the Steve Bailey 6 they seem like a good idea, they just don't really need to be signature basses if that will pull the price down.

Oh and yes there is some (strong) string retainer action.





Can't they just offer one?

I could be wrong but my long term take on the six string market is that it's seriously niche. Mike Tobias sells alot. Ken Smith too. Those are both "serious commitment " buys.

I'd be willing to bet that most currently owned SB basses are secondhand purchases. I've seen a lot of original owners sell them.

Again, I'm a big proponent of sixes. But I also know the overall trepidation towards them severely limits the market.

 

[thabassmon]

Who would do that? View attachment 4165159

I could be wrong but my long term take on the six string market is that it's seriously niche. Mike Tobias sells alot. Ken Smith too. Those are both "serious commitment " buys.

I'd be willing to bet that most currently owned SB basses are secondhand purchases. I've seen a lot of original owners sell them.

Again, I'm a big proponent of sixes. But I also know the overall trepidation towards them severely limits the market.

Judging by what I see other players have where I live (it will be different throughout the world), older players mostly play fours and fives, but with the younger generation I have seen an increase increase of six string basses over the last decade or so.

Mostly Ibanez, ESP and Warwick (they have lower priced 6ers), when I was teaching music at high school around half of the bass players either played or eventually played primarily six string (I saw a lot of the Rockbass Corvette), a lot played 5's so it's not really a big jump for them. Of course there were four string players too.

It could just be a generational thing that will eventually change. I think the biggest thing against the six string is the (IMHO unfair) idea that it is hard to play, or you need to be a flashy soloist.