Why so many different Fender P-Bass models?

[bordinco90]

Why so many Fender P-Bass models? They have 8 artist P-Basses, 6 vintage P-Basses, and not to mention the MIM and USA standard models (also the USA special). The P-Bass is a very simple bass, so why all the different variations? I'm not bashing Fender, just wondering why this is. Thanks!

 

[king_biscuit]

Because Steve Jobs went back to Apple instead of Fender. Seriously though Jobs would have had higher ups at Fender tarred and feathered for all of the product confusion and overlap.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

Because in 2015, consumers want choices, and they don't all want the same exact P Bass as the next guy.

 

[Ballin'bass]

I'm kinda with the op.

It is making my shopping for a precision bass much more difficult. Idk what neck I would prefer. I also don't have the ability to try them all in the city I live in.

 

[jeff62]

Amazing. Give people option and they question it or complain. Take the options away and they....

Screw it. I'm just gonna play.

 

[GIBrat51]

Well, maybe it's because...
1. Marketing has to do something to justify their existence, but they know that nobody dares do anything too extreme to the P-Bass, lest they suffer the wrath of the faithful; for whom a P-Bass is GOD's own Gift to mankind*;
2. The guys in the Paint Shop were bored, and thought it would be fun;
3. There actually is a market demand for all the different "models";
4. The guys in the Paint Shop are just checking to see if anybody besides Marketing are paying any attention to anything but their next bonus check;
5. It came to the CEO of FMIC in a dream; or
6. The guys in the Paint Shop and Marketing are playing a gigantic practical joke; and apparently, nobody's noticed... but you.

*Don't get your knickers in a twist; I like them, too. I've had my '78 lefty for 37 years now, and as long as I can still pick it up and plug it in, it ain't going anywhere.

 

[lowphatbass]

Part of feeling comfortable and "connected" with your instruments is style and vibe. Many of us, whether up on stage or jamming with our buddies want a bass that represents us stylistically as well as sonically. Some of us just don't care and that's fine too.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Excellent question.

 

[ZenG]

Line up all the little piggies......put different lipstick on each one........Voila!! Huge Selection!!!!.....

 

[bearfoot]

It's a 60ish year old instrument, and they are producing models that cover that gamut, plus the sigs. The P/Js are considered Precisions, for instance.

 

[Bassmunnky]

Go to the grocery store- look at the coffee section- the pasta sauce section-

Same thing lotsa choices for lotsa taste - one size fits all marketing is over

 

[1stnamebassist]

Sometimes I think we have too many choices in the world. Food, cigarettes, beer, musical instruments. Back in the 70's you had pretty much a Precision bass, a Jazz bass, A Telecaster bass, a Mustang and Musicmaster. That was it. Pick your color and off you go. Life was simpler, and we were content with what we had. Now you can spend days, weeks or months foaming at the mouth, trying to figure out which Precision bass you want. Nothing wrong with that I guess, but it seems to be too much of a distraction sometimes to me anyway. Its like TV. Used to have three channels and it was good enough and you may spend an hour or two watching it. Now six or eight hours is not unusual for some, while picking up the smartphone during commercials. Or spending hours on talkbass. Like I do. OK, enough ranting! Have a good night everyone!

 

[fretter]

I think it keeps the P-bass relevant and gets them some of the aftermarket business.

1. alder vs. ash
2. maple fretboard vs rosewood

I'm not a mathematician, but that's already 4 different combinations right there, isn't it? Then there's the vintage fans vs the modern players, etc.

 

[funkymonk13]

Sucks they don't have more Ps with the jazz nut width.

 

[bordinco90]

Sometimes I think we have too many choices in the world. Food, cigarettes, beer, musical instruments. Back in the 70's you had pretty much a Precision bass, a Jazz bass, A Telecaster bass, a Mustang and Musicmaster. That was it. Pick your color and off you go. Life was simpler, and we were content with what we had. Now you can spend days, weeks or months foaming at the mouth, trying to figure out which Precision bass you want. Nothing wrong with that I guess, but it seems to be too much of a distraction sometimes to me anyway. Its like TV. Used to have three channels and it was good enough and you may spend an hour or two watching it. Now six or eight hours is not unusual for some, while picking up the smartphone during commercials. Or spending hours on talkbass. Like I do. OK, enough ranting! Have a good night everyone!

Yeah I know. I was putting way to much thought about picking a P-Bass. I already knew which one I wanted (Fender MIM 50's P-Bass), but I was still being indecisive.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Don't forget the 11 Squier variants too!

 

[bordinco90]

Don't forget the 11 Squier variants too!

Yeah no doubt! Too many choices!

 

[Mr. Sound]

Because they can!

 

[beaglesandbass]

The most simple answer:

Because people will buy them.

 

[Bajo Clarkko]

Jerry Seinfeld used to make the joke, "Men don't want the remote because they want to see what's on TV. They want the remote, because they want to see what ELSE is on TV."
It's price points, colors, materials, pickups, wiring schemes, 4 or 5 strings, vintage, modern, relic'd, minty fresh, with or without a J pickup, flatwounds, roundwounds. Ours is a consumer based economy. Do your part: go out and get another P bass, whether you need it or not!