Why so many different Fender P-Bass models?

[7dollarbologna]

Because it's has a cult fallowing.

 

[sikamikanico]

Because it gives an appearance of innovation, yet safer than actually innovating... I'm fine with the their strategy, but amazingly with all the choices, there's nothing I want in their lineup (maybe the carbonita bass)

 

[dalkowski]

As a marketing guy, the answer is "marketing." Same reason your favorite pro sports team now has at least three jerseys, not including (puking in my mouth at the very thought) camo.

 

[lfmn16]

Because most companies don't understand that they are usually only dividing their piece of the pie, not making a bigger pie.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Sometimes I think we have too many choices in the world. Food, cigarettes, beer, musical instruments.

Do I just get to choose one of those options?

 

[Spirit of Ox]

I like them all and I think there should be more P bass choices. They need to start bringing in some 70's Reissues and a couple more signature models too.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Life was simpler, and we were content with what we had.

Like wet Saturday afternoons in the UK in the 1970s. Shops were closed and your options were read a book, watch a rerun of The Dambusters on TV or stare at the wall. But we were happy. You can see why punk became popular though, as it was a fourth alternative activity.

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Well, if you don't like all the choices, may I suggest:
1. Go to Fender's website;
2. Pretend you're LEFT HANDED;
3. See how many choices you have now.

It will simplify your life considerably.

I guess it's just Fender's way of telling you that being left-handed is wrong, just like nuns in convent schools used to using the back of a ruler.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

they could simplify the presentation a lot.
One modern P bass with various color as an option and of course either rosewood or maple fretboard ...
One modern P bass fretless with the same color option
One vintage P bass with few color option and maybe fretboard option
Sig model if they actually have something different
One modern P bass with active electronic with color option and fretboard option ...

Instead of doing that, Fender put every variation of color or fretboard as a different model ...

 

[Treadstone71]

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.

Oh god imagine the horror that would create if Jobs ran Fender the way he ran Apple.

"Oh no, the patch cords and amp I bought for my last P-Bass don't work with my new P-Bass and I have to buy all new cords. My new bass also came with PlayerBuddy 2.0, which has been telling me what I should play/listen to based on my noodling choices."

 

[-Asdfgh-]

One vintage P bass with few color option and maybe fretboard option

Which vintage, though? And it's getting to the point when all the 1990s variations (P-Lyte, etc.) will be eligible for their own vintage reissues. I assume the P-Lyte isn't still being made. Soon they will need to start reissuing the reissues

 

[-Asdfgh-]

Oh god imagine the horror that would create if Jobs ran Fender the way he ran Apple.

If basses were phones then a flaw in the bass might email all your best licks to your friends and competitors. Or a different flaw would allow someone else to play your bass in the middle of your gig. Or your bass would tell you it had run out of space for new notes and would stop working. Or you'd find out your battery was running out halfway through a gig.... hold on.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Which vintage, though? And it's getting to the point when all the 1990s variations (P-Lyte, etc.) will be eligible for their own vintage reissues. I assume the P-Lyte isn't still being made. Soon they will need to start reissuing the reissues

I assumed it was the single pickup style instead of the dual pickup like we have now

I always though Fender to be a wierd animal. They offer a lot of different price for the same looking instrument ... at least Ibanez did change the look while keeping the shape of the SR at various price point.

 

[40Hz]

Because a PBass is modular and (by design thanks to Leo) very easy to assemble, modify, and repair.

By way of example, if you take two basic neck styles, 2 different freboards, four neck profiles, two different body styles, two different woods for the body, say about six different pickup choices, and a dozen finish choices, that's already 4608 different combinations without getting into custom shop territory. Add in a dozen different pickguards and offer a couple of different choices for tuning machines and bridges and the number of combinations increases geometrically. And all those pieces just bolt together. All you need are a couple of Phillips screwdrivers to assemble a PBass.

Now how cool is that?

So to me it's no so much a question of "Why so many?" as it is "Why not?"

 

[Treadstone71]

If basses were phones then a flaw in the bass might email all your best licks to your friends and competitors. Or a different flaw would allow someone else to play your bass in the middle of your gig. Or your bass would tell you it had run out of space for new notes and would stop working. Or you'd find out your battery was running out halfway through a gig.... hold on.

More importantly, the batteries in active basses would be a completely proprietary design that would only be available at the iFender store. Oh, and opening the battery door yourself (and not being a proper Fender tech) would automatically void the warranty.

 

[Ric5]

Why so many different Fender P-Bass models?

Marketing

 

[TripleDouble]

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

I was going to say the same thing...almost had a breakdown at the market the other day trying to select a salad dressing. I opted for some olive oil, balsamic, and dijon DIY at home. I couldn't deal.

 

[40Hz]

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.

Glad to see there's somebody out there who's honest enough to admit that.

 

[asahisuperdry]

Because people need the illusion of choice. They virtually sound sound the same except for the '51 single coil versus the '57 split coil. The main differences are the neck profile and the finish or lack thereof. Aftermarket pickups obviously change tye game but for Fender stock ones, again quite similar.

To clarify, I love P-basses but shake my head at so many choices. A different neck, sure as far as comfort goes. But Leo made rosewood 'boards a thing predominately for cosmetic purposes. Maple showed wear a lot easier although I have to admit it looks pretty on a nice black P with a white pickguard.

I would even say to scrap the '51 but it is a different beast having played re-issues in stores. Ideally, it would be just a split-coil version in a few stock colours with a 1.75 or 1.5" width. If you want different pickguards, pickups or colours contact the custom shop or add them yourself/through a repair person.

 

[godofthunder59]

Something for everyone at every price point, I think it is great they have so many excellent choices! Being a Gibson guy I am a bit jealous!