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Post subject: Fenders I'd like to see
Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 5:50 pm
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This is a first-time post from a long-time Fender player. My comment is that I wish Fender would take the "lead" more, and pay more attention to what the competitors offer.

If you look at any issue of Bassplayer magazine for example, you will see that the Fender Jazz (or some boutique imitator) is the weapon of choice for most players. That being said, why is Fender not offering some of the same basic options that these competitors offer, and usually for a lot more money?

For example, why not a 35" scale as an option on 5-string basses? If you've ever compared the sound of a 34" to a 35" you'll know there is a difference. Also, why don't all Fenders have the same number of frets? Even cheap knockoff basses come with 22 or 24 fret necks but with Fender, you usually have to buy the deluxe model to get that. And a really big question is why can't you get a Jazz bass with a humbucker in the bridge position. The combination is somewhat available on the Precision Special, but that is a Precision.

Another really big question, why has Fender been one of the last major instrument companies to make a true 6-string bass (never mind that companies like Conklin make 7, 8 and 9s or more}? I understand that Fender is finally addressing that one but jeez wasn't that about time?

All that being said, I love Fender and will always play them and I think the Jazz is the king of them all. Keep your exotic woods and gold-plated junk, just give me a few knobs and "that sound" and I'll always be a customer.


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Posted: Wed Jul 30, 2008 9:02 pm
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It would be good to have options like 35 inches scale , humbuckers and six string Fender basses . But I personally prefer the vintage versions .

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Post subject: Re: Fenders I'd like to see
Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 7:47 am
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fretless5 wrote:
This is a first-time post from a long-time Fender player. My comment is that I wish Fender would take the "lead" more, and pay more attention to what the competitors offer.

If you look at any issue of Bassplayer magazine for example, you will see that the Fender Jazz (or some boutique imitator) is the weapon of choice for most players. That being said, why is Fender not offering some of the same basic options that these competitors offer, and usually for a lot more money?

For example, why not a 35" scale as an option on 5-string basses? If you've ever compared the sound of a 34" to a 35" you'll know there is a difference. Also, why don't all Fenders have the same number of frets? Even cheap knockoff basses come with 22 or 24 fret necks but with Fender, you usually have to buy the deluxe model to get that. And a really big question is why can't you get a Jazz bass with a humbucker in the bridge position. The combination is somewhat available on the Precision Special, but that is a Precision.

Another really big question, why has Fender been one of the last major instrument companies to make a true 6-string bass (never mind that companies like Conklin make 7, 8 and 9s or more}? I understand that Fender is finally addressing that one but jeez wasn't that about time?

All that being said, I love Fender and will always play them and I think the Jazz is the king of them all. Keep your exotic woods and gold-plated junk, just give me a few knobs and "that sound" and I'll always be a customer.


Ah, I used to think the same way when I was younger and got my 1st Fender. Why does my friend's cheap Ibanez have 24 frets. Well, we're bass players, unless we play a lot of solos to impress the crowd, lets face it, we work with the drummers to support the rythm section. For the most part working with a band I've never really past the 15th fret on the G string. I know it's nice to have, but I don't use it. Even when I had the SoundGear & BTB I didn't use it. Another thing, cheap knock off, they don't usually sound good, so they can have the 24 frets, but I'll keep my 22 and 20 as long as I sound good (combination of amp/pick ups/bass). As far as the humbuckers go, I don't know. I'm not big on that, I do like the soapbar pups tho.

34" or 35" - I would love to have another bass with 35" scale, I drop tune to C, well to D now, the BTB was great with it. Then again, 35" scale is known to be great with drop down tuning. Minor inconvenience for me.

I've had my share of 6 strings, it's a niche market. Fender is for the masses IMO. There are lots of cheap 6 strings nowadays, it's still kinda a novelty. I like the 6 string I had, I played with all the strings when the song requires it. Playing the scales is nice when you just go up and down the same area of the neck. That being said, I honestly think it's a niche market. How many 5 strings v. 4 strings do Fender sell. Bottom line is $$$, if they don't make the $$$, not worth it for them to make it. Some of the 6(even the 5) string basses out there are horrid, the quality is horrible. I think to be competitive it makes it even harder for Fender to compete with these cheaper instruments out there.

Either way, someone told me in the past, he went through a stage where he didn't touch Fender, then he went back to it. We all do - I did the same. Something like coming home, you're familiar with it. My '87 sat around for almost 4 years while I played with the BTB, the SoundGear, and few others, but I came back to it. :wink:

These are strictly my opinion, not an attack towards you, a discussion :)

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