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Post subject: Pricing and bottom line (no pun intended)
Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 5:51 pm
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I was looking at the various 5-strings that Fender makes and found it curious (using the prices on the website) that there is a 100% price difference between the Mexican-made Standard 5 and the American Standard 5. In my opinion, Fender should offer another model between these 2 prices are far apart in comparison to other basses in their lineup.

As long as I'm standing securely on my soapbox rendering unsolicited marketing advice, I would like to see Fender offer fewer models but have more options on each model. I would rather see a product lineup like this (from cheapest to most expensive):

Standard: Foreign made (Mexico, Korea, etc.)
American Standard: Like the current Special models, domestically made but using slightly cheaper components, in other words a decent instrument for players on a budget.
American Deluxe: Like the current lineup but with more options on neck dots, colors, pickguards, pickup types, preamp/no preamp.
American Custom: Like the custom shop models, where you start with a deluxe model and add on.

I would rather have more options on these models like colors, pickguards, preamps, etc. than have a wider lineup of instruments like the artist models that I'll never be interested in (the Steve Harris and Geddy Lee, to name two). Truthfully, as I've said before, the only artist model that truly represents a good value coupled with a good concept is the Reggie Hamilton. It's a shame that the 5-string version is so much more expensive than the 4, but this seems to follow Fender's pricing scheme in general. I think Fender could keep prices down by always offering a 5-string version on all models they come up with. That way they can use the same templates across their product lines, which has got to be cheaper than what they're doing now. It's strange to me that for what you'd spend on a 4-string American Special you can get a 5-string Lakland Skyline with more frets, strings, electronic possibilities (coil-tap, preamp bypass) in more colors and fretboard options. Don't tell it's because the Lakland is an import. Fender could do it IF they wanted to, and that would be a bass that I'd buy in a heartbeat.


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Post subject: Re: Pricing and bottom line (no pun intended)
Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:46 am
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Yes Fender could do it...if they wanted to lose money. Mass production is how Fender keeps prices as low as they are. If you want a custom options bass there is always the Fender Custom Shop. A Fender Custom Shop bass is VERY competitive price wise with regular production USA Lakland or Sadowsky instruments which are primarily copies of the Fender P's and J's with a different headstock shape. Really good copies though. :wink:

The Fender Custom Shop stuff is more desirable to me personally than a USA Lakland or Sadowsky because it is not a copy but the real deal.


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Post subject: Re: Pricing and bottom line (no pun intended)
Posted: Sat Nov 05, 2011 11:03 am
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Sadowsky is overpriced for what you get. I'm considering a Lakland Skyline as my next (backup) bass. For less than $1500, I can get a fretless 5-string with an ebony fingerboard, active/passive bypass, coil-tap and a 35" scale. Sing the praises of Fender's custom shop, but you're not going to get a bass like that from them for anywhere near that price.

When I suggested a "custom" line for Fender, what I had in mind was really a broader range of options obtained by consolidating parts, i.e., all 5-string necks would be interchangeable across the product line, instead of having a variety of fret numbers and pocket dimensions. Fender could do the same with bodies and other components. So really the parts aren't custom, just your option in combining them a la carte.


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Post subject: Re: Pricing and bottom line (no pun intended)
Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:01 pm
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Something like Carvin's online builder that yielded a Fender would be nice would it not?


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