Fender Loses Battle - Your Take, BP?

[Big Poppa]

I like the backwoods perspective......Copies can be better quality in some cases.....
Back to Fender.....they waited too long. end of story

 

[Russel]

Yeah. that's it.

Would have been good for Fender to protect itself, too. But past and gone.

It'll be interesting to see what happens to Fender and the industry from a consumer viewpoint. Maybe they'll be forced to innovate. I shudder at the thought.

A wise man once told me: A wise man learns from the mistakes of others, a fool rarely from his own.

 

[Big Poppa]

Hey lets not slag fender they do huuuuuuge business

 

[RockinRayDuke]

See: John Hall and Rickenbacker. Because Rickenbacker missed the party 35 years ago and did nothing to stop the (very good) copies made in Japan at the time, all they can do these days is spend their energy hunting down and shutting eBay auctions when the 5th or 12th owner of those instruments decide to sell their bass to pay bills or put food on the table for their family. Rickenbacker's approach is arse-about and petty, purely because they were asleep at the wheel when they should have done something when these instruments were actually being made all those years ago.

I agree w/Mark. I also agree w/Wonderdog-Fender will be OK. Pays to keep an eye on your assets!

 

[RMS]

Fender was too late...their loss but in the scheme of things they are doing well. I think their biggest challenge will be moving guitars and basses that have increased in price 30+% since last year.

I do think Fender does and has tried to make some innovative products (not to the degree of a Bongo or Big Al) but most of the times these products were not well received (katanas, performers, kubicki/Lace electronics, etc.)

RS

 

[Big Poppa]

Those were other people that they either bought or distributed...not created by them

 

[Russel]

Hey lets not slag fender they do huuuuuuge business

It's a small thing to bring up, I know, but I meant it as a joke on an uber-traditionalist perspective, if you were even talking to me.

I hope the company survives this with its traditionalist approach intact, but I do hope this situation forces them to evolve a little, make themselves better than their copycats.

I laughed at the road worn series, by the way.

 

[Big Poppa]

It wasnt directed at you... I laugh at the road worn too...so are the dealers and Fender...Al the way to the bank...Good on em Like I say over and over again choice is good

 

[Russel]

Choice IS good.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Hey lets not slag fender they do huuuuuuge business

Not Slamming Fender in anyway, but They are just now within the last few years trying to dial in their Relics to feel like what fender did in the 50's and 60's, but they are spending a lot of money to try to cop those feels of necks and Bodies, for me I own the real stuff but for the kids that want them they now do a great job.

Ernie Ball Music Man has took over what 99% of these companies have forgotten.
So in Some ways I'm glad Sterling you never got to be a huge company like fender because what you guys put out on the Market no one can even touch, not for feel, weight, necks, tone and price.
Nothing Kicks Ass like the Ernie Ball Music Man Basses. Period.

 

[Big Poppa]

Dave The market dictated how big we got...that and the fact that i never pushed it as I wanted to make sure that what we made was really good. Having something like the Sting Ray was nice but the Strat Tele P and Jazz...wow.

 

[kylierider]

Ernie Ball Music Man has took over what 99% of these companies have forgotten.
So in Some ways I'm glad Sterling you never got to be a huge company like fender because what you guys put out on the Market no one can even touch, not for feel, weight, necks, tone and price.
Nothing Kicks Ass like the Ernie Ball Music Man Basses. Period.

Amen to that..Best basses I've ever played. Hell, I sold my Alembic to by a Musicman.

A 92 trans white, rosewood board Stingray. More than twice the bass at half the cost.

 

[RobertB]

Having something like the Sting Ray was nice but the Strat Tele P and Jazz...wow.

Humble remarks, and true.

And then there's the Bongo ... WOW! Whereas so many Fender copies - and IMHO this is particularly true of the "improved Fenders" (Lak, Sadowsky, etc) - endeavor to represent a step *up* the ladder of development that so many cling to, the Bongo represents a radical step *off* that ladder altogether - away from the guide wire and into the largely uncharted domain of true innovation in the industry.

 

[bovinehost]

the Bongo represents a radical step *off* that ladder altogether - away from the guide wire and into the largely uncharted domain of true innovation in the industry.

clap clap clap clap

 

[strummer]

clap clap clap clap

Impressiv, with just the one hand;-)

I think the Bongo is a path all by itself...

 

[Basspro]

Impressiv, with just the one hand;-)

I think the Bongo is a path all by itself...

Exactly right.....A totally new design.
In my opinion this is where EBMM stands above the rest. Sure you keep the designs that work, but also keep moving forward and be creative.
Like the saying go's "keep doing the same things and you get the same results"
Dont get me wrong, i love my old fenders,
it just seems to me that Fender has just stuck with the great old innovative designs of Leo, and has not moved forward and try something new.
Personally i would not go buy a new fender instrument, to me the quality is long gone with the old fullerton factory.

 

[GHWelles]

The Bongo is brilliant

 

[RMS]

Those were other people that they either bought or distributed...not created by them

Yes, Kubicki (and his electronics) were a preFender brand, but the Katana and Performers were Fender basses. As for more modern examples, the Roscoe Beck V and new Steve Bailey VI are fair examples of Fender trying to innovate. Certainly, EBMM is more aggressive in developing new models and design. IMO, at the end of the day, the vast majority of their customer base will always want traditional looking and sounding instruments.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I am sure it's much harder than it seems. People want what they know and are accustomed to so you can innovate all you want, but if the public doesn't buy it, you have to offer a product that will sell to stay alive.

I know BP has mentioned how proud he is of the Bongo and more recently the 25th Anniversary and Big Al. These are new and innovative designs, however you can't abandon the classics like the Stingray while breaking new ground. It must be difficult to find a good balance between tradition and innovation. I admire those who can do both and be successful. Yes, choice is good!

 

[RockinRayDuke]

I love the Bongo, now. In spite of Jack's best efforts I resisted it at every turn. Liked the sound, couldn't get over the looks, being an old school closed minded bass player.

I finally fell in love with it and have owned several 4 and 5 stringers with another 4H on its way here this week. Can't wait. I've really missed having one.

We've all read the same smartassed comments from the so-called internet bass intelligentsia about the Bongo's looks, usually never about the sound. I play a Thunderbird as well and I read the same stupid crap, usually always from people that have never played one.

You either open your mind or stay in your shell, your comfort zone. That's one thing I love about EBMM, not afraid to think outside the box.