Fender American Design creations

[Addison]

Wow... pathetic.

I guess if Fender is looking for any evidence as to why they've treated us like shit for the last 30 years, that's enough to close the case.

They're still treating us like shit. The basses you're buying are also offered to righties... without the 20-30% markup.

No they're not.

Righties can't buy an American Standard with an ash body, nor can they buy a '58 classic P with a tobacco burst body or the custom '58 precision pickup unless they go through the ADE like I did, and they pay the exact same price I did.

Neither bass I ordered is available "off the shelf" to a right-handed player... so I'm not sure what you're talking about.

[andrew]

I think the American Design program in a great step in the right direction even if it isn't perfect at this time. I really hope it succeeds and eventually opens up to being available to non-U.S.A. customers too.

[Matt R.]

RE: Upcharges & shit-

For all the activist types- Just for the hell of it, I built a lefty and righty of the same model and they are both the same price, so apparently no lefty up charge, unless they are just overcharging righties to make it appear so

[Addison]

I think the American Design program in a great step in the right direction even if it isn't perfect at this time. I really hope it succeeds and eventually opens up to being available to non-U.S.A. customers too.

I'm pretty convinced at this point that it will never be perfect for anyone and Fender will pull the plug long before anyone gets to see any more choices at all.

I've read nothing but complaints about it since it's been implemented and it's really disheartening.

No ebony fingerboards, no figured wood tops, no matching headstocks, not enough colors, no relic finishes, you can't swap modern necks with classic bodies... this list goes on and on and on and fucking on.

Now... either Fender isn't doing a good enough job explaining that this ISN'T the Fender Custom Shop, or people are too stupid to get it... I'm not sure. Reading a lot of comments on TB and other Facebook groups, I'm becoming convinced that it's much more of the latter than it is the former.

In order to keep costs down and to not create an obvious conflict of interest with their Custom Shop, Fender could NEVER EVER possibly off EVERY single combination and option available. That would not only be cost prohibitive, but it would literally put their Custom Shop out of business.

I'm happier than shit right now... In less than 90 days I will have a couple of kickass Fender basses coming to me that are NOT available off the shelf to ANYONE and they're being made just for me. The experience so far has been very pleasant and personal with direct contact from representatives at Fender. My basses have a 30 day return policy and a limited lifetime warranty.

To me, all of that is EASILY worth a couple hundred bucks more than what I would pay for something that THOUSANDS of other people have bought from Musician's Friend.

I seriously could not be happier and I'm really glad I got in on it before it's gone.

[bbl]

Addison, I stand corrected. And I'm happy you're getting what you want!

The bass I want has been available in righty for $1250 and is now available in lefty for $1500. That's a 20% "upcharge."

No thanks. I don't feel like I'm being treated like sh*t but I don't feel the warm fuzzies, either.

I'd rather buy used (or build a parts) P and pay Pat Wilkins to refinish it (I did).

Or give my money to lefty friendly builders like Rod or G&L.

[bbl]

I think the American Design program in a great step in the right direction even if it isn't perfect at this time. I really hope it succeeds and eventually opens up to being available to non-U.S.A. customers too.

I'm pretty convinced at this point that it will never be perfect for anyone and Fender will pull the plug long before anyone gets to see any more choices at all.

I've read nothing but complaints about it since it's been implemented and it's really disheartening.

No ebony fingerboards, no figured wood tops, no matching headstocks, not enough colors, no relic finishes, you can't swap modern necks with classic bodies... this list goes on and on and on and fucking on.

Now... either Fender isn't doing a good enough job explaining that this ISN'T the Fender Custom Shop, or people are too stupid to get it... I'm not sure. Reading a lot of comments on TB and other Facebook groups, I'm becoming convinced that it's much more of the latter than it is the former.

In order to keep costs down and to not create an obvious conflict of interest with their Custom Shop, Fender could NEVER EVER possibly off EVERY single combination and option available. That would not only be cost prohibitive, but it would literally put their Custom Shop out of business.

I'm happier than shit right now... In less than 90 days I will have a couple of kickass Fender basses coming to me that are NOT available off the shelf to ANYONE and they're being made just for me. The experience so far has been very pleasant and personal with direct contact from representatives at Fender. My basses have a 30 day return policy and a limited lifetime warranty.

To me, all of that is EASILY worth a couple hundred bucks more than what I would pay for something that THOUSANDS of other people have bought from Musician's Friend.

I seriously could not be happier and I'm really glad I got in on it before it's gone.

Again, I'm happy that you're happy, but I gotta say you appear to harbor some resentment towards others who aren't as excited as you are.

[Addison]

If resale isn't a concern at all for you and what you wanted was a completely off-the-shelf model for a righty, then you probably went the right direction.

When I buy a bass, I look at all aspects of value and resale is one aspect of what adds to the value, even if I never plan to sell... Fenders have fantastic resale value and parts basses and G&L basses simply don't.

[bbl]

Exactly.

Everybody has their own reasons. And to each their own.

Me? If I paid 20% more than a righty, I would feel "pathetic."

[Matt R.]

I gotta say, I'm in 1000% agreement with my esteemed colleague Mr. Addison here.

Another point of perspective- the bass i had built is basically just a vintagey 60s reissue Jazz in Olympic White. About 10 or so years ago I priced the same instrument from the Fender Custom Shop. It sucks my only option was the Custom Shop for such a common design. The price was in the $4000 range (being that long ago I don't remember the exact number), so I'm lucky ADE happens to be offering options I like. Others don't find the same stuff appealing.

But still, for people to be whining about not having custom shop-like options is blowing my mind. This program is what it is, and I also agree that if it is given a chance to get off the ground, more options could be added later, who knows.

[AzWhoFan]

hey, I can't remember if this was discussed and I'm too damm lazy to reread the whole thread. Are true lefty pots being spec'd as part of the build?

[Matt R.]

hey, I can't remember if this was discussed and I'm too damm lazy to reread the whole thread. Are true lefty pots being spec'd as part of the build?

Can't answer that specifically but I assume that if my American Standards have them (which they do), then these will.

[bbl]

...for people to be whining about not having custom shop-like options is blowing my mind.

Who are these people you and Addison are referring to? Are they here at leftybassist? How did they even get into this discussion?

[Matt R.]

...for people to be whining about not having custom shop-like options is blowing my mind.

Who are these people you and Addison are referring to? Are they here at leftybassist? How did they even get into this discussion?

I'm referring to the general sentiment, largely at talkbass and on facebook threads(surprise). Wasn't pointing at anyone here necessarily. But overall the response to ADE is pretty dismal from what I have been able to see.

[bbl]

...for people to be whining about not having custom shop-like options is blowing my mind.

Who are these people you and Addison are referring to? Are they here at leftybassist? How did they even get into this discussion?

I'm referring to the general sentiment, largely at talkbass and on facebook threads(surprise). Wasn't pointing at anyone here necessarily. But overall the response to ADE is pretty dismal from what I have been able to see.

Got it. And I just found and read two hilarious talkbass threads.

Taco Bell.

Some of those posters need some (free Fender) coffee.

[H.Jura]

I chose 58 pb.
I think Fender American Design Experience is more pleasant when "reverse peg" can choose.

[LHBASSIST]

Here's a bit of reflection from a 62 year old lefty bassist and luthier..
Fender HAS overlooked the lefty market, and has indeed treated us poorly over the years. THAT SAID.....
Fender, back in the day- ALWAYS upcharged for left hand. AND for other options!
I bought, BRAND NEW.. a 1973 P-bass. Left hand, 10% upcharge.
Custom color- black- 10% upcharge
Maple neck 10% upcharge
Left handed case 10% upcharge Final tally?


It was $321.00 out the door of Sam Ash Music on west 48th. St. in Manhattan.

[Addison]

Wow, that's a great story... I actually had no idea that all of that stuff was an upcharge.

Just for fun, I entered the final dollar amount into an inflation calculator.

$321 in 1973 = $1708.33 in 2014

The ADE precision I just ordered was $1669.49... maple fingerboard, 2-tone burst (custom color) and a case.

http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

Neat.

[AzWhoFan]

I chose 58 pb.
I think Fender American Design Experience is more pleasant when "reverse peg" can choose.

Hi and welcome aboard!

That's pretty much the design I would choose if I had the funds to get one. I'd probably get its twin on the Jazz side of things as well

[bbl]

That is a great classic design.

It's like the CS P at Drum City... but $2300 less.

[Matt R.]

Wow, that's a great story... I actually had no idea that all of that stuff was an upcharge.

Just for fun, I entered the final dollar amount into an inflation calculator.

$321 in 1973 = $1708.33 in 2014

The ADE precision I just ordered was $1669.49... maple fingerboard, 2-tone burst (custom color) and a case.

http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm

Neat.

Nice. So at $1767.11, my Jazz is solidly in the $300-$400 range in vintage dollars. I'll take two.