"higher end" Fender basses

[BlueMoon]

32 minutes ago, Doctor J said:

The Dimension tried to enter a space created by Musicman and G&L 30-odd years previously.

Very true………and Fender has a history of falling behind. An earlier example was the Precision Bass Special, which was their first active bass coming out in the early 80’s. I know that was a troubled time for “Big F” but having a big brand name is just not enough, especially these days.

 

 

[tauzero]

3 hours ago, Stub Mandrel said:

What's interesting to thois debate aren’t the few people with extreme views either way, it's what range of instruments/ brands do people with experience of many basses typically think.

 

I've got about 30 basses, including Seis, Warwicks, and Ibanezezezes, and in that lot is one modified Squier and no Fenders. And I'm perfectly happy with that mix.

[Terry M.]

2 hours ago, Burns-bass said:

Perhaps its all in my head (but I’m sure it isn’t) that the USA ones simply do sound and feel better.

Maybe it is maybe it isn't. You're using a subjective term though when you say better.Play a bunch of USA basses and Squier ones and you'll know for definite. The ultimate test would be a blindfold one. We go to Sainsbury's and see McVities Digestive Biscuits and we see the Sainsbury's own brand version. Guess which one most people will assume is superior before even sampling either packet?  Well McVities make both despite the lower price of Sainsbury's "version". Leo used ash and alder based on cheapness and availability. It was not a tonewood choice in the beginning. There's no magic there so if a Squier is poplar bodied for example there is no inherent disadvantage other than what the user places on it based on preconceptions and prior association.

[Burns-bass]

4 hours ago, Terry M. said:

Maybe it is maybe it isn't. You're using a subjective term though when you say better.Play a bunch of USA basses and Squier ones and you'll know for definite. The ultimate test would be a blindfold one. We go to Sainsbury's and see McVities Digestive Biscuits and we see the Sainsbury's own brand version. Guess which one most people will assume is superior before even sampling either packet?  Well McVities make both despite the lower price of Sainsbury's "version". Leo used ash and alder based on cheapness and availability. It was not a tonewood choice in the beginning. There's no magic there so if a Squier is poplar bodied for example there is no inherent disadvantage other than what the user places on it based on preconceptions and prior association.

Over the last 20 years I’ve had literally hundreds of basses. I realised it was all wasted in the end as all I need to do is just get a few guitars I love and use.
 

Happens to be a few USA Fenders, but could easily have been a Stingray or Shuker. But for the rigours of gigging I trust the USA ones the most.

[Stub Mandrel]

4 hours ago, Terry M. said:

Maybe it is maybe it isn't. You're using a subjective term though when you say better.Play a bunch of USA basses and Squier ones and you'll know for definite. The ultimate test would be a blindfold one. We go to Sainsbury's and see McVities Digestive Biscuits and we see the Sainsbury's own brand version. Guess which one most people will assume is superior before even sampling either packet?  Well McVities make both despite the lower price of Sainsbury's "version". Leo used ash and alder based on cheapness and availability. It was not a tonewood choice in the beginning. There's no magic there so if a Squier is poplar bodied for example there is no inherent disadvantage other than what the user places on it based on preconceptions and prior association.

 

If I inspect my AVII closely it is pretty much flawless. My Squier 40th feels nicer to play with a satin neck and sounds very similar. But I love the Fender 

[LeftyJ]

6 hours ago, Doctor J said:

The Dimension tried to enter a space created by Musicman and G&L 30-odd years previously. Who was that bass aimed at, who was the target market? It came across as a half-assed effort at entering the humbucker game, just flung out there in the hope that they could poach some stragglers from leading brands in that market  😂

 

It was a huge departure from the original Fender Dimension bass from the early 00s. I never understood why they kept that name around when it was originally on a bass as ugly as this: