Normally when Fender release 'new' basses, its normally just a rehashing of the 'same old, same old'! Its nice to see them step away into relatively unchartered territory, albeit only one step along to another of Leo's designs! I feel they are very much trying to capture the Musicman market here, and especially those Stingray lovers out there.

I'd certainly give one ago if the price and quality was right, but as I have found with most fenders, for the money they go for there are far better instruments out there. This is of course only my opinion.

Regards
G!

The bass players think that Fender should have figured out how make a new shape in 60 years.
(Ok maybe just me) ?

I really like them! They look really pretty! Don't know how they sound, but the fact that it's all new is great! Would have been cool to see a different headstock, but those Fender headstocks do look pretty good already (I used to hate them, but it has definitely grown on me!)

I also think this is to get a Musicman-style bass in the range.

A few nice features (looks like a P-style neck - even on the 5, carbon reinforcement in the 5, ash bodies, maple board option, etc.), but they missed horribly with some (string retainers, compound radius board on the 4s - why?).

Doomsower wrote: The bass players think that Fender should have figured out how make a new shape in 60 years.

Why, when they got it right the first time? ?

These are nice. I was also thinking Musicman. But they're sufficiently different looking to be interesting.

Why fix what aint broke ?


Fender P bass is perfect .... Just like their tele's ?

Keira WitherKay wrote: Why fix what aint broke ?


Fender P bass is perfect .... Just like their tele's ?

Not really fixing what aint broke though ? more, just a different approach. The p bass is still available, they just have something now that's for those who aren't purists. (Musicman fans)