Fender announces new Standard line at $599

[Dave W]

I've seen so much pure speculation over at TDPRI, almost all of it from the usual Fender-haters who think they know best how to run the company and are unhappy that they don't get to decide.

CorTek is the largest Indonesian factory, so these guys immediately assume these are relabeled CorTek Squiers. There are two other huge factories (Samick, Wildwood) who have made Fenders under contract, and a number of smaller ones, but I guess they're all standing idle now, right?

And ceramic pickups...they're obviously all identical, right? Which are they like, RIC Hi-gains or Gibson TB-Plus? 

They'll sell.

[doombass]

Yes, they will sell no doubt regardless what the specs say. I only brought up the ceramics in my assumption that Brad meant overall vintage specs (fretboard radius, choice of wood and choice of pickups etc). And, no, they are'nt all identical. The point being that those pickups using ceramic magnets in the Fender Standard may be identical to the Affinity's. Fender does not specify windings nor DC resistances so it is a Jazz Bass design pickup using ceramic magnets.

[Pilgrim]

When it comes to pickups and electronics, I don't worry much. Easy to change if there is an actual problem, otherwise why worry?  I install a set of Labella Deep Talkin' flats when I get a bass, and assume that it will take them a couple of months to settle into the sound I want. I think the strings make more difference in sound than just about anything else.  If I actually need to replace a pickup or pot (almost never) it's a lot cheaper than spending double the price on a gin-you-wine Made in 'Murrica Fender.   

[Alanko]

I don't think magnet type matters unless you know a whole raft of other specs about a pickup. Ceramic magnets don't give a pickup a faster attack and colder tone. Alnico III isn't spongier, etc. if you don't know the magnet and coil geometries then you're in the dark.

Ceramic is perceived as a cheaper magnet and ceramic pickups are perceived as ersatz. I think people hear 'ceramic' and think of cookware, as criticisms tend to be that they are cold/harsh/brittle-sounding pickups. A Dimarzio Model P isn't that cheap (a Tonerider alnico P Bass pickup is far cheaper) and it isn't a bright pickup either.

[amptech]

I don't think magnet type matters unless you know a whole raft of other specs about a pickup. Ceramic magnets don't give a pickup a faster attack and colder tone. Alnico III isn't spongier, etc. if you don't know the magnet and coil geometries then you're in the dark.

Ceramic is perceived as a cheaper magnet and ceramic pickups are perceived as ersatz. I think people hear 'ceramic' and think of cookware, as criticisms tend to be that they are cold/harsh/brittle-sounding pickups. A Dimarzio Model P isn't that cheap (a Tonerider alnico P Bass pickup is far cheaper) and it isn't a bright pickup either.

Well, as much as I dislike 'mystique' around vintage materials, and work more with speaker design than pickups nowdays, you can still have very audible differences between alnico 5 pickups vs a ceramic ones when all other parts are the same. Back when I did pickup repairs in my shop, the most common pickup request (after rewinding broken fender custom shop pickups) was to replace ceramic magnets with alnico 5 in mexican strat pickups. Probably some forum hype firing up this trend, but lots of guitar players were happy with this mod. And quite audible difference.
One can argue that the pickup in question was probably designed for alnico from the beginning, of course.

But obviously the biggest difference between the two materials is the price 

[Dave W]

Laurel fretboard on a new Standard Strat, posted at Strat-Talk.

[Alanko]

Looks like a cheap Fender copy. Brands like Sire and even Harley Benton are able to make guitars in this price range with rolled fretboard edges, stainless steel frets, actual rosewood, better electronics. This is an odd move by Fender.

[doombass]

It fits perfectly in Fender's market strategy. They will not use the same materials as the upper lines at a lower price. Rest assure they are fully aware. It still has "Fender" on the headstock. The bullseye would be an aspiring player drooling for a vintage expensive instrument walking the line all the way from Squier, Fender Standard, Fender Player, Fender Vintera, Fender American Professional to American Vintage and Custom Shop. Fender as a company, like all companies first priority is making money for their investors/owners and I'd say they have quite good knowledge what people want or rather not want. Like Dave said, the new Standard Series will sell.

[ilan]

The bullseye would be an aspiring player drooling for a vintage expensive instrument walking the line all the way from Squier, Fender Standard, Fender Player, Fender Vintera, Fender American Professional to American Vintage and Custom Shop.

It seems that upgrading from Squier Affinity to the new Fender Standard will get him a $200 headstock decal.

[ajkula66]

Looks like a cheap Fender copy.

My thoughts exactly.

Thanks but no thanks.