No more Made in Mexico Fenders

Chris P. · May 15, 2025, 03:34:22 AM

I just tried a Player II Modified P for the magazine. The headstock reads 'Made in Ensenada' which of course is a city in Mexico. I don't want it to be too political, but is it?

We can talk of MIE bassses now

Dave W · May 15, 2025, 07:41:53 AM

Not sure, but I think it has something to do with a California law that's stricter about meeting Made In USA standards than federal law. For example, the MusicMan headstock now says "California tradition since 1974" b/c under California law it doesn't qualify as Made In USA.

My guess is that Fender can't use Made In USA any more, so they've decided not to use Made In Mexico either.

Pilgrim · May 15, 2025, 10:32:30 AM

Agreed - most likely a labeling technicality. Ensenada is a ways south of Tijuana, but a fairly northerly city in Mexico.

Chris P. · May 16, 2025, 02:02:50 AM

So certain products can't be Made in USA anymore if a certain amount of foreign parts is used?

Alanko · May 16, 2025, 03:38:38 PM

Boeing aircraft are full of bootleg Chinese components but are still considered American made, right?

Dave W · May 16, 2025, 11:54:11 PM

Quote from: Chris P. on May 16, 2025, 02:02:50 AMSo certain products can't be Made in USA anymore if a certain amount of foreign parts is used?

The Federal Trade Commission has had a Made In USA standard for many years. It allows a little wiggle room.

The newer California law is stricter. Read the Labeling Requirements paragraph here: https://www.trade.gov/made-usa-faqs

BTL · May 17, 2025, 02:43:13 PM

My guess is it has less to do with the California law and more to do with marketing nuance. To my ear, Ensenada almost sounds like a city in California. Along those lines, Allparts has added Nagano to their "Made in Japan" sticker.

Pilgrim · May 17, 2025, 04:58:13 PM

Well, among those who pay attention, MIJ is A Good Thing.

BTL · May 17, 2025, 05:11:23 PM

I'm wondering if marketers have determined that city of origin has more cachet than country of origin. I suspect it does.

Dave W · May 17, 2025, 10:26:01 PM

My guess is based on the explanation Sterling Ball posted at the EB/MM forums back when the California law was new, after forum members noticed the change.

Basvarken · May 18, 2025, 04:17:04 AM

I always put Made in Velp on the Brooks basses that I build.
I find it quite silly to see Made in *place name* on products.

Velp is a tiny little village that is completely swallowed by the city of Arnhem.
So I put it on my headstocks as a joke. Every now and then people wonder what the **** is Velp?

Makes me chuckle when I see that.

Alanko · May 19, 2025, 05:08:27 AM

Quote from: Basvarken on May 18, 2025, 04:17:04 AMI always put Made in Velp on the Brooks basses that I build.
I find it quite silly to see Made in *place name* on products.

Velp is a tiny little village that is completely swallowed by the city of Arnhem.
So I put it on my headstocks as a joke. Every now and then people wonder what the **** is Velp?
Makes me chuckle when I see that.

Put 'made on Urk' just to add to the confusion.

Basvarken · May 19, 2025, 07:17:02 AM

Haha! Yeah that would be hilarious