I have a few. I played years ago, then put it all away for a couple decades, and just started again in a serious way in the last few months. This isn’t my first ever, but it’s the one currently on my rack that I’ve had the longest. It’s an Ibanez EXB404 that I bought at a guitar shop near Pittsburgh in about 1991 or so. I changed the chromed factory tuners and bridge for black ones, and when I got it out of storage this past spring I had to replace the tone cap. I think it may have a set of EMG PJ HZ’s in its near future. I have a lot of great memories centered around this old heap.
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NBD: Rogue VB-100 I got when Musician’s Friend had them as the Stupid Deal of the Day a couple days ago for $150. Of course I had to immediately put on the Höfner teacup knobs instead of the black plastic ones it came with. Alas, I have to wait for the new flatwound strings to be delivered, though. Definitely takes a little getting used to for the narrower string spacing. Took it to my lesson tonight and played All My Loving by the Beatles while my instructor played the guitar part and then the drums. Another student was watching through the glass in the door and when I noticed her she yelled though, “That’s so cool!”
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It may not help now, but just so you know: the Höfner-branded flatwound strings are made by Pyramid. You can buy the exact same Pyramid-branded strings for less to a lot less.
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About the time my brain asked, “Where’s the SB-2?”, it appeared, but do you have TWO SB-2’s? 
Why is that?
I know that there’s people on this board who have hated Fender for at least five years, but hater’s are gonna hate.
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People have bass brand preferences, that’s all.
Different experiences with Fender basses often color one’s preference for them, whether positively or negatively. Personally, as a former owner, I don’t prefer Fenders over many other options, and I wouldn’t buy one again. But that’s just me. YMMV
Bottom line: Players show their preferences with their wallets. Does that qualify as hate? Nope. Just preference, or lack thereof.
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I’ve never found a Fender or Squier that made me want to pick it up a second time. I don’t hate them. Hell, I kinda want to try out an Aerodyne, Meteora or Vintera jaguar. Their newly acquired villain status is going to hurt them more in the long run than help but that’s the choice they made.
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This is what I meant when I said everyone hates them right now
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Not me. They made a very poor business decision which makes no sense to me. But hate? Too strong a word, you should save that for the Dutch.
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The only thing I can’t tolerate is intolerant people….
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I love Fender. If it’s not for Fenders and Squiers I would not have my collection. When you spend some effort you can buy low and sell at reasonable for profit.
Well technically yes, I had one with tone knob I got from Japan. It’s also Fullerton made. But, but it doesn’t have the same quirky charm plus it’s black so I let it go the first chance I got.
So true, although I don’t own any of the brands I prefer 
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Not YET.
But I have faith in you. 
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In part I think because folks here have a bit of rebel in them and tend to steer away from the establishment. In part because of QC, and in part because its been years since they had a new idea.
And my saying is Fender, you can buy better but you can’t pay more. And I am a fender fanboi
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I would not hold my breath. I already sold one of my kidney the Alembic I had my eyes on is $65000 although I miss the month of May special 10%off I can still get the free LED upgrade for free. That saves $1400,
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I was looking for Pyramid Gold strings initially but wasn’t really willing to drop almost half the cost of the bass on a set of strings I’ve never tried before. I’m familiar with LaBella DTB flats, so ordered their Beatle Bass version. They seem to be about the most highly recommended for these basses in searches online.
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I find it funny that people are responding to why people don’t like Fender right now with “haters gonna hate” and “people steer away from the establishment”…
No.
People are fed up with Fender right now because they’re suing half the guitar industry over claims that are dubious at best.
Fender sued a Chinese manufacturer who made a copy of a Stratocaster, and won a default judgement (meaning they won because the defendant didn’t show up, the court didn’t review their claims). Then, even though a default judgement doesn’t set precedent since it’s not a ruling on the merits, they had their lawyers send letters to makers as big as PRS and as small as LsL Instruments claiming they did win on the merits, and demanding these makers recall every S-style guitar they’ve sold in the EU, destroy all their remaining inventory within a matter of a couple of weeks, and pay Fender $250,000 Euros.
That’s why people hate Fender right now.
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I don’t hate Fender instruments at all, I’ve owned a couple very nice MIJs. Fender Japan makes some amazing stuff (or more likely still contracts Fujigen and Dyna to make it for them).
It’s more Fender USA, Inc. that I think is very silly, historically for pricing and more recently for corporate practices (not just the current thing).
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My dad used to sing that phrase regarding one of the hardware stores!
I like Fender instruments, and all the cloned Fender instruments too. 
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Was it about Ace? I bet it was about Ace….
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