80's new wave

HMZ · #1 12-30-2010, 06:35 AM

Do you think Fender Jazz and P basses took a back seat to more modern bass of the time in 80's new wave music? It seems plays of that era were using more active bass and "modern shaped basses such as the Steinberg Bass. Musicman basses we still kinda of a new thing as well.

mdogs · #2 12-30-2010, 07:41 AM

Funny, never really thought about it. I remember when MM's first came out, we all kind of laughed about it and said "why would anyone want to compete with Fender." We were too stupid to realize what a monumental bass the Stingray was/is!!! Anyway, that post-punk era kind of seems to me like everyone was trying their best to be something different than everyone else; good, bad or otherwise. My guess is though that if you had been in the studio with these groups you would have seen nothing but Fenders...

rhopper · #3 12-30-2010, 08:12 AM

Whenever I see a Steinberger I think of the 80's.

bigou · #4 12-30-2010, 08:12 AM

Lots of Ricknebackers in the 80's.

MNAirHead · #5 12-30-2010, 08:15 AM

I remember pointy Yamahas and Ibanez Roadstars

MNAirHead · #6 12-30-2010, 08:17 AM

Kabuicki

tdizzle · #7 12-30-2010, 08:32 AM

I would have to say no. If you watch the movie Urgh! A Music War, which was released in 1982, almost every single band is playing a Jazz or a Precision, with the odd Mustang here and there. I first saw the movie in 1984, and that was one of the most prominent features to me (I was just starting to play bass at that time). Aria, Yamaha, and Ibanez were making a name for themselves at the time, but Fender was still king. I do recall that at some point in the 80s things started to move in other directions, but much later in the 80s and not just with new wave.

Also, with the advent of MTV, bands were using the most visual instruments in videos, but I would bet dollars to doughnuts that in the studio, it was all about a Precision or a Jazz (probably a Precision, as it seemed to be the 1st choice back then).

TheVoiceless · #8 12-30-2010, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMZ

Do you think Fender Jazz and P basses took a back seat to more modern bass of the time in 80's new wave music? It seems plays of that era were using more active bass and "modern shaped basses such as the Steinberg Bass. Musicman basses we still kinda of a new thing as well.

Yes, especially with the invention of MTV. Where you had to be just as visually appealing as you sounded. I think their was a deliberate attempt to shed the look of the seventy's, and I also think there was some new basses on the market that showed up at that time. But I am sure that you still had plenty of people playing Fenders. Just not as much as they were before.

jedgargroover · #9 12-30-2010, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMZ

Do you think Fender Jazz and P basses took a back seat to more modern bass of the time in 80's new wave music? .

I think it was more glam metal that moved away from Fenders. Every Eddie Van Halen fan or Gene Simmons wannabe HAD to get custom or modded gear. But Adam Clayton played Fender and Gibson basses in U2 and The Edge played a strat. REM was totally Rickenbacker powered. The Cure was practically built on using a Fender Bass VI. Echo & the Bunnymen, Jesus & Mary Chain, INXS and on and on: Fenders and Gibsons. Bruce Thomas of The Attractions famously played that butt ugly P. Most of the new wave bands that mattered used Fenders, Gibsons and Ricks for the most part. Bass and guitar.

But look at any photo of Ratt and tell me what you see.

bassbully · #10 12-30-2010, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedgargroover

I think it was more glam metal that moved away from Fenders. Every Eddie Van Halen fan or Gene Simmons wannabe HAD to get custom or modded gear. But Adam Clayton played Fender and Gibson basses in U2 and The Edge played a strat. REM was totally Rickenbacker powered. The Cure was practically built on using a Fender Bass VI. Echo & the Bunnymen, Jesus & Mary Chain, INXS and on and on: Fenders and Gibsons. Bruce Thomas of The Attractions famously played that butt ugly P. Most of the new wave bands that mattered used Fenders, Gibsons and Ricks for the most part. Bass and guitar.

But look at any photo of Ratt and tell me what you see.

I agree hair metal kind of took away the fender bass for a while although it stayed in classic rock and country during the same time. In new wave the Fenders were used allot Talking heads, Elvis Costello, Clash, although more punk I guess.

Zeb Norris · #11 12-30-2010, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedgargroover

But look at any photo of Ratt and tell me what you see.

Do I HAVE to? Ugh!

plangentmusic · #12 12-30-2010, 09:15 AM

Active pu's and futuristic styles matched the hi fi electronic sound of 80's music.

Also, synth key bass was so big, cold, clear and "electronic" and guys were trying to compete with that as well. EMG's to the rescue! And Steinbergers were very clear, in tune and...well, kinda cold and soulless. They were the perfect compliment.

But as is the case with all fashion, it ran its course and what was once hip, became cliche'. A new generation has rediscoved passive, single coil, woodsy tones -- which actually work better with digital recording techniques.

Everything old becomes new again. Who knows...maybe in 15 years, Steinbergers will be all that anyone wants in an effort to get that "vintage " sound. (Doubt it though).

tdizzle · #13 12-30-2010, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jedgargroover

I think it was more glam metal that moved away from Fenders. Every Eddie Van Halen fan or Gene Simmons wannabe HAD to get custom or modded gear. But Adam Clayton played Fender and Gibson basses in U2 and The Edge played a strat. REM was totally Rickenbacker powered. The Cure was practically built on using a Fender Bass VI. Echo & the Bunnymen, Jesus & Mary Chain, INXS and on and on: Fenders and Gibsons. Bruce Thomas of The Attractions famously played that butt ugly P. Most of the new wave bands that mattered used Fenders, Gibsons and Ricks for the most part. Bass and guitar.

But look at any photo of Ratt and tell me what you see.

Yes, how can we forget the Jackson?!

HMZ · #14 12-30-2010, 09:47 AM

I bet most of the music in the studio was recorded with a Fender but like someone said the 80's were all about MTV and to be seen with some new odd bass or guitar for that matter was cool. Remember the Roland guitar use in Missing Persons?

I<34080 · #15 12-30-2010, 09:50 AM

Precisions and Rics were the go to basses for post punk.

SpectorDetector · #16 12-30-2010, 09:58 AM

No, there were lot's of P's, J's and everything else. I think Fender's were very well represented in the 80's. Steinberger's were around, but not THAT much, Yamaha BB's were a lot more popular then as well.