Sometimes I feel like an alien here at TB.

[jg42]

Growing up with 80s music mostly, I've realized that none of the music that I've listened to then was with P or J basses. So now when I hear either of them, even the old & expensive ones, I feel nothing. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of nice music recorded with Fender basses, but I think that when you're growing up with something, it's almost imprinted in your brain: "that's what the bass should sound like". Makes any sense?

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by jg42

Growing up with 80s music mostly, I've realized that none of the music that I've listened to then was with P or J basses.

That is utterly false and absurd.

[itchy]

Hmmm.... tons and tons of bassists have used Ps and Js the entire time from the 50s until now. So, what kind of "80s music" did you grow up on?

I'm gonna guess metal/hair metal (?) just cuz a lot of those guys were into the "pointy" stuff. But, even Duff used a P/J.

I can't even think of a genre where "none" of the music was recorded with a P or a J.

[Scootbass1]

Originally Posted by bongomania

That is utterly false and absurd.

+1 on this. I can think of at least two no three bass players that used Fender basses right off the top of my head. Adam Clayton, John Deacon and Pino come to mind. There are countless others too numerous to list here. But we are creatures of habit and your statement holds some merit concerning personal preference. So, no need to feel like an alien bro.

My avatar pic is proof in the pudding. LOL!

[Phalex]

80's? Steinberger. They were kinda cliche.

[king_biscuit]

Originally Posted by bongomania

That is utterly false and absurd.

Another +1

[williamk]

Originally Posted by bongomania

That is utterly false and absurd.

the guy says he listened to music in the '80s that was not recorded with fenders...why is that absurd and false??

[Lownote Floyd]

Originally Posted by jg42

Growing up with 80s music mostly, I've realized that none of the music that I've listened to then was with P or J basses. So now when I hear either of them, even the old & expensive ones, I feel nothing. Don't get me wrong, there are tons of nice music recorded with Fender basses, but I think that when you're growing up with something, it's almost imprinted in your brain: "that's what the bass should sound like". Makes any sense?

Then I must have been on another planet. Huh?

[jg42]

Originally Posted by Scootbass1

+1 on this. I can think of at least two no three bass players that used Fender basses right off the top of my head. Adam Clayton, John Deacon and Pino come to mind. There are countless others too numerous to list here. But we are creatures of habit and your statement holds some merit concerning personal preference. So, no need to feel like an alien bro.

My avatar pic is proof in the pudding. LOL!

Pino? Mostly Stingray - no? At least with Paul Young - the fretless one.

[petrus61]

Even BC Rich's and other pointy, 80's stuff like Charvel had mostly P, J or both configurations. So while you may not have been hearing 'Fender', you were likely hearing a Fender style pickup or configuration on alot (not all) of that stuff.

[jg42]

Originally Posted by itchy

Hmmm.... tons and tons of bassists have used Ps and Js the entire time from the 50s until now. So, what kind of "80s music" did you grow up on?

I'm gonna guess metal/hair metal (?) just cuz a lot of those guys were into the "pointy" stuff. But, even Duff used a P/J.

I can't even think of a genre where "none" of the music was recorded with a P or a J.

Level 42, Japan, Mick Karn, Duran Duran, talk talk, kajagoogoo

:-)

[jg42]

Originally Posted by Lownote Floyd

Then I must have been on another planet. Huh?

Listened to different music most likely :-)

[king_biscuit]

It looks like he is a Level 42 fan -- so am I. I can see how a traditional Fender style tone might not be exactly what he is going for if he likes Mark King's tone. However, there was actually a MK signature Fender Jazz, and with brand new steel rounds, both pickups wide open, and the right amp, a Jazz can do Level 42 just fine. Especially a maple/ash Jazz with the 70s pickup location.

[jg42]

Originally Posted by williamk

the guy says he listened to music in the '80s that was not recorded with fenders...why is that absurd and false??

Exactly! :-)

[jg42]

Originally Posted by king_biscuit

It looks like he is a Level 42 fan -- so am I. I can see how a traditional Fender style tone might not be exactly what he is going for if he likes Mark King's tone. However, there was actually a MK signature Fender Jazz, and with brand new steel rounds, both pickups wide open, and the right amp, a Jazz can do Level 42 just fine. Especially a maple/ash Jazz with the 70s pickup location.

Something like that. Mind you, I find Mark King tone differs significantly between the earlier albums (pre 84-85) and later ones. While I'm definitely a fan of Level 42, I would always choose the JayDee tone over anything else he played after...

[Bluedevilxx]

I always think of pickup type and placement personally. Many nutty body shapes sport a pretty standard P or J pup in a familiar place.

[shoot-r]

Originally Posted by itchy

I'm gonna guess metal/hair metal (?) just cuz a lot of those guys were into the "pointy" stuff.

The "pointy" stuff was for stage/show.......
In the studio for recording purposes it was J's and P's, (atleast it was for the hair band I worked with in the 80's.)

[mellowinman]

I think this is pretty pointless.

If what you listened to was not recorded with a P or J, or any Fender, then don't play a Fender.

Problem solved.

As for those of you who mis-read the OP to be saying none of the music of the eighties was recorded with a P or J, that's not what he said. He said none of the music of the eighties that HE LISTENED TO was recorded with a P or J.

That being said, there's a lot of tone to be had out there.

Give me any bass, and I will play some good bass on any song.

Some of you guys get a little caught up in tone.

It's bass, man.

Your audience mostly doesn't care, as long as it's THERE.

[franksgbass]

Def a silly statement, but a few examples of great 80's p and J players.Simon Gallup used a P and a J on the early Cure records. Paul Simonon of the Clash used a P. Andy Rourke from the smiths used a P. mikey craig from culture club used a Jazz. Tina Weymouth from Talking heads used a Jazz and a mustand with mini split P's. Miki steele of Bangles used a P. Gary Tallent used a Jazz in the studio. David J of the Bauhaus used a fretless P. There are so many more, what few players do you have in mind that didn't use P or J bass's??

[fuzzychaos]

Originally Posted by itchy

Hmmm.... tons and tons of bassists have used Ps and Js the entire time from the 50s until now. So, what kind of "80s music" did you grow up on?

I'm gonna guess metal/hair metal (?) just cuz a lot of those guys were into the "pointy" stuff. But, even Duff used a P/J.

I can't even think of a genre where "none" of the music was recorded with a P or a J.

Polka?