What can a Fender do that my SX can't

[hardtwister]

Originally Posted by BryanM

While I appreciate that approach, I'm primarily a working musician. Whatever I get will be going with me to smoky, dirty bars and clubs between one and four nights a week, spend time in it's case in a van and probably be beat to hell. I have a 1992 Gibson Les Paul that I do the same with and it's not winning any beauty pageants, so I don't look at my basses as investments insofar as resale value as much as return from use.

That said, I've disliked every American Fender I've ever played, but loved the feel of just about every Japanese Fender and a lot of the Mexican Fenders. I've just had it drummed into my head for a long time that $100-$200 instruments are backups and have no place on a pro stage and I can't for the life of me think of a reason why whenever I play my bass.

+1 for Old Jap fenders. They smoke all the new American stuff.

[AlmightyPancake]

It can't "do" anything that your SX can't, obviously. The question is not what they do but how they do it.

A Fender will likely be more comfortable, have a better sound, better construction, better hardware, and it will last longer and provide a better sound. Obviously, it boils down to personal preference; no bass is "objectively" better than another since some players might like chintzy hardware, sub-par wood, and lo-fidelity electronics. If you like your SX, then continue gigging with it. If you feel it's not cutting it, upgrade. This thread might as well be titled "what can chocolate chip ice cream do that vanilla can't?"

[nukes_da_bass]

I think the high end MIJ and MIA Fenders are really good- you are not going to put and SX up against and MIA Deluxe jazz 5.
There's truly nothing inspired about the MIC or MIM Fenders. I'd take a MIC SX over a Chinese Fender any day of the week! MIM? Depends on the specific instrument.

[jonathanhughes]

Originally Posted by BryanM

As an alternative, I've been considering this as a second bass:

Agile Harm 1 Extended Scale

though I primarily play fretless and this would mostly be a novelty to knock around with.

As far as I can tell from the description, that's really more of a baritone guitar, not a bass. They say it can tune down to the "same low G or B as a bass guitar," but that B has got to B the B at the second fret on the A string of a regular bass, not the low B of five string bass. It's go a 30" scale, and tight string spacing, so I can't imagine getting a string on there that's thick enough to be tuned that low.

So it might be cool to play around with, but unless I'm misinterpreting something, it's not a bass.

[BryanM]

Originally Posted by jonathanhughes

As far as I can tell from the description, that's really more of a baritone guitar, not a bass. They say it can tune down to the "same low G or B as a bass guitar," but that B has got to B the B at the second fret on the A string of a regular bass, not the low B of five string bass. It's go a 30" scale, and tight string spacing, so I can't imagine getting a string on there that's thick enough to be tuned that low.

So it might be cool to play around with, but unless I'm misinterpreting something, it's not a bass.

I believe the string gauges are around .030"-.084" and it's tuned E-e, one octave below a guitar, so it does cover the full range of a 4 string bass, plus the extra b and e strings on the treble side. It's essentially a very short scale guitar if you capo it at the 12th fret. You can also capo around 5 to get a standard baritone guitar sound. It's a bass VI style instrument and could be great for some jangly fun.

[mcm]

They can both do the same things. But it's like comparing cheap sunglasses to a $150 pair.

[nick333]

Originally Posted by BryanM

I played a local open mic the other night that has a slew of house equipment including a Fretless Japanese Jazz Bass. My primary bass is an SX SJB-62FL fretless jazz copy with the high mass bridge and vintage pickups. I love the sound, feel and weight of my bass but the Fender also felt very nice to play, very comfortable and a bit lighter. In the opinion of Talkbass, is there any benefit to having a Fender (probably Japanese or Mexican but definitely not American) over a Fender copy or would I essentially have two of the same tool in my shed?

As an alternative, I've been considering this as a second bass:

Agile Harm 1 Extended Scale

though I primarily play fretless and this would mostly be a novelty to knock around with.

I'm curious, why would you say "definitely not American"....when referring to buying a 'Fender' Bass ???

[BryanM]

Originally Posted by nick333

I'm curious, why would you say "definitely not American"....when referring to buying a 'Fender' Bass ???

As I mentioned before, I've played a few dozen American fenders and I'm not impressed at all by the tone, feel or fit and I'm pretty sure it's not just a bad store with setups and such. It's been at multiple guitar centers and a few local shops, one of which is a reputable fender dealer almost exclusively.

The fretwork was passable at best but by no means phenomenal, the electronics left a lot to be desired even compared to my $180 SX, and the neck is uncomfortable and clunky. I keep picking up American Fenders because I hear everyone talk about how amazed they are by them and I'm let down every time. The only time I've really been impressed by a Fender in a store is playing a Japanese made Geddy Lee.

Editing to let fans of Fender know these comments are by no means meant to be inflammatory, just my personal experience.

[johng999]

I too have not been crazy about the neck feel of some of the new Fenders I have played in store - sometimes the fret ends are too rough for my tastes. But I have played some great new Fenders too, especially in the last two years.
I like good gear and am willing to pay for it. I play routinely as well, and my gear gets "used", but that is what I bought it for. Last night I played my '55 CS Precision with flats and my 69 Tele with rounds. Both sound and feel great. I have many people come up to me and complement me on the sound of my basses. These two cut through the mix really well and can be heard but are not obnoxiously loud. That is what I want.

[AlastairWatts]

The sound should indicate what we can and can't do. Everyone hears differently, every musician's touch is different- these things plus the gear we use make the sound. Our hearing and touch dictate tone mediated by the instrument. If we L O V E the instruments we're using (whether a beautiful old 55 P or an SX) they will work... How the sounds they make are received by audiences, engineers, peers and (gulp!) friends and family is another matter entirely.
I think were I lucky enough to own a Fodera Presentation it'd be awesome... wouldn't help me to play like Anthony Jackson though! Wouldn't help me cop Jeff Ament or Colin Greenwood's tone, nor develop the harmonic nuance of Charles Mingus or Melvin Gibbs... I own several instruments from one company (of similar vintage too) and they sound quite different from one another. If an instrument is well setup, has decent pickups, strings to the player's liking, and is sympathetically amplified music should be possible. Will it be what the musician wants to hear? I tend to avoid active instruments, i tend also to favour two different pickup combinations; they work for me. Has less to do with branding than with sound.
On the other hand... I was totally stoked when I got my first Fender!

[pierreganseman]

Well,

in the end play what suits you, that's it... and that's all...

In my opinion, there are reasons a bass is worth 100 or 2000+

In all honesty I think 99% of people will never notice the difference between a great tone, or just an "ok" one...
but that % left of educated people, are probably the one who are gonna get you more jobs....

P.

[VinKreepo]

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

It must be purely a regional thing. Here in North Carolina, Most bass players can be seen with a Copy in their hands. I see lots of Squiers, Ibanez. The occasional Fender I see is usually MIM. I prefer older American Fenders and Japan Fenders. I played a bunch of new ones too and they're great too. I use My Ric 4003 for most practices & Gigs. But I break out the MIJ Jaguar Now & then.

Indeed... most of the music shops here in Fayetteville favor Ibanez as much as if not more than Fender. Yamaha is big here, too. Squiers are EVERYWHERE! And Fenders? They get smashed on stage quite often... no joke.

[AlastairWatts]

Originally Posted by pierreganseman

Well,

in the end play what suits you, that's it... and that's all...

In my opinion, there are reasons a bass is worth 100 or 2000+

In all honesty I think 99% of people will never notice the difference between a great tone, or just an "ok" one...
but that % left of educated people, are probably the one who are gonna get you more jobs....

P.

Great points all of them...
Must ask: What is a great tone please?
What differences are there between a cheap and an
expensive one?
What effect do different listening situations have on
the ability to hear?
I think, especially in this day and age, that one need to be an audiophile as well as a committed musician to tell the difference... My loudspeakers do a great job but if I'm listening to something on YouTube the sound be indifferent at best... even listening to musicians everyone lauds...
My headphones are only 'ok' at this stage... I reckon the SX is the go if it works... we ALL of us suffer from G.A.S but a good bass tone... wow! That is a totally loaded point of view IMO.

[bassramos]

Listen, My SX Ursa sixes are some of the best sounding jazz basses I have ever tried. I did a gig just now with my Black Ursa 6 and it sounded great! I love it. My Fender American Standard 5 stayed home.

[Rip Topaz]

Originally Posted by bassramos

Listen, My SX Ursa sixes are some of the best sounding jazz basses I have ever tried. I did a gig just now with my Black Ursa 6 and it sounded great! I love it. My Fender American Standard 5 stayed home.

I REALLY wish I had a need for a sixer. That 6-string SX Jazz has been calling me for the last few weeks, but I have absolutely no use for it. Guess I may have to make room on my stand for one more bass!!

[Not yet]

Ya. What's the difference between a a carrot and a slurpy

Why is a Yugo the same as a Lexus

Who cares at 3am....or at any time

[AlastairWatts]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GS8Glj5R0U

This would normally support the idea that you get what you pay for but the mix is (to my ears!) not ideal but the ideas are riveting!!!

[lfmn16]

Originally Posted by BryanM

As I mentioned before, I've played a few dozen American fenders and I'm not impressed at all by the tone, feel or fit and I'm pretty sure it's not just a bad store with setups and such. It's been at multiple guitar centers and a few local shops, one of which is a reputable fender dealer almost exclusively.

The fretwork was passable at best but by no means phenomenal, the electronics left a lot to be desired even compared to my $180 SX, and the neck is uncomfortable and clunky. I keep picking up American Fenders because I hear everyone talk about how amazed they are by them and I'm let down every time. The only time I've really been impressed by a Fender in a store is playing a Japanese made Geddy Lee.

Editing to let fans of Fender know these comments are by no means meant to be inflammatory, just my personal experience.

Sounds like you've already made up your mind. If you prefer your SX to Fender through actual playing experience, why would something some stranger on the Internet says change your mind?

[Margus Alviste]

Fender's wood vibrates better!

[mellowinman]

My Fender types about 150 wpm, and it is great with poetry, as long as it isn't haiku. It is thinking about taking up stock car racing, but I'm not sure if I will let it.

Let's see an SX do that!