Why does everyone use Fenders?

[klejst]

Sure it may be becuse their favorite players played Fender, or to "fit in" and "be cool" within the bass playing community, but honestly I would like to think under all that it is because it is personal preference...just like anyone may use Gibson's, Spectors or any other brand. I have been using Fender Precision basses 99% of my bass playing career (there was one Fender Jazz in there in the past ) They are just solid for me and what I look for in a bass.

[skychief]

Originally Posted by SoVeryTired

As long as it doesn't obscure the view of your shoes, you'll be fine. If in doubt, get bigger shoes.

Oh... Its Shoe Gaze. As in gazing at shoes.

I thought it was pronounced show-eh-gah-zeh!!!

Eh,,,, nvm...

[1SHOT1HIT]

I didn't think everyone did use Fenders????

I have seen, hell probably thousands of non-Fender basses here, many new ones everyday that se member has bought, or just shared.

Plenty of Fenders as well as countless others.

I don't really think it's quite the epidemic, it may seem.

[Gaolee]

Fenders are as common as dirt, but you are just as likely to see something else if you go to a show locally.

[Jeff Scott]

Why does everyone use Fenders?

I have had quite a few Fenders in the past, but I am so glad I'm past that phase of my life.

[bootsox]

a good P cuts through anything like a hot knife through butter

[kurosawa]

Originally Posted by bootsox

a good P cuts through anything like a hot knife through butter

That she does.

[96tbird]

P and hot knives; there's antibiotics for that. Why do I like Fender. I guess it's just that most I have tried never disappointed me in feel or tone. I remember being disappointed playing a Warwick the first time. The Dingwall was cool but its not for me. I like the Fender fiddle head headstock, it looks musical. Dumb reasons I know but you gotta like what you play. Just a solid, good tool for the job; nothing all fancy pants.

[hibachiduck]

They're good, they have basses at every price point from ~$150 - $4000+, they pretty much started electric bass as we know it, they are familiar, they cut through the mix well, easy as hell to find replacement parts, and most importantly: they make good stuff. I won't say they make the _best_ stuff as that's subjective and in my opinion they don't, but their stuff is good enough for most people. I'll take a EBMM, Warwick, or Lakland over a MIA Fender bass, but I'd be damn proud to own a MIA Fender as well.

[manfish]

I tried to be different for years but a good P bass is undeniable both live and in the studio in voicing, tone, cut/sitting in tracks. Its ubiquity from Jamerson on eartrained us its true. Producers choose it often to most of the time, hence the plethera of copies and boutique versions. Choice is specific to genre, philosophy and fashion but he who doubts the Power of P has never been experienced. I have many vintage makes but a P bass... respect. Im not that
into J basses though.

[Stilettoprefer]

I play fender style instruments because they're very tough, and when they do break, it's incredibly easy and generally pretty cheap to fix them.

They get the sound and feel I look for in a bass/guitar, so I build copies of them for much cheaper than the real deal via parts builds

[tabdog]

I played bass for over 25 years before
I ever owned a Fender.

Just sayin,

Tabdog

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by tabdog

I played bass for over 25 years before
I ever owned a Fender.

Just sayin,

Tabdog

Have you owned Fender styled instruments or do they not appeal?

[Arthur Strand]

Like some of the above, I have more than one bass. One is a Fender derivative, one is a Danelectro and my main bass is the Rickenbacker Stereo 1973. It is also the combination of bass and amp that completes the sound. Fenders generated a particular type of sound because Leo Fender was the Henry Ford of solid, electric guitars and basses. Prices were not beyond the average player in club-bands, C & W line-ups and Modern Jazz bands alike.
There is far greater choice in the 2nd decade of the 20th century and your instrument is like a pair of shoes, that has to be worn in and become part of your anatomy. For less experienced youngsters, a Fender PB or cheaper derivative under Fender license is ideal because of the reliability of the name. Choose a Fender bass and you cannot go wrong!

[Floyd Eye]

Everyone doesn't. I don't. I never met a P bass that I could stand ( and I own 2 of them). I have met one deluxe American Jazz that I like and a short scale Mustang, other than that I dislike Fender basses. I'll stick with the old 4001.

Nothing wrong with a Telecaster though.

[Rockin Mike]

Originally Posted by Arthur Strand

Choose a Fender bass and you cannot go wrong!

Not all Fender basses are good. There are individual variances and variances between years in things like neck shape, electronics and dead spots in the neck.

As with any bass, check it out thoroughly and play it before you buy it.

The thing is, if you want that industry standard sound, and have no one question the "legitimacy" of your instrument, you find those things in Fenders.

[DethByDoom]

Ah fender, the vanilla of the bass world. Ill take just about any other bass over a fender. They're safe and average. I'll never buy another.

[pklima]

Originally Posted by DethByDoom

Ah fender, the vanilla of the bass world. Ill take just about any other bass over a fender. They're safe and average. I'll never buy another.

Vanilla? Even the blue flower and pink paisley Precisions?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by pklima

Vanilla? Even the blue flower and pink paisley Precisions?

Tonally, yes.

[DethByDoom]

Originally Posted by Rockin Mike

and have no one question the "legitimacy" of your instrument, you find those things in Fenders.

I have illegitimate basses! Lol! Like gibsons and rickenbacher?