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Again, Fender being overrated BS

I've owned many Fenders in the past and present, and they are my goto in my current setup.

The only bad one I ever had from them was when I got a first run Deluxe Active Jazz when they came out in 2003. No matter what I did, it just sounded like the dullest passive bass ever. Changed batteries a million times, did this and that with amps, and still couldn't get any type of power out of it.

I was only 16 at the time, and didn't have the money or know how to get it looked at or rewired, etc. Ended up trading it towards my first SVT-CL. Mom and pop music store traded me that head for that bass and an Ibanez SR-400 and an old 6-channel mixing board. It was the best trade I ever made. Haha

Knowing what I know how, I'm sure I could make it sound better, but it's long gone now. I'm more than happy with my Geddy Lee and CIJ Jag Bass. Great fit and finish across the board on those, plus all the MIM stuff I own/have owned.

I will add that I have never been a fan of MIA Fender, at least over the last 6-10 years. Always seems like it lacks the big sound of the MIMs and the fret work is always choppy, at least at my local Guitar Center, so take that for what it's worth.
 
Anyone want more popcorn?

Heh, you said it! Listen sonny I was THERE when all those basses people are paying 40 grand for were NEW basses. Few of us were impressed. Cheap bent tin bridge. Single coil hum. Huge open gear tuners. What is this thing anyway? I didn't want one then so why would I want one now?

But I've told this story before, but I got converted at a guitar show when I heard some decent player trying a whole stage of boutique (many grand) basses. Much to my (and many others) surprise, when the guy picked up a plain old factory Fender Jazz at a fraction the cost the tone was THERE. That bass kept right up with boutique land at a fraction of the price and was even better sounding than some of them.

The point? The point is that tone is where you find it. Does a gap in the neck pocket matter? Does big honkin' single coil hum matter? Does dodgy fretwork that can be easily cleaned up with a file matter? No it doesn't. TONE matters. And if the bass has it, it's doing it's job whether it is Ritter, Fender or SX.

Sure looks can make a difference, but that isn't what keeps Fender at the top of the charts. What does is that it's a freaking tone bargain. Not the only one, mind you, but certainly one that does have a certain something special and that's why people play them.

Fenders are still not my cup of tea even though I own a couple (I play "late" rather than "early" Leo...G&L) but now I do appreciate more what they can do for a reasonably decent price.

More popcorn anyone?
 
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Gimme Some Popcorn Please!!!!!
 
Another vote for Bailey, here, but I have to disagree with majority opinion and vote Ginger.
 
over-rated/under-rated. All I see in threads like this is people following brand rather then sound. Are you guys bass players or brand players? I'm new at this but I want to be a bass player, I couldn't care less what the name says.
 
over-rated/under-rated. All I see in threads like this is people following brand rather then sound. Are you guys bass players or brand players? I'm new at this but I want to be a bass player, I couldn't care less what the name says.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But do you vote for Ginger or MaryAnn? You are totally missing the point of this thread.

;)

We have been well trained through advertising to be brand conscious. Kleenex is way over-rated. I use Puffs.
 
over-rated/under-rated. All I see in threads like this is people following brand rather then sound. Are you guys bass players or brand players? I'm new at this but I want to be a bass player, I couldn't care less what the name says.

Yep. If it wasn't for all the other people playing Fender and my need to feel accepted, I'd probably be playing an Ibanez too. It's a struggle forcing myself to deal with such an antiquated bass as a simple, 4 string Fender.