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Am I missing something about Fenders?

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stepswork4me

stepswork4me

Mar 29, 2010
2,031
11
Across the creek from Cinci
#1
I've been playing for a long time and have picked up many Fender basses. I've never been impressed at all. I've played the high and low end Jazz basses and P basses only to be disappointed each time. I got my start playing in the metal world when I was a kid and everyone was playing more modern style basses. I wonder if it's that influence or if I'm just missing something?
 
#2
Fenders aren`t for everyone, but they are a standard in which all other basses and companies can be judged. I personally don`t care for them myself and have even felt underwhelmed by MIA Fenders that others have lusted for... but that`s besides the point. Just play whatever sounds and feels good to you. It doesn`t matter if it`s a $20,000 Ritter or a $200 Squier. Just play what makes you happy.
 
#5
You're not missing anything; your ear works best for you, not anyone else.
FWIW I feel the same way about EBMM basses, I just can't get excited about them.

Also, your ear will change over time. I played for nearly 30 years before I 'got' the Fender tones. Now I have a MIA Jazz and wish I hadn't sold my MIM P-Bass.
 
#6
I think for a lot of us it's that Fender's were our first instruments.

And they're great. I love my MIM J just as much as my $1700 custom. I actually play it more, as of late.
 
#9
I'm honestly glad to see that I'm not the only one. Until coming to TB I've spent way more time talking to drummers and guitarists than I have talking with other bassist. When I got here I noticed this huge sway toward Fender and as I mentioned before, not my cup of tea. I was beginning to wonder if I was musically ******** for thinking the old Tobias Classic was the Holy Grail.
 
#10
My 2 main basses are a fender mim j bass which i routed for a p pickup at the bridge, threw in a set of pj delanos, and some new pots and tuners.the bass just growls. for any style of music its perfect. the delanos pick up the drop tunings way better then any other pickup i have tried. and my other is a squire vm p bass that got a nordstrand np4 and a fender jazz style neck. it sounds great as well it has became my rock and punk bass it has that tone that p basses are known for. I have picked up the newer mia fenders at guitar center and wasnt very impressed eather. its hard to find a fender you like but when you find one you will know.
 
#12
Your not missing anything. Sure lots of peeps think fender is the best. Some base this simply on the history fact that fender basses where pretty much one of the 2-3 brands used by most pros in the 70's and before. The latter has nothing to do with actual qaulity and is based entirely on cause its the oldest applauded electric bass type thinking.

Growing up in the 70's it didnt take me long at all to figure out that I wasnt that much of a fender fan. Sure they made fewer lemons then some companies back then. But I felt the gibson type basses looked and sounded better. Though their pups too could use improvement. Fender P was just uncomfortable awkward neck thing to me that had very little sound versatility since no pup blending options. Fender J was nicely playable but the sound just wasnt there for me really.

Theres no fan base for fender basses among those who prefer humbucker/soapbar type pups or either of these combined with J or P pup. Or for those who prefer jumbo frets. Or whom prefer 24 fret necks and tighter neck joint. The term "wobbly neck" originated in the 70's from folks referring to fender basses. Lol.

Yeah fender can make some nice instruments. But Ive never had any difficulty finding brands I like better for me. (Yes gibson bass qaulity back then was pretty poor too, even though lots of companies qc was even worse. Its just that it only took 5-10 gibsons, or fenders to find a nice one compared to near impossibility with some other brands. Fender and gibson being two of the main brands that believed strings should be able to be less then a quarter inch above the fretboard, back then. For example. Lol.
 
#19
Hi.

No, You're not missing anything.

Especially if You're living outside US. From what I've gathered, the export quality is a hit and miss and compared with the price, it's sometimes really hard to justify buying a Fender.

Even when compared with the European/Oriental basses of the same price range, most of the Fenders we see here fail miserably.

I'd say that the Fender and their policies is to blame, not You ;).

Regards
Sam
 
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