- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
I'm loyal to Musicman, Rickenbacker, and Gibson 2013 EBs.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Are You A Brand Loyalist?
- Thread starter 5544
- Start date
More than a brand loyalist, I'm a... Person loyalist? Fender, Musicman and G&L, definitely a fan of Leo's work. For amps, well, that's another story.
I like the j and the p designs. Doesn't have to be Fender. But I have multiple Fenders so I guess, yes I am.
I love tone. Period. I don't care where I get it - or who makes it. If an instrument can produce some tone I've got in my head (and I have several "favorite" tones) I tend to buy it. If my tastes change over time, I send it on its way and get something else. Until recently I always kept the number to ten or less. I'm currently two over my self imposed limit so I'll have to send at least a couple of them packing sometime this year.
I've currently got: Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Squier, Spector, Godin, Aria, Gretsch, Peavey, Memphis (a Matsumoku line), Kay, and Baltimore. I've also previously owned: Alembic, Yamaha, Vox, Hagstrom, Guild, Hofner, and very likely some others I've since forgotten about. About the only mainline brand I haven't owned (yet) is Rickenbacker, although I played a borrowed one for a couple of years in one band I was in.
I'm pretty promiscuous when it comes to basses. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I've currently got: Gibson, Epiphone, Fender, Squier, Spector, Godin, Aria, Gretsch, Peavey, Memphis (a Matsumoku line), Kay, and Baltimore. I've also previously owned: Alembic, Yamaha, Vox, Hagstrom, Guild, Hofner, and very likely some others I've since forgotten about. About the only mainline brand I haven't owned (yet) is Rickenbacker, although I played a borrowed one for a couple of years in one band I was in.
I'm pretty promiscuous when it comes to basses. And I wouldn't have it any other way.
I tend to be loyal to the brands that suit my taste and don't let me down. Basses have been Spector or G&L the last 20 years. I've been happy with Carvin power amps so I've found no need to change. Preamps have been like underwear the last decade, (changed a lot if you're wondering) but I think I may have solved that with a Fractal Audio........Time will tell. So I guess the answer to the OPs question is yes & no.......
Nope. There are brands I like, but I am in no way loyal - brand loyalty is brainless in all things - cars, beer, electronics, music.
No, but I realized recently that I have had a large number of Fender amps over the years, both guitar and bass. Currently own Lakland, Schecter, Epiphone, Samick, and Shen basses.
I'd be as happy with a good Fender copy as I'd be with a good Fender so it's the look and feel that I like. Loyalty isn't really involved.
Since I buy almost everything used, I'm about as disloyal as it can get 
From around 11 years of age until my mid 30's or so I was an extremely prejudiced, addict-fanatic for Ampeg, way worse than any normal person or musician, even the strong supporters here. I liked some other stuff, and owned a bunch of others on and off, yet always had as many Ampeg's as I could afford. I still have the T-shirt, and the necklace. The wall in my bedroom in High School had the big A painted on it about 5 or 6 feet tall.
I started playing Fender in 1966 with a '65 Jazz Bass and a '66 Fender Bassman Amp. I traded off the '66 bassman in 1971 and the '65 was stolen in 1976. Good news is I found another Jazz that had the same feel to the neck in 1985 and I've been playing that bass for the last 32 years. So I guess you could say I'm brand loyal to the Fender Jazz Bass.
I've been through a lot of amps and have been staying with Eden for about the last 10-years though my cab is a DNA. Of course, David Nordschow designed both so there's some David Nordschow "brand loyalty" there too.
I've been through a lot of amps and have been staying with Eden for about the last 10-years though my cab is a DNA. Of course, David Nordschow designed both so there's some David Nordschow "brand loyalty" there too.
Basses, no.
Amps, yes.
I own nothing but Ampeg. I have, in the past, owned a few others, but I've always come back home. I know what I like, and I like me some Ampeg.
Amps, yes.
I own nothing but Ampeg. I have, in the past, owned a few others, but I've always come back home. I know what I like, and I like me some Ampeg.
Not necessarily loyal to a brand. I do greatly respect and recommend several brands repeatedly. Does that count?
I am disloyal to certain brands based on repeated negative personal experience.
I am disloyal to certain brands based on repeated negative personal experience.
If loyalty implies any measure of exclusivity, then no, but I do feel a little twinkle of excitement when I hear news from Zoom, Mooer, and Teenage Engineering.
It would, however, all pale in comparison to my reaction to any word of a new looper from Boss.
Those cats always manage to make my new favorite toy.
--^@
It would, however, all pale in comparison to my reaction to any word of a new looper from Boss.
Those cats always manage to make my new favorite toy.
--^@
I ran that way for a very long time. I do like the way a GK sounds through Ampeg sealed cabs.
I am not loyal because of a name alone; however, I prefer Ampeg amplification and Fender basses. Not for the name, but for the feel and tone they provide.
Eh, not really. But I am I loyal to the brands I love. Squier/Fender, Darkglass, Way Huge, Big Game, Idiotbox, Ibanez, GK, Peavey, Fuzzrocious, JFerro....these are all brands I really like and use. I also know or have spoken to people that work for or own the companies and I feel more connected to them because I like them and their products and I know they are good people.
As far as only buying certain brands out of loyalty, yeah I do. But I also buy other brands if they sound/play/are cost effective for me/work for my band. I'm not a Boss loyalist per say, but I have some of their pedals and I like them. TC electronics/Behringer, Joyo, these are just brands I've played and I do like but it's not like I'm ALL or NOTHING. I just use what I can afford and what sounds good to me and works for my band. It's pretty simple.
OTOH, there are some brands I just steer clear of because the builders or some people associated with said companies or dare I say the owner, are total douchers. I refuse to give my money or support to a small handful of companies directly or otherwise in any way shape or form whether that be from having a piece of their gear or recommending them to someone. There are just too many awesome people and pieces of gear in the industry for me to waste time on the few jerkoffs.
As far as only buying certain brands out of loyalty, yeah I do. But I also buy other brands if they sound/play/are cost effective for me/work for my band. I'm not a Boss loyalist per say, but I have some of their pedals and I like them. TC electronics/Behringer, Joyo, these are just brands I've played and I do like but it's not like I'm ALL or NOTHING. I just use what I can afford and what sounds good to me and works for my band. It's pretty simple.
OTOH, there are some brands I just steer clear of because the builders or some people associated with said companies or dare I say the owner, are total douchers. I refuse to give my money or support to a small handful of companies directly or otherwise in any way shape or form whether that be from having a piece of their gear or recommending them to someone. There are just too many awesome people and pieces of gear in the industry for me to waste time on the few jerkoffs.
