Do You Play a Fender Because It's Expected?

[SRFSterling5]

The closest thing to a Fender for me was a Hondo copy of a P bass. Fenders are the standard in tone for many players out here. So far my go to for getting the Fender vibe are my Lakland 55-02 and now my F Bass BN5. Maybe a classic Jazz bass some day.

 

[SquierJazz72]

Nice description! ha, I've met many Fender "elitists", its no fun talking bass with those guys.

Elitists of almost anything are rarely any fun to talk to.

 

[mpdd]

if i was playing more of a 50's to 70's rock type music i'd play a fender, but with the more aggressive music i'm playing i find that the g&l basses work better, however i use a mij fender jaguar to record, because the one my friend has responds incredibly well to any effect you through at it while playing fingerstyle

 

[Timgebutler]

Started on a Hohner active, but then moved to JBs. Been playing them for over 20 years. Solid, good weight and shape, easy to repair and set up so ideal for touring. Love the neck shape and bridge pup growl. If I had to go elsewhere, I've tried a few MMs and I quite like them.

 

[Melonthief]

The Washburn came from the matsumoku factory, as did all of my basses, the quality of craftsmanship and materials is superior to pretty much anything I can find for $1000 or less.

 

[JimmyM]

Many are surely only interested in primarily the vocals/ vocalists - or in a rock band the guitarists - ie the most visible and audible content - perhaps this may explain the desire for a generic bass sound.

Um, excuse me, but I play Fenders and I certainly don't think of my sounds as "generic." But what is a generic bass sound anyway? Jamerson? Dave Hope from Kansas? Mike Dirnt from Green Day? Funny...there are 3 guys who use a Precision and they all sound completely different. So much for generic.

And don't confuse awesome producers who make hit records with your local "soundman" at the original rock and roll club.

 

[Betrayer_Bass]

I've tried all kinds of Fenders and Squiers. I just don't like them. If some producer asked me to go home and bring back a Fender, first off I'd ask why. If it was due to tonal requirements. I'm sure I could get my hands on one fast. If it was for "the look" I'd probably be better off not recording with that guy..

 

[pacojas]

The Washburn came from the matsumoku factory, as did all of my basses, the quality of craftsmanship and materials is superior to pretty much anything I can find for $1000 or less.

that's cool, bro,... we still love ya!

 

[lbbc]

I don't own one because it IS expected. Besides....my Alembic does everything I need...and it looks better and plays better than any fender I ever laid my hands on!

 

[Tom Howland]

I play Fenders or Fender style Basses.
Lull, Lakland, Bluesman Vintage.
Because it was the sound, i grew up on.
Plus, they are so easy to get a recorded tone.
I remember the first time I walked into a recording studio with a 6-string fretless Bass.
I was told put that back in your car, and go get your Fender.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Someone coming to audition for Lenny Kravitz, who by that time was an established star on the scene, didn't do their homework if they showed up with a 5 or 6-string active. If I were Lenny, whose tastes for old school tones are no secret, I'd throw them out just for not having any idea what I'm about. And you can complain about it all you want and goof on his tastes, but at the end of the day, Lenny's the one with the gig to offer, not you, and you only have one chance to make a first impression.

Even Gail Ann Dorsey, who always uses MusicMan basses, switched to a Jazz to play with Lenny. She did it because she is a pro who wanted the gig. That's what it boils down to...either you want the gig or you don't. If I auditioned for him, you bet your ass I'd have a Fender with flats at the audition.

Oh, I actually agree with you. But I'm speaking from the employer's perspective. It's just pure stupid HR to take the approach that Lenny did.

But as a career development/HR guy, I can tell you that many empoyer's selection processes are trash. So in that regard, I guess Lenny wasn't any different.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Ironically, for this thread anyway, in every picture I have seen of them Fred Turner was playing a Rickenbacker back then.

Haha, touche'. I didn't even think of that. I mentioned BTO because I was thinking of a classic rock that was protoypical meat and potatoes.

 

[LiquidMidnight]

Tell the label, the manager/agent to shove their lousy deal instead? Right.

That 6 figure schmuck (at least you hope he's doing at least that well) is there to help you land bigger gigs. He gets paid for it. How many successful entertainers do you think are operating out there without a [DEL]schmuck[/DEL] agent?

Don't you think most people trying to make it in show biz wish they could have a good agent-schmuck to represent them, help them refine their act, connect them to higher paying dates?

Not all "agent-schmucks" are created equal. The drummer in my last band was once signed to an "artist development" deal. I want to say that the company was a subsidiary of Geffen, but don't quote me on that. The advice they recieved from the rep to which they were assigned included such profound gems as "go get some tattoos" (this was around the time that nu-metal was dominant and everyone had sleeves full of cheap looking flash work) and "be less accessible to your fans." Umm...yeah.

I roll my eyes at the pretentious artiste types who think they have their own music all figured out, but you also have to be skeptical of a lot of industry people. They may totally destroy who you are as a person and a musician. Choosing a producer is probably one of the most important decisions a recording band can ever make.

 

[joebar]

You're right. I would go further and say that Joe Public does not give a flying f**k about instrument choices.

But to convince the manager or whoever holds the purse strings of that fact, you need - yes, presence and charisma - and not necessarily musically.

But, if you win that argument - then you have control.

at the end of the day we all have to submit to someone whether its a boss, spouse etc.
if a producer wants a certain tone you give it to him- i mean after all, if you are in the envious position to be called to a session or called to fill-in a gig, why would you sabotage the opportunity?
if you have honed your ability as a bassist to a good enough point, and love to play bass; (not play a CERTAIN bass), then it won't matter what you play.
a person should never get hung up on a certain instrument; the best players can adapt and make anything soung good.
if i brought that kind of attitude into my day job i would be replaced. it is an attitude more than anything else.
i have coffee table basses as well as classics; if i brought a thumb 6 to a cover gig i know i would be fighting a multitude of criticisms, ridicule, prejudices etc...all this uphill battle fighting takes away from making music and you gotta pick your battles in life.
i am not saying you need a fender per se; many manufacturers make a great higher quality clone and that works too.
if a producer wanted a p bass on a track and i was fortunate enough to be asked to play it, he would get it pronto-it is not about me...

 

[Mike M.]

My only gig these days is playing at church and I don't think it matters one bit to the congregation (or to God) what I play.

However, I've been playing Fender Jazz basses since 1984 because I like how they sound, how they play and how they look. Got my old mutt of a '73, a 2009 American Standard and a 2011 5 string American Standard. Plus the soundmam at church says my sound is pretty good.

 

[ishkabibble]

no , i purposely don't play Fender because
A) I hate the tone of both the P and J
B) the necks feel like baseball bats
C) the body style is BORING
D) They are the Apple of the bass world, too many fanbois
E) everyone and their dog has one

Honestly, I'd argue that D applied more to non-Fender players.
Doing something 'outside' of the mainstream for various reasons, many of which are perfectly valid.

And on the subject of the thread, isn't stuff like this standard pretty much wherever you go?
If you're a producer you're probably going to be expected to use ProTools, a 3D modeller might be expected to use Maya or 3DSMax, digital illustrator Adobe Illustrator, etc etc.
Obviously the comparison isn't entirely accurate because most clients don't particularly care what you do whatever you're doing except in certain select circumstances, but in my (admittedly very small) experience there's an industry standard in most fields and most professionals, regardless of what their personal tastes are, cater to that standard. What exactly makes musicians so different?

 

[Iridescentone]

Not all "agent-schmucks" are created equal.

That's a given. Anything can be done poorly.

Key word = "good" agent-schmuck

 

[Vince Klortho]

at the end of the day we all have to submit to someone whether its a boss, spouse etc.
if a producer wants a certain tone you give it to him- i mean after all, if you are in the envious position to be called to a session or called to fill-in a gig, why would you sabotage the opportunity?

If you are doing session work then, yes, it is the appropriate thing to do. If you are in a band and do not play a Fender and are told that then you hired the wrong producer because he obviously doesn't understand your band's sound.

 

[exidor]

I've come full circle starting with fender leaving it for Dean Schecter Warwick G&L
and I'm back to Fender.Why? its' what feels best in my hands. But I don't like the feel of Fenders 5 strings at all.I'm on the hunt for one.It bothered by how popular Fender became.
that's why I left them,but I've grown some,so screw everybody I'll play what I want! and yes I love the sound and the way they sit in the mix.

 

[ThaCoast]

I play everything. mostly fender MIM precision basses. Cause well, they're my go to bass. They sound good for everything almost. But it's not cause cause it's expected, it's cause of the way it sounds, feels, plays. Great solid bass.