"Do you play a Fender?"

[Matthew_84]

One of my CL ads got replied to last week by an originals band and their only question to me was, "Do you play a Fender?"

I replied with "No, but my bass sounds very much like a Fender. It has similar woods, pickups, and passive electronics/controls."... There has been no reply since.

Will this preference over Fenders eventually stop? Sure, I understand why a bassist would prefer a Fender over an Ibanez or whatever, but why does it matter so much to non-bassists (such as band leaders, producers, etc)?

Is it a passive vs. active thing? Because there are active Fenders, and a lot of passive basses that aren't Fenders. Even so, are these people aware that most active basses can be switched to passive?

I have a feeling this preference is because of tradition, but if that's true, then is only 4 string passive Fenders wanted, or are active 5 string Fenders just as acceptable, as long as it's a Fender? Are Dimensions and Modern Players equal to P's and J's to these people, are or they viewed as "not as good"?

... It just drives me nuts, because I've owned Fenders, but likely won't again. I just find other manufacturers make basses that are much more comfortable for me, which allow me to play better on them than on any Fender I've tried. Is this not better?

 

[Marial]

Sounds like you're better off not dealing with them. Smile and move on.

 

[BazzTard]

I'd say it's more because everybody knows the sound you're gonna get from a Fender bass. It is THE industry standard. Their last bassist probably had a cheap wannabe bass and they want to avoid that.
But that's a bit over the top,if you have the same sound why would they care?
I can understand wanting the Fender sound,but not auditioning non Fender bassists is silly.

You're better off without them anyway.

 

[Matthew_84]

Sounds like you're better off not dealing with them. Smile and move on.

I totally agree... I'm just surprised, and a little intrigued about why such a strong preference.

 

[Matthew_84]

I'd say it's more because everybody knows the sound you're gonna get from a Fender bass. It is THE industry standard.

That's true, but is it still true with active Fenders, Modern Players, or Dimensions, or are they just approved equivalents?

Their last bassist probably had a cheap wannabe bass and they want to avoid that.

Ahh, that is a good point, and could very well have been the case.

 

[Passinwind]

One of my CL ads got replied to last week by an originals band and their only question to me was, "Do you play a Fender?"

I replied with "No, but my bass sounds very much like a Fender. It has similar woods, pickups, and passive electronics/controls."... There has been no reply since.

How do you know they don't hate Fenders and don't want anything similar either? Link Removed

 

[Handyman]

You should have said yes and shown up with this.

 

[Matthew_84]

How do you know they don't hate Fenders and don't want anything similar either? Link Removed

LOL! I hadn't thought of that... Could very well have been the case, and I shot myself in the foot.

The funny thing is that my current bass is actually an active PJ bass that I plan on turning passive very soon.

 

[ZenG]

In this day and age I don't buy that Fender is "the industry standard"..........although I am sure they would like it to be....

 

[bassbully]

That is stupid and I play fenders.

 

[zontar]

Was it a surf band?

 

[fhm555]

I used to get some pickup work from an older black gentleman who played harp. He would book jobs then rustle up a band. He was always looking for a drummer, a bass man, and a fender man. Didn't matter what the guitar player showed up with, as far as Mr. Roy was concerned, he was the fender man.

 

[10cc]

Maybe the old bassist played a Fender and they liked it?

 

[Clef_de_fa]

Industry standart ... everything I listen to isn't recorded with a Fender. I also make a statement again Fender by playing a Carvin fretless 6 strings bass.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I play a Squier by Fender. So yes I play Fender. It says so on the headstock.
Doesn't every ad selling a Squier affinity have the title "Fender...."

 

[INTP]

I play a Squier by Fender. So yes I play Fender. It says so on the headstock.
Doesn't every ad selling a Squier affinity have the title "Fender...."

That's just splitting hairs...

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

Was it a surf band?

Real surf bass players play Mosrites.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

In this day and age I don't buy that Fender is "the industry standard"..........although I am sure they would like it to be....

So then, in your opinion, who is?
Fenders are sweet as maple syrup. Everything else is Aunt Jemima's.

 

[Pandastylebass]

"There must have been some magic in that old Fender Bass they found, cuz when they placed it in his hands, he began to make that sound"-Thumpy the Bassman

 

[RustyAxe]

Meh ... you don't want to join that band, anyway.