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"Do you play a Fender?"

#63
If I was the non-bass playing band leader of an Alt-Rock or Alt-Country originals gig with lots of bookings, I'd be looking for the same thing or something else old and hip. It's also an image thing. The gigs you can get with a Warwick or Dingwall aren't necessarily gonna be the gigs you get with a Fender. Remember that to MANY non bassists, the word "Fender" simply means the P bass they saw on an old Eagles performance 100yrs ago.

I don't think its anything to stress over, because a band that demands a high level of musicianship might hire you regardless of the axe if you're skilled at your craft. Some won't. Sometimes you need both. Sometimes you just walk away and accept it.
 
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#64
Jughead6 said:
Making more instruments than anyone else does not mean Fender are an industry standard. In fact mass production often leads to quality control issues.
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Fenders aren't industry standard because they make more of them lol.

I said they are industry standard because 98% of recorded music between say 1960 and 1979 were recorded using a Fender bass. maybe 95%, nevertheless, the MAJORITY.
 
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#65
Matthew_84 said:
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?
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I wouldn't necessarily ask but if I was looking for guitar players, I'd probably skip the solid state guys. I just think tube guitar amps are a prerequisite.
 
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#66
I've played many different basses over the years. If I show up with a Precision, everybody already feels good about me. Especially the drummer. I'm happy playing a P, and everybody else is happy I'm playing a P, so...why fight it? I now own two Fender Precisions. Are they as good as boutique basses? Probably not, but I don't know, I've never played a Dingwall. Sorta don't care if I ever do. I ain't no virtuoso, I'm just a guy who likes to work as much as possible.
 
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#68
BazzTard said:
Fenders aren't industry standard because they make more of them lol.

I said they are industry standard because 98% of recorded music between say 1960 and 1979 were recorded using a Fender bass. maybe 95%, nevertheless, the MAJORITY.
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While I don't disagree that the Fender electric bass, and more specifically the Fender Precision Bass is an industry standard, I would LOVE to know where you get your statistics from... Doubtless the P bass was used during the time frame mentioned by the majority of Electric bass players, that period was also rife with bassless folk music and other bass-less music that was "recorded"... More or less curious if there is some industry report or other reliable source you are getting your information from...
 
#70
If the band in question is going for a certain sound or image and they ask for a Fender bass then I feel it's a valid request. The trouble is that some bandleaders will have a knee-jerk reaction when a prospective bassist either doesn't have or has and doesn't bring a Fender bass and they use that as criteria for judging said bassist. I'm pretty sure that most of us would gladly buy at least a MIM Fender if a band that was playing 8+ shows a month at $100+/show/person required it for a logical and clear reason.
 
#72
king_biscuit said:
What would you consider a logical and clear reason?
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A few in no particular order:

-Bandleader wants the particular sound of a Fender bass (I'm of the mind that Fenders have a slightly different tone compared to other similar basses).

-The image of the band is based on a theme and a Fender is what was most commonly identifiable (50's rockabilly, 60's rock, some blues circles).

-Cover bands that use Fender basses (may or may not also include costumes or dressing in a similar way).

I would think that this would also depend on the nature of the group. If it's a band playing originals and every member has equal input then there should be some room for negotiation and experimentation, but if it's a solo artist looking for a backing band then pushing any issue too much could be a good way to push yourself out of consideration for the gig (which may or may not be a wise move).
 
#73
Big Hoss said:
Doubtless the P bass was used during the time frame mentioned by the majority of Electric bass players,
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i think you are agreeing with me.

Regarding folk music without bass, I assumed you'd understand I meant 'recorded music WITH BASS"

I base my figures on pure guesswork, in the end I am confident the majority of recorded music with bass in it from 1960 to 1979 was done on a Fender bass. That means 50.00001% or more. I like my chances of being correct.
 
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#74
Kevan Campbell said:
A few in no particular order:

-Bandleader wants the particular sound of a Fender bass (I'm of the mind that Fenders have a slightly different tone compared to other similar basses).

-The image of the band is based on a theme and a Fender is what was most commonly identifiable (50's rockabilly, 60's rock, some blues circles).

-Cover bands that use Fender basses (may or may not also include costumes or dressing in a similar way).

I would think that this would also depend on the nature of the group. If it's a band playing originals and every member has equal input then there should be some room for negotiation and experimentation, but if it's a solo artist looking for a backing band then pushing any issue too much could be a good way to push yourself out of consideration for the gig (which may or may not be a wise move).
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Yeah, I agree with that.
 
#77
Yes I own a Fender bass or two, and If it was a gig I wanted, I'd show up with it. After I had the gig and they liked me, I may show up with a different bass I preferred to play, assuming I wanted to offer my preference at that time, and see if they accepted my preference.

If it's part of their thing and I want the gig, why start with a fight? If they required a selection of Sorbet colored Tuxedos, and I wanted the gig, I'd ask "what color first", and show up in just that. ...I don't actually own a selection of Sorbet colored Tuxedos :) (just black), but a buddy of mine still has some about my size, so there's my workaround plan... If I wanted the gig.

Just Roll With It... if the potential for fun, or good pay, or both, is in your sights. Why not?
 
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#78
When I get asked that question
I say yes and bring both of my Fenders then the jokes on them tee hee:-D
20140922_112111.jpg
 
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#79
BazzTard said:
i think you are agreeing with me.

Regarding folk music without bass, I assumed you'd understand I meant 'recorded music WITH BASS"

I base my figures on pure guesswork, in the end I am confident the majority of recorded music with bass in it from 1960 to 1979 was done on a Fender bass. That means 50.00001% or more. I like my chances of being correct.
Click to expand...

I am agreeing. Just wondering if there is actually some sort of report / article out there that did the math as it were...

I am sure the overwhelming majority of music recording with an electric bass in that time frame was recorded using a Fender electric bass, and of that, most was recorded using a P bass... The overwhelming popularity of the instrument kind of drives that assumption...
 

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