Does liking Fender instruments make you Unoriginal?

[Doctor J]

Except when they try to do something new (e.g. Dimension bass, Zone bass) it fails because people who like Fender don't buy it because it's not the old thing, and people who don't like Fender don't buy it because it's Fender.

I don't really buy that logic. It's just an excuse for failure. Perhaps those instruments didn't bring anything new or useful to the market, perhaps they failed because they simply weren't good enough to survive? Do you really think the Stingray would have failed if it had a Fender logo on the headstock? Or the Soundgear series?

 

[Antisyzygy]

I don't really buy that logic. It's just an excuse for failure. Perhaps those instruments didn't bring anything new or useful to the market, perhaps they failed because they simply weren't good enough to survive? Do you really think the Stingray would have failed if it had a Fender logo on the headstock? Or the Soundgear series?

They expanded the Dimension line to Squier so I don't know if it's really a failure unless they're throwing good money after bad, I don't know their sales numbers. However it is sort of a Stingray competitor and there's lots of those. There exists a cheaper line from MusicMan itself as well, so it's not really bringing anything new to the table you couldn't get elsewhere already.

 

[Blue Moose]

When I used to gig on guitar, I played a Strat. It bugged me that everybody else on the planet was playing a Strat, so I sold mine and bought a Gretsch. In the 20+ years since then, I've been through a half dozen Les Pauls, SGs, Gretches, etc but always wind up with a Fender in my hands. They just feel like home. I've alway said that if I ever find anything I like better than my Fender bass, I'll buy it. Meanwhile I see no reason to switch.

 

[Canadian APII]

does using a Canon camera make you unoriginal photographer?

Liking a Fender makes me as unoriginal as John Paul Jones, James Jamerson, Donald Duck Dunne et al

To be honest, there was not as large a choice of quality instruments then as now. The tone and the use of the bass was also not of the range it is now. Also if a Fender worked for them great. They made great music. If Fatboyj115 likes the tone he gets from a Fender he should go with it.

 

[Neveragain55]

All this anti-Fender talk isn’t cool, not in the least bit in a forum for Bass players.

Many of us don’t own or play or even like Fender bass guitars, but a great many do, and the same respect each one of you that don’t own or play or like Fender bass guitars would want towards "your" instrument of choice - should be given to all that love, own, & play Fenders.

Brand loyalty is something many people believe in whether its cars, bass guitars or beer.

Does drinking Heineken “only” for years make Heineken drinkers un-original?

Does driving Chevy’s “only” for years make Chevy folks un-original?

Love all basses, respect all bass players……………..

 

[Canadian APII]

I find Fender stifles originality and should look ahead. The MIJ Aerodyne line was beautiful and ticked all the boxes for a bass for me. Unfortunately I don't think new Aerodynes are being built. I hope I am wrong. They were a solid step forward for Fender.

 

[Happynoj]

I don't really buy that logic. It's just an excuse for failure. Perhaps those instruments didn't bring anything new or useful to the market, perhaps they failed because they simply weren't good enough to survive? Do you really think the Stingray would have failed if it had a Fender logo on the headstock? Or the Soundgear series?

Maybe. The only reason that Fender is still the biggest player in the industry is because of the sentimentality and history attached to it. It's certainly not because it's putting out the best quality instruments in the market. I wonder whether people would have the same attachement to Fender if they switched all of their production to Mexico or China? No more 'buying American'. People don't go and buy Fenders because they are at the forefront of technology and development. They go and buy them because they were at the forefront of development 50 years ago. If I wanted a versatile, modern, active bass, the last place I would look would be Fender. I just don't trust that they can make what I want from a modern bass.

 

[flam]

The instrument is unoriginal, yes. It's an evolution of the first hand held stringed instrument, specialized to fill a specific need. Tools are just tools, though. I own the same toolbox and wrenches as many other mechanics, but very rarely do two people have the same solution to the same problem.

 

[Sixgunn]

No, China, where everything is made.

Fixed

 

[Canadian APII]

All this anti-Fender talk isn’t cool, not in the least bit in a forum for Bass players.

Many of us don’t own or play or even like Fender bass guitars, but a great many do, and the same respect each one of you that don’t own or play or like Fender bass guitars would want towards "your" instrument of choice - should be given to all that love, own, & play Fenders.

Brand loyalty is something many people believe in whether its cars, bass guitars or beer.

Does drinking Heineken “only” for years make Heineken drinkers un-original?

Does driving Chevy’s “only” for years make Chevy folks un-original?

Love all basses, respect all bass players……………..

unoriginal
/ˌʌnəˈrɪdʒɪnəl/
adjective
1.
not fresh and unusual

It does fit the definition. That doesn't mean he shouldn't buy it because it works in his hands. I like the Aria Pro II SB body style and most of my basses are SB's. By this definition I would be seen as unoriginal also. On the other hand I have several Fenders and basses from my own designs that look like none other. Its one bass. If it sings in your hands buy it.

 

[Ric5]

Does liking Fender instruments make you Unoriginal?

I like Leo Fender bass designs, but they have never been my favorites. Does that make me more original?

 

[slombovia]

As for being original, I couldn't care less what instrument somebody likes. Wanna be original, play.

 

[gjohnson441496]

I've played a couple, really like them but the only problem is where to put my hand. I play fingerstyle 90% of the time and I like to play towards the bridge which Almost seemed impossible to do.

To everyone else, I understand what you're all saying. But it leaves me with a question, If it stuck out to me, does that mean It was me that made it stick out? Like for some reason I just play better on it?

Like say you had two cameras and you took two pictures, but what if one of the cameras produced a better picture, or a picture more towards your liking that the other camera couldn't produce.

Because with what you guys said it leaves the variable of why it sounded better to me still unsolved.

***The Photography Example***

Nikon/Canon - What matters is how the camera feels in your hands. I started my photography career in 1978 using Canon equipment. I went digital in 2004 using Nikon equipment because the Nikon I choose had a larger body than the Canon at the same level. They are both excellent, however there are slight differences in the internal structure and lenses, but The Nikon feels better in my hands. What matters is knowledge of the craft/art... composition, lighting, use of depth of field etc.

When it comes to instruments, in my experience, I've played Jazz basses that are identical in every way but feel and sound like two different brands. Could be the setup, could be truss rod adjustment, could be the winding of the pickups. These variables can make big differences in performance. That's why you should always play a bass before you buy it, and buy the bass that you're playing if it feels good in your hands.

I love my American Standard Jazz bass and my 77 P bass but they have totally different sounds. Playing one is not like playing the other. The Jazz bass has a really sweet growl to it with Rotosound swing bass 77's, BUT it is not a Rickenbacker, and I must have that Ric-O sound in my arsenal.

In other words, all basses are not created equal and that's why one may sound better to you than the other. Heck, in a factory, one worker may be having a bad day or could be hungover from binge drinking all night and came in to the Corona factory and assembled some bad machines. Another worker may be feeling great and assembling world class basses because his wife is out of town and he's getting a ton of unconditional love from his girlfriend/s. There are many factors involved.

 

[Robert Strickland]

Preferring Fender basses just makes you smart, and shows you have good taste.

 

[Batmensch]

People really need to stop worrying what other people think.

Exactly. Is it unoriginal? Maybe. Don't care. I like what I like, and anyone that has an issue with that can kiss my P bass.

 

[Means2nEnd]

? Not at all I think the Fender Jazz or P are beautiful elegant designs and are timeless. They are the "original"

 

[DreadyDiggs]

You can't help but like them. Simple, good sounding instruments. I play the same Fender Jazz 5 string everytime I go into Guitar Center, but I could never spend that much on a bass. I'd buy a Squire 5 and never look back.

The local GC has a 1978 P-Bass in there for over $2k I believe. and I sat and played it, then stood up and played it. When I put it up I was like, "...meh. Nothing special to me."

At this point I truly feel like you're paying for the name.

If I ever make it big in music, I'll be known for getting great sound out of inexpensive gear haha.

 

[Odinbass]

The originality or unoriginality is in the music you create. The bass is just a tool.
I've shown up for band practice all excited with a shiny new bass only to have my mates not even notice. That was when I realized no one cares what bass I play.

 

[gjohnson441496]

Photography has been an art since it was invented, and manipulation of the image from setting up the subject to framing it, adjusting focus, depth of field, and lighting, and then the printing process itself has been a part of it since its inception. it also radically altered the art world and the way we perceive art itself.

What this has to do with family values is a subject I'll leave to you. BTW photography was subject to the same criticisms from the paint and sculpture crowd from day one as you mention now.

+1
Back in my darkroom days I would "manipulate" the image by a process called dodging and burning. I would sometimes paint my black and white prints using Marshall oils. Photoshop is simply another tool we can use.

Thanks for chiming in on this

 

[rogerbmiller]