• 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.

Enduring designs.

retslock

retslock

Oct 29, 2007
4,027
5,728
Sydney, Australia
#1
I’ve been watching video today from a recent festival in Australia. Not a small affair but the full production - internationally known acts, big stage, big lights, big video screens and BIG crowds of young people have a ball listening to their favourite artists most of which are also young and pretty new to the game.
In almost an hour of viewing so far I’ve seen many short clips. The instruments I’m seeing; 2 Jazz basses, another that might have been a Yamaha or perhaps some kind of boutique bass played by an older player by the way and the rest were ALL Precisions, seemingly unmodified in the hands of young players. Of the guitars; one Les Paul several Strats and a few Mustangs or similar.
There’s no danger that the tried and true designs that do the job well are being passed over by young musicians or that guitar bands are dead. They’re alive and well and for whatever reason that you may or may not night like them - they’re not going away.
EDIT: Still watching and a few Telecaster guitars and a Jazzmaster have shown up too.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Mastermold and el jeffe bass
#2
Could also be that Fender simply endorses a lot of players and gives them gear.
Free marketing.
There's a lot of reasons for their success besides the design of their instruments. One might argue that they have success in spite of their designs.
However, I'm only going to say one thing about Fender,.....they know how to run a successful business.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wmmj and Killing Floor
#3
IMG_7072-1024x597.jpg


86bc0a3503be6cd347852019f87973d8
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eli_Kyiv, Mastermold, Killing Floor and 1 other person
#7
chris_b said:
My guess is that the tried and tested Precision is the go to for so many players for purely practical reasons, ie they don't break on the road, they sound good, play right and don't break the bank.
Click to expand...
Exactly.
My post wasn’t to say Fender is best or worst. They are uncomplicated, reliable and accessible tools for making music and still well in evidence with young players - kids who are unlikely to have endorsements. I read here often also that guitar bands are a thing of the past too. Obviously they aren’t.
Commentary that’s all. Not advocating anything in particular.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: wmmj, staurosjohn and chris_b
#9
chris_b said:
My guess is that the tried and tested Precision is the go to for so many players for purely practical reasons, ie they don't break on the road, they sound good, play right and don't break the bank.
Click to expand...
Yeah, my Fender is not my favourite bass but that’s the one I’m taking if a flight is involved.
 
  • Like
Reactions: wmmj, Bass V and chris_b
#13
Because Leo got it pretty much right first time, stole a march on others, which weren't anywhere near as useful, and pretty much defined electric bass.

Now, many small builders enhance Fender builds and the market is so big there is room for both.
No need to try and re-invent the wheel.
 
#14
The P Bass was the first. It’ll likely be the last. Everything in between is just a modification to that original design. I’m happy with that and have come to terms with the concept that innovation really doesn’t play that big of a role with our small group that is known as “bassists”. Rock on!
 
  • Like
Reactions: retslock
#15
People playing trad music are going to use instruments appropriate to the tradition. It's all Les Pauls, Strats, and Precision basses in rock because that's what they used in the old days.

Thing is, back then rock musicians were experimenting with everything they could, it's just that there wasn't a lot available at the time. It's not until relatively recently that we suddenly had rules over what proper guitars and basses were supposed to be. If The Beatles had had access to Dingwalls and Steinbergers, they would have used them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bass4LifeRS, wmmj, retslock and 1 other person
#17
The Fender Precision and the Fender Jazz endure for two fundamental reasons:
  1. They established early what anybody would/should expect of a good solid-body electric bass.
  2. Despite Fender itself making various renditions of them, they have remained essentially the same throughout the history of the solid-body electric bass.
The Fender Precision and the Fender Jazz endure for two more reasons:
  1. Fender has never canceled or radically changed either base model. If they did, culture does not know. The vast majority at any gig neither know nor care if what looks like a Jazz Bass base model actually has an active circuit or more than 20 frets on the neck.
  2. Most other instrument makers have been imitating the Fender Precision and the Fender Jazz for years and made money from people who keep purchasing them. This creates a first-glance validation of Fender Precision and Fender Jazz basses as the standard to follow as well as reinforcement of their perceived value. Similarly, Honda Shadows and Yamaha Viragos, despite providing equal or higher value as motorcycles, reinforce perception of the Harley Low Rider as the higher-value ideal.
Related: I once considered purchasing an Ibanez SR-1300 bass. I told myself that when my savings made it to a certain level I might buy one. I had it on my RADAR for a couple of years before I got serious. Then I discovered that Ibanez had stopped making SR-1300 basses. I didn't want to buy one used if Ibanez no longer believed in that model enough to have kept it available new. Fender would never send such a signal to the market. Hence the endurance of the P and J models.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Low Commotion and Eli_Kyiv
#18
burgerdj said:
Nostalgia is powerful -particularly among the modern throwbacks playing roots, Americana, neo-soul, etc.
Click to expand...
^^^^^ I think this sums it up pretty well for those types of bands these days, they want to look a certain way and the old throwback standard Fender and Gibson guitars and basses look right and go well with their clothes and hair... as well as being easy to make that kind of music with.
I think if you look at metal/progressive/shred bands (many sub-categories) you will find that they usually prefer different instruments.
I think those players want a flatter fretboard, often active, EMG equipped, bass or guitar.
Fanned frets, 7 string guitars, 5 and 6 string basses, tons of bottom and top end on the basses.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eli_Kyiv, gforcemusic and Snert
#19
Katoosie said:
Yeah, doesn't mean they do not sell and are popular.
You and me both, though. Even though I do enjoy some.
Click to expand...
despite GASing for decades the Fender / Motown / P sound was it for me from day 1 until I became obsessed with the Bruce / Pappalardi mudbucker thing and eventually I found the perfect blend in 2 un-boring basses, but do retain my favorite P (non-Fender and not boring) cos it's so good.
the flip side, as soon as I see a REALLY cool P I kinda want it lol they were my first dream bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: retslock and Katoosie
#20
Bass V said:
despite GASing for decades the Fender / Motown / P sound was it for me from day 1 until I became obsessed with the Bruce / Pappalardi mudbucker thing and eventually I found the perfect blend in 2 un-boring basses, but do retain my favorite P (non-Fender and not boring) cos it's so good.
the flip side, as soon as I see a REALLY cool P I kinda want it lol they were my first dream bass.
Click to expand...
You neglected to share what those 2 un-boring basses were.......??
Please and thank you. :)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back