• 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.

Fender Can Have It... I'm Done...

#122
ryevick said:
If I do decide to get a 4 string bass it will probably be that one or Invalid Link Removed... but not sure if I even want one now.
Click to expand...
SB2 is a great bass. I haven't tried the tribute, but I had an SB2 about 15 years ago I really liked, but had to let it go to pay bills during a bad time. Recently got one with the tone control and it has become my number 1. G&L really does pay attention to detail on their builds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ryevick
#124
Norwegian Bass said:
I agree; great podcast; BUT! Greg didn't mention "how Fender is slipping", unless you mean ("vol. on HIS Fender") the volume knob on his Tele; which is not sursprising with how he use it, and the guitar had been a long time in the basement; "The Basement of Broken Dreams" ;) as he calls it? With how you're wording it, it comes off as a general statement about Fender, which when it comes to their top stuff; it's the total opposite. The guitar in question:

And that's good Tele tone IMO! And also about the Tele, P Bass knob etc (not your statement though) being "a bad design"; I don't really agree on that one either. They works fine with minimal upkeep (tighten the screws from time to time) and for a repair person; they're great. And that was also a big thing with Fender and Leo's philosophy, that the instruments should be easily repairable. Also with Fender there are so many pricepoints now, and with every price point downwards; means making compromises that will show regards to the quality of the instrument. And most of that is time spent on a instrument. I remember Roger Sadowsky commenting on how they spend as much time on the frets and finessing them, as some offshore manufacturers spend on building an entire instrument. So there's that. I've seen youtube videos from factories like that, and the sheer volume of guitars they put out is staggering. Doesn't look like a good place to work though, very stressful.
(Personal thing for me when it comes to Fender is if it's not nitro, I don't want it; so with that; the basses and guitars I've played is AV and CS stuff, so I may be biased towards the positive view of Fender because of my experiences with the instruments I own and/or have played)
Click to expand...


Take another listen. I just pulled it up. At about 57:40 he says "...but then they (Fender) got new ownership and things have been uncertain there... I don't know maybe 7 years..." I wouldn't exactly call those words of praise. He does still help market the Wildwood customs though.

I've listened to everyone of those podcast... AT LEAST twice, some more. I welcome quizzes :thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
#126
ryevick said:
I purchased this bass from Zzounds after they told me they would inspect it before it was shipped. First and last time using them, or maybe letting them use me is a better way to put it.
Click to expand...

I've use zZounds a number of times with no problems, and Sweetwater, who dies have very good customer service.
 
#127
ryevick said:
Take another listen. I just pulled it up. At about 57:40 he says "...but then they (Fender) got new ownership and things have been uncertain there... I don't know maybe 7 years..." I wouldn't exactly call those words of praise.
Click to expand...
Heard it the first time. Hasn't got anything to do with the guitars. Is about uncertainties about ownership, business, policy and A&R stuff; not the quality of the guitars. Same thing when John Mayer cut ties with Fender; which probably had something to do with Mike Eldred leaving the Custom Shop. (That's what was speculated, not confirmed.)The guitars haven't declined in quality because he left, but John experienced more "red tape" issues after Mike went, so that's why he cut Fender loose. He hasn't stopped playing Fenders because of it, though. Greg also plays Fender guitars AND amps (He mentioned his Vibrolux in the interview, for instance.) Also as Greg mentioned; he has never had a formal business relationship with Fender, despite doing clinics, so that you're arguing that this somehow is evidence of that "something's wrong with Fender", is an incorrect interpretation IMO. And be aware, I'm a quizmaster! My head is full of mostly useless information, and I remember all of it! ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ryevick
#128
Norwegian Bass said:
Heard it the first time. Hasn't got anything to do with the guitars. Is about uncertainties about ownership, business, policy and A&R stuff; not the quality of the guitars. Same thing when John Mayer cut ties with Fender; which probably had something to do with Mike Eldred leaving the Custom Shop. (That what was speculated, not confirmed.)The guitars haven't declined in quality because he left, but John experienced more "red tape" issues after Mike went, so that's why he cut Fender loose. He hasn't stopped playing Fenders because of it, though. Greg also plays Fender guitars AND amps (He mentioned his Vibrolux in the interview, for instance.) Also as Greg mentioned; he has never had a formal business relationship with Fender, despite doing clinics, so that you're arguing that this somehow is evidence of that "something's wrong with Fender", is an incorrect interpretation IMO. And be aware, I'm a quizmaster! My head is full of mostly useless information, and I remember all of it! ;)
Click to expand...

LOL, I could be wrong, sure... but Greg isn't playing a 2016 Fender is he? LOL... I actually discovered GK while researching my Fender Cybertwin SE... which is AWESOME! ;)

 
  • Like
Reactions: Norwegian Bass
#129
Just to be clear though, ryevick. Your issue with and action regarding the bass you had is totally legit, and there's another poster who recently posted some pictures with Fender basses with bridges totally off, which is sloppy stuff. So I'm not a Fender apologist, I just want that any critisism against anyone really, should be accurate and fair. Hehe, playing a 2016 Fender, I think a 2015 is close enough? He plays stuff all over the map; even Gibsons! "The forbidden ones", (his words) ;) And he loves them, which with some Fender fanboys...their noses didn't like that hehe! in which he had to say "Hey guys, I'm Fendered up! I've got tons of Fender!" I play Gibson guitars too, so it's not like it's a war, despite the "Solidbodies" dvd, have you seen that one?? Hehe, really stupid but fun:
 
  • Like
Reactions: ryevick
#130
Norwegian Bass said:
Just to be clear though, ryevick. Your issue with and action regarding the bass you had is totally legit, and there's another poster who recently posted some pictures with Fender basses with bridges totally off, which is sloppy stuff. So I'm not a Fender apologist, I just want that any critisism against anyone really, should be accurate and fair. Hehe, playing a 2016 Fender, I think a 2015 is close enough? He plays stuff all over the map; even Gibsons! "The forbidden ones", (his words) ;) And he loves them, which with some Fender fanboys...their noses didn't like that hehe! in which he had to say "Hey guys, I'm Fendered up! I've got tons of Fender!" I play Gibson guitars too, so it's not like it's a war, despite the "Solidbodies" dvd, have you seen that one?? Hehe, really stupid but fun:
Click to expand...



I'll check that out. Even though nearly every person I've talked to at Gibson was a jerk, I still play them. I own a Gibson SG Robot (pretty cool) and didn't want to spend $3000 on the Les Paul I wanted, so I took an Epiphone with great specs, including coil splitting USA Gibson 57s, locking Grover tuners and upgraded the wiring harness... all pots, switch and jack... it's basically a Gibson now at a third of the price and sounds/looks/plays amazing!
 
Last edited:
#131
ryevick said:
I didn't say I would never buy a fender again... this was about the lame bass I had just bought, the lack of Fender QC and Zzounds hollow assurances. All of which made me reevaluate my needs vs wants and if I do end up justifying buying another bass I will be widening my search, doing first hand comparisons of a few other brands as well and not being swooned by new feature set that may not be what is needed in the first place.
Click to expand...
That's kool! I'm glad to hear that you're not giving up on Fender all together.
A couple weeks ago, I played an outstanding ash body Fender Elite j-bass.

Yes, there are many great brands and options out there besides Fender. I recently posted a nice ash body/maple fretboard G & L JB4 that caught my eye on Ebay.
It was an absolute beauty and appeared to be beautifully crafted.

Continue to do your research and you will find what you're looking for. Good luck!

P.S.- I see a few TB members recommending Sire. The ash body Sire V7 is nicely crafted and affordable, however, it weighs 10 lbs. or more.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: ryevick
#132
ryevick said:
I'll check that out. Even though nearly every person I've talked to at Gibson was a jerk, I still play them. I own a Gibson SG Robot (pretty cool) and didn't want to spend $3000 on the Les Paul I wanted, so I took an Epiphone with great specs, including USA Gibson 57s and upgraded it... it's basically a Gibson now at a third of the price and sounds amazing!
Click to expand...

All my Gibson stuff is Custom Shop, so I haven't had the need to contact them about issues with the guitars. But I've stories for sure, about Gibson. And I've seen stuff myself coming out of the USA factory that has been less that stellar. I'm picky when it comes to Les Pauls though, so I had to go Gibson Custom on that front, to get what I wanted. The thing that made it even possible for me to do so, was pure luck, really. The fact that our Norwegian currency was extremely strong against the dollar at the time I was going crazy with buying guitars. Today, I woulnd't be able to do it at my pay grade, and how our currency is, without like selling a kidney, lung or working the docks or something...lol. ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: ryevick
#135
gln1955 said:
Since I didn't even mention GC in the post you seem so upset about, maybe a little reading comprehension would be in order before calling someone stupid. :meh:
Click to expand...
You generalized by saying "It's not that hard for a retailer to make sure their customer is getting the product they expect." I took retailer to mean the "regular" box store online ones we have all dealt with. CME is beyond those in a few ways - similar in others. You're not stupid. You just offend easily. I'm sorry.
 
#136
petrus61 said:
It's ok. They'll just resell it to some kid who doesn't know any better or care and he/she will probably wind up making some really great music on this abomination.
Click to expand...

Or they take this bass, resell it to some kid that doesn't know any better and doesn't figure out what's wrong with it until after the return date has passed and discourages them from writing a great piece of music
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mr_O'B
#139
wow dude, I'm surprised a high $ Fender would have such problems
it sounds like stories I've heard about Gibson guitars
recently I got a used Jackson guitar for only $200 & quickly returned it when the Floyd Rose (licensed) was total crapola
it's to be expected of a guitar that sells new for $300 though
there are days I wish I'd kept my BC Rich with an Original Floyd
 
  • Like
Reactions: ryevick

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back