Fender or Gibson?

[smcd]

G&L

That's where I'd go.

But given the strict choice - Fender or Gibson - it would be Fender, no question. I don't think Gibson offers a bass guitar anywhere near as good as a Fender Precision or Jazz.

 

[heffe]

I guess Musicman counts as Fender

 

[s_mcsleazy]

i dont think gibson have every really got the hang of basses. i mean they have select appeal but not mass appeal

 

[TheMonkeyKing]

Warrior.

 

[Hamerguy]

I have two Fender (pre-2010 US Dlx J, fretted and fretless) and two Gibson (RD Artist and Q-80), and I love all of them. If I should decide for one only I'd get the cheapest one on the 2nd hand market. I like the Fender AV 75 Jazz, the Elite P, the US Hot Rod P and the US Deluxe series (pre-2010) as well as the Gibson RD Artist, Victory Artist, Q-80, Q-90 and the Thunderbird. As you can see, there is only one Fender (AV 75 J) and one Gibson (Thunderbird) in actual production of the basses I like.

 

[kulit17]

I had a Gibson Eb-0 for a bit, but brought it back. It was really heavy compared with other basses I have now. For the price of the Gibson, imho your better of getting an American fender jazz or pbass

 

[nocontrols]

This is a bass forum so, clearly, Fender is the correct answer. Having said that, I completely understand the desire to break away from the pack. I mean, 98% of us play Fenders, it's easy to get tired of the monotony.

 

[smcd]

This is a bass forum so, clearly, Fender is the correct answer. Having said that, I completely understand the desire to break away from the pack. I mean, 98% of us play Fenders, it's easy to get tired of the monotony.

If one wants to break away from the pack, there are much better options than Gibson.

 

[GBassNorth]

If buying new, try the gibson thunderbird first. After trying that decide if you like the sound, feel and balance of the bass (some people don't like the neck heavy balance on these things, to each their own). If you like the sound, feel and balance of the thunderbird then decide if the looks will fit in your band setting.
If so, great - buy it, the thunderbirds are good basses.

If not, then just do what 90% of the bass buying population does, go buy a fender. If you go the fender route, try an MIA until you find one you like, then compare it to the best MIM you can find then take the best of those two and compare it to the best Squire (also made by Fender) you can find. When all is said and done you might just end up where I did, walked into a store with $1800 to buy a new MIA walked out of the store with a new Squire and about $1500 left over cash! The Squire Jazz is about 15% of the price of a new MIA and in many cases can give the MIA a real run for the money.

 

[nocontrols]

If one wants to break away from the pack, there are much better options than Gibson.

That depends on who you're asking. Personally, though, I do agree with you almost all the time. This is very true, particularly considering what Gibson charges.

 

[Flounder102Bass]

I guess Musicman counts as Fender

1+ ya i tryed the musicman today and the bass was totally sick. i even fell in love with it

 

[GRAHAM SG1]

My first USA bass was a Gibson SG faded 2009 model which I really liked for a while but when my playing got better and my band started to play more varied music I decided the SG was not tonally versatile enough, also it lacked output badly compared to my MIM P so I sold it .
I now have a USA P DLX 2010 which is the bees knees so I have to say Fender

 

[Rockmusician]

I would go with Fender/ They are not the most popular bass in the world for nothing. But for guitar, I prefer Gibson. There is nothing like the sound of a Les Paul through a Marshall stack.

 

[Longhair]

I think Fender is the only brand that fetches more money when it has been used and abused

 

[ScottTunes]

I think Fender is the only brand that fetches more money when it has been used and abused

...Plus, Fenders can take all kinds of abuse that the Gibsons can't!

BTW, G&L would also qualify as a Fender (L = Leo Fender)...

 

[Batmensch]

I had an EB-3L that I really liked despite a bad dead spot, and being really beat up. It was a joy to play, and it sounded great. If I could, I would get another like it (hopefully in much better shape and no dead spots), but, in an 'either or' situation, Fender would be my 1st choice, no hesitation.

 

[P. Aaron]

I like my Fender basses. But it don't mean a damn thing. Love that Thunderbird collection.

 

[Lambic]

Fender Standard Jazz Bass: the simple, beautiful, classic, versatile, trustworthy workhorse.

 

[bassplayer8953]

No choice of: carrots... ?...

Fenders are great, Gibsons are great. So are Spectors, Peaveys, and a whole bunch of others.

Nobody needs to be tied to 1 brand (unless you're financially challenged) Play what feels good to 'ya, & fits the situation.

 

[temp_secretary]

if gibson made left handed basses i might have an opinion