Hi all.
I have been adamantly resisting Fender basses for a while now. Honestly, I never found one that suited me. I had an older Peavey Fury bass from the late 80’s that I loved because of its thin neck and that sort of bass just fits me. So been on the Ibanez bandwagon and don’t get me wrong, I still love my SR300. Love the neck, the feel…pretty much everything about it even though it is not a “premium” bass. Someday may move up the Ibanez line but happy with the 300 for now.
But, I got to thinking have I really given Fender’s a chance. Mostly been trying Squiers or lower end Fenders. Don’t get me wrong, Squier makes some amazing instruments for the price. The quality is absolutely astounding for what you pay for it. But there was just something about Squiers and Fenders that just didn’t feel right to me. But I got to thinking, okay…what if I move up and buy a more expensive, higher quality Fender. So….found a great deal on a Seafoam Green, P/J Special bass. It is listed as SFR and I think made in limited quantities for Guitar Center a couple years ago….MIM I believe. Lists for $899, but nabbed it used for $600. I can’t even tell it was ever used. It could easily pass as new. It is an astounding instrument. The sound and quality is just amazing. Badass bridge holds the sustain forever. It is just an amazing quality instrument and the feel and sound of the instrument is just night and day difference from the Squiers I have been using – and the Squiers are really good in their own right. This is obviously a step above. So easy to play, and that was always my knock against Fenders. I had a hard time playing them…it always felt like work. But the neck on this thing is very thin (not quite Ibanez but close enough), and fast and it has made playing bass so much fun. It is such a beautiful bass…almost makes me weep! Ha. I can get any tone out of it I can imagine.
Which makes me think….okay….I have moved half-way up the Fender ladder. What will going all the way get me? First of all, I love the whole P/J thing. So want that but would settle for a P-bass. And want roughly the same thin-ish neck profile. So first of all is there an American-made Fender that fits the bill? I can live without the P/J combo but can’t seem to live without a fairly thin, fast neck with my smallish hands. And if there is what would I notice for the extra $600-$700? Don’t get me wrong…very, very happy with this bass and believe it can take me into the promised land of being a decent musician someday. But what will I get if, for some reason, I move up to the gold standard American-made Fender P or P/J bass (if such a thing exists)
Also, how would the Geddy Lee Jazz bass compare to what I have, quality and sound wise. I know the neck would be right on par with what I am looking for – thin and fast. But is the Geddy more of a bass than what I have right now with my current Fender? Say I have $700 sitting around with nothing to do. Better to replace my current P/J with the more expensive MIA Fender or buy the Geddy Lee Jazz to have as an alternative to what I already have? I have heard such amazingly good things about the GL Jazz bass and know it is worth the money. But would I be better upgrading what I have to a MIA Fender P or P/J (with a thin neck remember) or adding the Geddy Lee to my stable, (and keeping the current P/J Special) for the same amount of money. I am NOT a professional, just a sort’ve advanced beginner so would I get the same bang for the buck moving up as I did moving up from the Squiers and cheap Fenders.
I am so happy with my Fender right now, I can’t even begin to tell you. I was reluctant but came around in the end. Just had to find the right one! I think it's a lesson learned...instead of buying a whole bunch of cheap basses that you end up not very happy with in the end, buy the best bass you can afford and learn to play.
Thanks for all the advice.
I have been adamantly resisting Fender basses for a while now. Honestly, I never found one that suited me. I had an older Peavey Fury bass from the late 80’s that I loved because of its thin neck and that sort of bass just fits me. So been on the Ibanez bandwagon and don’t get me wrong, I still love my SR300. Love the neck, the feel…pretty much everything about it even though it is not a “premium” bass. Someday may move up the Ibanez line but happy with the 300 for now.
But, I got to thinking have I really given Fender’s a chance. Mostly been trying Squiers or lower end Fenders. Don’t get me wrong, Squier makes some amazing instruments for the price. The quality is absolutely astounding for what you pay for it. But there was just something about Squiers and Fenders that just didn’t feel right to me. But I got to thinking, okay…what if I move up and buy a more expensive, higher quality Fender. So….found a great deal on a Seafoam Green, P/J Special bass. It is listed as SFR and I think made in limited quantities for Guitar Center a couple years ago….MIM I believe. Lists for $899, but nabbed it used for $600. I can’t even tell it was ever used. It could easily pass as new. It is an astounding instrument. The sound and quality is just amazing. Badass bridge holds the sustain forever. It is just an amazing quality instrument and the feel and sound of the instrument is just night and day difference from the Squiers I have been using – and the Squiers are really good in their own right. This is obviously a step above. So easy to play, and that was always my knock against Fenders. I had a hard time playing them…it always felt like work. But the neck on this thing is very thin (not quite Ibanez but close enough), and fast and it has made playing bass so much fun. It is such a beautiful bass…almost makes me weep! Ha. I can get any tone out of it I can imagine.
Which makes me think….okay….I have moved half-way up the Fender ladder. What will going all the way get me? First of all, I love the whole P/J thing. So want that but would settle for a P-bass. And want roughly the same thin-ish neck profile. So first of all is there an American-made Fender that fits the bill? I can live without the P/J combo but can’t seem to live without a fairly thin, fast neck with my smallish hands. And if there is what would I notice for the extra $600-$700? Don’t get me wrong…very, very happy with this bass and believe it can take me into the promised land of being a decent musician someday. But what will I get if, for some reason, I move up to the gold standard American-made Fender P or P/J bass (if such a thing exists)
Also, how would the Geddy Lee Jazz bass compare to what I have, quality and sound wise. I know the neck would be right on par with what I am looking for – thin and fast. But is the Geddy more of a bass than what I have right now with my current Fender? Say I have $700 sitting around with nothing to do. Better to replace my current P/J with the more expensive MIA Fender or buy the Geddy Lee Jazz to have as an alternative to what I already have? I have heard such amazingly good things about the GL Jazz bass and know it is worth the money. But would I be better upgrading what I have to a MIA Fender P or P/J (with a thin neck remember) or adding the Geddy Lee to my stable, (and keeping the current P/J Special) for the same amount of money. I am NOT a professional, just a sort’ve advanced beginner so would I get the same bang for the buck moving up as I did moving up from the Squiers and cheap Fenders.
I am so happy with my Fender right now, I can’t even begin to tell you. I was reluctant but came around in the end. Just had to find the right one! I think it's a lesson learned...instead of buying a whole bunch of cheap basses that you end up not very happy with in the end, buy the best bass you can afford and learn to play.
Thanks for all the advice.
