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I have never wanted a P or J bass

#41
megafiddle said:
You did, or at least implied:

"A bad instrument (or, car, if you follow my example) is simply bad, and can typically be determined as bad by any player."
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You must have misunderstood me, then. I was simply saying that any player can easily determine what is a bad instrument, whereas, a players preference determines what they want in a good instrument.

I don't think Fender instruments are bad. Quite the opposite. I just personally don't care for them. Bodies are too big and bulky, and the necks too thin.
 
#42
coyote1 said:
I know they are good instruments. Yet somehow, while I looove playing Stratocasters and own two, I've never had a desire to own a Fender bass.

It has just always seemed to me that a bass ought not be a Fender.... or a Gibson for that matter. Can't explain that conceptualization, but there it is anyway.
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Gibson, I agree. Fender, I don't. But to each their own.

macrocheesium said:
I'm with you there... I don't think there is any reason that they ought not to make basses, but I've just never wanted one. Though even that seems like blasphemy around here. :hiding:
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Naaah, only by the over-zealous Fender fanboys. I like my Jazz Bass, but I in no way would diss anyone who doesn't own a Fender. Maybe there ARE overall basses out there, but the Fenders started it all for us electric bassists. That we can all admit without compromise.
 
#45
GIBrat51 said:
Well, that's cool, I guess. As the man said, "difference of opinion is what makes horse racing". Lots of stuff I don't particularly want to have, either. However, your statement leads one to the inevitable question; What bass(es) DO you like? And, why?
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Can't explain why. As I said earlier, I don't dislike them. I just have never had the desire to own one.

A Ric? Wanted one for decades. I'll likely not bother at this point, but I can definitely imagine it... and if one were to fall into my lap I'd definitely grab it. A Hofner or other 'Beatle' bass? Likewise. So I can't say I dont dig the classics.
 
#47
I use to feel the same way about Fenders, but I saw a MIM 5 string Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass at my local music store used for $300, and just setting there in a stand it looked larger then life and the price peaked my curiosity (Presentation is everything) so I put my bias aside and picked it up to seeand hear what all the hype was about. Not half bad so I picked it up, but I believe I only bought it to kill two birds with one stone and check off owning a Fender and having a 5 string bass with a strong B string off a unwritten mental checklist, the probability of it being a missed oppertunity for me if I passed it up, and that I was able to talk the price down to $280. Time will tell if I it just sits in a stand, stays in a case, or if I pick it up and play it semi regularly. Like the OP, I have never been compelled to play, collect, want, or or make a big whoop over a Fender. Now that I have one it's most likely out of my system maybe it will come in handy one day and I'll make use of it.
 
#48
Wil_Couch said:
You must have misunderstood me, then. I was simply saying that any player can easily determine what is a bad instrument, whereas, a players preference determines what they want in a good instrument.

I don't think Fender instruments are bad. Quite the opposite. I just personally don't care for them. Bodies are too big and bulky, and the necks too thin.
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Ok, sorry then.
My misunderstanding.

These things are often full of implications.
 
#49
Took me 20+ years of playing before I wanted a Fender. When I was growing up I had zero interest in them. Now, I have had several Fenders and I love them all. They work so well (IMO) in a mix of a band that its hard to ignore. But, to each his own. My "main" basses are my Ric, Steinberger, and G&L.
 
#50
REME7178 said:
I use to feel the same way about Fenders, but I saw a MIM 5 string Fender Jazz Bass at my local music store used for $300, and just setting there in a stand it looked larger then life and the price peaked my curiosity (Presentation is everything) so I put my bias aside and picked it up to seeand hear what all the hype was about. Not half bad so I picked it up, but I believe I only bought it to kill two birds with one stone and check off owning a Fender and having a 5 string bass with a strong B string off a unwritten mental checklist, the probability of it being a missed oppertunity for me if I passed it up, and that I was able to talk the price down to $280. Time will tell if I it just sits in a stand, stays in a case, or if I pick it up and play it semi regularly.
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What a coincidence! I had time to kill and I was passing by Guitar Center, so I decided I'd drop by and see what basses they had out. A guy was eyeing a MiM Fender Jazz 5 that had been smashed into a wall twice, as evident from breaks in the finish. They were selling it for $300 as well... it was a fine guitar. I helped the guy to settle on it.
 
#53
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#54
"I don't play Fenders."

And yet the electric bass as we know it would not exist without Leo Fender. Funny how that works out.

It's okay, I used to be anti-Fender too. Swore up and down I wouldn't become another P-bass guy. Then I sat down and played a P-bass for a good long while. I'll be damned if it wasn't fantastic. Jazzes weren't too shabby either.

Do yourself a favor. Go play some more P-basses.
 
#55
How many flavors of ice cream are there? Different strokes and all...

Even before I started playing bass, I always thought that a Fender bass was the coolest-looking instrument in the band. That classic look IS what appealed to me. While others might find them bland and boring, to my eyes they're beautiful.

I've been playing them for quite awhile. I've tried numerous other brands, but always come back to my Fenders. They not only look and sound good to me, but they FEEL right. Very comfortable to me.

Don't like them? That's cool. Some of us do, and some never will. Play whatever makes you happy...
 
#58
I didnt start out on fenders, I went through my fair share of Warwicks, ThumbV,SS2V,Infinity SN V. All f them made exceptionally well, and quite expensive. I then decided to buy a Fender American deluxe in 07, I needed a good 4 banger for cheap.

Next step was selling all of my Wicks and now I own nothing but Fenders. I never would have thought that I would have liked a bass better than my SS2. That was my dream bass as a kid. While I do miss that bass occasionally, I am very content with my Fenders.

I also think the newer American Deluxes are some of the best Fender has made in many years. I am the proud owner of 2 J's. A 4 and a 5 string.

Sometimes its cool to go against the grain. I get that, but there is a reason so many recordings have Fender basses. They sound like a Fender.
 
#60
coyote1 said:
I know they are good instruments. Yet somehow, while I looove playing Stratocasters and own two, I've never had a desire to own a Fender bass.

It has just always seemed to me that a bass ought not be a Fender.... or a Gibson for that matter. Can't explain that conceptualization, but there it is anyway.
Click to expand...

:cool:
Is there a question in there somewhere?
I see you play guitar, do you play bass?
I never had a desire to play a Gibson Guitar.
Oh ya, I'm a bass player. :D:D:D
 

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