I just don’t get it

[Bikeguy57]

Some of us (moderately old guys). Tried and tried. I owned a 75 bound blocked jazz. Electronic nightmare, and I had no money back then to gut it and get it done right. Fender Urge. Worse electronics.

So when other builders promised to exceed the production quality far beyond FMIC...I listened. And I'll tell you what...my boy at 3:16 bass guitars gets things RIGHT!

Now I've played whatever they call the top of the line these days...Fender Elite? It's a good bass. It's a good bass, that's it. For well over $2000? My options between American and Japanese basses in that price bracket are AMAZING!!! Not to mention the emerging eastern Europe builders.
Fender bleeped up a long time ago. I think the original designs are great to build upon, indeed most of my electrics are based on designs by Leo.
FMIC doesn't need me. They have you. They lost me a long time ago.
"It's not me, baby. It's you..."

Three pots, a capacitor, and an output jack...quite the mystery.

 

[bobdabilder]

Rabble rabble rabble.....

I’d like to turn this into a P vs J thread.

Who’s with me?

 

[Panek]

Imho no SS head will never sound and feel like a SVT

Sorry, but I'll always take my solid state 1975 Traynor Mono Block B over any tube head.

 

[Dust2Dust]

To whom it may concern;

Please accept this comment as a snobby remark against Fender-wannabe basses.



** I tried to resist posting that, but I just couldn't let it go.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’d like to turn this into a P vs J thread.

Who’s with me?

Only if we can add in flats vs wounds, tort or non tort,

Or post a request for help resolving unworkable situations with no satisfactory solutions which leads to OP being rather snotty, argumentative when somebody tries to make a suggestion. This is always one of my favorites.

 

[No Compute]

Leo had nitrogen balls!!??

So the story goes today…

 

[MrClassicMetal]

One could only dream. Unfortunately, too many people have had QC issues with brand new Fender basses that they spent good money on to be able to say any Fender is necessarily equal in quality to any other Fender. That's one of the reasons people buy FSOs from companies other than Fender. Most of the smaller companies get the QC right the first time.

There are quite a bit of recent youtube videos discussing QC issues at Fender. And yes, I know that's anecdotal.

 

[Geri O]

There are quite a bit of recent youtube videos discussing QC issues at Fender.

And that means exactly what?

 

[MrClassicMetal]

And that means exactly what?

Nothing, just thinking out loud. Just wondering if it will turn into something like what went on with Gibson a few years ago. When all the channels were talking about that brand in a negative manner.

 

[MrB64]

I like my G&L JB more than I do my 2 Fenders (MIM Geddy Signature and Player Series Fretless Jazz). I think the pickups sound better, I noticed it big time when I recorded with it. Nothing wrong with my Fenders, I just like the G&L better. It's still Leo.

 

[FRoss6788]

Nothing, just thinking out loud. Just wondering if it will turn into something like what went on with Gibson a few years ago. When all the channels were talking about that brand in a negative manner.

Certainly does not make it fact.
Though, undoubtedly some will take it as such.

 

[Watchootognbout]

A thousand different makers.
And they all have to make a Fender copy.

A hundred thousand different bass players.
And they all require a Fender copy from different makers.

I don't get it either.

 

[CryingBass]

Rinse and repeat. Heavy on the rinse please.

 

[ChetChetney]

Sadowsky makes a better Fender style bass than Fender ............how about that !

Sadowsky’s a great basses and I like the optionality we all have of great basses on the market. For me, I sold a $7k top of the line Sadowsky NYC J Bass and shifted to the two Fender basses pictured below. These absolutely smoke the Sadowsky and I’m not looking back…

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I was just wondering why so many people spend so much money on a Fender Jazz made by someone else and look for that vintaged sound or feel they have a better Fender than Fender. Before you chime in yes I have tried some of the boutique basses ( no names ) and in some cases other than the ergonomics of the neck I just don’t get it. On the vintage sound, amps and cabinets today are not tuned like the old acoustics, ampegs, peavys, fenders of old. Imho no SS head will never sound and feel like a SVT or old Fender Bassman ( all tube amps)

Hmm, I'll take a stab at this...

I find my US Lakland 4460 (joe osborn) four string to be a higher quality, better feeling, better sounding, better playing instrument than any Fender (including vintage and custom shop) I've played or owned, and I've been doing this since age 12. I like the neck shape better, I like the pickups better, it balances better, and it just simply sounds fuller and punchier than a Fender. Don't get me wrong- I totally love my Fenders- I own several including a vintage 1962. The Lakland just has a certain 'something' about it.

 

[cataract]

Squier vs Squire

 

[jamro217]

The number of vintage Fender basses is not increasing to keep up with demand. The same amount of surviving Jazz Basses that left Fullerton in 1962 is what you have to choose from. Supply and demand determine the cost of these instruments. Due to the vintage mania surrounding them and their scarcity, new sources are almost a must. New Fenders are certainly a possibility, although the late '70's CBS era damaged the brand's image. Rival companies may make instruments you find to be superior to the originals. Many folks find them to be fine instruments in their own right, but different than a vintage Fender. The price points on these instruments vary and it is possible to get a fantastic bass that mimics the original for a pittance due to the name on the headstock. Better still is the ability to build a mutt that is sublime for pennies on the booteek dollar. A homemade Jazz Bass with top-of-the-line ala carte components can be a world class instrument. Any mods you prefer can be performed at the time of construction. Hope this view of the topic helps.

 

[HubbardsFate]

7ender

 

[MrClassicMetal]

A thousand different makers.
And they all have to make a Fender copy.

A hundred thousand different bass players.
And they all require a Fender copy from different makers.

Well yeah, the design of the Jazz bass is a very nice one, it's so elegant looking. Fender got that one right from the start. It's my personal favourite for sure and I have one myself.

And I also like what some brands have done with the J shape. Like Sadowsky and Maruszczyk, with their smaller bodies, deeper cutaways, and smoother heels.

 

[pglaser01]

More Fender than Fender

Heard that was the sig model for White Zombie