That's the route I went as well to get a short scale Fender J bass, a JB62SS. It's great instrument, the quality is top notch!
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I just don’t get it
- Thread starter woody357
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This is a controversial subject for sure. In my view, as a longtime repairman/ Luthier, EVERYONE seems to be building their versions of Fender Jazz basses now. One of the main reasons- is it's a great design. Leo Fender- really was the Henry Ford of the guitar world. So- does every carmaker make Fords? Nope- but go back to the 20's- 30's, and it's pretty obvious everyone was indeed making copies, or cars heavily influenced by Ford. To me, we're all essentially making Fender basses. Even though many instruments look nothing like a Fender, all makers are at least considering Fender designs in some way. So, do I think paying 5-6K for a Sadowsky is something I would do? No, because I bought two Sire V-7's last year, and do not want for anything with either. I don't spend time building Fender basses, and the Sires are great basses for the money. I've played and worked on many very pricey jazz basses. Do I see a quality difference? Sometimes, it's apparent, other times, it's a bit of a mystery. The recent Fender basses I've seen, played and worked on, are excellent instruments. Many are featuring the 'improvements' many Luthiers incorporated into their fender clones, to fix the issues we all knew about. I think, if you want a Sadowsky, a Lakland, Lull, Suhr, Valenti, Sandberg, or even a G&L J-bass- and you have the money, by all means, have at it. Life is short. Enjoy it all!
The second best all-around bass I ever used was a Pedulla Rapture 4 that I bought used at a pawnshop for ridiculously low money. It was light, well-balanced, easy to play and had lots of good, usable sounds for all the different styles I played. It did everything my old Fender did, but better. It wasn't a boat anchor, it balanced better, and it had a better neck. It was also, IMHO, a much better-looking bass (although it was a lurid shade of green, I bought it on St. Patrick's Day, so I didn't mind -- luck of the Irish and all that). Now I play an MTD Heir with Bartolinis and it's better than the Rapture in terms of comfort, better looking --- a much more traditional looking bass -- and far more sound flexibility.
Fender's original designs set the standard for ...design. They didn't set the standard for quality, timbre, playability, etc, all of which are very personal. The original Fenders were cheap, easy to build and easy to fix, and they could endure lots of abuse. Now you can get a much better-built bass for much less than I paid for my Precision back in 1975, adjusting for inflation, with all of the basic design features. I understand the affection people have for Fenders; I just don't share it.
Fender's original designs set the standard for ...design. They didn't set the standard for quality, timbre, playability, etc, all of which are very personal. The original Fenders were cheap, easy to build and easy to fix, and they could endure lots of abuse. Now you can get a much better-built bass for much less than I paid for my Precision back in 1975, adjusting for inflation, with all of the basic design features. I understand the affection people have for Fenders; I just don't share it.
Each anecdote represents one dissatisfied customer. For people considering buying a new bass who don't have a bias or preconception about what they want, the anecdotes are useful if they're credible.
That’s gorgeous. And painting the headstock means they put the customer first.
in what strange world do you live where the headstock on your bass upsets people ?
Freddie Tavares worked for Leo Fender and was the one who had a keen eye for curves. The classic offset design of the Jazz Bass appears to be largely his work.
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in what strange world do you live where the headstock on your bass upsets people ?
The world of real life, many bassists dislike the headstock shape of G&L basses, and I've received all kinds of comments. People tend to be very vocal about their likes and dislikes. It's all good
If I don't like what I see, I'm not going to like what I hear 
That made more sense before I said it out loud
That made more sense before I said it out loud
Well, Jeff Berlin plays CORT bass guitars, they make Squier guitars for Fender. So indirectly he's playing a Fender bass guitar. Just me, if the build measurements are accurate, it doesn't matter who made the instrument, it's going to play the notes in tune & properly intonated. When Leo Fender left Fender, G&L guitars still were Leo Fender designed. It's a similar story with PRS, when he started PRS, I'm certain everything Gibson that he did was incorporated into PRS.
My bass is a Jackson, Charvel & Jackson are FMIC, that makes it a Fender brand. Same holds with Gretsch. Fender & Gibson seem to have the market locked up, beyond the Chinese & Boutique guitar brands.
My bass is a Jackson, Charvel & Jackson are FMIC, that makes it a Fender brand. Same holds with Gretsch. Fender & Gibson seem to have the market locked up, beyond the Chinese & Boutique guitar brands.
Fenders are mass produced consumer goods, with very limited options. Sometimes, you want something with a color other than white or sunburst, or you want a different wood, or a roasted neck, or stainless frets, or..... At a boutique or custom builder (or even making your own with Warmoth wood), the options are virtually unlimited. And, with some training, you can make a bass (at least at what you are about) that's better than Fender - by focusing on what's important to you.
At McDonald's you get the same burger that billions of people have eaten. But there are chefs that can make something that's quite a bit better, even though it's still meat on bread. And yes, you can, at home make a better burger from ingredients you buy at the grocery store, if you work at it a little.
At McDonald's you get the same burger that billions of people have eaten. But there are chefs that can make something that's quite a bit better, even though it's still meat on bread. And yes, you can, at home make a better burger from ingredients you buy at the grocery store, if you work at it a little.
Buy what you want and can afford, play it and be happy. If you don't want or like xyz then don't buy it, or play it.
Unless of course you are being paid well to play something that doesn't thrill you.
Unless of course you are being paid well to play something that doesn't thrill you.
Jazzy.
Leo should have called it the Spiffy Bass in the interests of even sillier TB debates.
Leo should have called it the Spiffy Bass in the interests of even sillier TB debates.
hmmm .... well I've been a pretty reality-based gigging bassist for many decades in many genres all over the US and I can't even remember anyone commenting on my headstock.
and yes, it's all good my bass playing brother, just never had that experience, and I've had a LOT of experience.
and as long as I am posting in this thread (which I usually don't do on this kind of pretty pointless topic) .... what's with the string of OP's lately who seem to want to comment on the choices of others. Why does the OP care about this subject ... or is it just an opportunity to s**t stir ? the OP's last sentence ... "no SS amp will ever sound like an SVT or Fender or all tube amp" really has the feel of someone just wanting to throw a stink bomb in church.
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well, mine are all pretty spiffy so I'm in for sure if this catches on
you don't really need to get it. If you don't like those instruments, don't play one.
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