I LOVE/HATE - CAN'T STAND/CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT A FENDER

[Jigsawjaybus]

One of the things that keeps me on a precision bass is the fact that its a funny shaped piece of wood with some metal and magnets. Its not overly complicated. More than one pick up is lost on me, onboard bells and whistles just aren't my thing. I'd get a jazz bass again in a heart beat if I found the right one and promptly ignore the back pick up. Secondly it was a reaction to a fair percentage of other 'musicians' I'd met that wanted to compare weenie sizes by how much they spent on some complicated piece of engineering. It takes the wind out of some sails when you tell them you're playing a 98 MIM with stock pick ups. I'm keeping up with the Clampetts and for good reasons. My rig is probably a quarter of the cost of others and my stuff isn't as likely to get stolen. Secondly, I can replace anything on my bass down to individual molecules anywhere in the country/world at large. Like wise, I don't care what other people play beyond polite curiosity. Impress me with your chops, not where you shop.

Beyond that, choosing one camp or the other is no different than what lunch table you get to sit at in grade school or for that matter which cave you poop in. Its human nature to square off in tribes. Everyone has good reason to play what they want to, and no one is wrong.

 

[OldCityBassman]

I'm anti anti fender rant.

 

[ryandavid303]

For me, Fender is synonymous with Bass not only for sound but for looks, as well. Personally, I can't stand the way most other basses look... Even some of the ultra-high end, expensive basses are just hideous to me. I know a lot of companies are producing basses with the same or similar designs to the Jazz/P/Jaguar/Mustang basses, and I would probably own/play one of those if I ever came across one that I loved, but for me, right now, my P, J, and Jaguar are all perfect for me for sound, looks, and feel.

 

[gnarlyWarlock]

If the 4000 series didn't exist, the Jazz would be my goto axe.

 

[electracoyote]

I just hooked up with an Elton John tribute act. Time to bust out the white Fender Jazz.

It's funny how many non-musicians recognize that little word on the headstock, and when it's missing or different, they get really disoriented.

 

[tonemachine]

it seems to me there is a lot more anti Fender/anti P sentiment than for any other maker or model. I know why it is.
I remember when IMB was the big dog in the computer world. Everybody hated IBM. They had all sorts of stories going around about how IBM was crap and everything else was super, how they were overpriced, etc. etc. etc. Now, everyone hates Microsoft and I hear the same biased statements about them. It is the old envy problem. Everyone wants to bring the big guy down. Those who hated the big dogs didn't like the fact they are the standard that everyone goes to. It was once a saying that no IT manager ever got fired for choosing IMB.

Fender is and has always been the big dog among bass makers. Like choosing IBM, showing up with a Fender is always acceptable. Fender is better than many makers and, of course, there are some that are better. I don't necessarily mean custom makers. G&L (IMHO) pays more attention to detail and turns out a more consistent product. And this thread is not an argument about the relative quality of builders. It is about unrational, biased attitudes.

So le'ts talk about the quality factor perception. After CBS took over Fender, the Pre CBS instuments were considered the very best and all the CBS stuff was crap that an uncaring corporation foisted on us for an evil profit. Now those instruments are considered valuable collectables and excellent instruments. There have been other periods of the new stuff sucs and the old stuff is great as well.

There have been a lot of advancement in technology and Fender hasn't always been on the leading edge. But again, that is more a matter of what you are looking for. If you are looking for true vintage, you get a Fender Precision, string it with flats and play it through a B-15. That is vintage. As you move from that, it becomes less and less vintage.

It is certainly okay to like other makes even more because they are more suited to a style or preference, but anti-Fender fervor is irrational and unbiased.

Most definitely probably maybe.

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

Not all basses are created equal, but some basses are more equal than others. Due to a multitude of variables, occasionally special basses happen. To the naked eye, every dimention ; weight, length, and woods used are the same. But we know different. Some basses are the hammer of Thor, and as such demand respect. Despite it's name, the Precision is anything but, it's a force of nature taking on all comers. Subtleties are not it's strong point. Are they all like this? No. But enough to establish the legend. Being a pioneer counts for alot. Thanks, Leo.

 

[FretNoMore]

Geez...how can you hate on Fender!

It's like hating your mom, apple pie and the flag!

There's more than one flag, and bass brand in the world, believe it or not.

 

[higain617]

I like Fender's basses well enough, but I don't really understand their business practices. They offer multiple competing low-end models, effectively cannibalizing their market. Gibson corporate takes a lot of (deserved) criticism on this board, but Fender seems absolved from it.

 

[Nephilymbass]

The two custom shops are not even comparable. Fender's Custom Shop will do literally anything you want. Ernie Ball's Custom Shop will tell you to **** yourself and buy something off the rack.

Fender Custom Shop prices are also not out-of-line with their competitors. Go price out a Sadowsky if you do not believe me.

I got a made to order musicman a few years back took about 4 months to get it but I only paid about $2100 and got zero attitude from this folks. Believe what you will

 

[MattyH]

I only had fenders for a while. I loved them and still do. I'll take my 62 AVRI to the grave. But Laklands do it better for me. MUCH better.

 

[SirMjac28]

Yes,No,No

 

[Snaxster]

How about I love/hate3 - Can't Stand/Can't Live without my Ford F150?
It is surprising how misunderstood the intent of the post is. It really is about attitudes and preferences, not what you like or don't like and whether anyone should flame me for posing the question.
But, your point is valid. And, now I feel worthless because you are one Fender Amp ahead of me.

Even in person, conversing face to face, personal intent can be hard to convey. On the internet, it's much harder.

Please know that flaming or critiquing your post was in no way my intention. On the contrary, I was responding to an aspect of what I read in your comments. I said what I did in solidarity with you. *big hug*

Also, I meant it about Fender basses: they are not homogeneous, not even within given years of production. You have to find a good one.

 

[ldryder]

I started with a brand new 1965 Jazz Bass and never owned anything other than a Fender until recently. Because I wanted more versatility than an American Standard Jazz bass or American Deluxe Jazz bass could provide to me, I added a Lakland 44-14. I still have an American Standard Precision Bass and an American Vintage '63 Precision Bass.

 

[joel406]

I played Rics for years. Had a couple of custom builds. Dumped it all for a Fender.

Never been happier.

 

[mellowinman]

Love them. I do not consider them "superior" to other makes; they just tend to work for me. I prefer to buy/try Fender than brands that make the exact same model of bass. My next bass will be a P-Bass, and if it isn't a Fender, it will be a Squier.

 

[Baird6869]

I prefer active 5ers, but still own and play 4 Fenders and 3 Squiers.

 

[Gaolee]

I like Fender's basses well enough, but I don't really understand their business practices. They offer multiple competing low-end models, effectively cannibalizing their market. Gibson corporate takes a lot of (deserved) criticism on this board, but Fender seems absolved from it.

Rickenbacker seems to get more abuse for their corporate practices than Fender. Fender and Gibson are both traded companies with hired gun CEOs. Rickenbacker is a personal fiefdom, so it gets run differently from the others. Fender and Gibson both have business practices that make a certain amount of sense if you think of them as publicly traded companies. Rickenbacker takes on the quirks of its owner/operator in a way the other two don't.

Back to our regularly scheduled spat - if you have a Fender P, you are walking in the light of truth and joy. If you have a Fender J, you have aligned yourself with the Prince of Darkness, Lucas Electrics, and the gremlins that make the magic smoke escape from copper colored electrical magic smoke tubes.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I love your sig line!!

Thanks!

 

[Nobody]

Fenders are iconic and cool. They put out great instruments. What is annoying is the Fender fans that try to make these instruments out to be more than they are and bash all other brands.