As others have said I've owned others, Ric, Lakland, ESP, and always end up selling them. I have a Jazz MIM, CIJ PJ, and most recent an American Special P bass which has become my go to. They just seem to sit well in the mix.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I LOVE/HATE - CAN'T STAND/CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT A FENDER
- Thread starter Gravedigger Dav
- Start date
As others have said I've owned others, Ric, Lakland, ESP, and always end up selling them. I have a Jazz MIM, CIJ PJ, and most recent an American Special P bass which has become my go to. They just seem to sit well in the mix.
I wasn't specifically talking about you or your post. It was meant as a generic comment after reading much of the thread. But, I am in total agreement with you.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.
I have nothing against Fender. They captured a classic bass sound that is still used and mimicked more than any other. I don't currently own any Fenders, but there are a few I would like to have in the future. Personally, I don't put my nose up to any brand. If it sounds good, it is good.....as clique and that phrase is.
That all being said, It seems to me that there are just as many folks showing love and using Fender strictly due to their iconic branding, as there are naysayers whom won't use for similar reasons.
That all being said, It seems to me that there are just as many folks showing love and using Fender strictly due to their iconic branding, as there are naysayers whom won't use for similar reasons.
OMG! When did this happen??There's more than one flag, and bass brand in the world, believe it or not.
I'd have no problem with buying a Fender bass if I'd ever tried one that blew my socks off...problem is, that's never happened. I have played some that were okay, but not so fantastic that I absolutely had to have it, and especially not at the prices they were selling for.
I think it didn't help that as a young guy first getting into music/bass, Fender was, of course, one of *THE* brands that anybody who was serious about playing "had" to have, and when I finally had the opportunity to try one out, it was "Meh...? What's the big deal?" Same thing happened when I tried out a Thunderbird several years ago...it was an Epiphone, but still...one of those iconic models that just did nothing for me, and in fact had the chunkiest, most uncomfortable neck I have ever attempted to play...
I think it didn't help that as a young guy first getting into music/bass, Fender was, of course, one of *THE* brands that anybody who was serious about playing "had" to have, and when I finally had the opportunity to try one out, it was "Meh...? What's the big deal?" Same thing happened when I tried out a Thunderbird several years ago...it was an Epiphone, but still...one of those iconic models that just did nothing for me, and in fact had the chunkiest, most uncomfortable neck I have ever attempted to play...
Last edited:
Love me some SB-2. Wish I had mine back again. I actually could survive without a Fender if I had another.
I like Fender Precisions very much but don't own one. I'm not very fond of carrots but I don't hate them either. None of the poll options apply to me
I have disliked T-birds since about 1964. My guitar player at the time bought a Firebird and kept insisting I get one so we could look cool. I tried one. I haven't picked one up sense.I'd have no problem with buying a Fender bass if I'd ever tried one that blew my socks off...problem is, that's never happened. I have played some that were okay, but not so fantastic that I absolutely had to have it, and especially not at the prices they were selling for.
I think it didn't help that as a young guy first getting into music/bass, Fender was, of course, one of *THE* brands that anybody who was serious about playing "had" to have, and when I finally had the opportunity to try one out, it was "Meh...? What's the big deal?" Same thing happened when I tried out a Thunderbird several years ago...it was an Epiphone, but still...one of those iconic models that just did nothing for me, and in fact had the chunkiest, most uncomfortable neck I have ever attempted to play...
I'd love to own maybe a nice MIM Jazz Bass but right now I got my SX Jazz to work with, and it's doing me just fine.
I love me some Fenders, Ibanez, Warwicks, Yamahas......we live in a free world, I want them all. lol!!!
I think the longevity of Fender basses speak for themselves, there's some variants I don't necessarily care for (ahem, Dimension)..but you have perhaps the most iconic sound when you're talking about bass playing. What I love about Fender basses (well, the classic P and Jazz Bass) are their relative simplicity but effectiveness, no EQ to camouflage the tone, a Fender sound IS THE Fender sound. I love them for that.
I think the longevity of Fender basses speak for themselves, there's some variants I don't necessarily care for (ahem, Dimension)..but you have perhaps the most iconic sound when you're talking about bass playing. What I love about Fender basses (well, the classic P and Jazz Bass) are their relative simplicity but effectiveness, no EQ to camouflage the tone, a Fender sound IS THE Fender sound. I love them for that.
I have heard that exact sentiment from MANY great drummers following auditions or sit ins. So many, that I really have to think twice about taking a non-Fender to an audition.
The OP's IBM analogy hits home with me as I purchased an IBM 5150 computer, their first for home use, for $3000 way back in 1982. IBM was a legacy company just like Fender is now however IBM had a product in its infancy, and they didn't keep up, then they lost their market share to other less conservative computer manufactures. I can't imagine any innovations being done to a P-bass that could make it any better as its minimalism is the P-bass strong suite. The only thing that might remotely scare Fender is someone, either here or offshore, taking the P-bass design and turning out a truly "USA comparable" instrument for 50% less than the current Fender street price. If that occurred Fender would completely move to Mexico and that Corona, California factory would become just another mini-mart gas station . . .
The OP's IBM analogy hits home with me as I purchased an IBM 5150 computer, their first for home use, for $3000 way back in 1982. IBM was a legacy company just like Fender is now however IBM had a product in its infancy, and they didn't keep up, then they lost their market share to other less conservative computer manufactures. I can't imagine any innovations being done to a P-bass that could make it any better as its minimalism is the P-bass strong suite. The only thing that might remotely scare Fender is someone, either here or offshore, taking the P-bass design and turning out a truly "USA comparable" instrument for 50% less than the current Fender street price. If that occurred Fender would completely move to Mexico and that Corona, California factory would become just another mini-mart gas station . . .
bringing back memories. I grew up in the heart of silicone valley and my dad was obsessed with me become a computer engineer (should have listened to him)... I had a TI99, Apple II and IBM "PC XT" 5160... I remember running my "high speed" Hayes 1200 external model to host a "BBS" .. for those that don't know what a BBS is, its' the pre-internet version of a forum like this and a place to download and upload stuff..
I miss when computers were made in the USA with metal chassis!
Heck, this topic again.
Well, I started playing bass in 1970. I started with a red Kalamzoo that was an utter and complete POS, even though I dressed it up by putting a chrome peace sign on the upper horn. LOL, it was the end of the '60's!
My first real bass was a Fender P that I got in 1972 IIRC used for$200. Great bass. There followed a progression of Ric 4001, Dan Armstrong Plexi, and then Alembic. But I recall somewhere in there picking up a black J strung with round wounds in the local resale shop, and having that "the one" impression. But, no big names were working with J's at the time, except maybe Mel Schacher, and I being young and ignorant was bent on playing what the big names were playing.
So, then marriage and grad school happened, and that Alembic was my one and only for quite a while. But, after grad school when we had a little more money, I went looking for that J. And, I found and restored the bass that is in my avatar. Kind of like in fighter flight school that you never leave your wing man; I decided I would never be without a J. If I had to have one bass, that would be it.
Nowadays, I have and gig a Sadowsky a lot. But, the name recognition thing does matter sometimes; so, I also have a J with the Sadowsky onboard preamp. It's my cheater.
Well, I started playing bass in 1970. I started with a red Kalamzoo that was an utter and complete POS, even though I dressed it up by putting a chrome peace sign on the upper horn. LOL, it was the end of the '60's!
My first real bass was a Fender P that I got in 1972 IIRC used for$200. Great bass. There followed a progression of Ric 4001, Dan Armstrong Plexi, and then Alembic. But I recall somewhere in there picking up a black J strung with round wounds in the local resale shop, and having that "the one" impression. But, no big names were working with J's at the time, except maybe Mel Schacher, and I being young and ignorant was bent on playing what the big names were playing.
So, then marriage and grad school happened, and that Alembic was my one and only for quite a while. But, after grad school when we had a little more money, I went looking for that J. And, I found and restored the bass that is in my avatar. Kind of like in fighter flight school that you never leave your wing man; I decided I would never be without a J. If I had to have one bass, that would be it.
Nowadays, I have and gig a Sadowsky a lot. But, the name recognition thing does matter sometimes; so, I also have a J with the Sadowsky onboard preamp. It's my cheater.
