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I NEED HELP... GIBSON vs FENDER

#21
$2000? Used Sadowsky Metro. It will do a Fender Jazz, more modern sounding basses and an ok Precision.

Other than that? Fender. UNLESS you only play 60-70's rock and maybe blues and never plan to slap. Then consider Fender.

I love Gibson basses and have owned an SG RI, G3, Ripper and a Tbird. They are not very versitile to say the least.
 
#22
If you're gonna drop that much cash I'd go play everything out there until you have a pretty good idea of what you really want, and what feels right. Factor in: how it feels in your hands, how it sounds, which models you connect with visually/aesthetically (people say it's not important, but you ought to like the way your instrument looks... that's why they make more than one color)... only then, when you've got a really good handle on all of those things, should you take other people's opinions into consideration. If you're stuck deciding between two different particular models of P-bass or something, or between a Thunderbird and a Thunderbird Studio, then you can take people's opinions of durability, quality control, resale value, and all that stuff. Broad questions like this will lead to too many answers for you to glean any useful information from. I happen to like the way Fenders play a little bit more, but I prefer the way Gibsons look... go figure. I also own a Stingray, which is built better than most fenders and probably all gibsons, but it sounds completely different...
 
#23
Yah man i agree with you, it is a broad question, and i feel the same as you, i feel fender has a better sound but gibson makes better looking bass's, to be honest ive only played epiphones cause a ot of music shops around me or just in general dont really carry gibson bass's, so ive never acutally heard one, fenders sound great. I think i have to get out there and play everything possible, but i want whatever i decide on to be a good looking bass, and thats the hard part finding the perfect sound and look in one, usually its either on or the other, like the SG reissue, Such a good looking bass but
i hear its not too versitile and i played the epiphone version and i wasnt to impressed. thanks for the advice
 
#25
I had a Gibson LP that sounded fine, but that's just it, fine. I could never get the action where I wanted it and the neck felt like I was playing a tree trunk. I eventually went for a Fender American Jazz (for which you have plenty of bank) and haven't looked back. The t-bird is the only Gibson I would consider, but with either of them play a few before you pick yours. One will speak to you so take your time. I have to constantly say this to myself, but "just because you have the money doesn't mean you have to spend it this second." Enjoy the search.
 
#28
stones18 said:
I want to buy a new bass im looking to spend between 1500 - 2000 , its either gonna be fender or gibson, that i know for sure but i dont know. Ive played a couple fenders and they sound F-ing great but stores rarely carry gibson bass's so ive only got to play epiphones and of course an epiphone is not a gibson, so i still can't compare gibson to fender really. I wanted an SG in the beginning but as more time goes on im not sure about that short F-ing scale, its so little, the les paul bass looks good ive read some decent reveiws on it, but ive never heard an actuall gibson bass. Fender ive got nothing but good things to say about thyere bass's but gibson i dont know. so my question to you is who makes a better bass ,when it comes to blues, rock&roll and ect, overal$l what bass should i be buying
Click to expand...

Do yourself a favor and buy a Lakland or Sadowsky bass, you can thank me later. :D
 
#30
Baird6869 said:
$2000? Used Sadowsky Metro. It will do a Fender Jazz, more modern sounding basses and an ok Precision.

Other than that? Fender. UNLESS you only play 60-70's rock and maybe blues and never plan to slap. Then consider Fender.

I love Gibson basses and have owned an SG RI, G3, Ripper and a Tbird. They are not very versitile to say the least.
Click to expand...



get the sadowsky in a P/J set-up and yor set!
 
#31
I love both of my Gibson's (T-Bird & LP Standard). They both cover a lot of musical ground for me (your mileage may very). I've never been a huge Fender fan, and in general could never understand the appeal of the Jazz )other than the neck). Having said that...I do love a Fender P bass, or actually any well made P bass (Lull, Lakland, etc). You have a nice chunk of change to deal with so you really have a lot of other basses you should try out and not limit yourself to those 2 brands.
 
#32
Easy
Gibson= Better guitars, horrible (seriously) basses
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I guess M'Shel really did not know what she was doing playing that Gibson Lp all those years.

Jack Bruce, Entwistle, Mike Watt, Steve Swallow & Chris Squire - they all did not know it either.


Good thing you clued us all in Bright one!
 
#33
stones18 said:
Yah man i agree with you, it is a broad question, and i feel the same as you, i feel fender has a better sound but gibson makes better looking bass's, to be honest ive only played epiphones cause a ot of music shops around me or just in general dont really carry gibson bass's, so ive never acutally heard one, fenders sound great. I think i have to get out there and play everything possible, but i want whatever i decide on to be a good looking bass, and thats the hard part finding the perfect sound and look in one, usually its either on or the other, like the SG reissue, Such a good looking bass but
i hear its not too versitile and i played the epiphone version and i wasnt to impressed. thanks for the advice
Click to expand...

if you think fenders sound great, you better stick with them. gibsons don't sound anything like fenders. that's not a bad thing, just the truth. I like the way my gibsons sound so I'm happy with them. as far as being versitile, I've never had any problems getting any of my gibson basses to sound like a bass.
 
#34
A fender jazz is what you need. And get it used, and don't spend anywhere near what you originally stated. then take it to a lutheri and spend about 35 bucks not including strings getting it set up.

That is seriously the best advice anyone can give you. Cause honestly, you are talking about wanting a Gibson based on shopping with your eyes, not your hands or your ears. That is dangerous thinking, if you want examples of how dangerous many of us can point you to stories on this site alone.

Most people don't want a fender because everybody else wants a fender. Most of the just mentioned people are not real long term and intense players, and most of the people who end up long term and playing a lot do reconsider their stance on Fenders and then eventually own one.

a) I said most
b) I am pretty sure given the use of the term 'most', that statement can be easily shown.
c) Fender is a tool of the pros.
 
#36
stones18 said:
I want to buy a new bass im looking to spend between 1500 - 2000 , its either gonna be fender or gibson...
Click to expand...

Both world class instruments at that price point. I started on a P-Bass and was total Fender devotee. Now, my main bass is a Gibson SG and a RIC of course.

If you like the looks the Gibby will do the work and forget about the short scale it rules. Go with Gibson vs. the Fender IMO:bassist:

GibsonSG.jpg
 
#40
ishouldbeking said:
If you're gonna drop that much cash I'd go play everything out there until you have a pretty good idea of what you really want, and what feels right.
Click to expand...

Exactly. I can't understand pay this:

I want to buy a new bass im looking to spend between 1500 - 2000
Click to expand...

and you've never even tried a single bass they make (Gibsons).

I'm not a fan of Gibson basses in general but I've only tried a couple (Ripper, Grabber. Hated them.) I'd like to try out the Gibson RD Artist and Victory models. The SG types don't appeal to me at all, for some reason (although I like the SG guitars!!!)
 

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