I NEED HELP... GIBSON vs FENDER

[Barkless Dog]

Suzi

Martin Turner - Wishbone ash

For everyone picture here, there are probably 100 Fender players and most here use Fenders, but you can't dismiss Gibson, although it is very much a minority bass. These players did not play them if they felt them to be inferior, but because of their unique sound they offer.

 

[Flintc]

Try out a Tobias Killer B while you're at it. Gibson makes them, but nonetheless most of them are worth what you're looking at spending.

 

[MtManiac]

Sometimes all you see is what you want to or look for - Me too!

9 pictures does not make Gibson an iconic brand, I think I remember one time seeing someone famous playing a flying V bass, and I've seen one or two playing Explorers too, and I recall the bass player on Alice Cooper's Love it To Death album had an EB0 in his hands (is that the real name for the SG model?). So what... I'm not about to post the millions of pictures showing famous people playing Fender basses.

Again, I'm not saying anything about Gibson quality or tonal pallette - I've never, ever played one and have never had the desire to try one out, unlike many "lesser" brands such as Yamaha, Peavey, etc. - I'm just taking issue with the iconic label.

 

[MtManiac]

I've never, ever played one and have never had the desire to try one out...

Correction, I've always thought the Explorer shape was very cool, and would take one in a heartbeat if someone gave it to me.

 

[Parabolic Box]

Correction, I've always thought the Explorer shape was very cool, and would take one in a heartbeat if someone gave it to me.

Though an Alembic Exploiter/Spyder would be way cooler.

 

[MtManiac]

Though an Alembic Exploiter/Spyder would be way cooler.

Is that the one shaped like an Explorer that JE played?

 

[Parabolic Box]

Is that the one shaped like an Explorer that JE played?

Yup. But you pretty much have to sell your car to afford one. =/

 

[MtManiac]

Yup. But you pretty much have to sell your car to afford one. =/

Well, maybe more than that - I drive a Ford.

 

[Connor]

fender, unquestionable... unless you want to throw in G&L

 

[lowendblues]

Get yourself a Fender Jazz bass and with the change pick up an Epiphone T-bird.

 

[chrism2sych]

almost sure your no longer reading but can't help myself anyways


FENDER

 

[ishouldbeking]

Clearly this thread isn't really about the original post anymore, but to attempt to return it to the original question: I think from reading the OP's posts throughout this thread it's safe to say that he likes the look of "classic" or possibly "vintage-inspired" basses, since the two basses he's trying to choose between are Fender and Gibson. He mentioned that he likes the styling of Gibsons more than Fender, etc, etc. So to all those who keep recommending him random basses that are clearly not to the OP's taste (such as Warwick), or suggesting Sadowsky purely because it's in his price range, you might wanna keep in mind what the guy is actually looking for... which sounds like a relatively versatile passive bass with a vintage look (probably with a pickguard, probably not made out of bubinga).

For versatility sake I'd say get a Jazz bass that "speaks" to you, but don't be afraid to try out the Gibsons that you like the look of... there are some pretty sweet Thunderbirds out there and I also happen to be a big fan of the styling of the SG's. Any guitar center worth its salt ought to have at least one or two gibson basses in stock, so again, i say try before you buy.