• 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.

New Fender convert here!

D

-db

May 18, 2010
17
0
#1
So I had my eyes on fancy Ibanez 5ers. That is, until I spent a couple hours at sam ash today. I was getting a bit disappointed that I keep really liking expensive instruments, and then I decided to walk over and pick up a Squier Vintage Modified P-Bass that was priced at $300.... and my whole world changed. I loved the extreme simplicity of the bass: 4 strings, maple neck, simple string-thru bridge, neck pickup, volume, tone. That was it. I think my favorite thing about it was that when I plugged it in to an amp, I was hearing the whole instrument itself, versus what happens when you plug in a Ibanez where you're basically hearing the fancy active preamp with the 3-band EQ and mid frequency select switch and the bartolini pickups. Something sort of gets lost in that whole confusion if you ask me.


Screw fancy pickups and preamps. Screw all the modern day gimmicks. I'm getting a Fender asap.
 
#2
I had this same revelation about 9 or 10 years ago and started playing J basses. Haven't looked back. However, don't rule out other basses entirely. As much as like the J's I know they're not the alpha and omega of basses. But they do work well for what I do nearly all of the time. I've thought about buying a 6 string and the only one that Fender makes is a bit to rich for my blood. So, their is always exceptions.
 
#5
queevil said:
I had this same revelation about 9 or 10 years ago and started playing J basses. Haven't looked back. However, don't rule out other basses entirely. As much as like the J's I know they're not the alpha and omega of basses. But they do work well for what I do nearly all of the time. I've thought about buying a 6 string and the only one that Fender makes is a bit to rich for my blood. So, their is always exceptions.
Click to expand...

Quite right. I'm going to wait a little bit before buying one. I still want to get a new amp first (I have my sights set on the Acoustic B100). Also, It's actually a toss up between the aforementioned bass and a J-bass, which is actually the same price.
 
#6
-db said:
Screw fancy pickups and preamps. Screw all the modern day gimmicks. I'm getting a Fender asap.
Click to expand...

That's crazy talk! Fenders are SO "modern"! Who want's any of the Johnny-come-Lately crap? An upright is the ONLY "real" bass!

No preamps, no pickups, no amps, no speakers, no Electricity! Nothing but you, your hands and some wood to make bass sounds!

Now THAT is the way to protect your precious bodily fluids!
 
#7
bassbenj said:
That's crazy talk! Fenders are SO "modern"! Who want's any of the Johnny-come-Lately crap? An upright is the ONLY "real" bass!

No preamps, no pickups, no amps, no speakers, no Electricity! Nothing but you, your hands and some wood to make bass sounds!

Now THAT is the way to protect your precious bodily fluids!
Click to expand...


Clearly, anything besides an upright bass is just a communist preversion.
 
#8
IMO, Fenders are pretty modern day basses lol. Some of their basses have Active Pups and pre-amps just like Ibanez basses do. Also, I don't find having a pre-amp to be a confusing or "not hearing the whole bass itself". Having a pre-amp to me is just having a more versitle sounding bass. But hey! whatever floats your boat man. Congratz. You woulda liked that Ibanez neck though =p
 
#10
bassbenj said:
That's crazy talk! Fenders are SO "modern"! Who want's any of the Johnny-come-Lately crap? An upright is the ONLY "real" bass!

No preamps, no pickups, no amps, no speakers, no Electricity! Nothing but you, your hands and some wood to make bass sounds!

Now THAT is the way to protect your precious bodily fluids!
Click to expand...

Word! Amen, brotha! Can't beat it! Still love me jazz basses, though!
 
#12
-db said:
So I had my eyes on fancy Ibanez 5ers. That is, until I spent a couple hours at sam ash today. I was getting a bit disappointed that I keep really liking expensive instruments, and then I decided to walk over and pick up a Squier Vintage Modified P-Bass that was priced at $300.... and my whole world changed. I loved the extreme simplicity of the bass: 4 strings, maple neck, simple string-thru bridge, neck pickup, volume, tone. That was it. I think my favorite thing about it was that when I plugged it in to an amp, I was hearing the whole instrument itself, versus what happens when you plug in a Ibanez where you're basically hearing the fancy active preamp with the 3-band EQ and mid frequency select switch and the bartolini pickups. Something sort of gets lost in that whole confusion if you ask me.


Screw fancy pickups and preamps. Screw all the modern day gimmicks. I'm getting a Fender asap.
Click to expand...

Funny,

I was at a Sam Ash when I played around with a Squier CV 50's P Bass. Got rid of my Ibanez SR605 and bought the Squier the very next day.
 
#14
I've been playing Ibanez for many years, SR500, SR655pb, SR505's one which I still own. I have been waiting for a pbass to show up on Craigslist for the right price just so I could mess with it. Ended up buying a MIM pbass for 150 bucks and this thing simply rocks. I love it! I have had a few Jazz basses in the past but never liked the huge bodies but the pbass is a bit smaller and a better fit for me.

Now if Fender made a 5-string Pbass that is none american made so I could actually afford one.

Always wanting more :)
 
#15
i like em both. to me it's much more about the strings and setup and technique than name/preamp/"organic" tone. good bass is a good bass.it's so nice that we have zillions of basses to chose form :)
but if i'd have to pick a single bass for the rest of my life it would be.fender.yes sir! can't go wrong with that.
 
#19
This seems to be a theme that comes in waves. Ive always played Fender, and always will. My Pbass can hold its own against any Sadowsky Ive ever played. Now, to others, that might not be true, but it works for me.


Fender is the shiz.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back