Stigma for not playing Fender

[JimmyM]

Not sure how this is relevant to the topic at hand, or did you just decide you wanted to state your fender fandom? Also a silly mindset, considering there are much better basses out there.

Why do you care what someone else buys?

 

[bucephylus]

Similar to those that consider the Precision Bass the "one bass to rule them all" (and probably justifiably so), I've noticed there's a lot of emphasis in a lot of places that if you aren't playing a Fender, that you don't have "the sound/authenticity" (sorry Gibson).

Example: worship music. You play a Fender Jazz or a Fender P and those are your choices. You show up to a big church with something that's not a Fender and you'll get some looks.
Seems like this is also the sentiment for studio as well. You're using a Fender P, Fender Jazz, or a Fender active 5.

It feels like there's some stigma about the instrument not being legitimate if it's not a Fender. What are your experiences?

Maybe it's just me?
Discuss?

There is very definitely bias among non-bass playing musicians / sound engineers; positively so towards Fender basses and distrustful towards anything else. That’s a fact; and discussing the topic here on TB isn’t about to change or influence that one tiny bit.

So....if you plan on doing a variety of different gigs and doing a bunch of auditions, it is best to have something that says Fender on the headstock AND sounds great.

All of which has absolutely zero to do with whether there are other great sounding non-Fenders out there. But, this is one reason a number of bass players have more than one bass.

Of course, playing skill and knowledge should be the primary aspects in play at auditions etc; but, first impressions can be critical. It’s kind of like when selling a house, it is best to cover the “curb appeal” thing. Why make things difficult for yourself? Being a bass player can involve competitive situations. Isn’t it best to have all your basses covered? (See what I did there?)

My current (and perhaps ultimate) pref instrument is an MTD 534, configured from Mike with a Pope preamp. That instrument does precisely what I have come to prefer for bass guitar tonal characteristics. But, that bass goes to the gig, AFTER the folks I’m working with become acclimated.

Get the gig first, then play it.

 

[luciens]

Since I got my Tony Franklin, I've always wondered if I showed up to a "Fender bass" audition with it. Would I get rejected because it's FL? Even if I said "but it's a Fender Precision. See? says so on the headstock"...

Or would they go ahead and let me audition (and then reject me because of my natural suckage and lack of talent like normal)...

L

 

[Sheldon D.]

Lee do play a Frankenstein fender style bass with P pickup most of the time especially on recording. Sooooo

All of Lee's 5-string parts have been recorded on a Dingwall since 1995. 4-strings parts are split between the Autograph bass and the signature Warwick.

 

[funkmaster p]

I have nothing to contribute to this debate, but that is a beautiful Grabber you have there. I've always wanted one.

 

[MrLenny1]

I get it at Blues jams sometimes when i show up
with a 5 string Active boutique bass.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

Live yes, in recording it is some kind of P with many signature

Very cool!!! You gotta love his Frankenstein bass and it's great to hear the story behind it on how it came to be.

 

[Robscott]

I own a Rickenbacker and am shockingly bad for someone who has played bass (off and on) for over 30 years. I guess I'm ****** if I want to play in a 'worship' group then.

If that's Hornchurch Essex I think you are safe from worship music

 

[DWBass]

In my world and experience....very few cats are playing Fenders in church. Lots of 5-6 strings basses from Ibanez, Ken Smith, MTD and similar basses.

 

[Polkatronixx]

If that's Hornchurch Essex I think you are safe from worship music

I think you'll find it's Hornchurch, east London. Yeah, same place.

Surprisingly more religious than some of the other places I've lived in London. The difference, of course, is the religious people out here are white Britons.

 

[SgtHulka]

Me, in church, this past Sunday. Fretless G&L. Everybody loved it.
View attachment 4034250

I think there are small pockets of that kind of ignorance. But it's not pervasive.

That being said, if your plan is to be a bass player for hire, it would he wise to have an FSO (Fender Shaped Object) in your arsenal. If the ignorance outranks you, you just have to deal with it. It's their way or the highway. If you do x, you get the gig. If you don't do x, you won't be called back.

In this case, x = show up with a Fender bass.

I pictured you as a tall big jovial guy, and instead I got a Gary Sinise body double!

 

[two fingers]

I pictured you as a tall big jovial guy, and instead I got a Gary Sinise body double!

Ha! I'm still pretty jovial!

 

[WI Short Scaler]

I think there's a bigger stigma because I love my Musicmasters, a Fender bass.

Love those "compliments" that are phrased "that sounds pretty good for a Musicmaster."

Whatever, never really heard any stigma attached to Fender or non-Fender, play what you like.

 

[The Bass Clef]

To me, it doesn’t get any more “church” than a 5 string Yamaha, G&L or a Warwick. It’s been a few years since I attended a service honestly, but those are the basses I remember seeing. In fact I don’t think I remember ever seeing a Fender. Maybe different parts of the country?

 

[Yango]

Do musicians get paid for playing in Church/Worship bands?

If it’s a purely unpaid voluntary situation, then my position would be, hey, this is my gear, period. You get absolutely no say about what I choose to play.

 

[Sid Fang]

... However after it was heard the comments stopped.

Exactly my experience gigging my 'berger.

 

[zubrycky]

Interesting thread. Here's a few random thoughts.

I have been playing bass since the early 90s. I never had a Fender and I probably never will have one (Honestly I don't care, I love oddball basses and, besides that, here in Brazil these instruments are very expensive just because of the damn logo on the headstock and I refuse to spend so much money because of a logo when I can spend a lot less and buy an instrument as good as a Fender).

I ain't a Fender hater. I'm just a practical man. Recently I recorded an album with a Fender (A MIM Geedy Lee signature). I use that bass because it had the sound I wanted for that project. Great instrument, sure, but, once again, no GAS.

Besides that, I do have a couple of JBs, a Giannini made in 1980 and an unknown copy. Great basses, both made in Brazil. I don't use them very often but it's good to have options.

I never lost a gig because of this stigma. I've heard stories about that but it never happened to me.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Do musicians get paid for playing in Church/Worship bands?

If it’s a purely unpaid voluntary situation, then my position would be, hey, this is my gear, period. You get absolutely no say about what I choose to play.

I've played in both situations, paid and unpaid.

Never had anyone comment on my gear or choice of bass.

Not sure if that's because of this area of the country or because it was Lutheran. Maybe because I was the only bass player to turn up for either band? Both had been going for some time before I arrived.

The only time anyone made a comment on the gear being used was for the drummer in the 2nd one. He had a nice kit, Tama I believe, but it was LOUD. The minister asked me how much a decent electric kit would cost and I gave him some options. The next week he announced they were going to take up a special collection to purchase an electronic set for the church and raised around $600 in one Sunday.

 

[zontar]

Example: worship music. You play a Fender Jazz or a Fender P and those are your choices. You show up to a big church with something that's not a Fender and you'll get some looks.


It feels like there's some stigma about the instrument not being legitimate if it's not a Fender. What are your experiences?

I play at church (Well did before the pandemic & will again.)
I don't own a Fender bass.
Never got flack
When I started I had an EB3 copy and got some good comments about it.
Then I got my Ibanez SR500F--and the sound guys wanted me to use that.
(I also love playing fretless-so no problem.)

The other two guys who play bass as well play Fenders.
(A P Bass & a PJ)

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Similar to those that consider the Precision Bass the "one bass to rule them all" (and probably justifiably so), I've noticed there's a lot of emphasis in a lot of places that if you aren't playing a Fender, that you don't have "the sound/authenticity" (sorry Gibson).

Example: worship music. You play a Fender Jazz or a Fender P and those are your choices. You show up to a big church with something that's not a Fender and you'll get some looks.
Seems like this is also the sentiment for studio as well. You're using a Fender P, Fender Jazz, or a Fender active 5.

It feels like there's some stigma about the instrument not being legitimate if it's not a Fender. What are your experiences?

Maybe it's just me?
Discuss?

Me? I don't care about convention.
I don't own a fender. And have only owned one, ever .
I play a 5 string Dolphin in a country band.
G&L, home brews.