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Stigma for not playing Fender

#222
dwagner said:
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?
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I’ve been playing church music for nearly 20 years. Nobody has ever questioned the brand of instrument I show up with, and I’ve had (and still have) quite a variety

it’s more about showing up on time ready to play & having a positive attitude
 
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#225
two fingers said:
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.
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Fender shaped object check.
15982947922554597183271324767590.jpg
 
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#226
dwagner said:
. . . . . . It feels like there's some stigma about the instrument not being legitimate if it's not a Fender.
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I don't know how it's done in worship situations, but I've never experienced this in my musical "career". I know several professional players who don't use Fender basses. They are amazing musicians and people are queueing up to use them. If you are a good player I would expect you to get the gig, then be trusted to bring the gear that will get the job done. I know it doesn't always work like that. We all run into control freaks, but then your judgement has to be, "Do I really want to do this?" As long as you are governed by your choices, not the choices of others, you'll be OK.
 
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#227
chris_b said:
I don't know how it's done in worship situations, but I've never experienced this in my musical "career". I know several professional players who don't use Fender basses. They are amazing musicians and people are queueing up to use them. If you are a good player I would expect you to get the gig, then be trusted to bring the gear that will get the job done. I know it doesn't always work like that. We all run into control freaks, but then your judgement has to be, "Do I really want to do this?" As long as you are governed by your choices, not the choices of others, you'll be OK.
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I’ll add to that if any band situation (church or otherwise) is going to judge me by the name on the headstock of ny bass...I realistically don’t want to play with them anyway.

They are obviously going to be type A OCD control issues at hand that aren't worth the headache.
 
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#232
It did happen to Anthony Jackson.
From the 2008 Bass Player Magazine interview with Chris Jisi.
Pg 32.
https://www.melvinleedavis.com/images/Contrabass Conception.pdf

"Nevertheless, in the fall of 1982, I took a big chance and retired the Fender, choosing to use only my contrabass guitar. For the most part, I didn’t have any problems because I had alreadyestablished a reputation as a serious and respected bass guitarist. Still, some were uneasy when I pulled out the 6 in the studio. One of the most negative comments got back to me second-hand:“You tell Anthony Jackson if he wants to bring his ‘science experiment,’ then let him book his own sessions. I want to see the Fender!”
 
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#233
Watchootognbout said:
“You tell Anthony Jackson if he wants to bring his ‘science experiment,’ then let him book his own sessions. I want to see the Fender!”
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"Never mind that we have one of the best bass players in the world on this session, I know what makes him sound good, better than he does!" These blinkered idiots are in every business and walk of life. I notice the guy didn't have the nerve to talk to AJ himself!!
 
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#238
Geri O said:
Fixed another one!

Man, I’m on a roll tonight!...:eyebrow:
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Nothing apparently about it.
I stand by my words. :)

My first bass ever was a Fender & I still have it, although its not my first go-to bass anymore for what I generally play.

Have 3 others that are legacy of Leo’s later works after selling off the Fender trademark. One of the G&L’s is old enough and early in the formative years of G&L that its likely that Leo himself had his hands on it at some point.
 
#240
chris_b said:
"Never mind that we have one of the best bass players in the world on this session, I know what makes him sound good, better than he does!" These blinkered idiots are in every business and walk of life. I notice the guy didn't have the nerve to talk to AJ himself!!
Click to expand...
Meanwhile, I think even AJ himself said that the first "science experiment" he had built wasn't very good.
 
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