Stigma for not playing Fender

[Miles_ONeal]

Never got any guff or side eye for not bringing a Fender. But I do still get comments and side eye for my pedal board.

Not enough Fender pedals!

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I'm an atheist. I only go to church when I'm subbing for a friend (a church-going keys player). Although I play a Fender now, I never got any grief when I previously turned up with an Ibanez SR. If anyone had, I'd have turned up with one of these:


Schecter Hellraiser
View attachment 4034457

Ampeg Devil Bass
View attachment 4034458

or this "pentagram" shaped model
View attachment 4034459

Those are awesome! That last one reminds me of Bootsy.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Never experienced what you suggest. I play at a large church and fill in at several and never any ill looks at, or words about my laklands other than how good they sound. I think you have preconceived notions based on your post.
Goodluck.

Or he just runs in different circles. I've experienced some weird attitudes in some churches. (The church we've been in for close to 10 years is awesome.)

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Who is saying this? Are you hearing it or thinking it?

Really!

if you show up at a Spring outdoor wedding reception with an AC/DC wifebeater and holey jeans, it’s not the bass.

But you *can* show up in those at my church. One of the pastors preaches and plays guitar and bass in holey jeans, and no one would care if he wore that shirt.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I've not been "dinged" on Fender, but I had a worship leader tell me one time that I needed a 5-string active bass (rather than the 1965 Hagstrom I was using at the time). I said I'd play it if HE bought it. End of discussion.

What happened to the Hagstrom?

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Does playing in a P+W band really pay that well that people can afford to give attitude? I wouldn't have thought so, but I've never attended a church that had any sort of band so I'm ignorant on the subject....

Some large churches pay well. I know a guy who makes half his income playing 5 services every Sunday between two megachurches.

 

[GreyEagle]

I play every Sunday since about 1976. Haven't used one of my Fenders for about 5 years.

The only complaint I get is that a couple basses are a little too aggressive, (my EBMM 4h) . I have to agree, I just never got it dialed in for the brighter tone. A little to clanky when I dig in. It was fine when I give it more bottom.

As for Studio, I've gotten some of the best compliments from "good" producers when I've used something that was able to give a broad spectrum of tones that they could work with. Only once did I bother to bring a Jazz bass. I knew they'd have plenty of basses there to choose from if I needed it.... I didn't.

For live gigs... for years I got "oh... it's another Peavey" from the bands... I just brush it off.

Worked for years using a Foundation, then later a Grind & a Millennium. I've used the Foundation in several studios as well w/o any problems or negative feedback (not so with my Gibson Victory Artist; unfixable intonation probs & the preamp amplified the roundwounds' string noise). Never played the snobbery game; can't afford to! The only times I've ever been asked about a P-bass was from our guitarist; but he was just curious since he's seen P-basses in the hands of just about all the classics. I NEVER was a P-bass player, but that's just a personal choice/preference.

 

[MrNige]

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?

Ì have had that happen turning up to a Blues gig and oddly enough to a session, the answer of course is a G&L L 2000. You can get a P bass and a Jazz and any bass sound anyone could ever want and once the name is explained to those not familiar your in.

 

[Lee Kirkham]

Talk about getting looks in church? Try showing up with a Gene Simmons Punisher bass...oh yeah.

 

[Drifter8230]

Talk about getting looks in church? Try showing up with a Gene Simmons Punisher bass...oh yeah.

I used to bring my BC Rich Warlock bass to high school concert bands recitals

 

[BassmonkeyJ]

My church is smaller I guess, but I've been rocking my Spector Euro for over 5 years. Nothing but compliments on the sound. Played a G&L before that.

Nice bass, my friend. I've been rocking a Spector Euro 5 in a non denominational context \,,/

 

[BassmonkeyJ]

As a matter of fact, that particular Explorer bass more than likely says "Hondo", "Arbor", or "Force 10" on the headstock

....and I agree with you.

Hahaha, my first bass was a red Hondo p copy.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I love my Spectors, MM's, EBMM's, Aria's, and a ton of others. But...

Just PLAY!!!

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Or...
You can show up with one of these...

 

[MrNige]

Or...
You can show up with one of these...
View attachment 4048808

If you intend to turn up with something that's appears as scary as that you better have some serious chops up your sleeve.

 

[Stinsok]

I used to play with people that thought I should only play Fender basses. I once brought a beautiful Jackson p/j to practice. I guess the pointy headstock made it sound bad. The drummer mentioned he didn't care for the way it sounded. He never heard a single note that was played when he wasn't wearing ear phones.