Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
Stigma for not playing Fender
- Thread starter dwagner
- Start date
Only when the guy couldn't figure out why an active bass would have a hotter signal. Made me play some random p sitting around. But this was a very long time ago. Can't imagine this being a problem with modern recording setups. But the MM 'Ray mystified the guy with its clipping. Oops!
D
I wish people would listen with their ears rather than with their eyes.
Personally I respect musicians who proudly use a cheap bass or anything that stands out from the crowd. It's much more of a personal statement than using the same old Fenders that are highly overrated anyway (please note I didn't say "bad" but "overrated", I love a good Fender but also think the USA models are hideously overpriced for the level of QC/craftsmanship you get).
I did a blind test with a small group of friends a couple of months ago, all of them pro or semi-pro musicians and/or audio engineers for over 30 years. I had recorded the same track using a Fender American Original 60s Jazz Bass and a Harley Benton JB-75 (both basses 100% stock except that I had shielded the HB with copper foil). The recordings were level matched but the basses had different strings so it was hardly a scientific test (both had somewhat similar sounding flats though, Optimas on the Fender and Pyramids on the HB).
They listened to the clips both with the bass soloed and in the context of a mix. No-one really preferred one over the other. When they were pushed to make a choice the Harley Benton won 6-1.
Like I said: Hardly a scientific test but still...
Is the Fender decal on the headstock worth the extra $1800? Certainly not in this case. Cheap basses have gotten so good these days that if you know what to look for (which is important because there ARE still some pretty bad ones out there) you can get a really, REALLY good instrument for very cheap.
I should probably add that the reason I did this blind test was because I was so shocked at how good the Harley Benton JB-75 was (it not only sounds great but plays/feels great too). Not all cheap instruments are as good as this one of course. In fact, I've also got a Harley Benton PB-20 which is probably the worst bass I've ever owned.
But if you know what to look for there's not really any GOOD reasons to buy an overpriced MIA Fender these days. Lots of BAD reasons though (and I'm probably guiltly of them all, lol).
Personally I respect musicians who proudly use a cheap bass or anything that stands out from the crowd. It's much more of a personal statement than using the same old Fenders that are highly overrated anyway (please note I didn't say "bad" but "overrated", I love a good Fender but also think the USA models are hideously overpriced for the level of QC/craftsmanship you get).
I did a blind test with a small group of friends a couple of months ago, all of them pro or semi-pro musicians and/or audio engineers for over 30 years. I had recorded the same track using a Fender American Original 60s Jazz Bass and a Harley Benton JB-75 (both basses 100% stock except that I had shielded the HB with copper foil). The recordings were level matched but the basses had different strings so it was hardly a scientific test (both had somewhat similar sounding flats though, Optimas on the Fender and Pyramids on the HB).
They listened to the clips both with the bass soloed and in the context of a mix. No-one really preferred one over the other. When they were pushed to make a choice the Harley Benton won 6-1.
Like I said: Hardly a scientific test but still...
Is the Fender decal on the headstock worth the extra $1800? Certainly not in this case. Cheap basses have gotten so good these days that if you know what to look for (which is important because there ARE still some pretty bad ones out there) you can get a really, REALLY good instrument for very cheap.
I should probably add that the reason I did this blind test was because I was so shocked at how good the Harley Benton JB-75 was (it not only sounds great but plays/feels great too). Not all cheap instruments are as good as this one of course. In fact, I've also got a Harley Benton PB-20 which is probably the worst bass I've ever owned.
But if you know what to look for there's not really any GOOD reasons to buy an overpriced MIA Fender these days. Lots of BAD reasons though (and I'm probably guiltly of them all, lol).
Probably this.IME: it's a myth, perpetuated here for entertainment purposes. has nothing to do with real life, playing gigs, making money, yada yada.
yep.
you may need to get out more! good luck!
Better yet, tattoo that on your forehead to definitely prevent any judgmental looks or comments.
I recall reading an interview with Jeff Healey (sorry, can't find it online) in which he was asked why he chose to play a Squier over a Fender, and he replied "I can't see the name on the headstock."
When I was an active musician it was more like "Oh no, not a boring Fender again ... don't you have something more original?" 
I prefer to think of it as getting my retaliation in first.You like to provoke, don't you?
It can seem that way, Fender has a large dedicated following which is a significant part of the market, a long history of their products used by many name players on a lot of records.
I have played a lot of Fenders over the years, I have never been impressed enough to buy one though, but it may happen one day. My favourite Fenders are the Rhodes and the Bass VI, I am also quite fond of the Jazzmaster (especially in the Dark Night colour and the expanded tonal options of the new line).
Their appeal to each individual depends on the goals of the individual.
What I find interesting is now that there are far more brands available, a majority of the more advanced name players don't primarily play Fenders, those that have gained prominence by being part of an ensemble seem to endorse Fender.
I wonder how that will influence the market and recommendations 20 years from now.
I have played a lot of Fenders over the years, I have never been impressed enough to buy one though, but it may happen one day. My favourite Fenders are the Rhodes and the Bass VI, I am also quite fond of the Jazzmaster (especially in the Dark Night colour and the expanded tonal options of the new line).
Their appeal to each individual depends on the goals of the individual.
What I find interesting is now that there are far more brands available, a majority of the more advanced name players don't primarily play Fenders, those that have gained prominence by being part of an ensemble seem to endorse Fender.
I wonder how that will influence the market and recommendations 20 years from now.
Last edited:
i haven't played in a church/worship situation, but i used to audition with a custom boutique bass no one ever heard of, a $179 yamaha or a kinda advanced squier P bass, and got offered the spot in many bands; no band member ever demanded i played a fender or asked why i wasn't playing one, although one guy did ask if i owned a fender, but he was just interested. no audience member ever said to me"hey, why aren't you playing a fender?", either.
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.
Goodluck.
Largely ignorance. I've been called out for showing up to places with one my Alembic Series basses and had been asked to bring my jazz the next time. Whatever. People are just weird.
Is it really a thing?
I can't say that I've notice anybody really caring about which bass I use. Sure, from time to time I've had chats about it, but the vast majority of people (including bandmates) don't care, as long as it sounds good.
Sure, I had a drunk guy telling me how my 'little bass' sounds okay but he used to play a Fender in his youth (he paused, presumably so that I could express my admiration).
My 'little bass' was a Stingray, but nevermind
Who cares, really?
Every one, out there, is unique, with his most liked tone. Yes, some how is turned that Fender and all the model copies rules the people choice, but still there are a lot out there who choose somethif differ - better, at their minds. Me my self - yes there where years i played a good Fender j-bass - Jaco tribute and was totally happy, but then i found that Ibanez GWB1005 and nothing in this world is no able to take it away and say that Fender is better. I found my dream bass and will play it till death and that is nor Fender nor Fender copy.
