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To Me, Fender Is.......

... a historical factor in the evolution of modern music.

What he^ said.

Any design which lets me buy some mis-matched bits unseen, screw them together, solder a few wires, and produce a musical instrument capable of sounding good, staying in tune, and with the same intonation either end of the neck has to be a winner!
This is a strat knock-off you understand, not a bass, but the concept is the same. I even used some Fender parts (well, Fender/Squier).

With his modular system Leo Fender produced a 20th Century design classic right up there with the E-Type Jaguar.
 
Exactly! When I hear the proverbial 'you have to play 12 basses to find one good one comment..I think that people equate a poor setup with a bad bass. When I buy new, I require the shop to allow me to try setting up a bass to my taste before I will buy it. Usually, I can get it in the ballpark and the last 2 Fenders I bought new setup like champs. Prior to my setup however, they played really bad.

Agree! Same with the people who swear that the cheapest Squire is better than the most expensive custom Fenders. They must be bassing this on set up, that or they sell different Fenders where they live.

Judging a bass without a proper setup is like going into a shoe store and trying on a pair of shoes without lacing them up, of course its not going to fit.
 
Boring. I know it is pretty much the original, but that doesn't mean it is still the best choice. It's already been said, but again I don't drive a Model T because there's a lot more modern options available. I hope Fender guys don't too peeved. You did ask for our opinions, so you know they are going to vary. Don't expect a choir of Fender true believers.
 
Job security.

When I pull out my Fender 3TS AVRI '62 P-Bass at a session or gig people know what they're going to get and it sets them at ease. It's become a calling card of sorts for me.

Link Removed

I don't want to put people "at ease" as a musician. If you're not pushing the boundaries like Cream, why plug in at all? That's probably why I don't make money at it, but I get to keep my integrity.

Being boring is worse than being terrible. At least terrible players get noticed. Bass players are still fighting the stigma that we have to be invisible to be good. Stand out. Go Billy Sheehan for minute. It feels good.

To my ear, bands like Aerosmith are the absolute worst. They play exactly what you expect, cliche rock without taking any chances. They are the wedding band of the rock world.
 
Still a necessity in my arsenal but no longer the desire of my dreams or even exciting to me. I think they flooded the market to the point that I just suffer from over exposure and I am afraid I feel much the same way about EBMM. I personally wish makers would stick to the classic designs that brought them to the dance and not feel the need to make a product for every price point ect. I think it is very attractive when a maker designs a classic tried and true product and just continues making that product at the same level of quality that developed the reputation. That is hard to find these days for understandable reasons. Companies have to make money to stay open ect.
 
deeptubes said:
Fender basses are the epitome of what basses are supposed to be. They are the measuring stick.
To me that is just stupid. It is like saying Fender basses are perfect in every way. No room for improvement. I seriously doubt that, especially when you consider different players, preferences and playing styles.
They are the measuring stick because they are a commonly known reference, not because they are indisputably the best.
 
To me that is just stupid. It is like saying Fender basses are perfect in every way. No room for improvement. I seriously doubt that, especially when you consider different players, preferences and playing styles.
They are the measuring stick because they are a commonly known reference, not because they are indisputably the best.

The question asked for an opinion. I expressed my opinion. It's my opinion, and I am entitled to it. Fender basses are the most copied basses on the market. I don't think anyone would argue otherwise. To me, they ARE the best. But, I never said they were perfect.
 
Shardik said:
To me that is just stupid.
They are the measuring stick because they are a commonly known reference, not because they are indisputably the best.

Shardik- you are not correct, at least in your 'commonly known' theory. They are the measuring stick because they had been the first to mass produce and effectively market the electric bass guitar 60 years ago. They WERE the only bass available that could cut it in the broader scheme of things in the professional world, with notable exceptions. Those exceptions are known for a unique tone that was appreciated and used- but they too were compared to Fender in order to define their sound as unique, different. It was inescapable then and now- comparisons to the flagship Fender models- P and J bass- are still made. Keep in mind the options you have today did not exist back in the day. Fender still produces the two flagship models that others have copied and still do copy- the Precision and the Jazz. History has defined the measuring stick for us- nobody here said "let's compare x to the Fender P bass" for some random, emotional reason. It's because that was the first kid on the block!
 
I never liked the design of fenders and I also thought it seemed like everybody and their either played one , I loved Gibson basses but about a week ago my views changed I can see why everybody likes them ,although I still hate squier (not a gear snob but I have owned several and all had a flaw and the nut was crap can't speak for the cv series though ) so anyways a couple of days ago I was going to a Gibson ripper , I was bored that day so I hung around the shop like an hour and I just kept finding myself looking back at this one blue mim p bass , it looked nice compare to more fenders it looked kinda vintage it was lake placid blue. Gold anodized pickguard , maple neck , I eventually picked it up and played and it was amazing I will now forever love fender the only thing I would change would be if I could have a thin Thunderbird neck on a precision oh my god it would be amazing
 
Boring. I know it is pretty much the original, but that doesn't mean it is still the best choice. It's already been said, but again I don't drive a Model T because there's a lot more modern options available. I hope Fender guys don't too peeved. You did ask for our opinions, so you know they are going to vary. Don't expect a choir of Fender true believers.
Dude you wouldnt drive a model t that would be so badass screw my car , how much more pimp can you get
 
my personal choice. They have always been reliable and they give me the tone I like. If I were wealthy, I would own as many basses as I could but for a working stiff like me, the Fender P bass and J bass are all I need. I am no purist and don't feel the need to talk down about any bass guitar out there. I like them all! I started playing Fenders in 1970 and never felt the need to change.