Traditional ("F" word) design basses.....why?

[4stringfarley]

So the middle is not raw and the exterior burnt.

Damn bass players and logic.

 

[Guild B301]

So the middle is not raw and the exterior burnt.

When I was a little kid, my great uncle used to tell me, if you could eat the entire donut, without eating any of the air from the center hole, donuts had no calories. But that is very difficult. I tried.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Like fashion, many of these changes in style is simply trends. I remember the explosion of single cut basses 15+ years ago.

 

[cdef]

As I see it, it's just that the original Fender body shapes are perfectly proportioned according to the Golden Section, and therefore eternally beautiful. I credit Freddie Tavares with the J at least. Un-improvable.

 

[KaraQ]

At least one factor, imo, is the same reason so many white cars, pickups, etc., are sold - most people seem to like boring, or at least boring looking things.

Shiny, sparkly, & bright colors...all got left in the 60s & 80s. I hope they come back soon, I miss them
Maybe some more interestingly shaped guitars will come with them!

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I was watching one of Rufus Philpot's amazingly educational YouTube videos and noticed him playing his Moollon jazz bass. I began to think of high end guitar companies specializing in period-style instruments like Moollon, Nash, G'7, and Supro (then there's the period-esque ones like Serek, Xotic, Wilcock, and Sandberg). Why has there been a resurgence in these "period instruments"?

I understand the legitimate argument that it's cheaper, easier to purchase, and more reliable than actual vintage Fenders, Gibsons. But seems like there's been a resurgence recently, where as the 90s had a lot of artists using more "progressive" and new designs by Modulus, Ibanez, Ken Smith, Warrior, etc. Again, why is that?


Disclaimer: This is neither a complaint nor a negative rant against traditional designs. Just would like to hear all of your opinions (and we're all quarantined so I need some sort of communication with bassists, dangit!). Also, I currently own a Carvin SB5000, a pseudo 70s jazz bass, and a Nash PB63 (along with a Fender Japan '87 P-bass and a 70s Japan Flavor short scale).

My guess is demographics combined with supply. The demographics side of the equation is that there are probably more bass owners over 40 years old than under 40. Most of the "over" group (me included) would love to own a vintage instrument, but there are few of them available, their quality may have never been as good as nostalgia portrays them, and they are very expensive. The next best thing is a replica of better quality than the original.

The same thing hit the car market many years ago. There's only so many "tri-5 Chevys" (55, 56, & 57) out there. Those that aren't already restored are probably not feasible to restore. Those that are restored are really expensive, so replicas were born. Replicas are more reliable, safer, more comfortable, look as good or better than the original. The same applies to basses.

 

[SteffanB]

At least one factor, imo, is the same reason so many white cars, pickups, etc., are sold - most people seem to like boring, or at least boring looking things.

Shiny, sparkly, & bright colors...all got left in the 60s & 80s. I hope they come back soon, I miss them
Maybe some more interestingly shaped guitars will come with them!

Yes. The earth is a flood with white vehicles.

 

[chris_b]

Why Fender for me? I started playing Soul and R&B and Fender basses were the best you could get for that style. There wasn't much to think about and, along with most guys at that time, I became a Fender player. My style hasn't strayed far from those roots and neither have my preferences. Sadly, I haven't played a Fender since moving to 5ers in the mid 90's. They took too long to get their 5 string act together and IMO the competition continues to beat them into second place.