Unimpressed by Fender basses

[IbanezSDGR2]

I only got serious about bass about 2 years ago so I had never actually played a Fender bass before. But today I tried out a made in Mexico Fender. Invalid Link Removed Unimpressed! Strings too far away from the fretboard. Neck too thick, but then I'm used to my Ibanez.
For $800 I would expect much better.
I tried out a $1,500 Fender. That was a little better but still the strings were too far from the fretboard.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I only got serious about bass about 2 years ago so I had never actually played a Fender bass before. But today I tried out a made in Mexico Fender. Invalid Link Removed Unimpressed! Strings too far away from the fretboard. Neck too thick, but then I'm used to my Ibanez.
For $800 I would expect much better.
I tried out a $1,500 Fender. That was a little better but still the strings were too far from the fretboard.

String height being too high is a setup issue not a brand issue. At spec fender action is just fine. Super low action is for people who don’t practice enough who are willing to sacrifice tone for playability

 

[buldog5151bass]

You need to learn to do a setup on your bass. You can get the action as low as you want.

 

[juggahnaught]

Welcome to Talkbass!

String height is a matter of setup, not brand. There are proponents of both low and high action. Each choice has its benefits and drawbacks. Neither is bad and neither is wrong.

Neck and body dimensions are a matter of brand. Everyone has a preference, and some don't care as much as others. No choice is inherently bad or wrong.

Edit: it's okay to like or dislike a brand, even if it's a standard/iconic/well-known brand. (If this wasn't a Fender thread it might be less popular.) However, positive or negative brand identification is a groupthink function (hence the response; an opposing group reacts defensively to a real or perceived attack - not just a Talkbass thing) with a net gain of zero. Better to just focus on the music.

This thread will probably (rightfully) be closed. (Edit: mods, plz, plzz)

Enjoy your bass playing.

 

[Kro]

It's completely ok for you to be unimpressed with them, but yeah - action shouldn't be among the criteria used to determine the quality of a bass.

At least not for any bass with adjustable string height.

Mark my words, if you stick with bass, I predict that you'll own one as part of your collection within the next ten years.

 

[mikeoso]

Neither the string height nor the neck profile are indicators of quality. If Fender spec and neck aren't to your taste, that's cool. But it doesnt mean they're bad.

 

[5StringBlues]

 

[hypercarrots]

your issue with the neck is like complaining a van is bigger than a coupe.
it has nothing to do with the price or where it's made. it is what it is.

as others have said, string height is adjustable.

deductions based on ignorance can misguide one, but when it's spread to the world, it becomes annoying.

 

[jd56hawk]

I only got serious about bass about 2 years ago so I had never actually played a Fender bass before. But today I tried out a made in Mexico Fender. Invalid Link Removed Unimpressed! Strings too far away from the fretboard. Neck too thick, but then I'm used to my Ibanez.
For $800 I would expect much better.
I tried out a $1,500 Fender. That was a little better but still the strings were too far from the fretboard.

And this is based on two Fenders that have been handled by who knows how many people?

 

[Wisebass]

hi IbanezSDGR2

the strings were too far from the fretboard

That' s why basses have a bridge!

Neck too thick

Ibanez basses have "pencil necks". Fender P basses have "baseball bats".

Super low action is for people who don’t practice enough

This made my day! thx !!!!

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[Nashrakh]

Super low action is for people who don’t practice enough who are willing to sacrifice tone for playability

You're sleeping on the couch tonight, mister!

 

[Geri O]

Well, it was about time for one of these to come along.

 

[knumbskull]

When someone starts a troll-ish thread i sometimes have a quick look at their other posts to see if they’re genuine or having a good old fashioned wind-up.

In you case, you do seem to be just starting out on bass so you get a free pass.

If you like skinny necks, play skinny necks! And yes, string height is an easy fix. In fact a setup and some new strings are a pretty standard thing for any new bass.

Fender’s Geddy Lee jazz bass models are noted for having thin necks IIRC. I’ve never tried one tho.

 

[SteveCS]

I only got serious about bass about 2 years ago so I had never actually played a Fender bass before. But today I tried out a made in Mexico Fender. Invalid Link Removed Unimpressed! Strings too far away from the fretboard. Neck too thick, but then I'm used to my Ibanez.
For $800 I would expect much better.
I tried out a $1,500 Fender. That was a little better but still the strings were too far from the fretboard.

Off-the-shelf setup is more a reflection of the keeper of the shelf than the instrument brand, IME. Provided the fretwork (including the nut) is good and the trussrod and bridge adjusters work, most instruments will take a setup to your tastes.

 

[lfmn16]

I'm unimpressed by this thread.

 

[flojob]

I'm not impressed with them either. And I like really low action too.

 

[mdogs]

I only got serious about bass about 2 years ago so I had never actually played a Fender bass before. But today I tried out a made in Mexico Fender. Invalid Link Removed Unimpressed! Strings too far away from the fretboard. Neck too thick, but then I'm used to my Ibanez.
For $800 I would expect much better.
I tried out a $1,500 Fender. That was a little better but still the strings were too far from the fretboard.

Most people are being nice here. You are clearly unqualified to judge. Nothing about what you stated has anything to do with the quality of the ONE bass you played!!

 

[cnltb]

I only got serious about bass about 2 years ago so I had never actually played a Fender bass before. But today I tried out a made in Mexico Fender. Invalid Link Removed Unimpressed! Strings too far away from the fretboard. Neck too thick, but then I'm used to my Ibanez.
For $800 I would expect much better.
I tried out a $1,500 Fender. That was a little better but still the strings were too far from the fretboard.

Are you complaining about the bass or about the setup?
Define 'better'.

 

[Honkey tonk]

Guessing Op was Bored so an anti like thread for fender was in order.
When I was a kid we used to have to get out of the house and ding dong ditch for shenanigans...
kids today don't Have to leave home for shenanigans.

 

[DrayMiles]

Gain some road mileage before you dismiss stuff that has historically proven itself. It just shows that you are inexperienced and didn’t really think about it. You’re going to dismiss an iconic brand because you played one in guitar center? That’s not too far from saying I hate jazz and only hearing one song...
People need to be slow to judgement...
Lest ye be ...
Well, you’re not the first one to say it. But a Precision through an Ampeg 8x10 is hard to beat imo... Grasshopper!