What were Squier thinking?

[dalkowski]

Q:What "were: Squire thinking? A: you should have paid attention in English Class?

He was—that's how it's done in the Commonwealth. The logic: Substitute the pronoun "they" for "Squier" and which conjugation of the verb "to be" do you use? "Were." Pick up the NME or Melody Maker any week and you'll read sentences like, "Radiohead were at the top of their game Friday night despite persistent PA issues."

In the US, we regard a corporate entity as a single party, or an "it." So we ask, "What was Squier thinking?"

But enough academics. If more girls get into music because of an Avril Lavigne Tele, then it's all to the good.

 

[miguel master]

I've seen that bass out dring one of our shows. Wew were opening act and the bassist for the headlining band was playing it. I see them too often. Not a fan buthey, they sell right?
Also with the tele. Its actually cool looking. I like the all black out sense and it almost has a kirk hammet sig. look.
My 2 cents

 

[BBox Bass]

I can't believe I am about to do this but I have to defend Avril Lavigne. First, she writes most of her own music unlike many current pop stars. Second, the songs really aren't that bad compared to much of the other pop music out there. I mean it isn't my favorite stuff but this stuff is for kids and I would rather kids listen to Avril than a ton of other stuff that is out there at least it has some level of musicality.

I'll start by saying that I'm not a Lavigne hater; to my ears, her music is innocuous pop, and a few years ago I even came close to purchasing her sig Tele. However, contrary to the common perception that she was a misfit outsider punk-type who locked herself away to write music, she actually was a pop creation with an army of publicists, image consultants, and songwriters behind her. Her image was carefully crafted to make her look like an anti-pop creation that would appeal to young girls who wanted to appear noncomformist. If anyone is up for reading a dense academic analysis of the phenomenon that is Avril, check this out:
Vannini, P. (2004). The meanings of a star: Interpreting music fans' reviews. Symbolic Interaction, 27 (1), 47-69.

I suspect the process of her creation is similar to most pop stars today, and going back to the original issue, companies like Squier are likely well aware of it and are merely cashing in. If it gets kids interested in playing music, I say why not?

 

[bassclef216]

"The use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning".

That, my friend, is the meaning of the word 'irony'.

But that was a really good attempt.

(Pressing clothes with a hot metal plate is a different thing altogether.)

Sorry, but I think that is the definition of sarcasm. Couldn't resist

 

[bassist4dalord]

They were thinking they wanted to make some money. Simple as that. Don't like it? Don't buy it.

 

[Rumblefisher]

I believe this is the thought process:

Our instruments are often viewed as beginner level.
That means that young people are our target market.
How can we sell basses to this market?
Hmmmm....
*idea*
We'll release signature models of "musicians" popular with our target market!
MUAHAHAHAHAHA

Here's the condensed version:
Big names = $$$$$$

Talent doesn't factor into the equation. Sadly, that's true for a lot of things.

 

[Baird6869]

If the Wentz was made in Japan and priced the Same as the Geddy and Steve Harris sig models, I bet it would outsell both of them.

I hate his playing and band, but Fender needs to sell instruments.

If I ran Fender and Justin Bieber played guitar, I would BEG him to endorse a signature guitar!

 

[AgIdoc]

i actually like the look of the wentz model. in fact, i may buy one.

 

[SteveC]

As I'm sure most of you know by now Squier released a Pete Wentz signature bass ages ago, which is hands down one of the ugliest pieces of crap I've ever seen. For those of you who haven't seen it:

Invalid Link Removed

Hideous, right?

Well anyway, I just jumped onto the Fender website because my GAS levels were rising and the first thing I see is that they have released an Avril Lavigne signature Tele.

Invalid Link Removed

Now I know it's only a Squier and will at most be worth a couple of hundred bucks, but what I don't get is what these horrible, horrible 'musicians' have done to deserve a signature model?

Which "fantastic" musicians do you listen to that "deserve" a signature model? One persons trash is another's treasure. Green is not a good color for anyone.

I will give you one thing - signature models are handed out way to generously if the intent is to truly honor history changing/making musicians. If the intent is to have cool guitars that appeal to a big market to make money, there is an endless supply of "deserving" talent.

 

[smcd]

Lavigne would go on to sell more than 30 million copies of her albums worldwide,[12] becoming one of the top-selling artists releasing albums in the U.S., with over 10.25 million copies certified by the RIAA.[13]

If those numbers are correct, those are some crazy huge numbers in this day and age.

 

[gjbassist]

Getting tired of all the hater threads/posts regarding certain artists. Fallout Boy and Avril Lavigne have sold millions of albums. How many have you sold OP? Just because you don't like someone doesn't mean others don't too! I'm sure the people at Squier did quite a bit of market research before releasing these instruments. Being that Squier is typically an entry level brand they were no doubt targeting the younger crowd who like these artists but don't have a ton of money to spend on an instrument. Not a big fan of the logo on the bass or the skull and crossbones on the guitar but I overall I like the style of the instruments.

 

[smcd]

Personally I don't see what's "ugly" about that Squier bass. Is it the bat decal? Cover it with electrical tape and it's a run of the mill P-bass hybrid.

 

[Tractorr]

I'll start by saying that I'm not a Lavigne hater; to my ears, her music is innocuous pop, and a few years ago I even came close to purchasing her sig Tele. However, contrary to the common perception that she was a misfit outsider punk-type who locked herself away to write music, she actually was a pop creation with an army of publicists, image consultants, and songwriters behind her. Her image was carefully crafted to make her look like an anti-pop creation that would appeal to young girls who wanted to appear noncomformist. If anyone is up for reading a dense academic analysis of the phenomenon that is Avril, check this out:
Vannini, P. (2004). The meanings of a star: Interpreting music fans' reviews. Symbolic Interaction, 27 (1), 47-69.

I suspect the process of her creation is similar to most pop stars today, and going back to the original issue, companies like Squier are likely well aware of it and are merely cashing in. If it gets kids interested in playing music, I say why not?

It is nearly impossible to get major record label push these days without being one of their creations. I don't think there is anything "authentic" about her image, but I think she is an actually talented musician. Was she locked away crafting her music? No, but she actually writes at least a portion of her music.

I am trying to separate the mediated image of Avril and her actual talent which I suspect there is at least a tiny bit.

 

[SoVeryTired]

Sorry, but I think that is the definition of sarcasm. Couldn't resist

An alternative, if you didn't like the first: "Incongruity between what might be expected and what actually occurs".

I was going to try and quote Alanis Morisette at this point but the song 'Ironic' doesn't contain any good examples of irony, which is what makes it ironic. I think.

 

[tabdog]

not funny at all man, I know there are alot of emo kids and then there are the REAL emo kids, kids that DO cut themselves out of desperation and pain, kids I have worked with and have seen in so much pain inside of them. Cutters are NO JOKE, I know it's easy to make fun and all but please consider the fact that there are kids out there with serious issues. I know b/c my daughter is one of them. Peace

Hay Philip,

My son went REAL emo at about 13 after
his mom died. He was in more pain than
people could understand. They wanted
to put him in an institution and dope him
up. Both the school and police conspired
against my son.

I did everything I could to keep him in
school and not treat him as if he was some
kind of sick minded individual.

It was tough, but nothing compared to
what my son was going through.

Today, he is a pre-med student at the
best med's school in Arkansas.

I wish your daughter the very best,

Tabdog

 

[lowendgenerator]

It's so hard to be a fan of Fall Out Boy on TB.

 

[JimmyThunder]

Wow, I've never seen that Lavigne tele before (and couldn't name an AL song with a gun to my head) but if I could get rid of the skull and black out the fretboard, that would be my dream Esquire!

 

[Meddle]

Roger Waters was and is a fantastic bass player, and one of the greatest songwriters of all times. He came up with some of the best known and solid bass lines of any hit songs I can think of.

As a collector of bootleg recordings of Pink Floyd I can say categorically he is not that amazing a player. He plays octaves with a pick, and little else. He is known for simple bass lines, or "solid" bass lines as you rather sycophantically refer to them. His songwriting I can take or leave. His solo albums are self indulgent, half-baked sob-fests which is represented clearly by their poor sales. You can get all hipster on me now and tell me record sales are not everything, but Waters' solo works are pretty patchy. Even The Wall is a little inconsistent and tries to cover too many bases in one sitting. For the handful of memorable Waters tracks (replete with "solid" bass lines) there are many more dire terrible ones.

That was a ridiculously ignorant post.

No it was an informed one. I collect recordings of Pink Floyd, and Waters is the consistent weak link in all of them.

His tone was excellent. There is nothing wrong with Roger Waters' tone.

Why does nobody ever use a similar tone then? He had a horribly springy bass tone. I think it has something to do with the HH heads he used. I own an HH amp and it has no bottom end and a heavy mids bias. His tone is very intrusive and is rarely copied. It is like a cheap imitation of Phil Lesh's Live/Dead tone without the nuances or the high quality gear.

You have belittled the OP, and a player who will always be more highly regarded than you.

I couldn't care less. I was merely pointing out the fact that Pete Wentz and Roger Waters are basically in the same league musically. I never even mentioned Waters' song writing. You jumped to his defence you are not the OP. Not my problem.

And that, my friend, is the meaning of the word "IRONY."

Why the capitol letters and unskilled usage of the quotation marks? Was that strictly "NECESSARY."?

 

[experimental bassist]

Phlip2bass, I agree with tabdog's sentiments, wishing your daughter happiness and success.

I am a father myself.

 

[audiomitch]

Apparently they sell just fine, as the Avril signature Tele has been around for years.

Exactly. This isn't a new model.