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What's the deal with Fender?

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Ron Johnson

Ron Johnson

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Nov 19, 2014
579
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Chicago, IL
#1
I was hesitant about writing this because I'd hate to upset people and make them start arguing, but what's the big deal about Fender basses? I have nothing against them, but they just seem like that brand everyone pays twice the price just for the name. I do agree their basses are nice, although I own none. And I do have a Fender 410 cab and enjoy it very much. But I can't tell if everyone prefers Fender jazz or precision basses due to actual quality or the placebo effect of a high price tag. I try out basses of different brands at half the price of a Fender and find them just as pleasing. Both my basses (beat up projects I fixed up) actually cost less than 100 bucks and I'm perfectly content with them. Can somebody give me a few good reasons why a Fender would beat a different brand bass in the same price range (if it would), or if it's just one of those things you pay more for the name on your headstock. A while ago I fixed and setup a Squire strat guitar for my bandmate to have as a backup, and if you played it without looking you'd think it was an expensive Fender. Please don't argue too much; I'm neutral on the brand and am just curious to find out why most bassists I see use a Fender. I have absolutely nothing against Fenders. I just don't get much GAS for them like most of you seem to.
 
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#2
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#8
Ron Johnson said:
I'm just curious if I were to have the funds in the future to buy a high end bass, what reasons would I have for getting a fender over something else like a Gibson?
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Only the reasons that might matter to you.

Looks, feel, sounds, price, availability, etc.

Everyone has their own reasons, might it might not be relevant to you.

Forums are great for gathering info on specifics but they don't replace personal experience and the wonderful journey of finding an instrument that expresses your voice. Get out there and try a bunch of basses!

Or read one of the million identical threads to what this one will become.
 
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#13
Ron Johnson said:
I'm just curious if I were to have the funds in the future to buy a high end bass, what reasons would I have for getting a fender over something else like a Gibson?
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That is a very different question to "what is it about Fenders?" I can think of several good reasons to choose a Fender bass over a Gibson bass. There are also good reasons to choose the other way, but for what I want from my basses, none of them stack up. For other players, they will. My 'right' may well be your 'wrong' and we can both be right. From experience, I remember that the first time I played a Gibson bass I couldn't wait to put it down. The first time I played a Fender was like a spell being cast...

Over they years I have owned several Fender basses, although none currently. The first time you play a good Fender bass there is something about it - how the edge of the headstock, nut and fingerboard look from the playing position, how you feel the resonance and brightness of the guitar through the body contours, the immaculate fretwork, the balance on the strap (sometimes), the neck profile, all that stuff. Some people get hooked on that and as a former 'addict' I really do understand that. For me, I managed to 'get myself clean' so now I can take or leave Fender basses. Of course it would be nice to own another in the future but there is no GAS right now.

I am going to 'unwatch' this thread now as it only has one way to go. See you on the other side...
 
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#16
Ron Johnson said:
I have nothing against them, but they just seem like that brand everyone pays twice the price just for the name.
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is it? i thought they are priced reasonable for an american instruments,

a fender american p bass is priced at 1350
most other american bass is priced much higher than that, the ibanez MIA prestige series are like 2200
their made in Indonesia bass are priced around 1k

the musicman stingray is priced at 1450,
Lakland skyline that is not made in US also priced around 1300, their us series are priced like above 2k,

i think they provide the cheapest made in USA (someone pointed to me that Carvin provides the best bang for the buck, yup i agree almost forget about Carvin even though i have owned a Carvin) labelled instruments around.

Anyway i am not against made in other country basses and i believe in playing in whatever brand as long as you like your bass what does it matter, i plaid a squier mustang, a carvin sb5k, peavey tl6, yamaha rbx, mim fender jazz 5 and i decided to stay with my fender mij pbass and sold the rest of my basses not because i like fender but it is the tone that i have been wanting to have
 
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