In my opinion,Fender Basses are one of the most comfortable instruments to play. I owned an original 74 Jazz Bass,bought in 74 and it was a dream to play. My only bass for years. Now have Ibanez srx690e, and it has its merits,but no way as playable as my jazz bass was. Sniff sniff I miss my baby.
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Who's never owned a Fender bass?
- Thread starter Slade N
- Start date
No Fenders, No Squiers, no 4-string anything.
I'm glad there's choices, and if you like 'em, I'm happy for you.
I don't hate them, I've just gone a different direction.
I'm glad there's choices, and if you like 'em, I'm happy for you.
I don't hate them, I've just gone a different direction.
Own 9 basses all Leo Fender designs. 7 fenders (3 p, 3 j, 1 pj) none are stock. 2 EBMM.
I've owned hundreds of basses in my life. I've been on a decades long quest to find the perfect basses for me. Over the years I've owned dozens of Fenders.
In fact, the only new basses that I've bought have been Squire, Fender, and Sadowsky, which is a Fender clone of course. I've been thru almost every major bass brand that I can think of, and I keep coming back to J Basses. Even my Fodera is reminiscent of a high end J Bass.
That being said, I think the best value for Fenders is on the used market, in particular 70s Fenders. You may have to shop around a bit, but there are some outstanding basses from that era that can be picked up on the cheap. I always go for the "player" basses, not the collector basses. I don't care if it's a refin or has some play wear (mojo!!!!!). My theory is that if it's been played it will probably be worth playing.
In fact, the only new basses that I've bought have been Squire, Fender, and Sadowsky, which is a Fender clone of course. I've been thru almost every major bass brand that I can think of, and I keep coming back to J Basses. Even my Fodera is reminiscent of a high end J Bass.
That being said, I think the best value for Fenders is on the used market, in particular 70s Fenders. You may have to shop around a bit, but there are some outstanding basses from that era that can be picked up on the cheap. I always go for the "player" basses, not the collector basses. I don't care if it's a refin or has some play wear (mojo!!!!!). My theory is that if it's been played it will probably be worth playing.
I own 2 fenders,I like the basses but both have small design flaws,nothing serious but it bothers me that I have take to a shop a 1000$ plus bass just because the company doesnt care or wanted to save 2$.
I will not buy fenders anymore.
I will not buy fenders anymore.
I moved away from Fenders after a particularly bad season with a Squier Affinity. What a piece of garbage.
Then I wanted a P bass, passive because of the sound now I have several and I like how easy they are to work on and play. My favorites. I tried the 5 string for 10 years and just found it more comfortable moving back to fours. I kept one of the 5ers.
To each their own.
There are many different basses for many different styles and likes.
And yes there are musicians, bass player and non-bass player Fender only snobs.
There are always the clueless among us.
Then I wanted a P bass, passive because of the sound now I have several and I like how easy they are to work on and play. My favorites. I tried the 5 string for 10 years and just found it more comfortable moving back to fours. I kept one of the 5ers.
To each their own.
There are many different basses for many different styles and likes.
And yes there are musicians, bass player and non-bass player Fender only snobs.
There are always the clueless among us.
I've never owned a Fender or Squier bass. I have pseudo Fenders in my Variax 705 though - four Jazz and two Precision models!
However my first electric guitar was a Fender... a hardtail '70s Strat. Sold it to buy bass amplication.
However my first electric guitar was a Fender... a hardtail '70s Strat. Sold it to buy bass amplication.
Never had a Fender yet. Maybe someday.
If I find one that plays as well as the one my old band mate had, and I can afford it, I'll be buying one. Of the 20 or so I have tested out, that one was the only one I would take home. His bass was a 60th (i think) anniversary p-bass and it was a magical instrument.
If I find one that plays as well as the one my old band mate had, and I can afford it, I'll be buying one. Of the 20 or so I have tested out, that one was the only one I would take home. His bass was a 60th (i think) anniversary p-bass and it was a magical instrument.
So Anyway, I've owned 6 Fender's and 4 G&L's...which are kinda Fender and maybe even more Fender than Fender.
I think every bass player should take some time to play a Fender style bass...especially a P Bass. You might like them, you might not but you owe it to yourself to check one out. They're an important part of our history.
I think every bass player should take some time to play a Fender style bass...especially a P Bass. You might like them, you might not but you owe it to yourself to check one out. They're an important part of our history.
I own one.
I have been playing bass since 1982. In that time, I have owned one Fender and it's because I won it in a contest. Had I not won the contest, it would be zero.
I ve 4 of them:
- Fender Duff McKagan deluxe signature in black
- Fender Duff McKagan signature white pearl
- Fender Jazz Bass Special black
- Fender Jazz Bass
Plus I just got a Gibson Les Paul Bass (LPB3 model)
Even do the Les Paul is a great Bass the Fenders really fit my style much better.
- Fender Duff McKagan deluxe signature in black
- Fender Duff McKagan signature white pearl
- Fender Jazz Bass Special black
- Fender Jazz Bass
Plus I just got a Gibson Les Paul Bass (LPB3 model)
Even do the Les Paul is a great Bass the Fenders really fit my style much better.
No, and that's funny cuz I'm a hardcore devotee of Fender amps, and I like most models of Fender bass just fine - nearly bought a Mustang the last time I was in the market for a bass. When bass shopping,, I've just always found a bass I like a little better than the Fender on the shortlist.
Amps are different, I'm ride or die for Fender amps for about 20 years now, I'm long do e messing with anything else.
Amps are different, I'm ride or die for Fender amps for about 20 years now, I'm long do e messing with anything else.
I've never owned a traditional Fender because they just don't speak to me. I do/have own/ed several Fenders of the non-traditional variety and think they are awesome.
- Fender Power Jazz Bass Special
- Fender Urge Standard
- Fender Precision Lyte
- Fender HM
- Fender Reverse Pawn Shop
- Fender Power Jazz Bass Special
- Fender Urge Standard
- Fender Precision Lyte
- Fender HM
- Fender Reverse Pawn Shop
I'm a lefty too and I don't understand this. Fender has a better selection of lefties than most companies. Decent range of colours for most models. Seems to me they cater to us lefties better than most.
It occurred to me after my last post that I do own half a Fender. I've got a metallic blue lefty MIM jazz body with the original MIM pups in it. It has a righty Harley Benton Neck attached to it for that reverse look and it is quite a decent bass. Does that count?
I voted no, because I've never owned "A" Fender. I've always owned multiple Fenders at the same time.
I have 3 Fenders (one US jazz special, one US jazz standard, one MIJ P60s), one Chinese Squier, one Korean lawsuit. I've sometimes thought of adding to the herd, but the Kiloton has made it less likely because it's so darn good.
Maybe a Stingray someday for the Leo Fender Trifecta.
Maybe a Stingray someday for the Leo Fender Trifecta.
