why does everyone use fender?

[Introvox]

Oh the ignorance, it's almost jumping out of the screen!

+1.... boggles the mind eh Jiggy

 

[SuperSnake2012]

All my basses are Fender... I've played basses from a few other brands, and other than the Stingray nothing really felt right to me.

 

[cowsgomoo]

Bottom line, if you don't own a Fender, you're not a real player. Period.

quite right!!!!

I think a musician's first consideration when buying an instrument is what other people will think of them for using it

things like "what does it sound like?" or "how does it play?" are minor considerations compared to, "how authentic a bass player will some stranger on the internet think I am?"

 

[the engine]

I think a lot of guys are under the impression that Fender basses have automatic "mojo". I have a Fender, as well as several others. I use the bass that best fits the gig. If I'm playing Motown, there's no other way to go. If I'm playing funk, rock, or anything recorded after 1985, the Fender sits at the house. Play what works for you. If you love it, and your band loves it, rock on!

 

[Carl999Pop]

I had my expensive boutique jazz at a gig once and a punter came up and complimented me for my bass playing. Then he said - "-Is that a Fender copy? You know my brother has a REAL Fender Jazz bass....much much better"

 

[derrenleepoole]

Fender was one of the first instrument manufacturers that was there at the beginning (or birth if you like) of what we now consider to be modern electric instruments. Fender 'the brand' has a lot of trusted heritage based on instrument excellence proven over time. All musicians, bassist or otherwise, I think instinctively recognise this on some level whether they're aware of it or not. Fender in my opinion, is often copied but never bettered, and that to me speaks volumes.

 

[mellofello]

several people mentioned feel but to be more specific most guys who play a jazz rest their thumb on the pickup and get leverage that way, so it's difficult for them to feel comfortable with another bass. Am I seriously the first to mention this ??

Also, concerning sound, tone etc... I would challenge anyone who posts these things to walk into a club and tell me without looking whether the bassist is playing a Fender or not.

I don't buy the thing about engineers either, if they comment that they are glad to see your Fender it could be they are just making small talk and prolly told the last dude his Modulus was awesome. But I'm sure there are a few out there with bias though.

Fender makes some good basses, so do alot of other companies.

 

[pyrohr]

I had my expensive boutique jazz at a gig once and a punter came up and complimented me for my bass playing. Then he said - "-Is that a Fender copy? You know my brother has a REAL Fender Jazz bass....much much better"

 

[D K]

I have never owned a Fender, but I do agree they are overall the most popular Bass known to man.

I am a "Real" player, and 17 years ago I searched and searched almost every brand I could find shopping at Steves, Long & Mcquade, Scarborough Music, 12th Fret, and every Pawn Shop in Toronto.

I had about a $2000 budget at the time, and was playing with a Stratocaster Weilding Stevie Ray Vaughn type player, who shopped with me.

When we found my Aria Pro II (yes you read it right), we unanimously agreed this was one helluva Bass, and was also my entry into 5 Strings.

I still have her...played on albums with her, toured with her (Local and International Gigs), thousands of Jingles, and she and her sister Dean Fretless will appear on my upcoming solo album along with a borrowed '62 Jazz, which I adore, but find "satisfactory" only. Looks like a bomb hit it too!

My first bass was an ElDegas, served me well...Then a Yamaha, served me well, Then a Ricky, served me very well, Then a Peavey, served me surprizingly well, Then the peavey burned, with $50,000 worth of touring gear...another story.

Well to end it here for me, when Larry (strat player) one night said to me (I was 22, he was 45) I had the greatest bass sound he had ever played with, my heart skipped many beats. Since then I have repeatedly been complimented on my sound.

Did I just end up with a "Good" one?...maybe so

LOVE YOUR GEAR, WORK WITH WHAT YOU GOT, I BET YOUR BASS SOUNDS AWESOME, and finally, IF YOU PLAY BASS, YOU ARE A REAL PLAYER TO ME!!!!!

Terrific post!!

Could not agree more - If you play bass - You are a bass player- period



Playing live and in studio professionally and semi-professionally for over 15 years - Used Ibanez for most all of it until last Wed. when I got a Geddy - No complaints ever - Rock, Country, Funk, Fusion, Jazz... Ibanez basses (SR505, ATK305,TR500) have always served me well

That said - It is true that there are SOME engineers who will look at you funny if you bring in anything other than a Fender. Just make sure you have your sound tight and you most likely wont have any problems

PS - I am second or third call in three different studios including a jingle house. The first call bassist in those studios use Yamaha's, Spector's and/or Lakeland's as their primary instruments.

I guess so much for needing a Fender to pro huh?

I do love my new Geddy though!!!

 

[dougjwray]

I guess so much for needing a Fender to pro huh?

No one said you "need a Fender" to do that; just that you're likely to make a better first impression, and you won't disturb the comfort level of the engineer and producer. Helpful if you're starting out. Ancient pros like me are just trying to give helpful advice, based on experience.
Sheesh!!!

 

[Eric Perry]

No one said you "need a Fender" to do that; just that you're likely to make a better first impression, and you won't disturb the comfort level of the engineer and producer. Helpful if you're starting out. Ancient pros like me are just trying to give helpful advice, based on experience.
Sheesh!!!

Actually, if you read through this thread, several have most certainly said you "need a Fender". Some did it nicely, others not so much.

 

[D K]

No one said you "need a Fender" to do that; just that you're likely to make a better first impression, and you won't disturb the comfort level of the engineer and producer. Helpful if you're starting out. Ancient pros like me are just trying to give helpful advice, based on experience.
Sheesh!!!

I respect where you are coming from, However I would question whether it is "helpful" advice to tell a young and/or up and coming player that Fender "must" be a part of their arsenal - For some of those players the instrument may not be the right fit - tonally or physically.

It's funny to me how many people get their knickers in a twist over this issue- I see it all the time in the Sonar forum where the debate is Sonar vs Pro Tools - same basic premise (Industry Standard vs. Alternative tools). Fender makes a fine production instrument (I just said that I bought one) but it is neither required or necessary to have one to be considered professional - I consider professional to be a function of a player's approach and abilities toward the work - not the tools they use - Just my opinion

 

[bucephylus]

Maybe you guys should start another thread.

This thread was asking "Why does everyone use Fender?"

This seems to have derailed into "Is it OK if I don't use a Fender?"

The answer to the first question is - They don't; but those who do, use them because they have a good combination of cost and performance.

The answer to the second is - absolutely, that's OK. No one really cares what you play; they do care about how you play it, and what the result in the mix is.

Go learn some new stuff and don't waste time worrying about what other people think about what you're playing. My <2c.

 

[SteveC]

Everyone doesn't. I had a few jazz basses for a while, but they were all modded. I use Yamaha basses. I use a Roland amp. My DI is by Radial. I'm not anti-Fender, I just doen't have anything Fender, and I'm not alone.

I would guess the people that use Fender do so for the same reason I use Yamaha. They like the sound, feel and look.

 

[Tony G]

I have a Fender Jazz, but I would definitely not suggest I'm a fender player.

 

[tonynoriega]

I tried about half a dozen different basses throughout the years and liked most of them for the unique qualities they had, but several years ago a bass player friend of mine died, and through his wife I inherited his original '66 Jazz. I had played it at jams but once I owned it and got used to it I fell in love with the sound and playability of the thing. Now I find it hard to play anything else -- only the 4-string Reverend when I need a more modern sound. The Jazz just drips with mojo and I can go from nad rattlin' deep sound to a bone tone just by moving from the neck to the bridge......I just wouldn't ask for a better instrument.

 

[dougjwray]

Actually, if you read through this thread, several have most certainly said you "need a Fender". Some did it nicely, others not so much.

Okay, I stand corrected; some people put it that way, and I disagree with them.

I guess I would say, "You don't need one, but it sure can be helpful to show up with one." Kind of like shaving before your interview for the bank teller job.

How's that, guys?

 

[pil]

True that is. I stood in for a mates bassist a while back, i walked in with my rick and the look of horror on the sound guys face actually made me think i may have missed the fact several birds had crapped on my face and scorched it through to the bone.

Then i was handed a precision! Comfort zone/ignorance who knows? But it was the fender i was playing, not my band so i obliged.

And promptly bought one lol

 

[joelb79]

At Full Sail they teach record producers to press the "suck" button until the bass player grabs his Fender.

Standard Operating Procedure.

 

[RwG]

hey have you been to full sail or are you near by? i live just up the street, my band has actually been on several projects there. I use G&L's and that's enough to keep the suck switch off.

if you're in orlando come out and check out my band sometime. we're Rabbits with Glasses.