why does everyone use fender?

[Eric Perry]

if youve read thru this whole discussion, fender fanatics have been the ones spewing most of the vitrol...

This is very true. A few of the posts after this was posted continue to do so.

 

[EddieG]

The reason I play a Jazz Bass is because basically, I believe that Fender hit it out of the park when they designed the Jazz. Its comfortable, easy to play and has a versatile tone that sits easily in ALL types of music. Everyone else who followed has been trying to elaborate on the fundamentals of the Precision and Jazz Basses.

Jamerson, Jaco, Marcus Miller, Larry Graham, Steve Harris, Berry Oakley, Geddy Lee, Noel Redding. All famous players, all put their faith in Fenders, not some buckeye burl-faced 7 string monstrosity!

And there's a reason for that.

 

[HotBottomEnd]

Some of the talk about not getting gigs without a Fender is just absurd.

I've never been kicked off a gig or not gotten a spot because I didn't have a P-Bass or a J-Bass. I once had a guy make some of the cuff remark at a gig, (with a band I had never played with, never rehearshed with, didn't know any of there material, and had literally just met the guy) about my Spector that I had brought to the gig. My guess is that he was implying "where's your Fender". You know what, after playing two songs of the sound check he was doing nothing but singing praises. Why? My guess is that it wasn't my bass, but it was my playing.

That's what's important. That's what gets you gigs. That's what pays the bills.

Being a pro isn't about what you play for a bass, it's about how you play, no matter what brand you play. And if some dude thinks other wise and doesn't want to give you a gig because of it. Just walk. Because if you are good at what you do, other people will be calling you with work regardless of what brand you play.

While I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, unfortunately, in practice it doesn't always work like that. Maybe where you come from it isn't as much as a big deal, but here in LA, the competition is fierce. There are guys coming here from every podunk town in the country by the busload every day looking for gigs.

If you're an awesome player who already has a rep, then you can do whatever you want.

It's like the goddam personal ads. You know how many girls don't give a crap about how cute, or rich or funny you are if you're under 6 feet tall?
I've literally been turned down for gigs because they didn't like my hair. I'm not kidding. they didn't even want to hear me play. They would rather have a guy who just plays root notes but has the right hairdo and tattoos.

And sorry to break the news to you guys, but the Anti-Fender crowd is definitely the rude bunch. All kinds of comments about them being ugly, and how they feel like crap, and how they won't bother ever picking one up. If you had any class, you'd say "I don't care for how they look". Or, "They don't feel right for me". It's just elitism at it's worst. It's the "I have a $2500 bass and I'm better than you". Or the whole turning the nose up at them, like you're too cool for school.

I don't know what flies out in the neck of the woods you guys come from, but come out to the mecca of music and see where your attitude gets you. If I had a nickel for every guy who comes out here thinking he's the sh*t and gets sent home packing, I could buy solid gold bridges and tuners for all my basses and most of yours. I never said I agreed with it. I'm just telling you how it is. Don't shoot the messenger. It's like being pissed at the weatherman for telling you it's gonna rain.

 

[Eric Perry]

The reason I play a Jazz Bass is because basically, I believe that Fender hit it out of the park when they designed the Jazz. Its comfortable, easy to play and has a versatile tone that sits easily in ALL types of music. Everyone else who followed has been trying to elaborate on the fundamentals of the Precision and Jazz Basses...

Good post, and not slanderous, like some pro-Fender folk.

 

[iriegnome]

I could not bring myself to read 8 pages of responses, but here is mine - I don't like fender. Never have. I don't own one anymore and the only reason I did have one is they are the rare company that made (1976-1978) a Fretless bass with a unmarked Maple Fretboard. I hate the neck radius, I can't stand the P-Bass nut width or the Jazz Body.
It is all a personal opinion and that is just mine.

 

[Throckmorten]

This is EXACTLY why some of the people I know refuse to communicate via email or text or IM. Because things get taken out of context, sarcasm isn't always recognized, and you can't immediately reply or correct yourself as quickly.

Which makes those people pretty sensible.
You knew this mess was coming when you opened the thread. The original question was so broad and naive (how ever well intentioned) that it left little possibility for anything else.

In that respect it doesn't differ from any half-boozed, late night barroom talk. It all goes no where.

So chime in, jump on, be ernest or sarcastic or be sensible and stay out, but don't let it bug you.

 

[jwbassman]

While I agree with the spirit of what you're saying, unfortunately, in practice it doesn't always work like that. Maybe where you come from it isn't as much as a big deal, but here in LA, the competition is fierce. There are guys coming here from every podunk town in the country by the busload every day looking for gigs.

If you're an awesome player who already has a rep, then you can do whatever you want.

It's like the goddam personal ads. You know how many girls don't give a crap about how cute, or rich or funny you are if you're under 6 feet tall?
I've literally been turned down for gigs because they didn't like my hair. I'm not kidding. they didn't even want to hear me play. They would rather have a guy who just plays root notes but has the right hairdo and tattoos.

And sorry to break the news to you guys, but the Anti-Fender crowd is definitely the rude bunch. All kinds of comments about them being ugly, and how they feel like crap, and how they won't bother ever picking one up. If you had any class, you'd say "I don't care for how they look". Or, "They don't feel right for me". It's just elitism at it's worst. It's the "I have a $2500 bass and I'm better than you". Or the whole turning the nose up at them, like you're too cool for school.

I don't know what flies out in the neck of the woods you guys come from, but come out to the mecca of music and see where your attitude gets you. If I had a nickel for every guy who comes out here thinking he's the sh*t and gets sent home packing, I could buy solid gold bridges and tuners for all my basses and most of yours. I never said I agreed with it. I'm just telling you how it is. Don't shoot the messenger. It's like being pissed at the weatherman for telling you it's gonna rain.

Well one, I have yet to bad mouth Fender. Like I posted earlier. I think they are a good workhorse bass and all. Just not my thing. And I'm sorry that you have to deal with all of the "showiness" of LA. Frankly, you can keep it. If a Fender gets you gigs, then that's cool. I have no problem doing it without a Fender. I have yet to make a mortgage payment for the last 5 Years. All payed for by gigs. No need for LA, I'll stick to Boston.

 

[Ed Goode]

These threads always give me a good chuckle After reading this whole thread ( I've got to get a life ), here's what I got from it .....

As I understand it, if you don't have a Fender then you can't be a pro or ever get any recording gigs, and you probably won't get a job backing up a vocalist (I think I got that all right, didn't I??). Well, phew, I guess I can rest easy because I own a Fender

As I understand it, if you have a fancy boutique-type bass that costs $2500+ then you are essentially a wanker that wants to be a solo artist. Unless, or course, you're a big time well known cat like Stanley Clarke or Anthony Jackson, then you get a pass on the Fender and magically you can now get recording gigs and back up vocalists. Uh oh, I own a few of those fancy-dan boutique type basses that cost more than $2500 .... dang, now I'm in trouble :scowl:

As I understand it, if you don't play a Fender in a band and assume the typical support role of the bassist, you won't get any work .... especially if you have one of those new-fangled custom basses, in which case you can only stay at home and play by (or with) yourself. Uh oh again, I'm in even bigger trouble now .....

As I understand it, a good Fender "is able to stick every High End Bass in its pocket", by which I can only assume that refers to Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, etc. Well, that only gets a half of an uh oh from me, since I don't own any of those particular basses (but I do have some kinda expensive ones)

Finally, as I understand it (although to be fair this is assumed by me since it wasn't openly stated by anyone), it's really okay to talk about recording engineers preferences and pro touring gigs and cutting through the mix even though the great majority of the posters to this thread likely have no experience in any of these situations (or at least their profiles don't reflect any experiences of this type). Those who do have this real life experience (like JimmyM, for example, although he is not the only one) get my attention because they have some facts to back them up and I value and respect their opinions, even if I don't always agree.

I'm 55 years old, my TB profile is available for any one to review, I have a web site that gives lots of info about me (probably way too much, actually ), I have been playing bass for money since 1963, and during that entire time I have never, ever been told what bass to play and I have never lost a gig because of my instrument. And my career has been almost exclusively in the NYC/Philly corridor, not in some sparsely populated section of the world.

I like Fenders, always have. I play ERB's that don't have the Fender logo on them because Fender doesn't make a 6 or 7 string. I have found that my custom ERB's specs closely mirror the general dimensions of a Fender P bass (although they look nothing like a Fender), because that's what I like the most.

People play them because they like them, others avoid Fenders because they don't like them. It's just not all that complicated .....

 

[glwanabe]

These threads always give me a good chuckle After reading this whole thread ( I've got to get a life ), here's what I got from it .....

As I understand it, if you don't have a Fender then you can't be a pro or ever get any recording gigs, and you probably won't get a job backing up a vocalist (I think I got that all right, didn't I??). Well, phew, I guess I can rest easy because I own a Fender

As I understand it, if you have a fancy boutique-type bass that costs $2500+ then you are essentially a wanker that wants to be a solo artist. Unless, or course, you're a big time well known cat like Stanley Clarke or Anthony Jackson, then you get a pass on the Fender and magically you can now get recording gigs and back up vocalists. Uh oh, I own a few of those fancy-dan boutique type basses that cost more than $2500 .... dang, now I'm in trouble :scowl:

As I understand it, if you don't play a Fender in a band and assume the typical support role of the bassist, you won't get any work .... especially if you have one of those new-fangled custom basses, in which case you can only stay at home and play by (or with) yourself. Uh oh again, I'm in even bigger trouble now .....

As I understand it, a good Fender "is able to stick every High End Bass in its pocket", by which I can only assume that refers to Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, etc. Well, that only gets a half of an uh oh from me, since I don't own any of those particular basses (but I do have some kinda expensive ones)

Finally, as I understand it (although to be fair this is assumed by me since it wasn't openly stated by anyone), it's really okay to talk about recording engineers preferences and pro touring gigs and cutting through the mix even though the great majority of the posters to this thread likely have no experience in any of these situations (or at least their profiles don't reflect any experiences of this type). Those who do have this real life experience (like JimmyM, for example, although he is not the only one) get my attention because they have some facts to back them up and I value and respect their opinions, even if I don't always agree.

I'm 55 years old, my TB profile is available for any one to review, I have a web site that gives lots of info about me (probably way too much, actually ), I have been playing bass for money since 1963, and during that entire time I have never, ever been told what bass to play and I have never lost a gig because of my instrument. And my career has been almost exclusively in the NYC/Philly corridor, not in some sparsely populated section of the world.

I like Fenders, always have. I play ERB's that don't have the Fender logo on them because Fender doesn't make a 6 or 7 string. I have found that my custom ERB's specs closely mirror the general dimensions of a Fender P bass (although they look nothing like a Fender), because that's what I like the most.

People play them because they like them, others avoid Fenders because they don't like them. It's just not all that complicated .....

Sir,
You are a breath of fresh air.

While I find there are a few really great people here. I'am usually quite put off by the brand bashing and pointless bickering.

This site could really do with much less of the Jerry Springer type of attitudes, and problem solving.

Oh yea,

I have two Fender Jazz Basses.

A Standard that I really like, and a Geddy sig. It is also a nice bass. I like jazz basses, period.
I've played several other types of basses and found a lot to like in most all of them. Fenders are the most comfortable to me. Plus, I like to mess around with my gear, and there is a lot of aftermarket stuff that I can personalize my bass with.

I've played and liked.

Rickenbaker, I would own one!
warwick, cool bass, If I slapped, I'd own one!
Ibanez, been impressed with an SR 4 string and a BTB 5 string, 5 string rocked!
Yamaha, built like a tank! I'll take a Billy Sheehan attitude II.

 

[jwbassman]

These threads always give me a good chuckle After reading this whole thread ( I've got to get a life ), here's what I got from it .....

As I understand it, if you don't have a Fender then you can't be a pro or ever get any recording gigs, and you probably won't get a job backing up a vocalist (I think I got that all right, didn't I??). Well, phew, I guess I can rest easy because I own a Fender

As I understand it, if you have a fancy boutique-type bass that costs $2500+ then you are essentially a wanker that wants to be a solo artist. Unless, or course, you're a big time well known cat like Stanley Clarke or Anthony Jackson, then you get a pass on the Fender and magically you can now get recording gigs and back up vocalists. Uh oh, I own a few of those fancy-dan boutique type basses that cost more than $2500 .... dang, now I'm in trouble :scowl:

As I understand it, if you don't play a Fender in a band and assume the typical support role of the bassist, you won't get any work .... especially if you have one of those new-fangled custom basses, in which case you can only stay at home and play by (or with) yourself. Uh oh again, I'm in even bigger trouble now .....

As I understand it, a good Fender "is able to stick every High End Bass in its pocket", by which I can only assume that refers to Sadowsky, Lull, Lakland, etc. Well, that only gets a half of an uh oh from me, since I don't own any of those particular basses (but I do have some kinda expensive ones)

Finally, as I understand it (although to be fair this is assumed by me since it wasn't openly stated by anyone), it's really okay to talk about recording engineers preferences and pro touring gigs and cutting through the mix even though the great majority of the posters to this thread likely have no experience in any of these situations (or at least their profiles don't reflect any experiences of this type). Those who do have this real life experience (like JimmyM, for example, although he is not the only one) get my attention because they have some facts to back them up and I value and respect their opinions, even if I don't always agree.

I'm 55 years old, my TB profile is available for any one to review, I have a web site that gives lots of info about me (probably way too much, actually ), I have been playing bass for money since 1963, and during that entire time I have never, ever been told what bass to play and I have never lost a gig because of my instrument. And my career has been almost exclusively in the NYC/Philly corridor, not in some sparsely populated section of the world.

I like Fenders, always have. I play ERB's that don't have the Fender logo on them because Fender doesn't make a 6 or 7 string. I have found that my custom ERB's specs closely mirror the general dimensions of a Fender P bass (although they look nothing like a Fender), because that's what I like the most.

People play them because they like them, others avoid Fenders because they don't like them. It's just not all that complicated .....

+1

 

[spideyjg]

I have never, ever been told what bass to play and I have never lost a gig because of my instrument.

OK you never have but out here in SoCal we have seen that happen.
Next time I see an ad dictating gear requirements I'll send it to you OK.

Jim

 

[greenboy]

HotBottomEnd must be using too much tabasco sauce on his meals. Hey buddy, lay off the hot stuff if you can't deal with it like most other posters here. That tirade just sprayed bad stuff all around and nobody learned a damned thing from it except to keep a distance. If you expect forums to give information don't turn the other cheek, just keep 'em both shut.

 

[NickyBass]

These threads always give me a good chuckle

Yeah, me too...

...but, somehow, this time I became involved in it. :scowl:

So, now I'm trying to wade through it, and get to shore. Oh well, next time I'll just pop some popcorn, and sit back.

 

[Ed Goode]

OK you never have but out here in SoCal we have seen that happen.
Next time I see an ad dictating gear requirements I'll send it to you OK.

Jim

That'd be great, I'd like to see what the gig was that had those types of requirements .... Unless it's a tribute band, then never mind ....

 

[D-Bone]

Holy Moley! I sure hope nothing I posted offended anyone.

I'm not above picking up a non-Fender and playing it, nor was I wanting to "knock" anyone else who chooses another brand of bass. In fact I may very well buy a Lakland, or Danelectro in the future, if the right one "calls" me.

I had a great sounding Stingray for years. (Another of Leo Fender's Great bass creations.) It was an old pre-Ernie Ball ('78-'79 w/a "BOO" serial #.) I loved it. Trouble was, it wasn't a bass I could play everything I needed it to, so I bought another to fill the gap. I ended up playing in a band where it's tone just didn't work for us. So I finally sold it. I've watched many bands with bassists playing Warwicks, Ibenezes, Yammies, etc and they did just FINE with them.

But for playing what I play, most of their ( more modern "soap-bar") pup's tones just didn't fit "me" and what I've been playing. Perhaps it's just my age group. Perhaps I've been through so many different brands over the years, I'm now a little wary of the newer stuff.

It could be that I've had "Buy American" drilled into me for so long, I still want to keep buying the Classic US Stuff, in the hopes of saving American jobs and famillies and keeping alive the hopes of a nostalgic American Dream that's probably long gone by now. I dunno.

But the LAST thing I would want to do is offend anyone (especially another bassist) over his choice of axe..........

 

[jucas]

First one was because they were cheap, and easy to find in the "north". Second one was sheer fluke while looking for a pedal for a guitarist... I randomly picked it up and it fit perfectly. And again, it was cheap.

Since then, I've grown pretty comfortable on them and like the simple classic look.

 

[jwbassman]

Yeah, I hope I didn't offend anyone either. I was just surprised that some would take an attitude like "you can't be a pro without a fender".

I was just arguing that you can.

I owned a Fender MIM J-bass for a couple of years. I got it for a steal and it was in great condition. It wasn't my main axe, but it was always reliable and had a good overall tone. But I tried out some other basses along the way and found a nice Pedulla that I liked and had to eliminate some basses to raise the funds, and the Fender happend to be one that went.

It's a shame that some people get so upset.

Were all bassists, can't we get along

 

[JBass1]

And sorry to break the news to you guys, but the Anti-Fender crowd is definitely the rude bunch. All kinds of comments about them being ugly, and how they feel like crap, and how they won't bother ever picking one up. If you had any class, you'd say "I don't care for how they look". Or, "They don't feel right for me". It's just elitism at it's worst. It's the "I have a $2500 bass and I'm better than you". Or the whole turning the nose up at them, like you're too cool for school.

sorry if you got offended (i dont think i said any of those things anyway...) but those are just opinions, just like your opinion of people who dont own fenders probably arent pros...when someone says they dont care for the looks of it..its the same thing as saying they think its ugly...its like saying taking a crap or having a bowel movement....same difference...

and if you cant get a gig without a fender in LA then it's good that you have a fender living there..for other people it isnt the same case..you cant go making general statements like the one you made if it only applies to a specific situation...in the city a bunch of people i know have landed gigs with spectors, ibanezes, warwicks, and one with an alembic epic...and i'm sure plenty of people use fenders as well...but if someone is serious about making a band i doubt they'll care what kind of bass someone has..as long as that person can make the bass sound right for the band, then its all good...like someone said before..the player makes the bass, not the other way around, and if a hiring band cant see that then it's probbaly their loss..i know if a band turned me down becasue i didnt have a fender i would lose interest in them anyway

 

[Musiclogic]

im just a little curious.. so why do alot of people use fender?

People lean toward commonality. The most common bass sound is the original Fender sound. Fenders sound good, play good(when set up properly) and are for the most part, economical. I don't own any Fenders anymore, as the sound was just too plain for ME, but Fenders are the standard by which other production basses are measured. Always has been, always will be.

 

[albass111]

I have not read through 8 pages of stuff but what I have read.... WOW!

Neil Stubenhaus did thousands of recordings with a Tyler. (and vintage Fenders)

That being said, in Los Angeles, a lot of the enigineers and producers love it when I pull out my Sadowsky or Fender on a session. It puts them at ease. They know what to expect.

In summary, until you are on par with Nathan East, Matt Bisonette, Neil Stubenhaus, Veil Johnson, Pino etc, it's a good bet that a GOOD Fender or a Sadowsky will be a good tool to have for session work. Those guys can walk in with whatever they want, because everyone knows they can play, lay it down quickly and dial in a good tone.

However, I always say, play what you like. I happen to love Fender styled instruments and probably won't change. I've tried almost everything too.