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Why does everyone use Fenders?

It's very simple, If you like Fender basses...Play them...If you don't, then don't and find something that does fit your needs. Any decent bass player can make anything sound good. People coming to hear music can care less what bass your playing as long as you're well rehearsed sound good. Instead of bashing each others equipment, maybe we should concentrate on our own equipment and just play the music. Isn't that what its all about?
 
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Most of Entwistle"s classic stuff was recorded on Fenders. IMO the best tone he ever got was from Pbasses, e.g. Live At Leeds.

He certainly didn't play them for long in the overall scheme of things and had moved on by the early 70s. A case of the best available at the time in the 60s? I will beg to differ on the bass sound on Live at Leeds - it sounds pretty raw and nasty to me - compare it to the same era Andy Fraser in Free playing an EB3 through an old British valve head and stack - the bass sound is far more defined and articulate. I know it's personal choice but I also believe Entwhistle was trying to achieve something with bass sound which the P bass and amplification set up patently didn't give him. His later sound is more defined and trebly.

I must admit I've come across quite a few guys who believe music ended at the end of the 60s - having analysed their musical styles and likes I have concluded what they really mean is twangy guitar sounds and monophonic recordings where the bass is barely audible died in the 60s ............. Only to make returns later in the name of nostalgia, slavishly using the same types of equipment but notably, not resurrecting Dansette record players and early transistor radios to get the full 60s effect!!! Everyone is listening to the remastered stuff in hi fi!
 
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Not to derail the thread too far....
But that's a pretty interesting Thunderbird in the bottom pic, blank truss rod cover, two screw '60s pups and a '70s vintage 3 point bridge - curious!

Re the Fenders, I've owned three, they're long gone now, but no doubt are making someone happy.
 
"These (G&L) are the best guitars I ever made" - Leo Fender

I agree

And of course I agree too. That's why my current main axes are a fretted-fretless pair of USA L2500. And I also have an ash L2500 Tribute for a bar bass.

But notice Leo said they were the best "I ever made" not "best ever made". And I agree with him. What is missing is a really nice pair of L2600 basses. But G&L is as scared of 6 strings as current Fender management is. And that's why my avatar has an SX bass in it.
 
wait. so you dont own a fender AND you dont play a fender AND you dont care for them?! mind. blown. i think most people that play fenders play them because they like them. just like most people that play ibanez play them because they like them. just like most people that play warwick play warwicks because they like them....and so on.
Pretty much this. I don't how some people are so blind they can't see it's simply a matter of preference rather than blind fanboy-ism. Sure it may be true that one is first introduced to Fender (or any other brand, truth be told) thru their favorite bassist should they play one, if the bass doesn't satisfy them, most would try something else. The only reason I play Fenders now is because I played one once, and I loved it, not because so and so played one.
 
There are many reasons Fender basses are so popular. My reasons would include:

The sound- its what I hear in my head. I love old motown, blues, rock, and old country. Fender basses dominated theses styles back in the fifties and sixties so its what I expect to hear. However, there are many other basses that can get this tone. I just prefer my P bass.
The feel - purely my preference
The look - again my preference, but more than likely due to many years as a youngster hearing and seeing my heroes use them ( Jamerson, Babbit, Kay, Duck Dunn, etc)

I love Fender, and Fender style basses, and at this point only have my one P bass, but there are many other fine instruments out there I would love to own if it were practical to do so. In my case it is not at this point in time.

If you like what you play then play what you like, and enjoy it! The whole point in my opinion is to find whatever inspires, and facilitates making music for you. Leave the popularity contests to the beauty queens.
 
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