Did you guys notice the Stingray in the third pic down (on the right)? ;-)
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Why does everyone use Fenders?
- Thread starter batmilk
- Start date
Did you guys notice the Stingray in the third pic down (on the right)? ;-)
Oy. This is not at all a knock on G&L or Leo, but that was ad copy, marketing 101. Every creative person says their current product is the best they've ever been associated with.
Really? Fender dominates here in in the clubs, and on most stages here in Los Angeles.
scotch
It's not rocket science!
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Yeah, Nashville too (obviously).
I travel all over the U.S. & Canada every year, coast to to coast, as well as many international dates. Europe, Argentina, and Indonesia over the last 12 months. Easily 75% of what I see being used are Fender P's and J's. Now, go to the Warped Tour or Rock Boat & yes- I see more variety. Across genres, however, Fender clearly dominates the gigging, professional bass market.
But don't you believe his later work **was** more evolved/improved than his earlier stuff? It just makes sense it would be. That's not hyperbole, that's progress. Are basses somehow immune to evolution/improvement over time? Some people seem to think so. Weird.
As for the Fender vs. G&L question specifically, it befuddles me that people aren't drawn more to G&L where you can get something specced to your individual likes (body color, neck profile, body wood, fretboard wood, painted or unpainted headstock, body binding, pickguard color...) at a Fender American Standard ("6 colors! Hope you like one!") price.
I mean, it's crazy the variety you can get with G&L at USA-built off-the-rack prices:
https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars/photos_stream
Who wants to play the exact same instrument everyone else in town plays?
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I respectfully disagree. I prefer the look, sound, and feel of my Fender over G&L basses, and I'm also a believer that if its not broken there is no need to fix it. With all due respect to Leo Fender I think his early instrument offerings were a stroke of genius combined with devine intervention, and perfect timing. His G&L models IMHO may be technically more advanced, but they just don't have the same magic. YMMV
Who wants to play the same instrument everyone else does? I do if that instrument inspires me. I don't care if my bass doesn't turn heads because it is common. Its up to my abilities as a musician to do that IMHO.
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My actual playing time on G&Ls is quite limited (no dealer of their basses within Chicago city limits, as far as I can tell). But the US models don't appear to be better or worse than MIA Fenders, just different (albeit with more choices). I'm intrigued by G&Ls, but I'd definitely need to spend more time with them before ordering one.
I purchased my L2k in 2010 and pulled my new 2014 LB-100 out of its case two days ago. Some of us are buying them!
You'll find the instructions on how to use smiley-faces on page 3 of your Fender Owners Manual.
See Fender covers everything!
A lot of people scoff at non-Fender guitars.
I took a G&L L-2000 into the studio once and the sound engineer kept complaining that he couldn't eq it. -_-
Is it actually a specific tone these guys want or more of a fashion statement?
I don´t believe that it could be for a specific tone. I´d say that is a fact of aesthetics.
Mostly those bass players they´d buy a Fender only by having this logo in the headstock. We know well how seductive/tempting is having this vintage forms/shapes for many bass players. I think that some of them really don´t should realize if they bougth a good instrument not only by the sound, even in terms of dead spots, low action, bridge and straigthness of the neck.
I seen some local bass players chosing his Fender only by his color (black, white...) that it could fits well in the band. So I regard that the sound isn´t the matter for them. I think that only a few of those bass players they could find some differences about tone and sound between a few models of the same kind of basses (PB, JB,...). But I´m pretty sure that probably they´ll never don´t buy another bass that it nails the Fender sound/tone if in the headstock it can´t read: Fender.
I don´t believe that it could be for a specific tone. I´d say that is a fact of aesthetics.
Mostly those bass players they´d buy a Fender only by having this logo in the headstock. We know well how seductive/tempting is having this vintage forms/shapes for many bass players. I think that some of them really don´t should realize if they bougth a good instrument not only by the sound, even in terms of dead spots, low action, bridge and straigthness of the neck.
I seen some local bass players chosing his Fender only by his color (black, white...) that it could fits well in the band. So I regard that the sound isn´t the matter for them. I think that only a few of those bass players they could find some differences about tone and sound between a few models of the same kind of basses (PB, JB,...). But I´m pretty sure that probably they´ll never don´t buy another bass that it nails the Fender sound/tone if in the headstock it can´t read: Fender.
Speaking for myself it is most definitely the sound. As an example I have owned and played a Lakland 55-94 deluxe for 11 years. I now play an American vintage 58, and the Lakeland is long gone. Why? Because when I was playing the Lakeland I was actually chasing the fender tone, and when I realized this I decided to get Fender. Now I will fully admit the lakland was capable of obtaining tones that I cannot get on the fender bass. However, because I'm an "old guy" I find I only really need one good sound. Any variation I can get it with hand placement, but that is what works for meIs it actually a specific tone these guys want or more of a fashion statement?
I don´t believe that it could be for a specific tone. I´d say that is a fact of aesthetics.
Mostly those bass players they´d buy a Fender only by having this logo in the headstock. We know well how seductive/tempting is having this vintage forms/shapes for many bass players. I think that some of them really don´t should realize if they bougth a good instrument not only by the sound, even in terms of dead spots, low action, bridge and straigthness of the neck.
I seen some local bass players chosing his Fender only by his color (black, white...) that it could fits well in the band. So I regard that the sound isn´t the matter for them. I think that only a few of those bass players they could find some differences about tone and sound between a few models of the same kind of basses (PB, JB,...). But I´m pretty sure that probably they´ll never don´t buy another bass that it nails the Fender sound/tone if in the headstock it can´t read: Fender.
When I find amusing is that 80% of all custom-built boutique instruments are direct copies of a P or J style basses. Some companies offer nothing but similar style instruments namely Sadowski, Lull, Nash just to name a few.
I also think many people play a fender bass is because of the resale value. Many of the boutique instruments are made better they have features that make them a step above fenders quality, but when you try to sell them it takes the right individual to come along, and buy them. Fenders on the other hand seem to sell much quicker because everyone is familiar with them, and their price point is more in line with what most people are willing to spend.
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It's actually quite amazing when you think of how many basses out there that are J or P's or copies of these models. The numbers must be mind-boggling after 60 years or so which would suggest that the majority of players are, and have been playing Fenders for a very long time. This would also suggest Fender style instruments will remain a dominant force for a very long time as the market is absolutely flooded with these two model styles.
If only Fernando were driving a Fender he would be leading the championship, right now!Is it actually a specific tone these guys want or more of a fashion statement?
I don´t believe that it could be for a specific tone. I´d say that is a fact of aesthetics.
Mostly those bass players they´d buy a Fender only by having this logo in the headstock. We know well how seductive/tempting is having this vintage forms/shapes for many bass players. I think that some of them really don´t should realize if they bougth a good instrument not only by the sound, even in terms of dead spots, low action, bridge and straigthness of the neck.
I seen some local bass players chosing his Fender only by his color (black, white...) that it could fits well in the band. So I regard that the sound isn´t the matter for them. I think that only a few of those bass players they could find some differences about tone and sound between a few models of the same kind of basses (PB, JB,...). But I´m pretty sure that probably they´ll never don´t buy another bass that it nails the Fender sound/tone if in the headstock it can´t read: Fender.
just because it is marketing 101 doesn't mean it also cannot be true in the maker's eyes or mine
it is such a subjective thing anyhow
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