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Why does everyone use Fenders?
- Thread starter batmilk
- Start date
Actually fashion statements are very much about blending in with the currently fashionable crowd, why would everyone buy the same stuff otherwise? Fender has just never gotten very much out of fashion.
I think you have an oxymoron here. Fashion statements are not about "blending in" with a currently fashionable crowd. By that reasoning, what bass could be played to NOT make a fashion statement? Nothing.
Does anyone really think Fender got where they are today because players wanted to make fashion statements?
Fashion statements. OK, so I got my 2009 Precision because it was black and maple and that color scheme looks the best on me. But a new pair of shoes makes much more of a fashion statement, and I'd have gotten a Precision anyway. I just find it odd that in the world of musical entertainment, "fashion statement" is considered some sort of bad word by musicians. Yeah, nobody good ever concerned themselves about fashion...
BWAHAHAHA!!!
BWAHAHAHA!!!
Fashion = a vague attempt at individuality that results in everyone dressing/looking/guitaring the same.
From Cambridge Dictionaries:
fashion statement
noun [C]
› clothes that you wear or something elsethat you own in order to attract attentionand show other people the type of personyou are.
I do believe this corresponds nicely to the fact that a lot of bass players care about playing a bass that shows who you are, i.e is right for your genre and for your audience. Not only in terms of sound but also looks.
I suggest that the Fender P is rather iconic and the only "right" bass in some genres.
fashion statement
noun [C]
› clothes that you wear or something elsethat you own in order to attract attentionand show other people the type of personyou are.
I do believe this corresponds nicely to the fact that a lot of bass players care about playing a bass that shows who you are, i.e is right for your genre and for your audience. Not only in terms of sound but also looks.
I suggest that the Fender P is rather iconic and the only "right" bass in some genres.
Especially bass players. Aren't we known for absconding ourselves in velvet suits and other assorted fashion atrocities?
Every single time I go up on that stage, bro.Especially bass players. Aren't we known for absconding ourselves in velvet suits and other assorted fashion atrocities?
Anyone who thinks they're making a "fashion statement" with their choice of bass is ridiculously deluded because NOBODY CARES ABOUT YOUR BASS. Except bass nerds on TB. I dont think hipsters are even that deluded in general.
No, they care. I have a lot of women tell me the black/maple bass looks better on me.
This in my opinion is why Fender has been selling so many CS relics.
I've been playing w Warwick corvette double buck for about 10 years now. Have been recently lusting over Fender and I couldn't tell why... Tone? Looks? Both? I don't play indie rock but funky stuff so if I cared about looks the Warwick would for right in. Anyways, picked up an 87 Fender fretless J bass special and I'm blown away by it. Not putting my main laid down but.... The fender is a great mistress.
Yup. Crocs, black knee high socks, Magnum PI shorts and a Hawaiian shirt for me at my weekend gig.
Just hope I don't have to run away from too many hotties!!!
Ok thanks for the suggestion. I did in fact watch the entire video and I fully agree with what he is saying. The whole aspect of Pbasses being a great choice for the reasons he stated was not my point, however. My point was the choice of Fender over other Pbasses, and I still subscribe to there very likely being both marketing and mystique reasons for choosing Fender.
Iconic yes - the rest no - any good quality instrument with a good quality player attached can play most genres. We shouldn't be deluded into thinking the audience has a clue what bass we play. My own experience indicates Bongo basses get lots of admiring comments, especially from women - old P basses generally get comments from nerdy musos wanting to know if it still has 1950s wiring flex etc yawn yawn.
I've yet to hear a P bass sound live like it's recorded version - and I've been waiting since erm 1969 - except Colin Hodgkinson that is ;-)
I own and have owned or played a bunch of non Fenders over the years. Warwick, Pedulla, ESP, Lightwave, G&L, MusicMan. I tend to like the Warwicks best but when a good P or P/J comes my way, something just feels and sounds just right.
At this point in time, a Warwick Katana BO 5 and a Pat Wilkins P/J 4 just work best. Play great, sound great soloed and just fit in with and cut through nicely in the band.
I had a Fender P, one of the newer 2008+ models and really liked it but my particular one had some high fret issue so I didn't absolutely love it but the Pat Wilkins P/J 4 is really growing on me.
At this point in time, a Warwick Katana BO 5 and a Pat Wilkins P/J 4 just work best. Play great, sound great soloed and just fit in with and cut through nicely in the band.
I had a Fender P, one of the newer 2008+ models and really liked it but my particular one had some high fret issue so I didn't absolutely love it but the Pat Wilkins P/J 4 is really growing on me.
