Why does everyone use Fenders?

[Humbled]

Predictable results, familiar feel, and the accepted vibe.

It's kind of the same reason construction contractors buy white Chevy or Ford pickup trucks.

Being factory mass-produced instruments, Fender basses have a stack-up of variables. Most are pretty darn acceptable, some stink, some are extraordinary. Your job is to play long enough to find and keep a few of the extraordinary ones.

After that journey, you'll likely still end up gigging something a tad more boutique, because the typical Fender basses won't be "good enough" for your tastes anymore, and the extraordinary ones you won't want to risk losing.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

Irrelevant question. Nobody goes into an audition or recording session behind a curtain. But I'll humor you...I think a lot of them could reliably tell. One thing is for sure...they know when you've brought a bass in that's not going to work 5 seconds after you start playing.

I know that nobody it gonna hide behind a curtain for playing the bass during an audition. It was only a way to talk. I´m talking about it they have the ears enoughly trained to know if somebody plays/played with Fender.

 

[REMBO]

Fender has the Sound....as does this 1972 Fender Jazz Bass

 

[Rocky]

I know that nobody it gonna hide behind a curtain for playing the bass during an audition. It was only a way to talk. I´m talking about it they have the ears enoughly trained to know if somebody plays/played with Fender.

I'm sure many engineers and producers do have the ears to know which bass they are listening too.
However, it doesnt really matter does it? If they want a P Bass or whatever its thier call regardless if it makes sence to the musician or not.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

I'm sure many engineers and producers do have the ears to know which bass they are listening too.
However, it doesnt really matter does it? If they want a P Bass or whatever its thier call regardless if it makes sence to the musician or not.

Ok. But they could guess if it´s really a Fender? Or only they´d know to say thats a Pbass type?

 

[Humbled]

^^^^^
That's a reasonable argument if the producer says he wants a gotcha contest.

It's a bad one if he says he wants a Fender.

At which time the correct response is "no problem".

 

[FretNoMore]

Ok. But they could guess if it´s really a Fender? Or only they´d know to say thats a Pbass type?

Doesn't really matter if it's a P-bass sound he wants, right?

 

[Rocky]

Ok. But they could guess if it´s really a Fender? Or only they´d know to say thats a Pbass type?

I would think P bass type as opposed to brand provided all were passive basses with similar pickup configuration.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

^^^^^
That's a reasonable argument if the producer says he want's a gotcha contest.

It's a bad one if he says he wants a Fender.

At which time the correct response is "no problem".

I understand that somebody says that he wants a specific bass type for a job.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

Doesn't really matter if it's a P-bass sound he wants, right?

Yes to me. But It seems that is nothing to do if doesn´t bring a Fender PBass,

 

[FretNoMore]

Maybe people should get some Fender stickers then.

 

[Rocky]

Yes to me. But It seems that is nothing to do if doesn´t bring a Fender PBass,

I can't imagine too many studio musicians that dont own a P bass anyhow...

 

[SGT. BAKER]

I would think P bass type as opposed to brand provided all were passive basses with similar pickup configuration.

Maybe people should get some Fender stickers then.

Yeah. And they´ll leave to loose some jobs.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

I can't imagine too many studio musicians that dont own a P bass anyhow...

But it´s necessary that it be Fender, or it´s possible that having another brand in PBass?

 

[Rocky]

But it´s necessary that it be Fender, or it´s possible that having another brand in PBass?

You would have to ask the artist, producer that question,but if it absolultly had to be a Fender then it is thier call no matter how you or I feel about it.
One thing is for sure though and thats if you walk into a session with a Fender P bass your more than likely not going to get many complaints

 

[Mortrialus]

You would have to ask the artist, producer that question,but if it absolultly had to be a Fender then it is thier call no matter how you or I feel about it.
One thing is for sure though and thats if you walk into a session with a Fender P bass your more than likely not going to get many complaints

I can't imagine anyone getting a lot of complaints about their bass as long as its not some ridiculous explorer thing or something plastered with tacky stickers or anything similarly unprofessional looking.

 

[FretNoMore]

You would have to ask the artist, producer that question,but if it absolultly had to be a Fender then it is thier call no matter how you or I feel about it.
One thing is for sure though and thats if you walk into a session with a Fender P bass your more than likely not going to get many complaints

I think that is a bit too generalized; a P bass can not be the ultimate tool for every single genre or session. Lets say it's a jazz or fusion album for instance, a producer may well want a different sound for that.

Anyway, I would think a session player has more tools than one in the toolbox, and brings a selection of them to a session if a specific sound hasn't been requested beforehand.

 

[Fxpmusic]

I can't imagine anyone getting a lot of complaints about their bass as long as its not some ridiculous explorer thing or something plastered with tacky stickers or anything similarly unprofessional looking.

Not if it is the owner of this sticker-plastered beast

 

[drTSTingray]

Maybe it's because studio time is expensive - you play what the recording guy and the producing guy is familiar with, to get the job done quickly. (?)

Are you saying they're incompetent or just seeking to justify your choice in instrument? A sound guy or producer who can only deal with a Fender of some description would be pretty incompetent? After all, if he can mike up and get a drum kit to sound good the bass guitar should be the least of their worries. We all know no one (even a Talkbass bass player) can tell what make was recorded often when mixed in anyway!

 

[FretNoMore]

I'm not saying, I'm asking.