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Why does everyone use Fenders?

#81
Gaius46 said:
Fenders are nice. I have one and it's my current fretted go to gigging bass. But they are hardly IT. Lots of people get it done with lots of non Fenders.
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+1... I've gigged a Zon for 15 years and I could not have asked for a better bass. Reliable as you can get and a sound that will fit any kind of music. There are lots of high quality non Fender bass guitars available. Just because Fender is the most popular doesn't mean it's the only one.
 
#82
batmilk said:
But in the world of indie rock/alternative rock/shoegaze/etc, it seems like every single bassist uses some kind of a Fender (and almost always uses a pick).

I'm going to be starting a shoegaze/dreampop band with some friends and I play a 5 string Warwick Corvette, and I can't help but feel somewhat out of place, not that it will bother me much, but I just don't understand the fascination. I also can't use a pick to save my life, so that's another thing.

Is it actually a specific tone these guys want or more of a fashion statement?
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For most people, Fender has been there as the big name to aspire to - and as you say, the bass that most of the big players used. Then lots of other makers came along.

Fender had a truly great reputation at one stage, which possibly went when the company went through various changes of owner (Pre-CBS, yadda yadda yadda). Whatever. The fact remains, that on the whole they make some damn fine and attractive instruments. They haven't gone all out into technology and weird finishes like some companies and like Rickenbacker, they are slow at coming up with more than a variation on their two main types of bass.

I like 'em...

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As to using a pick... make yourself do it at home when practising and you'll get used to it.
 
#83
Chef said:
Because they work.
Precision Bass and Jazz Bass are two of the most iconic tones out there.
Leo figured this out early on, and they still work just fine.
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Um...that was it.

When Rock Bands change..so will the instruments...Rock Bands don't seem to be changing...so...yeah.

But geez..when I think baseball bat...I think louisville slugger,
Volkswagon:Beetle...

Bass: Fender...I own a bunch of different basses..even a Bongo 6...but hell..I know NO one is going to say Sh!t when I bring a P Bass to the gig.
 
#84
Why does everyone use fretted basses?

I played 6yrs in an indie band with a Fretless Ibanez Musician bass. It fit so well. I took a PBass with flats to the studio once and it didn't fit.... wrong sound, wrong vibe as the bands sound was formed around MY tone.

It's not just the ingredients but the recipe and how the flavors cook together that make something good.
 
#85
capnjagg said:
For the curious and confused, here are examples of:

Shoegaze (which is named so because of the use of multiple effects and the guitarists' tendency to look at their "shoes")

Other notable acts: Ride, Slowdive

Dreampop (named so probably because of that dreamy sort of spacey feel about the music, though I'm not really confident about that explanation)

Other notable acts: Cocteau Twins, The Flaming Lips
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LOL makes alot of sense..the shoegaze thing. It struck a chord with me, cause I suppose I was a shoegazer in the early 2000s lol. Thanks :bassist:

I think this is overlooked, but alot of bigger name guys used Fender cause that was their only option for the most part back in the day? Interview with Chuck Rainey said that exact thing. Nowadays.....nvm im getting GAS.
 
#86
I guess I've always had an affinity for the look and the sound. They're comfortable. They're iconic. There's nothing that gets me excited quite like the Fender headstock does. And yeah, much of my music collection does tend to feature the instrument prominently.

I'm not a terribly accomplished player, but when I started actually playing the bass in a band, for real, I figured that it was the logical choice, especially since it's all covers at this point.

I guess I also think of Fenders as very versatile. A jack of all trades bass.

So I guess it comes down to familiarity. It's why I tend to favor Zildjians with cymbals. It's also why people go to chain restaurants. It's why people buy Fords and Chevys. For the most part, you know what you are expecting to get.
 
#87
Generally speaking, a Fender is three things:
1) A Fender is easy to find in almost any decent music store.
2) Anytime you buy a Fender, you can feel somewhat assured that you're not shooting the dice on a piece of junk. And if it is a piece of junk, it's easy enough for resell because of the Fender name.
3) The Precision and Jazz basses produce sounds that most will find pleasing to the ear.

Bearing in mind these three things, it's not hard to see why so many people use them.
 
#89
Pretty simple for me: A Fender Jazz seems to fit my hands and body so nicely, that sometimes, I'm not even aware it's hanging on my shoulder. I have tried other brands of basses, including Fender " clones ". Nothing seems to get that comfortable feeling like my Fender Jazz basses. Oh yeah, they sound great for my needs, too !
 
#92
I like to always have a Fender on hand I love the looks and sound and use them as a recording instrument,I played the CT blues challenge twice and all P's or J's with maybe a Musicman at the rate of one per year, I used a Hofner which raises eyebrows, They make all the bands use the supplied amps and I don't remember the guitar amp but first challenge amp I used was a Fender, not bad I love Fender amps but this was a mid quality type amp, second year though they gave us Eden amps, They hate the Hofner since its Blues I think they equate it to the Beatles but I use the Hof the first time because I thought I got a upright sound if I use my fingers just right but the2nd year I used the Hof because I remember it raised some eyebrows,It does seem there is some prejudice with some gig organizers,I got my stones twisted because at a country gig at the Cadillac Ranch I used my Ric, I'm tired of so called people in the know telling me what I should be playing, I did in all cases carry my Fender as a backup( remember I like Fender) but I like twisting some of these gear snobs, And I do have all pro grade gear that I wouldn't trade,I once brought a Teisco bass to a open mic because we had a guitar player who was a gear snob and I got it for 35 dollars and it felt and sounded good but even more memorable was the nice shade of green he turned when I brought the Teisco, I guess my point is I dont like being told what to play
 
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#95
Somewhat OT, but does anyone else find the idea of "shoegaze" kind of the antithesis to what a gigging band should be doing, which is putting on a good show? I had no idea whatb shoegaze was before today, but when i looked it up i first thought "wouldnt that end up being a very boring show?". Movement and engagement of the audience is what makes a good show, and simply standing there not even looking up seems... odd.

Im not going to mention the music itself, as that is always a personal opinion.
 

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