They are somewhat inexpensive, common, reliable and can generally take a beating. Its just one of the most common basses out there, like, any kind pretty much.
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Why does everyone use Fenders?
- Thread starter batmilk
- Start date
Fenders do the job. I can easily get the sound I want, the action I want, it doesn't cost a fortune, and it fits in its case behind the front seat of my Mustang ragtop.
I haven't played another bass that worked as well, or sounded as good, or felt as comfortable. Bass construction (now that Leo has shown the way) isn't rocket science. Go with what works, not what makes the art majors weep.
I haven't played another bass that worked as well, or sounded as good, or felt as comfortable. Bass construction (now that Leo has shown the way) isn't rocket science. Go with what works, not what makes the art majors weep.
Fender bass is the Louisville Slugger of the bass world. Performance, solid tone, Price point, mass marketing, and dependability play a big factor in the appeal.
Originally Posted by Toptube
Fender is the original Electric Bass Guitar
Ok fine if we want to be technical about language used. According to the wiki he made 100 basses. Fender was the first mass produced, was in more hands than anyone else, and arguably got things "right" earlier than anyone else. Fender's prevalence is to the point that popular/common knowledge has overwritten its predecessors.
Fender is the original Electric Bass Guitar
Ok fine if we want to be technical about language used. According to the wiki he made 100 basses. Fender was the first mass produced, was in more hands than anyone else, and arguably got things "right" earlier than anyone else. Fender's prevalence is to the point that popular/common knowledge has overwritten its predecessors.
OK fine. Lets just not perpetuate myths here. The fact remains that Leo neither invented or originated the electric bass.
I don't really know all of the history of the electric bass; I know Lionel Hampton was one of the first to use one. I also remember, as someone mentioned before, that when Leo came out with HIS version, it was always referred to as " The FENDER Bass ", even on record liner notes. I would like to think it was called that because it had such a distinctive sound; one like no other.
Alkali Ike
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The image of a modern bassist up on stage playing a Fender represents decades of great music continuing to this day. It's an iconic instrument, a musical constant, historically significant, warm and fuzzy, and still relevant. Oh yeah, and it sounds good.
Because all these bands have effectively the same sound, and a fender with a pick sits really well against an unprocessed wild kit sound and grainy guitars. The pick makes it pop in the high mids and avoid mush in a high volume situation. Probably mostly use nickel rounds. It's a great sound. They may also be more focussed on creating interest and energy than what bass they play. Maybe that's why they at successful.
They defined the sound of electric bass. That might have something to do with it.
There were electric basses pre Fender ( Audiovox) but Fender made a reliable, good sounding and in my opinion great looking bass. Remember Leo actually listened to musicians about what they wanted.
James and Donald sold more records back in the day than anyone I can think off with a 10K boutique bass.
There were electric basses pre Fender ( Audiovox) but Fender made a reliable, good sounding and in my opinion great looking bass. Remember Leo actually listened to musicians about what they wanted.
James and Donald sold more records back in the day than anyone I can think off with a 10K boutique bass.
Bob Dylan once said that after Jimi Hendrix did All Along The Watchtower, it became Hendrix's song. That is kind of how I view the Audiovox/Fender thing.
None of them as good as Dino Jr or Sonic Youth. Lets be clear on that. Those 2 bands kicked much a$$.
Most definitely. Kim is another bassist who would probably influence bands who play those genres, and she's been back and forth between Fenders and Gibsons. Lou too, and he used a Rick until it was stolen a few years ago, and he uses a Fender now. With bands like that, it's important to look at the gear by period, instead of what you currently see.
I've seen dreampop and shoegaze bands that use Fender basses... I've also seen them with Epiphone, Gibson, Gretsch, Rickenbacker, and others. When I play that sort of music, I usually use a Yamaha BB1200S, which is a bit like a Fender Precision, but is definitely its own beast (reverse P pickup, and especially because it has a lovely pre-amp with 3-band active EQ). The other bass I use (less often) for that sort of thing is a Burns Barracuda, which is a short-scale six string (a la bass VI).
Fenders are just ubiquitous, they've been around for ages, and they sound good for just about everything. But plenty of other brands get used too. Use what works best for you and sounds best to your ears.
Fenders are just ubiquitous, they've been around for ages, and they sound good for just about everything. But plenty of other brands get used too. Use what works best for you and sounds best to your ears.
Exactly. I look at Leo Fender as the music world's equivalent to Henry Ford. Ford didn't invent the gas powered auto (even tho some seem to think he did) , but his cars were the first (hugely) successful and viable vehicles, and to this day the impact made was gigantic. Leo's impact on the world was just as great, IMO.
It's 'trendy' to use 'em in indie bands. The 2000s has seen a renaissance of Fenders (along with flatwound strings and tube amps). Fender is a musical fashion statement. But it's backed with history and it's a working man's bass.
The thing is, play what you like, and what sounds best in your band.
The thing is, play what you like, and what sounds best in your band.
Probably for the same reason as why a lot of muso's tend to go for Shure SM58's -industry standard mics for many many years but there are many better mics out there now IMHO but it is still possibly the world's best selling mic?!
Same story with Fenders - industry standard bass for many many years, people feel it is 'natural' to get one even though they know there are better one's available out there by other manufacturers.
I have always been very pleased with the 2 Fender basses I've owned, good solid reliable basses. Fender is a trusted, well known name. As with the SM58's, there are better basses out there.
Leo definitely got it right first time with the Fender bass which is an incredible achievement if you think about it. Others have simply built on his basic design and improved where possible.
I bought my first Fender (Precision) back in 1974, at that time there were really only Fender P's, Jazzes or Gibson's to choose from, most of the music made in that (and earlier) was done on these basses and to me the Fender was my preferred instrument. Had I been starting out playing now with all the many different basses available out there, would I have made the same choice??? I don't know, possibly.
Same story with Fenders - industry standard bass for many many years, people feel it is 'natural' to get one even though they know there are better one's available out there by other manufacturers.
I have always been very pleased with the 2 Fender basses I've owned, good solid reliable basses. Fender is a trusted, well known name. As with the SM58's, there are better basses out there.
Leo definitely got it right first time with the Fender bass which is an incredible achievement if you think about it. Others have simply built on his basic design and improved where possible.
I bought my first Fender (Precision) back in 1974, at that time there were really only Fender P's, Jazzes or Gibson's to choose from, most of the music made in that (and earlier) was done on these basses and to me the Fender was my preferred instrument. Had I been starting out playing now with all the many different basses available out there, would I have made the same choice??? I don't know, possibly.
It's sort of like driving a Ford or a Chevy. Fenders are solid and adaptable to many purposes, the people's choice, very un-exotic and utilitarian.
However, Chevy does have the Corvette and Camaro, and Ford has had the T-Bird and Cobra, so they ain't necessarily just vanilla. Neither is Fender.
Neither, really. Either an instrument is a player's voice or not. Of course, as Peggy Noonan wrote of speechmaking, the first rule is to have something to say. If you don't, anything will do. Go with the paint scheme.
Ya know I just can't imagine sax players, for instance, bellyaching that everyone loves old Selmer Mark VIs, why can't they put a little variety in life and love Sears Blowbests instead? Maybe it's because they're not deaf.
