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Why Fender?

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Neveragain55

Neveragain55

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Mar 19, 2014
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Connecticut
#1
So, there has been a question I have pondered for next to 30 years about the fascination/love/obsession…….with Fender bass Guitars.

There seems to be (with many) an assertion or assumption that only Fender makes the world’s best bass guitars and/or that you are only considered a pro if you play a Fender.

I realize that there is a “HUGE” Fender following, and that to even ask these questions is to commit heresy. (I think Fenders are great, but not extra-ordinarily special)

I can see all the replies now about how great Jacko, James Jamerson, Geddy Lee and countless others all were due to their Fender bass guitars, but……………the question still stands.

Why Fender?????

Besides the few special editions or artists series’ most “garden variety” Fenders come with: 20 frets – minimal tone & mixing capabilities – average pick-ups –average bridge – average tuners, and non-exotic woods. (I'm not say exotic woods necessarily make a great bass)

Maybe that’s why people love them so much, maybe that’s what makes them so appealing, I don’t know.

I respect Fender as a guitar manufacturer and of course I respect all bass players regardless of what they play.

I’d like to hear back from those of you that have a strong loyalty to Fender, and your reasoning for paying a fair amount of money on a bass line that offers less than what many other bass manufactures offer for the same or even less money.
 
#2
Fender offers quality products at all price points. I dont think they offer " less" than anyone. You can get fine basses from the Squier line to custom shop or better yet buy used . Fender Basses are heard on more recordings than all other electric basses combined. They are stylish and durable and are capable of fantastic tone. They have a worldwide network for parts and replacements.There is a huge market of so called " perfected " Fenders but some of us are more than happy with the build quality of Fender instruments. It is not uncommon for producers to request that a Fender or Fender type bass is used. Many of also appreciate the history of the Brand and it's impact on modern music. Are they as finely crafted as Foderas or Sadowskies, probably not but many of us would rather play our Fenders then fret over tight joints, fancy finishes etc.
 
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#6
Why Fender?

How about " Why Not Use Search Button?" It will save you writing other threads like...

What is the best bass?
What are the best strings?
Are Boutique basses worth the money?
Why a Pbass?
How many basses do you own?

Seriously, there are thousands of threads on this.
 
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#7
OK I'll bite. Over the 24 years I've been playing, I've tried many basses (four or five strings, fretted, fretless, passive, active, bolt-on, neck-through, etc.) and I've finally realized that, to me, nothing sounds as good as a simple meat-and-potatoes P-bass. And I've chosen Fender over any other P-bass manufacturer simply because it's the original and the one I found really spoke to me.

Really looking forward for the next thread about this. :***:
 
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#8
I first ignored Fender, choosing Ibanez. Finally I tried Fender and found I liked the instrument as well as the sound. Fender provides a good deal of variety and different price instruments as well as accessories.

I think what makes them feel good to me is the string radius (9.5").

I have replaced all my other brands, Ibanez and Peavey, with Fender but will try other brands.
 
#9
Neveragain55 said:
So, there has been a question I have pondered for next to 30 years about the fascination/love/obsession…….with Fender bass Guitars.

There seems to be (with many) an assertion or assumption that only Fender makes the world’s best bass guitars and/or that you are only considered a pro if you play a Fender.

Neveragain, you should never do this again. You've had thirty years to ponder this and a multitude of threads to research . If you have to ask why at this point you'll never get it,
I realize that there is a “HUGE” Fender following, and that to even ask these questions is to commit heresy. (I think Fenders are great, but not extra-ordinarily special)

I can see all the replies now about how great Jacko, James Jamerson, Geddy Lee and countless others all were due to their Fender bass guitars, but……………the question still stands.

Why Fender?????

Besides the few special editions or artists series’ most “garden variety” Fenders come with: 20 frets – minimal tone & mixing capabilities – average pick-ups –average bridge – average tuners, and non-exotic woods. (I'm not say exotic woods necessarily make a great bass)

Maybe that’s why people love them so much, maybe that’s what makes them so appealing, I don’t know.

I respect Fender as a guitar manufacturer and of course I respect all bass players regardless of what they play.

I’d like to hear back from those of you that have a strong loyalty to Fender, and your reasoning for paying a fair amount of money on a bass line that offers less than what many other bass manufactures offer for the same or even less money.
Click to expand...
Neveragain55 said:
So, there has been a question I have pondered for next to 30 years about the fascination/love/obsession…….with Fender bass Guitars.

There seems to be (with many) an assertion or assumption that only Fender makes the world’s best bass guitars and/or that you are only considered a pro if you play a Fender.

I realize that there is a “HUGE” Fender following, and that to even ask these questions is to commit heresy. (I think Fenders are great, but not extra-ordinarily special)

I can see all the replies now about how great Jacko, James Jamerson, Geddy Lee and countless others all were due to their Fender bass guitars, but……………the question still stands.

Why Fender?????

Besides the few special editions or artists series’ most “garden variety” Fenders come with: 20 frets – minimal tone & mixing capabilities – average pick-ups –average bridge – average tuners, and non-exotic woods. (I'm not say exotic woods necessarily make a great bass)

Maybe that’s why people love them so much, maybe that’s what makes them so appealing, I don’t know.

I respect Fender as a guitar manufacturer and of course I respect all bass players regardless of what they play.

I’d like to hear back from those of you that have a strong loyalty to Fender, and your reasoning for paying a fair amount of money on a bass line that offers less than what many other bass manufactures offer for the same or even less money.
Click to expand...
 
#14
Because Fender.
smiley-taunt002.gif
smiley-whacky060.gif
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#16
monkeyfinger said:
I am sure the OP is sincere in his question. Still, this thread comes up every other day. It really is tiring. Please use the search tool. I recall a thread very recently created with almost exactly the same title.
Click to expand...
Yup, within 2-3 days, and also full of "oh, please, not this cr@p again" responses...
 
#18
Neveragain55 said:
So, there has been a question I have pondered for next to 30 years about the fascination/love/obsession…….with Fender bass Guitars.

There seems to be (with many) an assertion or assumption that only Fender makes the world’s best bass guitars and/or that you are only considered a pro if you play a Fender.

I realize that there is a “HUGE” Fender following, and that to even ask these questions is to commit heresy. (I think Fenders are great, but not extra-ordinarily special)

I can see all the replies now about how great Jacko, James Jamerson, Geddy Lee and countless others all were due to their Fender bass guitars, but……………the question still stands.

Why Fender?????

Besides the few special editions or artists series’ most “garden variety” Fenders come with: 20 frets – minimal tone & mixing capabilities – average pick-ups –average bridge – average tuners, and non-exotic woods. (I'm not say exotic woods necessarily make a great bass)

Maybe that’s why people love them so much, maybe that’s what makes them so appealing, I don’t know.

I respect Fender as a guitar manufacturer and of course I respect all bass players regardless of what they play.

I’d like to hear back from those of you that have a strong loyalty to Fender, and your reasoning for paying a fair amount of money on a bass line that offers less than what many other bass manufactures offer for the same or even less money.
Click to expand...
The number of frets and knobs has little to do with the quality of an instrument and what you call average pickups are proven to provide the tone that works for many styles of music.
 
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#20
I don't think they make the best bass guitar...

They make the Jazz and P bass... both of which are tools, critical in the formation of a lot of the best music recorded over the past 5 decades..

On average, Fender USA, and custom shop basses are a high grade instrument, on par with most any other J or P bass maker..

Their MIM, and lower stuff is good for the money, and for entry level, learning musicians..

would I prefer to have an Alembic Series II over either of my Jazz basses? sure...

would I ever find myself with a bass stable lacking any Jazz basses? no

It's not about Fender uber alles... it's about Fender being the sort of cliche bass with the cliche bass sound.. sometimes it's just what fits.
 
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