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Why is Fender so Popular?

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#261
One Drop said:
I hope I'm one of the 'good' 10% that likes Fenders for the right reasons. Boy, I'd really hate to get lumped in with the bad ones. That would really put a dent in my self confidence, alright.

I book bands, and have met many bassists who play every kind of instrument under the sun. Not one ever displayed the juvenile opinions about Fender being the best or worst basses in the world encountered in forums often enough. Maybe it's because they care more about the way basses play and sound look to them than what other people impute about their motives or personality. The saddest thing I can think of is avoiding something because of what anyone else thinks. No, actually, even sadder is defining oneself by a brand of any kind, by assent or dissent.

Of course many people buy them because of marketing, brand recognition, hero wannabe-ism, etc, but that doesn't detract from their qualities and my enjoyment of them. If Hitler was gay and played one every day of his horrid life I'd still play mine out every gig.

BTW, I completely respect your opinion of them for your own use, I just can't relate to the assumptions you make about everyone else and their motives. Perhaps it is this that provokes such strong reactions. I despise people who stick to the speed limit when I'm driving behind them, but I'd be a right pillock if I insulted their behaviour or motives, n'est ce pas?
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The 10% was more relating to the Harley thing. That's just a really extreme example of people trying to buy an image, rather than a motorcycle.

I think you would have a tough time arguing that a lot of fender owners weren't somewhat biased by the name.

I don't think there's anything wrong with Fender basses, but there are a lot of players with the attitude that "Everyone should have a Fender", and that's just silly. Everyone should have whatever bass they like the sound and feel of. Some people like a Fender's feel and sound, and they should buy one. But they should be equally open to buying anything else.

I guess the fanboy factor is just a bit irritating. I've always liked technological Darwinism. If people buy what's best, we'll end up with better stuff all around. If they stop trying other things, and buy a brand name instead, nothing much changes.

-Nick
 
#263
lovemybasses said:
only Fender jazz sounds (and feels,and looks) like Fender jazz and only Fender P sounds like P. thanx.
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Yes, and only my cheap defretted Vantage bass with tapewounds sounds like a cheap defretted Vantage bass with tapewounds.

It's all pretty relative. Fender is not somehow extra magic special, they're just different, and that's a good thing.
 
#265
personally i dont understand why so many people want fenders. i have tried 100s of different kinds and models.
they aren't easy play on, their sound is so plain and unoriginal (its actually original), and the look of it is boring (because almost everyone got one).

though, as said by other, the brand is selling alot.

I have played and seen alot of basses that simple outlast the fenders.
f.eks my bass: aria sb model: the sound is more unique! And the playability on a Fender p-bass is simply a JOKE compared to my Aria (or warwick, alembic, etc).

so as said before, it got to be laying in Fender's old tradition, and commercials.

I strongly recommend people to dwell into bass brands that is infamous or forgotten, you will find alot of great basses. Which actually will outlast the fender; in quality, "unique" sound, looks and such.

all in all, its not that weird when all you can find in your local store is cheap Fender basses:rollno:

+ humans live in an huge crowd; following, copying each other.
 
#268
Johades said:
I have played and seen alot of basses that simple outlast the fenders.
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There are quite a few Fender electric basses that have been around for over 50 years. Some of the very first ones made in late 1951 are still being played today.

No other comapny can make that claim of longevity simply because Fender was the first commercially successful electric bass and no others existed yet.
 
#269
Arx said:
I guess the fanboy factor is just a bit irritating. I've always liked technological Darwinism. If people buy what's best, we'll end up with better stuff all around. If they stop trying other things, and buy a brand name instead, nothing much changes.

-Nick
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Yup, and those who dismiss something and trash it, because it doesn't suit their personal preferance is equally, if not more irritating. Add to that the pomposity to assume others motivations for their choice, and you really spike the irritate-O-meter.

Would you like to know why I bought my first Fender Precision back in 1982? It was the best bass that I could afford as a Freshman in High School with my saved up money from mowing lawns and umpiring Little Leage Baseball games. Yeah, it was used, it was nice, and I could afford it.

Personaly, I've played, and tried every bass and guitar I could ever get my hands on(hundreds upon hundreds over the past 27 or so years since I started) , YET... I still play Precisions or P copies most of the time, because that's what works best for me.

Imagine that! ;)
 
#270
savit260 said:
Yup, and those who dismiss something and trash it, because it doesn't suit their personal preferance is equally, if not more irritating. Add to that the pomposity to assume others motivations for their choice, and you really spike the irritate-O-meter.
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What surprises me is a lot of adults are saying stuff like that, too. You expect that kind of nonsense from teenagers. I don't expect it from a 40-year old.
 
#271
I think its because alot of people learned to play bass on a Fender or similar. I myself learned to play bass on a 64` Fender. Some would stick with the Fenders while others would get something else. All the teachers ive ever had and most bassists i know started with Fenders, most of them use Warwick, Alembic, Frankenbasses or Musicman. Ive started using my Wicks only. I just keep my Fender because its a heirloom.
 
#275
Nothing can be said about this that hasn't been said hundreds of times already on TB alone.

As far as I can see, Fender's P's and J's are and will continue to be popular because, like it or not, they're more or less what an electric bass should be - or rather, nothing more, nothing less. Two considerations:

(1) the bassists who laid down the grooves for so many classic records in popular culture chose to play Fenders more than any other brand. That makes Fender iconic, and it can't be wished away.

(2) experienced, professional players who have a vast repertoire and own many basses still often conclude that a P or J is right for the job. This is their mature judgment. They're not swayed by brands as such, but they do influence up-and-coming players who admire them.
 
#276
Rob Mancini said:
Or you could take one of your three Warmoth Jazz copies and be perfectly fine ;)
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In that case I'd bring the active one, great bass and my favourite 4 string! But the only thing Fender about it is the shape. It has no Fender electronics or hardware on it and it's made of korina and wenge. And it has the Warmoth logo on the peghead. I'd be happy to play it but would the engineer or producer accept it?

I think the question came up before, at what point does it stop being a Fender?
 
#277
Fender is popular because they came first. Fender have contributed to the bass in the 60's to the present day, and for that, they are popular. However, some people like modern instruments, some people like vintage. What Lakland and other companies are doing is producing modern basses with a more vintage vibe. They differ from vintage and custom shop models because the Laklands aren't subject to the problems that plague most vintage instruments.
 
#279
Bass Viking said:
In that case I'd bring the active one, great bass and my favourite 4 string! But the only thing Fender about it is the shape. It has no Fender electronics or hardware on it and it's made of korina and wenge. And it has the Warmoth logo on the peghead. I'd be happy to play it but would the engineer or producer accept it?

I think the question came up before, at what point does it stop being a Fender?
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Ask 100 bassists that question and you'll get 100 answers. Me, I really don't care what anyone else plays, nor do I care what the answer to your question is. You anti-Fender people are the ones that need to worry about it, not me.
 
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