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Why is Fender so Popular?

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#361
Scot said:
What basses is he playing nowadays? Last I knew he was playing Fernandes basses.
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Whatever he wants to play (or whatever you or anyone wants to play) is cool with me.

I own a P and a J because they fit my "comfort zone" and can't afford more than two at this time. I certainly like and appreciate other basses I've owned and played (Ric, Stingray, Ibanez, Yamaha, etc). I can get the sound I like out of any of bass I play. Aesthetically, I just like the classic lines of a P or J, doesn't even have to be a Fender.

I'm not bashing anyone for their choice of instrument. I just thought the "quilt-top dayglo Frenchcurve-o-caster" comment was hilarious.
 
#363
savit260 said:
Hey, I'm wide open to change.

I'll issue you this challenge, and this goes to every luthier, custom builder, or even budget bass builder out there in TB land too.

Ship me at your expense, your best bass. If, in my opinion, it sounds better with my band, and gets the job done better than my P basses, I'll buy it from you. If not, I'll ship it back to you at your cost.

If you're confident that you can get it done better, then you won't mind gambling on eating the shipping charges. :)

Any takers?
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Savit, that's gotta be the lamest challenge I've ever heard of. :D

Hey, anyone want to send me their Ritter or Fodera on their dime? If I don't think it's better than my basses I promise I'll send it back. Honestly!
 
#364
Bass Viking said:
Savit, that's gotta be the lamest challenge I've ever heard of. :D

Hey, anyone want to send me their Ritter or Fodera on their dime? If I don't think it's better than my basses I promise I'll send it back. Honestly!
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I'd certainly be willing to let anyone who wants to take up the challenge know exactly who I am, and where I live, and who I play with. Hell, I'd even secure it with a credit card, just so long as they promised to credit me back if they couldn't deliver on the tone to my satisfaction.

How's that? I'll put my money where my mouth is.

How about you guys?
 
#365
Easy8 said:
Whatever he wants to play (or whatever you or anyone wants to play) is cool with me...
...I'm not bashing anyone for their choice of instrument. I just thought the "quilt-top dayglo Frenchcurve-o-caster" comment was hilarious.
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Sorry, man - I wasn't trying to discourage you from using that line in your sig. Go for it, it's cool with me. ;)

I really was a little curious about what bass he's playing these days (we all know he would sound great on a wash tub bass, etc., etc.)
 
#366
savit260 said:
I'd certainly be willing to let anyone who wants to take up the challenge know exactly who I am, and where I live, and who I play with. Hell, I'd even secure it with a credit card, just so long as they promised to credit me back if they couldn't deliver on the tone to my satisfaction.

How's that? I'll put my money where my mouth is.

How about you guys?
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Sorry dude, Mustang Sally ain't allowed on Mr. Sixer. :ninja:

I think we have too many people looking for a one size fits all bass and there's no such thing. One size may fit most, but certain things can nail a tune better than the universal Fender. My Raleigh might be a good mountain bike, but take it on a road race and my Bianchi will bury it.

Leo designed the P and J basses to serve the purpose he saw back in the day. A lot of bassists still sound and play like that. Some of us don't. I've never listened to Michael Manring and though, "hmmmmm, you know what would make this great? Playing something easier and....that sounds like everything else."

When it comes to every day conventional music and technique, a Fender can get the job done. When ya specialize in something unique, you might need something suited for the exact needs.
 
#367
Scot said:
I really was a little curious about what bass he's playing these days
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rp44.jpg
Pic that inspired my comment...

Love his work.

But these days he uses Conklins, iirc.

For the record, my comments about boutique basses were not a condemnation of fancy basses, nor the people that prefer them, the comments were solely for those who feel compelled to be anti-Fender and pro-fancy basses based on looks alone (you know, the "Fenders are boring" commentors), because I find it incredibly shallow...a Madonna-esque way of thinking, all image no substance....

So to anyone who I may have offended from the FORMER camp, my apologies. Different strokes, you know?

To the LATTER camp, my comments stand. Go pose in a mirror.

Ooops, still not posting. ;)
 
#370
savit260 said:
I'd certainly be willing to let anyone who wants to take up the challenge know exactly who I am, and where I live, and who I play with. Hell, I'd even secure it with a credit card, just so long as they promised to credit me back if they couldn't deliver on the tone to my satisfaction.

How's that? I'll put my money where my mouth is.

How about you guys?
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Sounds like you're putting their money where your mouth is.

-Nick
 
#371
Arx said:
Sounds like you're putting their money where your mouth is.

-Nick
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How so? It's secured against a credit card.

On a related note... Leo Fender would take his instruments around and let players actually play them. Use them on shows etc.

That's part of how he got the word out about how good his instruments were, built relationships with working musicians, as well as to get input on how they could be imporved.

I'm sure these demo instruments weren't held against their credit cards either. ;)

My guitar player has had a few guitars and amps shipped to him buy builders doing the same thing, with nothing to secure them.

I'm willing to put up my credit as security. The only thing the builder/manufature is out is shipping, and if they think their product is so darned superior in tone, then they ought to be willing to take that gamble.

Remember, I'm not the one claiming that my basses are superior to my Fender.
 
#373
OK, I'm a little confused about the challenge. Are you challenging the bass players on the forum to send you their personal bass or the bass builders that may frequent the forum to send you a bass? Either way, it's seems a little far-fetched.
 
#374
savit260 said:
How so? It's secured against a credit card.

On a related note... Leo Fender would take his instruments around and let players actually play them. Use them on shows etc.

That's part of how he got the word out about how good his instruments were, built relationships with working musicians, as well as to get input on how they could be imporved.

I'm sure these demo instruments weren't held against their credit cards either. ;)

My guitar player has had a few guitars and amps shipped to him buy builders doing the same thing, with nothing to secure them.

I'm willing to put up my credit as security. The only thing the builder/manufature is out is shipping, and if they think their product is so darned superior in tone, then they ought to be willing to take that gamble.

Remember, I'm not the one claiming that my basses are superior to my Fender.
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So you get to play with all their basses at their cost, and if you don't like it they get to pay for you to send them back, and you get to say "See I told you fender sounds best"

If they want to offer that, hey.. It's certainly an interesting and maybe effective advertising method.

It's certainly not anything I'd ever even think to suggest to someone.

But to say that you're putting your money where your mouth is usually implies some type of risk on your part.
 
#376
Arx said:
So you get to play with all their basses at their cost, and if you don't like it they get to pay for you to send them back, and you get to say "See I told you fender sounds best"

If they want to offer that, hey.. It's certainly an interesting and maybe effective advertising method.

It's certainly not anything I'd ever even think to suggest to someone.

But to say that you're putting your money where your mouth is usually implies some type of risk on your part.
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I'm willing to lay my money down if something is superior in tone in my opinion.

What more could you want?

Believe me, if something comes my way that sounds better than my old P, I'm gonna slap down my cash.

We've got pages here of people saying their stuff is better, and that Fender players are close minded, and unwilling to try anything new.

I'm being as open minded as I can here offering this challenge up to any builder/manufacturer that wants to take it up.

Knock my socks off , and you'll have a sale.

Haven't you ever been somplace where they have samples or demos? Haven't you ever taken a new car home for the day or over night to see if it suits you. It's done all the time.
 
#377
spade2you said:
Yes I do. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll play my sterile sounding harp with a coffee table top. Sheesh, again, can dish it out but can't take it, eh?
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No, the reverse is true, and that's exactly my point. I didn't say anything negative about your bass or any other boutique bass, nor did the vast majority of Fender owners in this or any other thread. Yes, I'm sure it happens (just like Fender gets a lot of bashing here). Your complaints greatly exaggerate the extent of it.
 
#378
savit260 said:
Haven't you ever been somplace where they have samples or demos? Haven't you ever taken a new car home for the day or over night to see if it suits you. It's done all the time.
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Yeah, but I don't often go to a dealer that isn't offering that, tell them that my existing car kicks ass, but if they'll ship the car to my house I'll test drive it, and if it's a little better than mine, I'll buy it, trust me.. If not, they can pay to have it shipped back.

I never once have said that your choice in instruments wasn't the best choice for you, or even that it wouldn't be a reasonably good choice for anyone. I'm just saying that if someone is buying a new bass, they shouldn't go in with any prejudices for or against, based on marketing etc. Go in, try stuff, see what works. That's probably what you did, and that's cool.

Stop arguing with what I'm not saying. ;)

I guess I was a little out of line. You're not putting your money where your mouth is, or putting their money where your mouth is.

You're asking them to put their money where you think their mouth is, but probably isn't.
 
#379
savit260 said:
I'm willing to lay my money down if something is superior in tone in my opinion.

What more could you want?

Believe me, if something comes my way that sounds better than my old P, I'm gonna slap down my cash.

We've got pages here of people saying their stuff is better, and that Fender players are close minded, and unwilling to try anything new.

I'm being as open minded as I can here offering this challenge up to any builder/manufacturer that wants to take it up.

Knock my socks off , and you'll have a sale.

Haven't you ever been somplace where they have samples or demos? Haven't you ever taken a new car home for the day or over night to see if it suits you. It's done all the time.
Click to expand...

Ya see, when you say it needs to sound "better than your old P bass", it's already a lost cause. Although looking at your gear and seeing nothing designed after 1980 would also suggest that the train had left the station decades ago. I often joke that musicians fear change but it's not too far from the truth.

Bud Light and McDonalds may sell the most beers and cheesburgers, but there's much more flavor out there.
 
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