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Will Fender lose popularity?

#81
I can't see any scenario where Fender falls by the wayside any time soon. Good, bad, or otherwise they are "the standard" and I don't think that's going to change for a long long time. That said though, I really like my Ibanez Soundgear Basses and sold off my Fender gear to buy more of them. ;)
 
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#82
No, not in the foreseeable future... If you're seeing more Far East basses among your peers and local performers it might be because you're hanging with a "metal" crowd and/ or a younger crowd which may not have the buying power to buy a (usually MIA) Fender with the same features for the same $$$. As bassists age, their buying power usually increases and they, if they already haven't, come to appreciate the history and vibe of a classic Fender bass.
 
#83
In response to the original query, I think Fender will continue to go strong, and I see plenty on the club stages in NYC.

Bassdirty said:
As far as popularity?
Well it appears to me that EVERY tv show that has a 'band' (or bassist) on the show features a bass made by fender.
So yea, there is just an image that most people (as proven by the tv show point) have about a bass player. And it's that he/she is seen holding a fender bass.
Click to expand...

I might go with "Fender style bass" as showing up often on tv shows w/ live bands.
  • When Will Lee was on Letterman with the CBS Orchestra -- Sadowsky
  • Ricky Minor on American Idol -- Sadowsky
  • Sasha Kristsov on The Voice -- various, including Fenders, Danelectros, Music Man, and more
  • Mike Merritt in various Conan O'Brien bands -- various, often Sadowsky
  • Mark Kelley w/ The Roots on The Tonight Show -- varies, Fodera, and others; not sure I've seen a Fender style bass in his hands
  • Owen Biddle w/ The Roots on The Jimmy Fallon Show -- Callowhill
  • James Genus with the SNL Band -- Fodera (not Fender Style)
Yeah, yeah, I know -- not an exhaustive list...but maybe "EVERY tv show" is a bit strong? ;):)
 
#85
Dallaspezz said:
May seem like a silly in question. But it seems like everywhere I play, I'm the only guy with a Fender. Everyone else has Ibanez, Cort, Washburn etc. Is there something I'm missing with these instruments? Whenever I'm talking to the other bassists they're always saying how these new Ibanez basses are much better than a Fender.
Any thoughts?
*edit*
Obviously Fender is still popular. The point was kind of missed, I notice even my local music stores are carrying less Fenders and leaning towards Ibanez and other basses of that nature. The point is that, are these Japanese made basses better? And will fender still be king
Click to expand...

One of the reasons that your local stores aren't carrying Fender is that Fender imposes HEAVY conditions on dealers - they must move a certain amount of merch or they do not qualify, to carry the MIA line they must carry X quantity of the cheaper lines - the dealers I've talked to tell me Fender is a roal PITA to work with. Ibby, etc? Not as much.
 
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#87
schenknasty said:
People can't afford milk and gas. No surprise you're seeing an increase in cheaper basses out in the world!
Click to expand...

I dunno about that... what I see is people can afford full cable packages / phone plans but then complain they can't go out to dinner. Priorities have shifted, that's all. Oh, that and the middle-class is dead - but that's a different discussion.
 
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#88
My first two basses were not Fenders. My thought at the time "Everyone has a Fender. I want something different".

I finally got it after playing a particularly nice Jazz Bass at a store. They are the iconic sound I was trying (and miserably failing) to emulate with my Ibanez Soundgear. I now own four basses, three of which are Fenders (a fretless Jazz, a fretted Jazz, and a Precision). After I got my first Jazz, I eventually sold my Ibanez after not touching it for over a year.

I don't think the appeal of a Fender bass will ever fade. They are far too iconic at this point.
 
#89
schenknasty said:
People can't afford milk and gas. No surprise you're seeing an increase in cheaper basses out in the world!
Click to expand...

Gas is cheap right now! (relatively speaking) I don't think it is only cheaper basses that is putting pressure on Fender, there are a lot of boutique offerings making waves as well - in basses, amps and cabs. In a way I think it is very good for Fender to experience this, it will force them to produce ever improving product lines or loose profits. When companies get too big and take up too much market share they don't have as much incentive to increase quality. Of course, that is just my opinion. I would still like to acquire an older fender, but don't think I will ever buy a new one. Course I have said that about a lot of things!
 
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#90
I play a Cort GB74 and tomorrow I get it back passive with Delano pickups, pickup toggle and a split switch for the humbucker.

I bought this 10 years ago for £450 and lamented the fact I didn't save for a MiA jazz or buy a Highway One. The Cort plays like a jazz, just a shame making it sound like one (pickups were trash) is almost equal to buying one.

Ive no issues not playing a Fender, but most are trying to imitate it (Cort) or are a completely different beast (Ibanez).

If I were to by another bass around a the MiA price tag it'd probably have to be a P or J Fender. Lower price? Prob Cort again but most likely a MiJ reissue
 
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#92
Sweet Willie said:
In response to the original query, I think Fender will continue to go strong, and I see plenty on the club stages in NYC.



I might go with "Fender style bass" as showing up often on tv shows w/ live bands.
  • When Will Lee was on Letterman with the CBS Orchestra -- Sadowsky
  • Ricky Minor on American Idol -- Sadowsky
  • Sasha Kristsov on The Voice -- various, including Fenders, Danelectros, Music Man, and more
  • Mike Merritt in various Conan O'Brien bands -- various, often Sadowsky
  • Mark Kelley w/ The Roots on The Tonight Show -- varies, Fodera, and others; not sure I've seen a Fender style bass in his hands
  • Owen Biddle w/ The Roots on The Jimmy Fallon Show -- Callowhill
  • James Genus with the SNL Band -- Fodera (not Fender Style)
Yeah, yeah, I know -- not an exhaustive list...but maybe "EVERY tv show" is a bit strong? ;):)
Click to expand...

Sorry, I should have been more specific.
I wasn't talking about tv shows with real musicians. I meant tv shows/movies that have people/bands "pretending" to play.
Where the set designer/director says, get me the instruments I need to make these kids look like they're in a real band. Then somebody makes the decision of what gear to use, and the bass is usually a fender style (as there is also usually a piece of tape covering up the brand, as they didn't arrange a deal with manufacturer.



I'm sure real musicians play what they like fender or non.

That's my point. And I don't disagree with you either.
;)
 
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#94
Sweet Willie said:
In response to the original query, I think Fender will continue to go strong, and I see plenty on the club stages in NYC.



I might go with "Fender style bass" as showing up often on tv shows w/ live bands.
  • When Will Lee was on Letterman with the CBS Orchestra -- Sadowsky
  • Ricky Minor on American Idol -- Sadowsky
  • Sasha Kristsov on The Voice -- various, including Fenders, Danelectros, Music Man, and more
  • Mike Merritt in various Conan O'Brien bands -- various, often Sadowsky
  • Mark Kelley w/ The Roots on The Tonight Show -- varies, Fodera, and others; not sure I've seen a Fender style bass in his hands
  • Owen Biddle w/ The Roots on The Jimmy Fallon Show -- Callowhill
  • James Genus with the SNL Band -- Fodera (not Fender Style)
Yeah, yeah, I know -- not an exhaustive list...but maybe "EVERY tv show" is a bit strong? ;):)
Click to expand...
I think I've seen Mark Kelley play a P bass several times, just fyi.
 
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#95
Don't be surprised if Ibanez, and the other bass guitar manufacturers may be giving better deals to the stores to carry more of their brand. Gibson, and Fender have been long known for being their own worst enemies when it comes to what a dealer has to buy, of their product to be a Authorized Dealer. It's all dollars, and no sense.
 
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#97
Dallaspezz said:
May seem like a silly in question. But it seems like everywhere I play, I'm the only guy with a Fender. Everyone else has Ibanez, Cort, Washburn etc. Is there something I'm missing with these instruments? Whenever I'm talking to the other bassists they're always saying how these new Ibanez basses are much better than a Fender.
Any thoughts?
*edit*
Obviously Fender is still popular. The point was kind of missed, I notice even my local music stores are carrying less Fenders and leaning towards Ibanez and other basses of that nature. The point is that, are these Japanese made basses better? And will fender still be king
Click to expand...

Ibanez definitely produces a quality product for a low price. Im still blown away by this SR250 I bought at a pawn shop for <100 USD. However, Fender does produce high-value, low-cost products too with the MIM and Squier lines.

I think what you're noticing is that people are content buying something cheaper than a MIA Fender because they get a lot for the money. Back in the 70s-80s you sacrificed a lot of quality when buying cheap imports, but those days are long gone.

Metal is also a pretty popular genre of music, and while plenty of metal players use Fenders I'd say there is more acceptance of playing that style with a Ibanez or similar. The rock, rockabilly, etc. guys are the ones pushing Fenders predominately. Every once in awhile you get a knucklehead that insults you for not using a Fender and peer pressure influences people's bass buying habits some.

There is still a dedicated group of Fender fans buying their instruments, and with the budget lines I don't think they're going anywhere. If anything you might see less people with MIAs as there are better options out there IMHO YMMV. I'm partial to G&L but a lot of others dig the Sadowskys, Laklands, etc. for Fender-like higher end instruments.
 
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#98
Dallaspezz said:
May seem like a silly in question. But it seems like everywhere I play, I'm the only guy with a Fender. Everyone else has Ibanez, Cort, Washburn etc. Is there something I'm missing with these instruments? Whenever I'm talking to the other bassists they're always saying how these new Ibanez basses are much better than a Fender.
Any thoughts?
*edit*
Obviously Fender is still popular. The point was kind of missed, I notice even my local music stores are carrying less Fenders and leaning towards Ibanez and other basses of that nature. The point is that, are these Japanese made basses better? And will fender still be king
Click to expand...
Look at Ford. Their trucks and cars are over 100 years old. My guess is Fender will be around for a long time.
 
#99
Yes, Fender will loose popularity as we oldsters "get less numerous" and a new crop of oldsters and youngsters comes into age and become prevalent. Your great grandparents wouldn't think of buying anything except a "Victrola". Now ask yourself where are those people today and where are the Victrolas? Who will replace Fender? Dont know, but it will be an area crowded with competition and brand popularity will enjoy much shorter duration. Yes it will.
 
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