Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

J

Johnny Sapient

New member
Hey, bass players (or guitar players who double):

Is there anyone who you think does the P and J style better than Fender themselves? I've been looking around and thinking about my next bass, and I realized that almost every bass-producing company has models that are directly derived from Fender P's and J's... right down to the old-school plastic pickguard and pickup configurations.

The Schecter Model T and Diamond J look pretty sweet. Of course, Sadowsky produces some of the most amazing P and J derivatives out there... but they cost too much.

I'm a die-hard Fender guy and I have no complaints whatsoever. I'm just curious for new opinions.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Yes, i actually prefer P\J bass "copies" rather than the real thing.

Check out Lakland... better quality, sound, and feel :).
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

I love Fender basses, and I'm a guitar player. If I was to get a bass again (used to have one), it would be a Fender Precision, no question.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Lakland.....the real MIA Laklands. Stunning instruments.

My brother's actually endorsed by them....
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

G&L L-2000 :D Think about it... It's the revision from the guy who Invented the P & J Bass.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

the lakland are great, better than the suhr or sadowski imnsho
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

kmcguitars said:
G&L L-2000 :D Think about it... It's the revision from the guy who Invented the P & J Bass.
Click to expand...

Along the same lines, it's hard to go wrong with a Music Man StingRay.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Along the same lines, it's hard to go wrong with a Music Man StingRay.
Click to expand...

+1 But I'm very satisfied with my MIM P-bass with a Dimarzio Model P.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

If'n I were to get another bass and cash wasn't an issue, it would be Sadowsky 54-56 style Precision with a few tweaks. Or if Scott Lentz' shop would build me one...
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Cool recommendations, folks. Thanks.

To be honest, I really wouldn't consider G&L or Music Man Stingrays to be "Fender inspired", though. Although they were created by Leo, they are so drastically different from his work at the Fender company that they don't bare any resemblance to the classic Fender sensibilities. Don't get me wrong, that's not a knock. They're amazing basses and definitely have their own thing going... they're just not "Fender Fenders". They're "New Fenders". lol. I'm rambling.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

I would say that a G&L is MORE of a Fender than what he designed in the 50's...hahaha

I would just keep rockin what rocks you man. If you vibe with Fender keep vibin.

-X
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Sadowsky, G&L, Music Man Stingrays, Lakland, and Schecter Model T are all good sounding basses. I love my Fenders and my Schecter basses. It's a personal preference.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Johnny Sapient said:
Cool recommendations, folks. Thanks.

To be honest, I really wouldn't consider G&L or Music Man Stingrays to be "Fender inspired", though. Although they were created by Leo, they are so drastically different from his work at the Fender company that they don't bare any resemblance to the classic Fender sensibilities. Don't get me wrong, that's not a knock. They're amazing basses and definitely have their own thing going... they're just not "Fender Fenders". They're "New Fenders". lol. I'm rambling.
Click to expand...
To tell the truth, I look at the G&L basses to be more related to Fender basses than Music Man. The body style, headstock design and overall feel really seperate the Music Man designs from Fender. The G&L designs are pretty much more based on the P body, and have the innovations that Leo had been working on for most of the late 60s and 70s, but are still deeply rooted in "Fender." For example, try to get a good P sound out of a Stingray or a Sabre.... It's not happening- they sound like Music Mans. But I think my L-2000 will get a pretty convincing P and J sound in all three (passive/active/active) modes.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Golden Boy - Good points. I've heard almost nothing but excellent recommendations for G&L. Very cool.

Bass_Medic - What do you like/dislike about your Schecters?
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

The company that out does Fender, doing Fender styles is Ken Smith's new Japanese line. He can't make Fender clones in the US anymore.
http://kensmithbasses.com/KSD/KSDdefault.htm

KSDv70j4.jpg
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

There may be companies that outdo Fender at being excellently crafted, modern, or expensive instruments. I don't think there are any basses out there that really have 100% of the feel and tone, drawbacks and shortcomings included, of a real Fender.
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Joe, you dingmabobbit!

You just gave me EXTREME gas for a KSD-705! :(
 
Re: Bass Players: Can Anyone Be More Fender than Fender?

Gearjoneser said:
The company that out does Fender, doing Fender styles is Ken Smith's new Japanese line. He can't make Fender clones in the US anymore.
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same...that 70's ash model is tempting. Plus, I believe they have Active/Passive pickups.
 
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