Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

Much as Iove my Stingray, Fender reigns supreme, if only for the ceation of a viable bass guitar. Leo's work on solid-body guitars and amps during his Fender period was set the template for a huge chunk of the industry. I even love his "failures" like the Jag, Jazzmaster and Bass VI.

His work at G&L and Musicman was far more evolutionary than revolutionary. They are terrific instruments, but are not the earth-shattering innovations that the Esquire/Broadcaster, P-bass and Strat were.

Fender in just about any configuration for me. I am not a fan of short scale Fenders though.............my apologies to you short scale lovers. I do in fact have a valid reason:

It's really only because I can play a Strat or a Tele in the dark with my eyes closed (I am that used to the scale length) and I am not kidding. I consciously taught myself to be able to do that because I thought it might come in handy in a dark room that also had a dark stage. Being able to play that way came in handy a few times over the years.

G&L instruments are fascinating but the headstock of the Strat and Tele styled instruments do not do it for me.

winston wrote: It's really only because I can play a Strat or a Tele in the dark with my eyes closed (I am that used to the scale length) ...

Ha, I have the same ability with my 320 It's just about what you get used to, I guess.

I can't believe it! Only 3 voters preferred non-Fender Leo (4 if you count John, I didn't know about SX).

That in mind I admit Fender created a big movement, but that's not what determines my vote. What determines my vote is: the Devil walks up to me and says, "Hey buddy, let's duel. Do you want a golden P Bass or a golden Stingray?" I'll take the Stingray.

Joshua let's hope the Devil never has an occasion to walk up to you. That could turn to be quite an unpleasant experience. I have to say I am not surprised tha Fender has such a strong showing in this poll. For many of us the brand has been imprinted on our consciousness.

It doesn't surprise me about their popularity, as Fender is one of the two biggest and well known in the industry.Working in shops that sold both G&L and Fender instruments, people would pay more for a lower quality instrument just because of what it said on the headstock. For around the same money(at the time)you could get an American Standard Strat or a G&L. Nothing was bad or wrong with the Strat, but the G&L was much higher quality in it's construction and components. Sold the Strats without people even playing them.

I prefer G&Ls. My two are keepers. Great necks make for comfy playing. Solid tuners keep strings on key. Higher-output Magnetic Field Design pickups on the ASAT Semi-Hollow and Z-Coil pickups on the Comanche just crank. Saddle-lock bridge on the Comanche blazes with beaucoup sustain. Overall, workmanship, fit & finish, and use of component parts was a better deal than what Fender could offer at a similar price point. Peace, out.......Goofyfoot.

I can't speak much for the guitars, but as far as the basses go, It's Musicman for me.

sloop_john_b wrote:

johnallg wrote:Now flame me.

No arguments here! I have heard a ton of rave reviews from SX owners.

One of these days I'm going to get one of those SX guitars.

winston wrote:Joshua let's hope the Devil never has an occasion to walk up to you. That could turn to be quite an unpleasant experience.

Good point. Besides, I'd be packing my golden Ric anyways.

rickenbrother wrote:I can't speak much for the guitars, but as far as the basses go, It's Musicman for me.

Good [music]man!

I'm in the Fender group on this. I really enjoy the sound and feel of a Fender and the pure looks that they have compared with some of the later Leo-created derivatives. I've got several Teles, a Strat, a Jag, and a few basses and they all have appeal that the other gear just seems to miss out on. My latest is a '62 RI P-Bass in Sunburst that I got last week (pics will be coming once I've had the pickup and bridge covers installed). For what it's worth, they are just a standard for me compared to the other two.

cassius987 wrote:
That in mind I admit Fender created a big movement, but that's not what determines my vote. What determines my vote is: the Devil walks up to me and says, "Hey buddy, let's duel. Do you want a golden P Bass or a golden Stingray?" I'll take the Stingray.

Um....I think if Satan came up and wanted to battle me in a Rock-off, I would want a BC rich. At least that would have some pointy ends with which I could defend myself!




It would not be unlike this here scene:

Mine is MusicMan, all the way. I finally found close to the "one" when I got my Stingray, and I did find my "one" when I got my Bongo. This is quite possibly the bass that could level buildings.
I recently got someone to sit in on bass so I could go out in the audience and hear it. Normally I only hear it on stage, but in the crowd, it sounded even more massive than I thought.
Sorry guys, I'm in love with a Bongo.

atomic_punk wrote: Sorry guys, I'm in love with a Bongo.

No need to apologize, Steve! My Sterlings sounded HUGE, I would love to have another for gigging.

Have to go with Fender, there's nothing like a real Fender Stratocaster. I have played a few G&Ls that I've liked but I just can't get past the goofy headstock.

atomic_punk wrote:Sorry guys, I'm in love with a Bongo.

I am debating getting a fretless Stingray or Bongo. Why do you prefer the Bongo?