Author Topic: What is with the "other" American bass manufacturers?? (Read 1057 times)

olieoliver · « **Reply #30 on:** October 12, 2006, 07:03:49 AM »

Mighty tempting offer David, but I'll have to pass.
I agree with John though, Tele basses are terrible. Dusty Hill may disagree with us though.

57basstra · « **Reply #31 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:08:08 AM »

Let me begin by saying this is a qualified response and/or comment having only to do with me as an individual and my experiences and opinions alone and is not intendedby me thorough conjecture, extrapolation or other means of inference or direct communication to refer or relate to anyone other than myself or any situation other than my own:

I respectfully disagree -- at least in regards to my Tele bass and ones I have played over the years. I have a Tele bass (American) I bought out of a pawn shop in '81. I love the sound, action feel, look. It is not an Alembic, but it has its own vibe. With the risk of sounding sexist, I find musical instruments to be rather like women -- they all have their special ways.

So, Olie: I'll up my offer on the Tele bass...

David

57basstra · « **Reply #32 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:15:35 AM »

Oh, I like Edsels, too.

olieoliver · « **Reply #33 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:24:55 AM »

David I like your analogy of women and basses. My ?Tele? can?t cook but it does feel good in your hands.

olieoliver · « **Reply #34 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:31:35 AM »

While I personaly don't like the sound of the Tele bass, the Jazz is a different story. I do like the sound and feel of my Jazz Bass. It is by no means (my opinion here) as good as my Alembics, feel or sound, but I still do like my old Jazz.
You never forget your first love.

811952 · « **Reply #35 on:** October 12, 2006, 09:42:09 AM »

David and everybody else (but mostly David), I meant no offense and recognize that we all like different things for different reasons. I *hated* that bass though...

John

lbpesq · « **Reply #36 on:** October 12, 2006, 10:10:00 AM »

At least one big difference between basses and women. When you don't want your bass anymore, you don't have to buy it a house!

Bill, tgo

811952 · « **Reply #37 on:** October 12, 2006, 10:11:27 AM »

57basstra · « **Reply #38 on:** October 12, 2006, 11:06:06 AM »

I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it.
Voltaire (Fran?ois-Marie Arouet)

mikedm · « **Reply #39 on:** October 12, 2006, 11:59:39 AM »

Back to Elzie's original post. I'm not seeing the availability of Fenders drying up in the DFW area. The local indepenent shop I frequent carries a heavily weighted imbalance of Fenders with a smattering of Gibsons, Epi's, Ken Smiths and SGRs. Used to carry Alembic, Fodera, F-bass and Modulus, but not anymore. I'd prefer more variety, but it seems that those days are gone. The local GC's have as many Fenders as Ken Smiths and Ibenez.

Are Fender, Gibson, et al forgetting their core buyer? That's a tough one to answer. The cynic in me would probably answer, Yes. Why should they worry about the stock after the dealer buys it, it's not their problem. They've already made the sale, right? But that sounds like market share suicide to me and I hope that's not part of anyone's business model. And maybe part of their impetus is to saturate the market with their brand. I think we all have experienced the it's not what you know, it's what you recognize sales phenomina. Mall-mentality: I can get it all and at a store I recognize. I think most people would gravitate to a GC than search out a local shop, thinking they'd get a better deal at a larger, established chain. Companies spend millions on branding, name recognition and demographic targetting campaigns. It's a savy, brutal world and they're going to get their share before the lights go out. Sad testament, that.

Not to be gloomy and cast a general pall across free market enterprise, but sometimes it feels to me that there is a loss of contact with the Joes like me that can afford only to press our noses to the shop's window and forlornly gaze through the glass. Honestly, I really would like to have an old, paint-chipped Jazz with some miles on it, just for mojo's sake, but I can't afford one. Geez, I can't even afford a new Jazz. If they want to put their product out of my reach, then I'll just keep my money. As frustrating as it can be, it's not as if I need their stuff anyway.

And for as much as some of those pieces go for, I can save up for a used Epic or Excel. Now that, I could need!

Mike

811952 · « **Reply #40 on:** October 12, 2006, 12:48:58 PM »

Mike,

Are the pawnshops on the square in Denton still full of nice fretless basses these days? Or do you ever get up that way? Back in the early 80's there were probably 150 *nice* fretless basses for sale on that one city block. You name it, there was at least one of them hanging in one of the half-dozen pawn shops, and the prices were reasonable too. I guess that was the one o'clock lab band's contribution to the local economy...

John

olieoliver · « **Reply #41 on:** October 12, 2006, 01:00:15 PM »

Our band (Ice) used to gig in Denton back in the 80's John. We were regulars at a club called Crossroads. Probably the only R& R club on the strip.
Never checked out any of the pawn shops though. Wished I would have now. Back then all I played was a 79 Muscicman Sabre fretless. Still own that bass too. A very nice bass I might add.

811952 · « **Reply #42 on:** October 12, 2006, 01:21:40 PM »

My first visit was a total shock. We had been playing a club in a small town somewhere North of there and a guy recognized the Alembic I was playing. He recommended I take a trip to Denton and hit the pawn shops, because they were full of basses. I thought he was full of 5h1T at the time. Took the trip a couple of days later and haven't seen as big of a selection of basses since. That was late '82 I think...

I've liked every MusicMan bass I've ever played.

John

mikedm · « **Reply #43 on:** October 12, 2006, 03:21:30 PM »

John,

Denton is a few miles from here, haven't been to any of the pawn shops. I can imagine that basses and guitars would be readily available there, the music school at UNT has a national reputation as a top notch program.

It's never crossed my mind to go hunting up that way...hmmm.

trekster · « **Reply #44 on:** October 13, 2006, 09:11:26 PM »

I've noticed a dry-up of Alemibics at my favorite used place... guess those college students have gotten wiser.

The used place? Atomic Music in College Park, MD -- I always figured they existed on the premise that college students would sell off whatever instrument they had for beer money.. I've seen many an Alembic come and go there... they move stuff usally in 30-60 days or less, unless it is 80's metal guitar stuff (that stays on the the walls FOREVER)...

--T