A Bassist’s Perspective - Is It Best to Match Everything with the Same Brand?

Hello. I’m Mieno, the bassist of the Hammond organ instrumental trio BANANA NEEDLE.
This time, I would like to explore the idea: “Wouldn’t it sound better if everything were from the same brand?”

This is a topic that has been seriously discussed among bassists around me.

There aren’t many brands that cover everything—instruments, cables, amps, effects—but there is one major brand in the guitar and bass world:

Yes, that would be Fender.

As I mentioned before in “The Relationship Between Vacuum Tubes and Bass from a Bassist’s Perspective,”
there’s a theory about why bass sounds good through tube amps:
“Maybe it’s because the workshops that make instruments and pickups use tube amps for tuning and setup!?” This idea is somewhat similar to that.

That’s right—it’s hard to imagine that a Fender factory would be using cables or amps from other brands.
Of course, it’s possible that individual master builders might have their own preferred amps in their personal rooms.

However, don’t you think it’s quite possible that pickups and instrument setups on the general production line are done using the company’s own cables and amps?
This is purely speculation.

So, let’s take a look at the lineup of the beloved Fender brand.

For example, let’s say you are using a Fender Jazz Bass or Precision Bass.

FENDER/ American Professional Jazz Bass Black

FENDER / American Original '60s Precision Bass Surf Green

In that case, when they check whether it sounds good on the production line, you might imagine they’re using cables like the following:

FENDER / Deluxe Series Instrument Cable 3m

And the amp at the end of the chain might be…

FENDER / Rumble 800 HD

You might imagine something like that…

The expression “good sound” can vary from person to person, so “that Fender-like sound” might be a more fitting way to put it.

This “Fender-like sound” is really interesting—many classic recordings are often based on that very sound.

So, if the music you’ve listened to a lot becomes your reference, that “Fender-like sound” tends to be perceived as good.

Of course, what counts as good sound differs for everyone.

However, in Japan, there is a strong tendency to favor familiar, proven sounds over newer ones, so if you want to increase your chances of being called in for recording sessions, it might not be a bad idea to have gear that produces that “Fender-like sound.”

Personally, I think the “Fender-like sound” is a good sound.

Recently, Fender has also been actively releasing effect pedals.

FENDER / Downtown Express Bass Multi-Effect Pedal

Even cutting boards, too.

FENDER / Stratocaster Guitar Shape Kitchen Cutting Chopping Board

The windbreaker is cute!!

FENDER / Fender Windbreaker Camo and Black L

By the way, I even use Fender glasses, but in my own band, I use YAMAHA because the bass sound becomes too strong, haha.

Oh, I’m playing a Fender in this video!!

【Comparing the 5 Major Synthesizer Makers♪ Hammond/Roland/YAMAHA/KORG/ClaviaNord Comparison – Organ Sound Comparison】

Let’s all search for great sound together from various perspectives!
See you next time!

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