Little things you like for no reason

[SolarMan]

I don't like control cavities in the back of the body. The back must be smooth with no plates.

Why? No Reason!

[Mr_Music90]

Only Bolt-on basses for me :P Besides that, if a bass comes with a exotic wood top, I would look good at the ''figure'' of that wood and see which I like the most

[jweber76]

Something I just realized last night... I was tinkering with one of my P basses and found myself carefully adjusting the screws on the pickguard so that the slots all lined up as a perfect " +" I wondered if I always do that? So I checked my other axes... I do, apparently something I'm pretty anal about while I'm doing it and forget about it very shortly thereafter!
It's a little scary getting inside your own head sometimes...

[TechJunky]

A few things I like that, while not necessarily deal-breakers, are things I do tend to look for/appreciate:

-Curved bodies (Like Warwick Streamers/Thumbs, Spectors, Ibanez SRT). I just like the way they feel and fit when playing.
-Natural/oil/satin necks. I find necks with some sort of natural finish much more comfortable. I like feeling the wood grain a bit. Musicman necks are one of the tops for me, Fender satin necks on the American Std instruments is another top notch feel.
-Metal control knobs. Don't like plastic, feel too cheap and slippery. Metal just feels quality.
-Lightweight tuners. Especially hipshot ultralites, I just like the way they look.
-Either no fret inlays or some good design. Standard dots bore me, I like a clean look or something distinctive (while still being single markers. Not a fan of big designs like a dragon which spans the whole board).

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I prefer straight headstocks (non tilt-back) just for the look and feel of the neck in that area.

Non quick release bridges. I find it easier to string a bass when the strings are anchored through a hole.

[Count Bassie]

Some of you guys are kinda weird.

[Count Bassie]

Just kidding!

[slappa_dat_bass]

I like angled headstocks with inline tuners (jackson style). Not a deal breaker but definately a preference. I also need a bass to have 2 pickups. Pj combos, 2 js, 2 humbuckers, whatever as long as I have 2 or more pickups to mix my sound with. And black hardare! I detest chrome

[TortugaDaPipah]

I like tug bars. Not that I'd ever use one, but they look SO cool.

[Herrick]

Smaller bodies. It's not even about the weight or playability as I have an average build. I just prefer the look of smaller bodies.

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by TortugaDaPipah

I like tug bars. Not that I'd ever use one, but they look SO cool.

I kinda like those too. I wouldn't use one either, but like the look. We're they used on both Js and Ps? What years were they common?

[scourge]

I bought an Ibanez Roadster just for the headstock.

[bodmin]

I really like the offset body shape of the Jazz bass, and prefer translucent finishes.

[SquierJazz72]

I love the classic Fender J and P basses, both in sound and styling, so all other things being equal, Fenders win, simply out of preference. Unless I were choosing from among non-Fender brands, in which case the most Fender-like would likely be my choice.

[Bassist Jay]

I have a few things I prefer as well. I prefer bolt on necks to neck through bodies, I also always have straplocks on my basses. It's something little but they are such a cheap cost for helping protect such an expensive investment. I love Music Man's truss wheel for adjusting the neck. I am also a huge sucker for abalone. Be it in the inlays, pick guard, bindings or where ever, I love abalone on my basses. Also when it comes to playing my basses, I prefer to play through a wireless system. I hate being hooked up to a cable. It always gets in my way. I also always insist on buying my basses wit ha hardshell case if they do not come with one from the factory. Again, cheap investment for an instrument.

[raziel_orlando]

24 frets
NOT a maple fretboard.
Fretboard dots.

[Ezmar]

I like Block inlays. unfortunately, my Fender doesn't have them. and it would kind of be foolish to change anything about the bass just for aesthetics, because this bass plays like a DREAM. Also it has the best 3TS finish I've ever seen.

I do not like Lollipop style tuners, I do like Clover. I think it's because I just naturally use the outside clover parts to turn and keep a finger on the middle one... it just feels natural to me.

I do like modifications, but only if they're VERY slight. I don't like basses that look cobbled together, but I like the odd "enhancement" here and there. Non-stock bridges, that sort of thing. Although I'm fine with whatever on a bass I'm playing.

I thought that String-through was pretty cool when I got my current bass.

Exposed pole pieces are nice. It seems more real than covered pickups, looks like some kinda robot, coldly calculating...

I tend to like the J setup aesthetically, either with 2 J pickups, or two Humbuckers, so long as it's two rectangles. Don't like the look of the P as much, but I don't dislike it either.

I like the fender style body shape, but if it's not a Fender, I'd rather it be ever so slightly different. In general, I like a round double cutaway shape. Although I would like to have a Steinberger or some other compact bass. They just seem cool.

So that's quite a list.

[BawanaRik]

Originally Posted by jweber76

Something I just realized last night... I was tinkering with one of my P basses and found myself carefully adjusting the screws on the pickguard so that the slots all lined up as a perfect " +" I wondered if I always do that? So I checked my other axes... I do, apparently something I'm pretty anal about while I'm doing it and forget about it very shortly thereafter!
It's a little scary getting inside your own head sometimes...

It's the details that make a difference. Carry on.

[BawanaRik]

Originally Posted by TortugaDaPipah

I like tug bars. Not that I'd ever use one, but they look SO cool.

This is a new one on me. What are tug bars?

Thanks

[jweber76]

The "thumb rest" mounted below the strings. Presumably for guys who plunk with their thumb to anchor their fingers on.