Is your most expensive bass your best 'player'?

[Dan Knowlton]

Yes, but it is REALLY close. I have a NYC Sadowsky Standard 5 and a Lakland 55-94. Although the necks are different the reason the Sadowsky is my best player is that it is 7.9lbs!

I'm really happy with both of them - even though almost all of my practice time is on a Warmoth Deluxe 5 fretless. Maybe I will be able to play it in public this year!

Dan K.

[Blake Bass]

Yes..my Sadowsky NYC 5 is my best player,
but #2 is my $400 Peavey Palaedium.
#3 Rob Allen Mouse
#4 Mike Lull M5V

[malthumb]

Funny....the way folks are interpreting "best player" compared to the way I interpreted "best player" I would have to change my vote to YES.

My original interpretation was "how it feels in your hands, how easy it is to get around the neck and how well it balances" or "easiest to get your best sound out of". Playability. Using only those metrics, one of my Music Man Sabres and my Marchlewski 5-string win.

But as soon as you throw tone into the equation, game over....my most expensive / valuable bass (Alembic Series II 5-string) wins. I notch the playability of that bass down a tad because the tone is so crystal clear, it is VERY sensitive to variations in fingering attack, right hand position, and all the other dynamics involved in playing. If you don't have your $#!t together, it can make you sound crazy. But when you have your $#!t together, there is no better sounding instrument in my portfolio. The solution? Have your $#!t together.

[sneha1965]

No, but I got a hell of a deal on ebay for John Kallas 57 RI with a 1.5 width neck. It is the best player.

[Jimmy Stump]

Is my most expensive bass the best player? Absolutely it is.

[joelb79]

I'd say this is an easy yes for a guy with one bass.

[RaginRog]

I have 3 Jazz basses, 2 American Standards and 1 Select. The Select, my most expensive bass, has a very slight edge over the other two. The asymetrical neck is very comfy, and the pups sound extremely good.

[Thunderchicken]

How do you say "yes and no?"

I unfortunately have had to retire from playing much because of nerve damage and sold most of my basses but when I medicate up (musician term) and noodle, I have three to choose from - a Steinie (I think it's the XT-2?), a reissue '62 Fender Jazz and an original (EVERYTHING, including the case!) '57 Fender P-bass.

So technically yes, but only because of the inflated value.

And NO, I will be buried with it. So there :P

[TDSLaBassiste]

My best players are my Squier P bass and my Wishbass. Of course, given the about of money I put in mods, my P bass is my most expensive but I originally bought it for $125.

My most expensive bass is my Schecter Studio 5. I never play it any more.

[SteveC]

After I sell my fretless I guess my only bass will be my most expensive, too. $699.

[meatwad]

Yes, my $1299.99 StingRay outplays my $1199.99 Precision, but only by about $100 worth.

[blowinblue]

This is my most expensive bass. Not really that expensive by some standards. It was purchased new. It's in a dead heat with my second most expensive bass for being the best player. I've spent years setting them up as identically as possible. So how do I answer?





The lower pic better represents its true color.

M. M.

[atomicdog]

No way. My most expensive are Fender AVRI 62 JB, Fender fretless Jaco tribute, and Fender Am Std P bass; my most played are Danelectro Longhorn reissue ($75 used) and my Ibanez SR750. My favorite, though, is a 99 Fender P Lyte P Bass that's taking a rest.

[atomicdog]

Originally Posted by RaginRog

I have 3 Jazz basses, 2 American Standards and 1 Select. The Select, my most expensive bass, has a very slight edge over the other two. The asymetrical neck is very comfy, and the pups.

What do you mean by "asymetrical neck?"

[treekiller]

My MIM P is my best player. My MIA Fenders are great basses but the MIM P has that little "something" that always makes me reach for it first, if for no other reason than it's the one I've always gigged with and it has that "worn in" feel that comes from playing it all the time.

[Bassist Jay]

All of my Music Man basses were all very close in the same price range so I voted yes because my other basses are a few Soundgear basses and they get blown away by the Music Man ones. Out of my Music Man basses, the Bongo's are my favorite.

[atomicdog]

Originally Posted by RaginRog

I have 3 Jazz basses, 2 American Standards and 1 Select. The Select, my most expensive bass, has a very slight edge over the other two. The asymetrical neck is very comfy, and the pups.

What do you mean by "asymetrical neck?"

[atomicdog]

Originally Posted by treekiller

My MIM P is my best player. My MIA Fenders are great basses but the MIM P has that little "something" that always makes me reach for it first, if for no other reason than it's the one I've always gigged with and it has that "worn in" feel that comes from playing it all the time.

Haven't picked up am MIM P yet, but they're the most comfortable and sound the best at the store. Gotta grab the next one that stands out.

[GOX42]

I voted yes because it is the most versatile and easiest playing bass i have (peavey cirrus walnuy/bubinga) but my squire cv jazz and vm fretless jazz get the most gig time. Along with my g&l l2000. However i have recently fallen back in love with my aria SB integra so that will be seeing more gig tyme in the future.

[sstbo]

Obviously yes for me. My USA Lakland Jazz gets all the love, mainly because my other bass is a Skyline Lakland Jazz and I do hear a clear sound difference. But I'm trading it in for a P, so I might have to cheat on my main bass.