I think I figured it out -- "And a bass to be named later" -- Game on!

Sorry in advance for being long-winded and self-indulgent.

As many of you have seen in this thread, I've been struggling with an agonizing decision concerning which bass(es) of mine to sell following the purchase of my new #1. Today I had one of those proverbial "lightbulb moments," and I think I've made my decision on what to do next (in part). A phrase from pro sports, particularly concerning trades, popped into my head:

And a bass "to be named later."

My decision is basically to sell what I'm not playing a whole lot -- NOT exactly a staggering leap of pure genius in retrospect -- and keep my "top basses," irrespective of considerations of collectability, resale value, rarity, cool looks, etc. It may be tough to do, but my thinking is this: If a bass can't crack the top 5 in playing time, then it's not that great of a bass in the end.

I'm settled that in order to pay for the new #1, soon to go up for sale are the current long-time bottom two in playing time: my first bass, a well-worn-but-solid '81 Ric 4003, and a Tacoma 5-string ABG. It's tough to sell your first, but it just doesn't get much playing time, even though it has a great sound. The Tacoma is fantastic and was a gift from my wife, but she's not very sentimental and just wants me to thin the herd. It doesn't get played much either, which is unfortunate. And lastly, I've made the following agreement:

And a bass "to be named later."

So even though I'm losing some nice basses, I'll still get to keep a goodly collection, with a challenge to be met: In a few months, one more bass must go. In deciding what will get "voted off," I'll see what gets played the most. Whatever is gathering the most dust at the end of the time will get sold. Competition for the basses "on the bubble" will be tough -- they're all great instruments with their own strengths.

So it looks as follows:

#1, and a lock to make the cut: my new Sadowsky PJ. It's what forced me into thinning the herd. I don't think this is just the honeymoon talking: I think this is about the best (for me) bass I've ever played. It's phenomenal.

#2, and a lock: My 1988 Steinberger XL-2. Few here would pick this as a lock, but it was the first bass I completely fell in love with and was my main bass for over 15 years. Completely unique tone that I totally dig. It will likely make the top 5 regardless -- it still gets played a lot no matter what else is around. This is my "I will be buried with this bass" bass, and (as someone long ago posted), I could then use it to dig my way out of the grave should I be accidentally buried alive, with the bass still being playable afterwards). Ultimate travel bass, too.

#3, and possibly a lock as well: My Dark Star P bass. 7.2 lbs, most comfy neck of any bass I've played (it's a '62 Jazz neck that is well-worn and has had the edges and the frets rounded over by a master) and a massive tone from the Dark Star pickup. So lightweight it feels like a toy, with a tone that's as heavy as a tank. Strung with flats, and makes you remember why you enjoy playing bass. Often the group's favorite bass of mine at the GTG.



Which brings us to #s 4-7, or what I'm calling "the hot seat:"



Left to right:
EBMM "Dargie Delight" SR5HH
Reasons it might make the cut: Adds a lot of tonal variety, lightweight, fun to play, looks amazing.
Reasons it might not make it: Narrow string spacing, tough competition from the Metro and the Reverends. Other than the finish, it would be the easiest to replace.

Sadowsky Metro UV70, single coils, VTC:
Reasons it might make the cut: The best tone of all my basses except for the PJ. The single coils in passive mode really do it for me. Spacing and action are perfect. Fun to play.
Reasons it might not make it: It's heavy -- 11 lbs. I might find myself playing the PJ all the time, then picking up the Reverends or the Stingray when I'm wanting a change. If I sell it, I might be able to rationalize getting a Reverend 4-string down the road if the right one pops up.

Reverend Brad Houser 5 "Lava Swirl"
Reasons it might make the cut: This thing is a tone MONSTER. Dual JJ pickups, each with its own series/parallel/single coil switch and volume. It's a passive old school 5er with serious cojones. Pretty cool finish, too. Might be the hardest to replace.
Reasons it might not make the cut: Wide and chunky neck. I can get around on it pretty well, though. Color isn't everything.

Reverend Rumblefish 5L
Reasons it might make the cut: Best five-string neck I've ever played. I call it a "magic pixie dust bass" -- everything's so well dialed in I'm almost afraid to change the strings. Strung with flats, super smooth. Wonderful thumpy tone like midway between a P and a J bass. Fun to play.
Reasons it might not make the cut: Tough competition from the Dark Star P and the Brad Houser in the "thumpy" category.

There's definitely a hint of procrastination here, but there's also a solid reason to give myself a few months before making the final cut -- some of my basses (like the 'ray) haven't been getting much time in part because they're harder to get to in my house. To level the playing field, I'll try to make them all equally available. I want to make sure I don't confuse "temporary infatuation" with "true love."

Game on!

Dr. Cheese said:

As a Stingray lover, it's odd I say this, but I would let go of the Dargie Delight SR5. The Reverends really sound like great basses, and they would not be easy to replace. Keep them and sell that Dargie.

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Thanks for the opinion!

I'm thinking that the lesson to be learned here is not to buy lots of good basses in the first place. In some ways it's easier just not to buy one than it is to have to get rid of something else that you've grown attached to.

Dave Siff said:

Keep those Reverends!

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I'm doing my best. It will be interesting to see what's at the bottom of the list of playing time when November rolls around.

Right now, oddsmakers would probably have the SR5HH as the odds-on favorite to get cut. The White Reverend is probably a close second, however.

Who knows, though? In a wide open competition, something is bound to not get played much, most likely due to another somewhat similar bass grabbing the playing time -- it might even be the Sadowsky that gets the axe. I doubt the BH5 will get the boot, though. The finish alone makes me want to pick it up and play it, and it has a unique tone.

It's going to get tough near the bottom of the list.

avid said:

Inventive, that's what I call it. First up, we have the medical necessity to own a Sadowsky NYC. Now we have a bass "to be named later" being sold to pay for a current purchase. Bart, you are single handedly deriving a new list of subterfuges of how to get a new bass in the door. I am writing it all down, believe me.

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How does the old quote go?


"Necessity is the mother of invention."

The Dark Star P is a masterwork. It stays. It's rare finding a bass that's so well put together and conceived. Best 4-string neck I've ever played, and insanely lightweight. It doesn't look incredibly special in pictures, but if you play it for five minutes, you'll know what I mean -- fellow TBer "arbitrary" ranked it his second favorite of my collection, exceeded only by the new Sadowsky PJ.

The white Rev is probably in less danger than the 'ray, because it's just so much fun to play. 4mal is right -- that's a pretty special bass in terms of playability. I'd be a knucklehead to let that one go.

I gotta sell the Ric. I know I'm going to regret it, but something's gotta go. My wife is fine with me selling the Tacoma, and it's the easiest to part with, so it's going to go. The Ric just hardly ever gets played any more, and I always bonded much more with my Steinberger (not my first bass, but the first bass I really loved) than the Ric.

The interesting thing will be seeing how much playing time the SR5 and the Metro get compared to each other.