#1 pet peeve with basses.

[Toasted]

-> For example, I never understood why you would pick up a bass and the edge of the fingerboard would not have a comfortable radius. <-

This.

 

[dave_bass5]

Having to replace the strings so often. With a 5 string it can get quite expensive.
The one reason im using flats at the moment.

I guess thats not strictly on topic but it still comes under a pet peeve.

 

[wizay]

Thin necks like a jazz. But my main player is a yamaha attitude, so im not surprised.

 

[7string]

This maybe an unusual pet peeve..

Open polepieces. I need a cover as I play on the pickup itself, or a ramp. Either way, can't stand basses with open polepieces. Too ugly

 

[Kindofblue]

1) Active electronics should have an active/passive switch.

2) Poor fret work.

3) Neck that warps easily.

I agree, also I hate how Conklin is trying to push the gt7 when they should just make a gt6.

 

[rodneyat]

A lot of people have pet peeves about aesthetics, design etc. One may not like a fretboard radius or body styles etc. These, to me, are not really pet peeves but a preference. While, I may not like a fretboard with a highly curved radius, I can still appreciate that some people do. So, I can appreciate what that builder does or how they design their basses. It does not make them bad, just different that what my preference would be. I don't generally like narrow spacing on basses but many people do but I could not call the a pet peeve..just a preference.

My pet peeve is on the craftsmanship and customer service. Especially on "high end" basses. I can't stand to have finish flaws, bad fretwork etc. On a bass that cost $2K, $3k or more. I actually purchased a bass from very highly esteemed builder on this list. The finish work was aweful and it was one of the worst fret jobs I had ever seen. Then to compound the issue, the builder would not do anything about it. They thought it was fine. Needless to say, I did not order the next custom bass I was planning to order from them.

 

[spade2you]

I agree, also I hate how Conklin is trying to push the gt7 when they should just make a gt6.

Conklin is widely known for the 7+ string basses. Even through the custom shop, they sell a pretty low number of 6ers.

 

[dean owens]

having an active bass that doesn't have a dedicated, easily accessible battery compartment.

 

[vstringbassist]

For me there are many so here are the ones that annoy me the most: ON/OFF SWITCH FOR ACTIVE BASSES!
The bass should accomodate low action and playability all the way up to the 24th fret (with 24 fret basses) with NO dead spots. Way too many basses do not have good access to the 24th fret due to a poorly designed heal and/or the neck set back to far into the body. This is apparent on the new Shecter Stargazer I just bought. Another issue is the electronics - if you going to install EMG HZ pickups (for example) that have multi-wiring possiblities then offer this on the bass! I just spent a couple hours last night modifying this new bass for 18vdc operation along with series/parallel option for both pickups. The original setup had the pickups wired in series only. I realize there is a cost issue associated with adding extra options. Now I have a nice sounding bass with more sound options.

 

[McHack]

2. improperly placed bridge PU. Overwhelmingly, it's too close to the bridge on bass after bass, making it hard to pluck over and gives too nasally of a sound.
Best position is approx. where it is on the musicman and G&L L1500/1505 basses.

LS

I gotta agree with this one sort of, but pickup settings in general, should be balanced...

My SR5 has a H/S pickup configuration, w/ a 5 position switch.

Pos1 = Both Humbucker coils on
Pos2 = Front Humbucker coil only
Pos3 = all 3 coils on
Pos4 = Back coil + Jazz coil on
Pos5 = Only the neck Jazz pup on.

Pos1 is the most authoritative setting, followed by Pos4... You'd THINK pup 3 could keep up, but its a little quiet to me... Pos2 & 4 are underpowered makes them difficult to use.

 

[dnarock]

basses above $900 with emg-hz's ugh really grinds my gears

 

[NickyBass]

Sloppy woodwork is my pet peeve. Some things are ok on sub 1k basses, but I've seen $2500+ basses with bad routing around the pickups, neck pocket gaps, wood filler (it's ok on top woods that have natural flaws, but I've seen it on the back of 3 peice maple necks), stripped screws, (or screws that were obviously 'forced' into the wood without properly preparing the wood) etc. The reason that I buy high end basses is attention to detail. If that attention to detail isn't there, then it's hard to justify the price. There are some things that are easy to miss---and I don't get upset is a knob comes unscrewed or a cap comes loose. Due to the fact that each bass is hand made, there is a certain degree of human error, but some things are just inexcusable.

BTW, Cliff, you are doing fantastic work, and I couldn't find any flaws in the 3 CB basses that I've played.

 

[JasonNL]

My number one pet peeve definitely is a bass that has active electronics in it. I just dislike the fact that my instrument would require a battery for it to work properly, and as of yet I haven't found any active bass that is worth the hassle of batteries, partially because I am reluctant to try them out in the first place.

 

[chanson]

Having the action higher than I like or having super ridiculously low action

 

[AQUANOVA]

well at least it can be wiped off, instead of their body fluids going into the wood

Double gag.

 

[CatfishStudios]

Battery covers you need a screwdriver to get at

I am the opposite, the plastic covers with the thumb tab always break...and end up taped...I prefer a screw on battery cover. Plus 10 on the passive active switch...every active bass should have passive capabilities imo