• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

3 Bass Limit

Just yesterday I sat down with several basses to see which sounded best through my new Phil Jones BG-75 Double 4 combo amp.

After about an hour it came down to three.

My two DIY light weight mashups of parts from other basses and some inexpensive after market parts and pickups came tied for first. The best sounding of those two is a project that's not yet completed but sounds excellent through great this little wonder of an amp and plays great. My Hofner Ignition Club Bass came in next.
 
My Hammersmith 5, G&L fretless L2000, and the first bass I ever played that belonged to my high school band program (which I now own) a 84-87 E series MIJ Fender P bass with flats.

I'm not going to narrow down to three. But if I had to those would be it. And I could cover LOTS of sonic ground with those three.
 
A quiver of three is something i have been thinking about on and off for some time, actually. The list changes, but at the moment it looks something like this:
My trusty JV Jazz, which I would have a hard time parting with, due to its remarkable playability, and the fact that i bought it dirt cheap from a friend who knows its real market value.
A non- Fender/ Squier japanese bass from the late 70's-early 80's that can do a decent P-bass sound. Thinking Aria, Westone, Ibanez or something like that.
A modern active/passive 5-string with double humbuckers. Like Spector, Sire, Sandberg or thereabout... :)
 
I have four. And I think I'd have a hard time deciding which one to cut. . .
PXL_20200918_162300559.jpg