A bass you would never consider playing

[pbass6811]

I'd never own a bass by two or three specific builders/company owners as my years on TB have shown them to be crappy folks I just don't want to support. Lots of basses I don't want because the specs are uncomfortable, but I'd give them a shot at least.

And guys- make sure not to turn this into an "ugly bass" thread, or it will get shut down.

Agreed. I'd try to play almost anything, but I wouldn't play a bass from a shady, disreputable builder or someone who just doesn't care about their customers. So, I'd quit playing if all I could play was a D. Huff bass. I'm sure there's a few others, but he comes to mind first...

 

[twinjet]

I recently picked up a 34" 5 string. I have a Spector 5 string, but it's 35" and since I want to string this one E - C and would like it to be a close string spacing, 34" it is. I looked at quite a number of basses, really wanted another Spector Coda Pro (would be #5) but seeing that it won't get much playing time, I decided to keep it relatively cheap. I looked at Yamahas, LTDs, Ibanez, Sire and even an SX, spending countless hours on TB looking at reviews and NBDs. Then I got thinking about basses I would never consider that have a loyal fan base.

So, what bass would you never consider playing? And let's keep it civil.

If anyone is curious, I ended up with a Yamaha TRBX505

Would never play a Thunderbird. No explanation necessary.

 

[bassbenj]

I guess I wouldn't play anything that's not a five-string... I'm just too used to it and I use the B string quite extensively.

This is a wonderful thing because there are sooooo many cool and older basses that don't come in fivers. I don't know how you guys handle the GAS.

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say wouldn't play (I do own an 8 string that is really a 4 string bass) but I haven't bought a 4 string bass for years. And you are right about the cool 4 string basses and GAS. My no 4 string rule does keep me from being overwhelmed with GAS. But I still can look and drool though.

And another thing. I absolutely hate bases with no headstock. So why do I own a Spirit? (5 string natch) I mean I HATE the look. I hate the way it hangs all wrong! I hate everything about it except that it's a great playing and sounding bass! So I waffle between selling it or trying to fix it. I swear that is worse than just having GAS! I still own it.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Kubiki, Stienburger and Ibanez Soundgears cant warm up to those pencil necks...

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

99% of the basses out there. If it isn't 5-string, 35" scale, 19 mm string spacing, passive and authentically made in its label's native land - I have no interest.

 

[EMoneySC2]

Longhorn, Rickenbacker, violin basses, and short scale basses. If they work for you that's great, but they're definitely not my style!

 

[flam]

Almost anything that comes with a 3 point bridge. That and just about any of the high end fender style instruments.

 

[Whippet]

4mm and above string height on the E or B. never. Just too difficult to play.

 

[MMiller28]

Anything made in a Third World country

 

[Son of Wobble]

Anything made in a Third World country

Even USA made stuff?

 

[Jughead6]

I would never consider playing a 1962 Precision with "Funk Machine" carved at the heel of the neck. I would put it in a very secure place and contact the rightful owners. I would be sorely tempted, but I would never consider playing it.

 

[two fingers]

I'm glad you came to youe senses and ditched that penis-shaped bass, it really was a bit much, sentimental value be damned.

Insert joke that would get me banned here.

 

[JakobT]

I don't think I would ever consider playing a bass with more than 5 strings. There are a number of basses that I don't particularily like the looks of, but that's just aesthetics.

 

[chris_b]

I wouldn't say no to anything under 9lbs.

I'd rather it wasn't a Rick, anything pointy or had a string spacing less than 18mm, but as long as I'm not buying the thing, the guy writing the cheque can provide anything.

 

[baileyboy]

...what bass would you never consider playing?

Rickenbacker. I owned a black/white 4001 back in HS and sold it within months. I bought it at that time because Geddy Lee played it. I loved the build, look, weight, but hated the sound. I really could never get used to it, so traded it in for a Precision and never looked back. Sorry Ric fans, no disrespect intended.

 

[bodmin]

Personally, I wouldn't play any bass that wasn't mine, unless I was trying it out before buying. Possibly being a bit over cautious, but only the other week I was offered the chance to play a friends boutique bass, which I would love to, but didn't want to risk anything, so I declined.

 

[Zooberwerx]

*Anything much over 9 lbs.

*Anything with a non-conventional shape resulting in neck-dive and /or a sense of imbalance...and before anybody comments, I own good straps. Upper horn should hit the 12th fret; some leeway if the instrument is headless.

Riis

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Anything with serious neck dive, like a T-Bird (no offense to T-Bird owners).

 

[Ericnordicbee]

Play, or own? I have no need to own a bass with more than four strings, or a scale longer than 34". Those are my preferences in my off and on 40 years of playing bass.

 

[swafran]

Some basses are very versatile. Others do one thing only, but do it very well. And then there are some, that no matter what you do with them, will refuse to express any sort of character at all.

I had an Ibanez that was like that, a Steinberger headless, a Dean acoustic/electric. I sold them all and don't regret it.

Yeah if you play something good on them, you're still playing something good, but it's sort of like being a guy on a date with a lesbian. You're doing all the work, and not all your moves will go over as well as you think.