A different take on the "Top (x) Basses" poll threads

[Warpeg]

A fellow bass player buddy came over to my house and he was having fun playing some of my basses. Those basses of mine were:

• P Bass
• Jazz Bass
• Rickenbacker 4003
• Gibson Thunderbird
• Crappy low-quality fretless conversion thing that's kind of fun to dink around on

My buddy asked me why I have the basses that I have. I explained to him that I'm slowly transitioning from an active professional musician to more of a hobbyist. After 31 years of rocking out, I think it's time for me to take my final bow on stage soon. I went on to explain that my current choices in basses are beginning to have a little less to do with road worthiness and more about my deep appreciation for the bass models that primarily shaped rock music.

He then asked me which basses I still wanted to get for this collection. I didn't have a good answer. There are so many bass models that have had a huge impact on rock. I'm not really sure where to start, other than I would need to limit it to maybe only 2-3 additional basses.

So, I turn this over to the expertise of Talkbass. In the poll you will find bass model options that I believe are candidates for the remaining basses that have been a big part of rock music's history. You can choose up to three candidates. What do you choose and why?

 

[P. Aaron]

Stanley Clarke while not exclusively rock, contributed greatly to its portfolio.
Grateful Dead bassist played Alembic
John Entwistle played Alembic

 

[jd56hawk]

If you're talking about buying a bass just for its importance to rock and not actually playing it with any regularity, there's hardly anything as iconic as the bass often called the McCartney bass.
I can't see myself ever buying one, but if someone gave me one, I'd definitely hang it up on the wall.

 

[Warpeg]

If you're talking about buying a bass just for its importance to rock and not actually playing it with any regularity, there's hardly anything as iconic as the bass often called the McCartney bass.
I can't see myself ever buying one, but if someone gave me one, I'd definitely hang it up on the wall.

Actually, I play my basses heavily and intend to play these additions equally as often. I’m not a fan of owning basses that just hang on the wall and look pretty. With that said, I played a Hofner once and really liked how it played.

 

[Jrussblues]

If you’ve been playing since the 90’s I’m surprised not to see a Warwick on the list. Warwick’s were like the ultimate 90’s rock bass.

 

[Jrussblues]

Also, I picked the mm because ofeverything from brothers Johnson to rhcp. I picked the hoffner because of the Beatles (though I really don’t personally like the sound). And I picked the ripper only because of Green Day. Like them or not it’s hard to dispute a 30 year career and the influence they have had on rock music considering they have been around for 3/7ths of the history of rock.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Gibson EB3 for very obvious reasons (Cream, Free, etc.).

Guild Starfire (Jack Casady).

Alembic (well, they did the mod to Jack's Starfire that began a whole new thing in electric bass).

 

[JTE]

"Important to rock"????

The only reasonable way an instrument would be that is because people chased the sound of people using g that kind of bass. So as much as McCartney's Hofners are, those aren't all that influential. So, first is the EB3 because of Jack Bruce.

Then Alembic and the original StingRay putting active electronics into the scene. All you others are cosmetic things.

 

[JimmyM]

You could make a case for any of those basses, although I was never much of a fan of the Ripper or T-40.

 

[Flaked Beans]

I like this thread. Don't know why but I like it!

 

[Warpeg]

Some great responses so far. The input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Warpeg]

If you’ve been playing since the 90’s I’m surprised not to see a Warwick on the list. Warwick’s were like the ultimate 90’s rock bass.

I love a good Warwick; I've owned many throughout the years. However, would you consider them to be a top candidate for having the most impact to rock music as a whole?

 

[BigBigGuy44]

Hard to go wrong with a Stingray.

 

[Gustopher]

Due to Cliff Williams and a smaller extent John Deacon... the Stingray is definitely the answer.

 

[Crash 56]

I would have to agree with a combination of the previous answers. The Starfire and Alembic because of their seminal influence on all following builders, and the Stingray for so many notable players.

 

[dalkowski]

Actually, I play my basses heavily

T-40 then.

 

[Scarysharkface]

Stanley Clarke while not exclusively rock, contributed greatly to its portfolio.
Grateful Dead bassist played Alembic
John Entwistle played Alembic

Alembic was the first bass with active electronics.

John

 

[Killing Floor]

I clicked Alembic with a qualifier that most of the historically important Alembic bassists were endorsees once they already made an impact. So that’s a tough one. Certainly Stingray.

 

[mongo2]

For me it's the '51 - early '57 Fender Precision Bass.

 

[J-Mags]

Music Man Stingray, and Hofner. Both of those have iconic signature sounds.

The Music Man goes without saying. It's a real specific sound that's used a lot. You need at least one short-scale. The Guild and Mustang also have signature tones and long histories, but to me, their sound isn't as immediately identifiable as a good Hofner with flats and no sustain.