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

[r_bnks]

Spector

 

[Jim C]

Budget was never mentioned so I'd go Wal. Out of the list, I've owned a few of you possibilities and really see no reason to go there other than maybe a Stingray. But if you're going Stingray, I'd suggest a G&L.

 

[Todd Hamby]

Stingray for me!

 

[Passinwind]

I voted Alembic/Stingray/Steinberger, but personally I'd go all the way back to the roots and get an upright before buying any of those.

 

[RayWithFlats]

I voted Hofner, Stingray and Mustang, but if I could I would’ve put Mustang and EB joint third.

It’s an interesting discussion, if the OP had stated ‘important to the development of the bass’, not ‘important to rock music’ I probably would’ve picked different choices.

 

[JTE]

It’s an interesting discussion, if the OP had stated ‘important to the development of the bass’, not ‘important to rock music’ I probably would’ve picked different choices.

Exactly, and the actual question has nothing to do with my personal preferences for basses I'd want to have.

 

[filwitheneff]

Gibson Grabber/Ripper because of Gene Simmons in the 70's
Stingray because of countless players

Since the topic is about "rock" basses:
I've seen more bassists use a BC Rich Warlock more often than any of the others listed. For that matter, older Yamaha Broad Basses have more of a presence in rock than most of the others on that list.

 

[Warpeg]

I voted Alembic/Stingray/Steinberger, but personally I'd go all the way back to the roots and get an upright before buying any of those.

Agreed. I already have one of those, though.

 

[Warpeg]

...It’s an interesting discussion, if the OP had stated ‘important to the development of the bass’, not ‘important to rock music’ I probably would’ve picked different choices.

Yep. While the former category is no doubt equally important, the latter category is dear to me. Rock music has been a big part of my life from the beginning. I would get quite a bit of joy from owning and playing the various high-impact bass models that shaped the genre.

 

[Passinwind]

Agreed. I already have one of those, though.

Nice!

 

[Warpeg]

Nice!

To your point, I probably should have put my DB in my list in the OP.

 

[Gothic]

I only chose the stingray. The rest are anecdotal at best.

 

[Stewie]

I’m very happy with the basses I have, and probably won’t ever add another, but every once in a while an Epiphone EB3 shows up on Facebook for a ridiculously low price and I have a hard time not jumping on it, just because they are so darn pretty

 

[BASSDROID]

Since this is about the importance to the development of rock, I'll consider how many musicians have been influenced, rather than a particular instrument's omnipresence or lack thereof.

So...

1. Paul McCartney - Hofner
2. Jack Bruce - Gibson EB
3. John Entwistle - Alembic

 

[Dan B]

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.

Warwick, Ibanez, Spector, and ESP. All very instrumental for rock and metal in the 90s. If you want to go back a bit further include BC Rich and Jackson.

 

[JW56789]

None of them. Without the player behind them making music, they're great-looking lumber with strings.

This just in: They don't play themselves, and if I buy a Hofner, I'm not Paulie McC, and despite my best intentions, when I had Alembics I never did sound like Mr. Clarke or Jimmy Johnson. If only . . . .

Play what helps YOU make your best music, regardless of what axe that may be.

 

[2F/2F]

I don't know about "important to rock," but if I had the P, J, Rick, and T-Bird, and had allowances for three more, they would be:

1. Pre-EB Music Man Stingray
2. '80–'85 G&L L-2000 (or original style Music Man Sabre).
3. Guild Starfire (old or new – both are great IME)

The Ray and the L-2000 are classic post-Fender Co. Leo masterpieces. And the Guilds sound incredible, and cover the hollowbody base and the short scale base. And arguments can be made for their influence on rock bass technology, if not musical content.

In reality, I would ditch the T-Bird, and put a Mustang or Musicmaster in its place, for: P, J, Rick, Mustang, Ray, Tookay, Starfire.

 

[stringthrough]

I would add a Gibson EB2 to your list. It was big in the late 60's

 

[drumvsbass]

2 band classic stingray. Something short scale, something hollow, and something HIFI/boutique.

 

[Warpeg]

None of them. Without the player behind them making music, they're great-looking lumber with strings.

This just in: They don't play themselves, and if I buy a Hofner, I'm not Paulie McC, and despite my best intentions, when I had Alembics I never did sound like Mr. Clarke or Jimmy Johnson. If only . . . .

Play what helps YOU make your best music, regardless of what axe that may be.

I think you may have missed the point. By no means am I’m trying to sound like the greats. Like you, I am a firm believer that the player is the most important component in the chain. My interest in this specific endeavor is to enjoy playing the models that have had the biggest impact to one of the biggest influences in my life: rock music.