Anyone else totally happy with their basses?

[HolmeBass]

I was going to say me but just in the past month I’ve started developing 5-string GAS after seeing a friend’s band play a local theater and feeling how his low C shook the entire place.

But my 77 Jazz is my lifelong bass, although thinking an electronics refresh could help. As one tech pointed out, the 70’s caps have most probably drifted from their design values. My Warwick Streamer Stage I is my main player right now and I love that bass. My backup SSD is also great and was my main player for years. I have a franken-P, 75 body with 69 Tele bass neck that sound fantastic and is light, but suffers from neck dive. Still a keeper though and frankly I favor my career girl Jazz anyway.

But a solid price-point 5er might be in my future. My first bass GAS in more than a decade. And it’s still very mild. I will have to find the right bass to make me buy.

 

[kinopah]

Totally. Had a revolving door of 2nd basses for the longest time. Getting this P really felt like the answer. I scroll through the classifieds sometimes out of habits and inevitably I'm like "lol why?"

 

[bassdude51]

Never, never, never, never happy and thus......................burning desire.
(I guess I'm responding incorrectly to the thread.)

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

That is a pretty legit tool box.

Thanks. I need to find a band though ....

 

[jdjk7]

I felt that for a total of about 6 minutes yesterday. I stepped into the shop and looked around at basses and pedals. Nothing caught me. I went to go play around on an electric upright. I thought maybe for once I didn't want another bass. Then I came back to the basses. Noticed a '72 EB-0 in walnut. FUUUU--

 

[ZAR14]

My Basses range from Fender, Hofner, Ibanez, Kawai, Steinberger and Squier. They include Active, Passive, 5 sting and Fretless, I can honestly say I'm happy with what I have

 

[Jared Lash]

Yup. I've found "The One". I've reached my endgame. I don't need more than one bass, and this one has it all.

Awesome. And great bass!

Not actively looking for bass guitars at all, same as it's been for 40+ years. A really nice new one found me within the last month though.

And then there's upright, also the same (non) story for 40+ years. Maybe someday, maybe not. But there's no GAS there.

40 years? Wow. That's impressive .

Well, I'd be at the end of my journey if I could combine two basses of mine into one. Best of both worlds thing. Love the tone I get out of my Fender P and its body shape, but I wish it had the neck of my Ibanez SR with 6 strings and a narrow spacing. I find the SR bodies to be uncomfortable.

A friend of mine says I should frankenstein them together... Yeah. No. A custom bass that is an approximation of that is planned, however.

That's exactly what led me down the custom path - combining my favorite aspects of different basses.

I have the cheapest bass available in the market yet I'm happy with what I Have because it's the skill and the right and the left hand technique and the balanced controls between them that matter and not the price of the bass. Oviously the quality and the durabilty of the bass matters but if we can make the best out of what we have, i think it is the best thing ever one could do for himself. Here's a little clip of how my bass looks and how does it sound even though the cheapest in the market.

Nice. Getting the most out of whatever gear you have is always key .

It took me decades to finally accept the harsh reality that owning more basses would not improve my musicianship. I'm in the slow process of consolidating my herd so that I can focus more on my playing and not on my buying.
Oh man...I've always loved the Zildjian Ks, too...have three of them, but want 33!

Yeah, the idea that a new instrument will make you a better player is a bad trap. But I DO think having instruments that inspire you to practice/play more definitely helps you to develop.

It's funny because when I was younger and gigged a lot more I didn't have much GAS. I was too busy learning songs, writing songs, practicing and gigging to think about my gear too much. I think it's having lots of extra time to think about my basses or dwell on what I didn't like that led me to flipping gear much more often as I got older.

Yes, pretty satisfied. I heard a recording last night of our latest gig and "Dream Police" sounded fantastic. Huge bass sound with mild top end distortion - G&L L2000->Opti-FET->B7KUv2. But there's always room for something different. My local music store posted this gorgeous G&L fretless ASAT and my resolve is weakening:

View attachment 3284708

Recordings are always a great way of verifying your rig/setup. And that ASAT is a looker.

I just have one now. Used to always have 3. I’m good now.

Is that a Stingray Special? I definitely want to play one just because of the great reviews they are getting.

I’ve got four electric basses but one’s on long term loan to a producer chum (my Frankenjazz) - wonder if I’ll ever get it back... hmmm... So that’s 3 basses in the house and all keepers...

I’ve had these two since about 1993 and 2001 respectively. Both wonderful basses and my “Number 1” and “Number 1 and a half”! They aren’t going anywhere.
View attachment 3284718

Then there’s my Aria SB700 which was my first ever bass. It was an 18th birthday present from my mum and dad so it has huge sentimental value. It also happens to be an absolutely cracking bass and still gets played on the odd occasions - even in competition against the Wals...
View attachment 3284722

Also not going anywhere... count me a unreasonably blessed! Lol!

Nice! If there were a bass that could convince me to add to or change my current stable a Walk might be the one.

Heck ya. No $ no gear. Go woodshed. Problem solved

Yeah, I'm not in a position to spend money right now anyway so I'm glad I like what I have and can just practice/play.

Yes. I want to mention that, over the years, I have run into musicians that are never happy with their instruments and I often see it as a bad thing. The endless search for a better instrument can really get in the way of one becoming a better musician. It is really important to understand what you want/need, settle on a quality instrument, have it set up properly, and commit to it. Once you have the right tool in your hands, the only thing you want to focus on is mastering it, the best you can.

I think that's very true. I also think constantly flipping instruments doesn't allow you to really bond with them. Other than a couple rare cases I've always kept basses for 5-6 months at least before moving on.

Totally. Had a revolving door of 2nd basses for the longest time. Getting this P really felt like the answer. I scroll through the classifieds sometimes out of habits and inevitably I'm like "lol why?"

View attachment 3284819

I love the P. And that Fodera PJ

 

[MonetBass]

As of now, yes, I am. No GAS here. A Fender Jazz 24 and a Cort Artisan B4FL.

 

[zZippy]

I have seven basses and love them all. These are some:

View attachment 3284665

I’d be more than happy with these four. Nice.

 

[zZippy]

As of now, yes, I am. No GAS here. A Fender Jazz 24 and a Cort Artisan B4FL.
View attachment 3284847 View attachment 3284848

Hey, how is the Cort? I have two of their acoustics and really like them. Curious about the basses.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I’d be more than happy with these four. Nice.

I love them. I have two more P basses and an active Fender Flea bass. I just jammed it at my friend’s house while he played drums.

 

[SteveC]

After years of GAS and the quest for tone, I am happy with my Roscoe. I still look. But really, There aren't many gigs I can't do with this bass - at least in this area.

 

[MonetBass]

Hey, how is the Cort? I have two of their acoustics and really like them. Curious about the basses.

It is a fantastic bass. It's an earlier model (2000-ish, I think) that was built when the Cort factory was in Korea. The wenge neck feels great, and after some love from the local guitar tech, the preamp sounds good and is almost transparent. There's a dead spot on the fingerboard that I still need to get sorted, so I'm going to re-radius it when the weather warms back up. But the sound is fantastic, and it's so easy to play.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Awesome. And great bass!



40 years? Wow. That's impressive .



That's exactly what led me down the custom path - combining my favorite aspects of different basses.



Nice. Getting the most out of whatever gear you have is always key .



Yeah, the idea that a new instrument will make you a better player is a bad trap. But I DO think having instruments that inspire you to practice/play more definitely helps you to develop.

It's funny because when I was younger and gigged a lot more I didn't have much GAS. I was too busy learning songs, writing songs, practicing and gigging to think about my gear too much. I think it's having lots of extra time to think about my basses or dwell on what I didn't like that led me to flipping gear much more often as I got older.



Recordings are always a great way of verifying your rig/setup. And that ASAT is a looker.



Is that a Stingray Special? I definitely want to play one just because of the great reviews they are getting.



Nice! If there were a bass that could convince me to add to or change my current stable a Walk might be the one.



Yeah, I'm not in a position to spend money right now anyway so I'm glad I like what I have and can just practice/play.



I think that's very true. I also think constantly flipping instruments doesn't allow you to really bond with them. Other than a couple rare cases I've always kept basses for 5-6 months at least before moving on.



I love the P. And that Fodera PJ

Yes it’s a Stingray Special and it’s the finest instrument I’ve ever owned or played

 

[Stranger Danger]

For the first time in my life I'm at a point where I don't want to buy any more basses.

It doesn't mean that other basses don't appeal to me - I saw on FB that Carey Nordstrand is doing a small run of Nordy nP4s and I'd love one. And the new Stingray Specials look/sound/feel great. But I won't be getting either because I have everything I need.

Honestly it's kind of a weird feeling. I think I've always looked at my basses and thought if only it was lighter, or punchier or had a different neck profile or was a different color etc. But now after years and years I don't have any complaints.

Now I just need to practice/gig more.

How about you? Where are you at in your journey to find the perfect bass or basses for you?

Born Under Punches. Just noticed that on your profile.

 

[jaco944]

I’m getting close, still have a few sitting in classifieds then I think a US Geddy and a Ric will satisfy.

 

[LBS-bass]

I've spent the past two years dialing in my arsenal and I'm pretty happy with it. Had to change batteries in my Fender Jazz Elite yesterday, flipped her over on the bench and noticed a little belt rash. First thought was, "oh, no, a finish scratch on my expensive bass." Second thought quickly followed: "That they'll have to pry out of my cold, dead hands, so who cares about a little scratch?" At that moment I knew that bass will never leave me. I have another that I play just as much, which is a far less expensive P/J and that one isn't going anywhere, either. I have a couple of others that I may or may not keep around. Those two are my workhorses and all I need.

Gear has all been upgraded, new amp, new cabs, new small combo for little rooms. I can't think of a single thing I actually need.

Now wants are a different matter altogether

 

[Lardass5000]

I have however been satisfied with other people's bases. I know maybe I should not covet my buddies Bass. However a friend of mine has an old Kawaii that is simply phenomenal. I would like to have one of those and one of those old Ibanez like Sting used to have. That Kawai bass is a tone monster. It is his only Bass and his forever Bass and I covet it so. Also I would like one of those old Aria bases. But you never see them for less than 2000 dollars

 

[Plutonium244]

I am easily standing pat, now, at 17. It's weird: absolutely no gas. I guess it's just possible that buying (over time) all the gear you wanted can, in fact, get you to the point where there's no gear you feel like you have to have, that you don't.

I laugh though, imagine if it worked for same for other addictions -- "one more beer/shot/line and I will finally feel satisfied" --and then, you do, and quit. THAT doesn't happen. Glad it can and has for me, with GAS.

 

[Dave Siff]

Right now, yeah. Bass Player magazine published a picture of my basses last year (the old "Dig My Rig") and I described it as "the perfect little arsenal": A Fender Jazz and Precision (both passive), plus a headless and a fretless Roscoe (both active with fancy wood tops.) I have other financial priorities now and going forward, so my collection will likely stay as is. But, would it be cool if the Fenders were Nashes, the headless was one of the new Strandbergs, and the
fretless was a Zon? Sure.