Bass for international tours

[Mikaelbass]

Alighty, out of the following options which bass would be most appropriate for an international tour with music ranging from blues rock to industrial inspired rock.

Musicman stingray 5 H 2006 limited edition black with matching headstock and gold hardware(soon to have the john East 2band+mid sweep)

Rickenbacker 4003 midnight blue

Fender american deluxe with model j's. Black, maple blocks n binding

Gibson Thunderbird (walnut) with 60's spec pickups and hardware

Keeping in mind factors of:

Durability; does the bass offer proper structural support for the ins and outs of touring, maintenance to keep the bass solid in set up and performance through varying climates

Sound: tonality that can branch out on these genres comfortably.

Image: this is important. All basses put out a different image and should be considered.

I am sorry if this is vague but I wish only to hear from the input of others to relate it to my own situation. Please tell your own tales too of basses yay just wouldn't let you down (especially I they are in some way similar to a model mentioned above)

Rock on

 

[sprag]

More threads than options. my priorities would be 1. tone, I play in three bands but my Jazz only works in one. 2.weight, depending on set length of course 3. looks.
Of course I always have a back up in tune and ready to go so you really need to pick two I think, reliability issues with instruments need to factor in the unexpected, like slipping over and snapping an instrument cable jack so it can't be pulled out easily… I saw this at a gig late last year and it could've happened to anyone playing any bass.

 

[Happynoj]

Whichever bass works best for the music. Only you can answer that.

 

[Funkmabassup]

Whichever bass you enjoy playing the most and suits your taste/playstyle the most. They all can work in all the mentioned genres. Why dont you play the bass you love the most instead of listening too someone at tb(who only plays home in his livingroom anyway) telling you that in this or that genre you MUST use such a bass. Play the bass you love so much that you dont wanna put it down.

 

[chris_b]

You've got to pick a bass that works for you and the music, then it should be easily replaceable in any country you visit in case it gets damaged or stolen.

If you have the budget it I'd take 2. My choice would be a Fender.

 

[Dave W]

Only two of those basses would work for what I do. The Ray or the J...

 

[JACink]

I vote one of each, that way you are definitely covered

But at least 2, I say the Ray and the Jazz also.

 

[OldCityBassman]

Bring two so you have a backup, I like the Rick and Jazz. If you can only take one my vote is the Rick. Should do well in both types of music.

 

[Feral Feline]

Ray J

 

[pink pbass]

i love the way it sounds but my ric 4003 seems like it needs setup every ten minutes when it's sitting on a stand at home, taking it on tour would probably be a nightmare. i have never personally owned a thunderbird, so i can't speak to it's pros or cons directly but can guess it won't be as stable as a fender style under extreme conditions. Fender style basses, like the stingray and the jazz, are way more likely to stand up to punishment and they tend to stay put better as far as setup goes, in my experience. i would definitely consider bringing a backup as well.

make sure you have a good case. skb style plastic cases travel much better than the tolex covered plywood ones. make sure whichever bass or basses you take are setup before you leave, pots and jack cleaned, strap pins solid, etc.

 

[old spice]

Here's a consideration: take the bass you don't mind losing, seeing damaged or destroyed.
I heard that Dave Holland saw his very expensive antique double bass get sucked under a train on a Japanese railroad platform and turned to matchsticks.

 

[mpdd]

my travel bass is the 2011 american g&l sb-2 whether in winter rain storms in LA or the blistering joshua tree summer it's been solid with the quartersewn neck and locking bridge, but i guess you could get a g&l jazz, since that's on your list

 

[ScarfFace]

This poll is invalid. There is no option for "P Bass"

 

[bholder]

Whatever you choose, make sure you've read the sticky "CITES" thread at the top.

 

[bass12]

Bring whatever won't have you in tears if the airline destroys it.

 

[KickingBass]

Whichever is easier to get replacement parts for all over the world. Id guess the Fender in that case.

 

[mdogs]

Whenever I am unsure, I pick a Jazz, I can make it work in any situation.

 

[Chili Bo Billy]

The Jazz and ray will cover your needs for a tour.

 

[TRichardsbass]

My first choice based on your criteria would be the Rick. However, here's the rub. Not sure what the current regulations for instruments are for world tours, especially if you are directly carrying them. With all the freakin' laws about woods and such, you might want to take a bass that can be certified to be illegal wood free. There is a special permit you can get from the state department that will allow you to bring your instrument across country borders and back to the states, and you will most likely need it.

Given that, I am not sure what woods may be in your Rick. Older Ricks definitely used some now banned woods. So the Music Man Ray would be my second choice. Can do all the things you want and looks good on stage.

Otherwise, if you can ensure its heritage, the Rick.

tom

 

[Sid Fang]

First of all, you're not going to get proper feedback on the "image" thing if you don't give us more information, like the color/style of the other players' instruments, drum shells, etc, and the way you dress on stage.

Any of those instruments should hold up under touring conditions if they're properly cased and handled, and none of them will if they're not.

Questions you need to answer for yourself:

• Which bass is most stable under changes in humidity and temperature? I originally bought my Steinberger because it was compact, but from a purely functional point of view, it's the best road bass ever - insanely stable, sounds fabulous, and even better than a Strat in a bar fight.
  
• Which bass would make you the least despondent if it got damaged, lost, or stolen?
• Which bass is the most comfortable to wear and play for long periods of time?

From your short list, I'd personally exclude the T-bird as not-so-versatile, not-so-comfortable (I'm assuming it has the canonical T-bird neck dive), and a bit twitchy with humidity, and the Rick as being heavy and a bit twitchy - plus the tropical hardwood issue that was brought up earlier. That left me with the MM and the Jazz. I'd let "Image" drive that choice, but in the absence of knowledge there, I voted for the MM, just because it's got a broader tonal palette (and a B string, which is handy sometimes).