Bass you can't bond with

[Tony In Philly]

Some Jazz's are great and others are hard to bond with -- i.e. dead spots, no bottom, weak response on one string, lack of presence in the mix, overall weak output, etc. You don't know until find the right strings (that too can vary depending on which Jazz you have), set it up properly, and try it out in a band setting. I wish there was greater consistency with them and it's somewhat of a mystery why to me why it's that way so often.

I once read somewhere that reggae players in the 70's got good sounds out of them by using flats, turning the the treble pickup off, and running the neck pickup with the tone up. I'll have to try that on mine sometime.

 

[EatS1stBassist]

Love the GL Jazz except for the thin neck!

I have very small hands but I still could get around on my Pbass just fine. But the slim neck just works for me. I would buy Fender Precisions with the 70’s “ S “ designation that was the Slimline necks for p basses. But otherwise I played a standard size neck.

 

[seansbrew]

Glad to see I'm not alone. Do you ever order basses online? I have a massive fear of that. I'd rather play it first, but sometimes that isn't an option.

I used to think that. There are so many basses I've played first, purchased, spent time with and returned.

For me its all about ergonomics and how the bass sounds/sits in a live mix. Thats what determines if it stays

Of the six basses I have three of them were purchased online and I still love playing them all these years later.

 

[jd56hawk]

I think Jazz basses are gorgeous, but I just can't find one that feels right in my hands. It's usually the neck or pickups that just don't work for me. Other times I can't quite put my finger on it.

Just curious if others suffer from the same affliction. Are there any basses put there you love the look and sound of, but can't find the one?

I can easily name a dozen I wouldn't consider buying, so bonding is impossible.

We need to stop shopping with our eyes.

Well, some people do…not me.

 

[russellh86]

The Fender American Standard Precision five string that I had never really did it for me. Not sure why

 

[Alehouse]

Spectors are my loss. Love the bass and just bought one. Great playing and sounding but just as someone up above said, standing they just don’t feel right. Strap on a PBass and I am at home. Unfortunately, the Spector is up for sale on here.

 

[REV]

I have owned 3 Stingrays at different times. I want to like them but they just don't work for me. The very first time I recorded with one it was all over. I think it's a really good design but it just doesn't work for me. I always see other people playing them and I like the way they sound but not for me. These days I prefer the Sterling neck. OTOH my Rickenbacker is harder to play than my P bass but it sounds so gorgeous I play it anyway.

 

[lfmn16]

Everything that's available online is not always in a local store.
And visa versa.
Where can you put your hands on a Wolf bass if they're only sold in So Cal?
Or a long discontinued bass?

Sometimes you can't. Most of the time people don't even bother trying. Everything isn't easy; sometimes your have to think outside of the box.

 

[Jeff K]

I've never been able to totally bond with acoustic-electrics. I've had two Epiphone El Capitans, an Ibanez, and a Godin. All very nice, but just not as comfortable for me as regular electrics. Similarly with semi-hollow electrics. I've had a Jack Casady, Godin, and a Gretsch Broadkaster. Ended up selling all of them. Nothing wrong with any of them. Just not for me.

As for "regular" electrics, try though I might, I never felt at home with Rickenbacker 4003's. I had two beauties (a Fireburst and a Montezuma Brown). Sold both within a year. My comfort zone is apparently Fender (and Fender-like) P's and J's.

 

[Andy Daventry]

Active basses. Always feels like chewing someone else's used gum.

 

[Ric5]

Bass you can't bond with

pretty much anything with only 4 strings

 

[Spidey2112]

I'd say Kim Kardashian, but then I realized you were talking about basses.

 

[Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati]

Exactly the opposite for me. Love Jazz basses, can’t bond with Precision. Even when my band loved it when I had one, ended up trading it. Probably the neck, because they sound great.

Do what i did ... slap a jazz neck on a P bass body ... you won't regret the experiment

 

[4stringsjack]

I once bought a G&L Tribute L2000 used from eBay, because it sounded good on paper (I couldn't find one locally). I just couldn't get a good sound out of it. Which is shocking, really, because now I play 1980's G&Ls 90% of the time and I just love them. I gigged last night with my '82 L2000. It always sounds good!

I've never been able to bond with J basses in factory form. I always end up replacing the pickups for something hotter.

Lastly, I bought a bunch of P basses and sold them before I found The One, which is a keeper for the long haul. I've had it for 12 years and I love playing it more and more as time goes by.

There's also the one that got away... A bass I bonded with but foolishly sold. It was a Fender Custom Shop '55 in transparent blonde. It sounded really nice...

 

[Spidey2112]

Other times I can't quite put my finger on it.

I get it...

 

[Spidey2112]

Do what i did ... slap a jazz neck on a P bass body ... you won't regret the experiment

I would probably love this combination!

 

[ajkula66]

Basses that I've owned but never bonded with...off the top of my head.

Steinberger

Warwicks (Streamer, Thumb, Thumb 5 - all late 80s German-built pieces)

All and any fivers (Yamaha, Ibanez, Fender...)

Gibson EB-1

All of these were fine instruments, but not for me.

 

[klejst]

OP judging by your avatar pic you may hate me a little, however the Thunderbird is my choice of most uncomfortable bass out of all I have owned and tried. Nothing on it as I love the look and tone, just does not feel good to me in my hands.

 

[klejst]

I would probably love this combination!

I believe the Precision Bass Specials have a slimmer Jazz type neck on them, or at least the older ones I have owned seem to of.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I have owned 3 Stingrays at different times. I want to like them but they just don't work for me. The very first time I recorded with one it was all over. I think it's a really good design but it just doesn't work for me. I always see other people playing them and I like the way they sound but not for me. These days I prefer the Sterling neck. OTOH my Rickenbacker is harder to play than my P bass but it sounds so gorgeous I play it anyway.

Have You tried a Music Man, Sabre? Pre EB, of course. My '79, has been my Baby... FOREVER.