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Bass you can't bond with

#122
mattbass6945 said:
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?
Click to expand...

I own a Geddy Jazz. Although I love it, I would choose my '74 P any day of the week over it. I've never played a Jazz that I would choose over my P. Never could bond with a Ric though.
 
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#123
I had a mild GAS for a Peavey T-40 for two decades. Mostly just cause they're punk AF, but also because they are supposed to be so versatile. finally got one and set it up perfectly. it played great and I studied and experimented with it's weird electronic circuit for a week, then I listed it for sale. It just couldn't do it for me.
Also I've always wanted to find a magic Fender P bass, but I've never felt a Fender that felt or sounded any better than a good Japanese copy, so it's cheap copies for me forevermore.
 
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#129
I have a very specific list of bond-breaking things I just can't tolerate:
  1. Neck dive
  2. Four string necks wider than 1 5/8"
  3. Jazz pickups blended together (buried in the mix), except for slap.
  4. Overall weight in excess of 8.5 lbs.
  5. Single coil pickups (due to hum)
Then there are the things that I really, really prefer to avoid:
  1. Necks wider than 1 1/2"
  2. 5 String basses (only due to L hand pain)
  3. Fast 4 string necks thinner than .80" at the first fret.
  4. Dead spots.
  5. Bridges that require threading the string through.
  6. Flat headstocks
  7. Non-straight string pulls at the headstock.
  8. Black basses with dark fretboards.
  9. Active bases
  10. Blocked truss rod adjusters (body end and pickguard with no cutout)
  11. Cost greater than ~$1000

As a result, most of the basses I'm willing to afford are meh. There are a few that I like and I really like them.
 
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#130
Interesting thread that made me think and consider my playing over the years. Been playing since age 13. Started with a Rickenbacker and moved to a Fender. Since then, I've owned and played Ibanez, Modulus, Michael Tobias and Ken Smith. I've sold them all and have seriously bonded with Lakland. I have two 55-94's (fretted and fretless) and about to get another. It will be my fourth. I don't need anything else.
 
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#132
Conkal said:
I can't stand the appearance of Fender basses. Sound is good and probably the best for some music genres. BUT They seem like the bass my grandpa would play if he played the bass , and not in a good way.

I think they milk a cow that is long dead
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Sorry but to me these are SILLY WORDS ... anyway that’s the way you see things bro :(
 
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#133
I’m with you. I acquired a Custom Shop Jazz that was absolutely beautiful but could not come around on it. I hope the next owner found it to their liking because it deserved a good home. My ‘90 Carvin LB70 has never left my side, however. I also never had a fondness for Stingray’s and yet I have one that is side by side with my Carvin. Go figure
 
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#136
mattbass6945 said:
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?
Click to expand...
Yup, I'm the same way about Jazzes. I have a Lull I'm planning to sell soon. Been trying to bond with it for about 19 years now. I guess it just ain't happenin'! ;)
 
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#137
Until founding my soulmate bass I tried every thing I could get my hands on, there were a lot of beautiful and amazing basses along the way but none ever clicked the love box for me. Some were good enough to keep or fulfilled a purpose at the time but were easy to sell or trade.
Now I have 4 sibling basses that are for sure keepers and a few other special purpose basses (many of which I will be selling soon).
 
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#138
Gianni "Orlandez" Orlati said:
Sorry but to me these are SILLY WORDS ... anyway that’s the way you see things bro :(
Click to expand...

I understand that you are on the opposite bank of the river . For me , Fender made 2-3 designs in the ancient days and they are still doing the same thing visually and technically over and over again. So many companies have produced new preamps , new style of splittable or regular pickups, new basses that use exotic woods and innovative body designs but no, fender is stuck in the 1950-1960s with a design that IN MY EYES was not so good to begin with. The sound is recognizable, loved by generations of musicians and has shaped the industry but come on ....

My silly words are that there are companies that make basses that are a beauty to behold (e.g. Marleaux / Mayones / Warwick and hundreds others that surface during each NAMM) and combine innovation with craftmanship.
 
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