Bass you can't bond with

[mikeluch]

I had a Ric 4001 in the early 70s and loved it. But times changed and I got rid of it. Fast forward to the 2000s and tried to recreate the magic and have had 3 different Ric 4003s and I really try to like them, but have had to part ways every time. I am done with the experiment and have moved on.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

J basses. I've tried many brands and variants but the body shape just doesn't fit me.

Ever try a Jaguar?

 

[joel406]

I have been using a 2013 American Standard Jazz Bass for the last 4 years. We bonded the minute I found it.

I ordered a 2014 American Standard P- Bass from guitar center. Never liked it. Kept it about 4 months and sold it.

Bad feeling neck, honked instead of great tone.

The Jazz just feels and sounds right.

Don’t care for ricks either. Everyone I try feels horrible. I don’t even take them off the wall anymore.

But I would love to try a Wal.

 

[57pbass]

As much as I like the Music Man basses I cant get comfortable with the 4H models...I can get that sweet thumbrest spot over the Pickups
..

 

[Dynomuttasaurus]

Despite artists like Steve Harris sounding awesome playing the full fret board on a Precision for extended sets, somewhere between the hand-tiring thick necks and what always seems to be a compromise of bass or treble when trying to dial in tone, I just have never bonded with a P or direct variation thereof. I just keep finding my happy place with PP and PJ basses with jazz-esque necks.

My small hands and inability to justify spending $1000 on a piece of equipment may also be a big factor.

 

[jamro217]

This happened to me. I had a stack of cash to buy one of these machines, rolled into GC, strapped one on, played five notes and took it off. Kind of like blond girls, I guess. Just not for me.

Yeah, but putting peroxide on a J won't make it a Ric.

 

[jamro217]

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 ridge pickup with the tone up. I'll have to try that on mine sometime.

Isn't the treble pickup and "ridge" pickup the same thing? Did you mean the neck pickup soloed with the tone rolled off? That would be the logical way to do it.

 

[Rob Martinez]

Fender P bass. Just can't do it.

 

[MEKer]

For me it is Schecters. I really tried to like the Elite, Stilleto and IIRC some sort of Studio Elite (??) and a couple others, but just could not bond at all when they were in my hand and I was experimentally playing them. So I walked away from them. I know they have a different line-up now. but too late. My taste for even trying them is gone. Same thing with the Jaguars.

 

[Adhesive_X]

Warwick $$ 5, want one so bad but hate the neck....

 

[Tony In Philly]

Isn't the treble pickup and "ridge" pickup the same thing? Did you mean the neck pickup soloed with the tone rolled off? That would be the logical way to do it.

Sorry - I meant to say neck pickup. I typed "ridge" when I was thinking "bridge' but actually meant "neck". I should have proofread it it better.

As far as the tone setting goes, it probably depended on the artist. Some of the bass tones were very deep while others were more mid-range.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Errrr no. I don't bond with any instrument.
I appreciate and enjoy playing any of them a lot but bonding, no.

You just haven't found the one yet!

 

[MichaelPatrick]

An EBMM Stingray. Got one years ago and wanted it to work out bad. Tone wasn't where I wanted my tone to be and I wanted string spacing to be a little tighter.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

You are righty and have the luxury to be picky.

As a lefty it is either cheap poopie basses or 2k basses.

I bought every bass I every owned without playing it first.

I've always found a way to make it works well for me. More often than not it was a case of setup.

Everyone saying the neck profile is a problem should check out their technique because it never indered me

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

You are righty and have the luxury to be picky.

As a lefty it is either cheap poopie basses or 2k basses.

I bought every bass I every owned without playing it first.

I've always found a way to make it works well for me. More often than not it was a case of setup.

Everyone saying the neck profile is a problem should check out their technique because it never indered me

It's not a technique thing. I don't like hottubs. Do you think that is a technique thing?

 

[Snakeman1066]

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 pick up a Jazz bass every few years as i really dig the body style...but i can't stand the sound...which is why i recently snagged a "Black Top" jazz which as you know is loaded with a set of Double "P" pickups...

 

[jamro217]

Sorry - I meant to say neck pickup. I typed "ridge" when I was thinking "bridge' but actually meant "neck". I should have proofread it it better.

As far as the tone setting goes, it probably depended on the artist. Some of the bass tones were very deep while others were more mid-range.

Okay. Wasn't being a jerk, just wanted to clarify the post. I don't know if it's a mental block or what, but I can't seem to get used to Jazz Basses. I like a thin neck okay and the body shape is comfortable enough. I even have a '66 Jazzmaster that I gigged before switching to bass. Love that guitar. Whenever I pick up the Jazz bass (an orange/ unlined, undotted maple Mighty Mite/ gold hardware and guard, mid to late '80's MIJ Squier), though, I look down and see two thin pickups and three controls. That messes with my mind. The fretless 4001 (see avatar) has the same amount of fret lines, pickups and strings, and another tone pot plus a toggle. That seems normal for a two pickup instrument. The other bass that I want to love but don't is a certain blue '92 Carvin LB70. This also has two thin pickups, but four pots. The real problem with this one is the 24 fret neck. Anytime I venture into the upper register, using the last fret as a measurement isn't an option because there's extra real estate there causing heartache. Active electronics don't help, either. I can't seem to dial in the right tone, although changing from the stainless steel strings that are on it now to mellower nickels may help to tone it down some. This bass would be great to slap on.

 

[Marko 1]

I got a great deal on a Lighwave Saber SL5, played great, sounded great, but I like a classic look and just couldn't bond with the small red body. At least I gigged it maybe ten times before I let it go, got more it for it than I paid, so all good.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

First, and... probably... "ONLY" Family photo, as I just can't "bond" with "Ian"

...

 

[Geri O]

In my first stint as a pro musician, I kept the same Jazz bass and Precision bass from 1974 to 1993. Loved them, would never think of trading them.

Started playing again in 2013 and went through 4 Jazz basses (even an American Elite) and 2 Precisions. Liked them, but never felt quite satisfied.

Now I have 2 Mike Lulls, a Jazz-style (M5V) and a Precision (P5). Definitely bonded with these two basses. The only way I’d trade one is if I had to in order to custom-order an M5V built to my specs.