Basses that you hate as primary basses but love as secondary basses

My Jazz Bass. I always use the P, sometimes want more bite, so I use the J for a month or so and I'm really liking it. And then, I pick up my P again and wonder why I haven't played it in the last month.

 

My MIM Jazz... I put a set of Barts in it a few years ago, and being that they're split-coil pickups, it sounds more like a P-bass than a Jazz (which isn't a bad thing).

I love the way it sounds, but it just doesn't have the bite and growl that my SX Jaguar (with Fender J pups), or my SX Ursa 2 HUM have. I still play and enjoy the MIM, but only for certain applications.

 

I'll play nearly any bass, but I couldn't play exclusively fretless basses.
Everyone has their favorite, sometimes even down to what screws they use to hold a pick guard on, but as far as type of bass I'd have to say that fretless basses are my secondary choice.

 

Hofner 500/1

 

Steinberger Spirit- I love the portability of it, fine for an informal jam night. Very indecisive sound, can't get used to the small body.

 

epi viola...total vintage vibe, love it for 60's brit rock (other than the who) and sounds great on motown and old r&b stuff, but it could never be my main, it's too delicate. aggresive playing and floating bridges do not mix! i would never say i hate it though, it's a one trick pony, but works brilliantly within it's limitations.

 

Fretless.

 

Ric 4003 & Spector NS2. Love them for small windows of playing , but could not use either as my main player.

 

My 8-string

 

Agreed. They're fun and interesting but they could never replace my fretted basses. I also don't ever see myself spending very much for one. If I'm spending $500+ on a bass, it's going to have frets. Even though I can appreciate fretless, I'm realistic about how much use it will get. The most I could imagine investing in one would be a Mexican Standard Jazz or Precision, possibly a used American Standard if the price was unbeatable. And I'd need to have enough cash available to not make me second guess myself. Pretty rare conditions, unfortunately.

 

I got mine in trade for an EXH Micro Q-tron that I paid $30 for. It's an Aria Pro II with Basslines pups. It really sings! Unfortunately, when I play it, it mainly sings out of tune.

 

Seems to me this is the definition of a secondary bass.
If you wanted it as your primary...it would be.


Maybe you're asking if we've loved a bass and used it as the primary for any length of time, then demoted it to 2nd?
Probably happens a lot as people refine their tastes and acquire more gear.


Personally, I have two main basses: the Iceman usually never gets put down on all-original shows since they are shorter. If we have to add covers and the length of the show goes well over 90 minutes, the SR500 becomes the main bass and the Iceman gets used for different tunings and the show-stopper songs.

The Iceman isn't anywhere near comfortable enough for longer shows, but to me they are both my favorites and in the studio it comes down to nuances of tone when choosing.

 

I've had a few that fall into this category: DiPinto Belvedere semi-hollow; fretless; and a five. Only one I've kept is the five. I don't think I'd ever use a five as my main bass unless I played in a band that required it, but I sure like having it around. Comes in handy sometimes.

 

i don't use fx live with the g&l, but at home i love to run the highly modded mim jazz through a bunch of pedals

 

I've used every bass I've ever owned as my primary bass at some point and time, even the Realistic. So no, not really.

 

This is why I bought my Squier Vintage Mod 5 string - just so I'd have a practice bass for travel and the time I might actually need the Low B of Doom.

 

I gig with my Fenders, rarely with my Gibson and I haven't gigged with my Ric yet.