Basses you wanted to love, but couldn't.

[DoctorZee]

Yamaha BB434. It had a great neck and a great tone, but for some reason it just didn't excite me. I always picked up other basses instead.

 

[Sixgunn]

1976 Thunderbird. Just didn't have any punch. I still sorely regret selling it though.

 

[eliascalles]

G&L Asat. Loved all the tonal range and the neck felt good, just could never get comfortable with it.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Ampeg Scroll style bass. I'm sure with different pickups it could have worked.

 

[eb3mike]

yep... 4003 for me as well. Traded after 3 months for a 76 Precision six years ago. Still have it.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Mass produced things with the price tags of hand built things.

 

[bolophonic]

I had a 70's BC Rico Eagle that sounded terrible in my hands, no matter what. That was a disappointment.

 

[landrybass]

I worked on a friends Musicman Darkray, I was excited to see a new stingray, its been like a decade since. And my oh my was it underwhelming. Although it was lightweight and had nice hardware, the whole built in fuzz thing with gain and blend knobs, and only 2 band eq, nah.

 

[skycruiser]

L2K Tribute. Really wanted to like the bass but could not get a good sound (and yes, I tried a range of volume levels). I worked through many settings and a few sets of strings.

Sterling Sub Ray4. I may try a different Ray some day since I think the one I had had a less than stellar preamp.

The one I want back - BB434!

 

[Hot Rats]

I tried 2 Alembic Epic basses and while being exceptional instruments, the reach to the 1st fret was too much.
I had the same issue with a Spector NS-2J.

 

[Sixgunn]

I had a 70's BC Rico Eagle that sounded terrible in my hands, no matter what. That was a disappointment.

I had a 70s Eagle with dual DiMarzios that I used for many years that sounded great. It had the best neck of any bass I ever played. I'm regretful and embarrassed by what I traded it for...

 

[WillyW]

Precision and Jazz basses, too ergonomic for me.

All gone now

 

[scuzzy]

Epiphone Les Paul bass. Beautiful, recorded great, however it was simply TOO mid heavy for my live use. I do miss it though.

 

[Rib 13]

My 81 Alembic Series I.....dont get me wrong; there are times when I think back longing for it, especially knowing how much its worth, but when I think about what I didnt like about it, that longing goes away...the main thing I worried about was scratching it up and keeping it pristine which was almost impossible when I was playing gigs 4 to 6 nights per week. I also played slap bass a lot and my fingernails were gouging the wood and neck pickup and it wasnt a very slap friendly bass anyway (not sure how Stanley kept using one)

 

[Relsom]

EBMM Caprice. Had all the legendary build quality, fit, and finish that I expected, and a unique, pleasing growly tone to boot. I didn't expect that it just didn't feel right in my hands. Like it was fighting back or something.

Most Jazz basses just seem cumbersome to me. Even the *gasp* USA Geddy. Though I really dig the Am Deluxes from mid '90s through early '00s. Those smaller bodies are the ticket.

Most of the modern 4003s I've had are in my rear view. Chunky necks, especially down in the money region prevent me from considering them for serious gig use ...... yet I soldier on, still owning a few.

 

[Mike N]

Geddy Lee J Bass.

Had the MIJ version and didn't like it. Dead spots galore on the neck, weak pickups and horribly cheap tuners.

 

[6-3-2]

Any P bass

My identical struggle. I never dislike the sound, they usually make me think of Paul Simonon, but it never feels my sound. They're cool basses made for someone to else.

 

[birminghambass]

Geddy Lee MIJ or MIM. Neck too thin.
Warwick Thumbs. Ergonomic nightmares IMO.
Laklands. Tiny frets don't work for me.
G&L L2k. Owned 4 or 5 through the years. Never cared for the tones.

 

[DrCannabass]

Rickenbacker 4001, what a goose!
I tried to warm up the tone with a Seymour-Duncan in the neck, but all it wanted to do was "honk, honk, honk!"

 

[bolophonic]

I had a 70s Eagle with dual DiMarzios that I used for many years that sounded great. It had the best neck of any bass I ever played. I'm regretful and embarrassed by what I traded it for...

If it makes you feel better, I sold mine for $500.