Choosing a "forever bass?"

[Koshchei]

Hi folks. I've been playing bass for a long time, and my main has been a Schecter C-5 that I've dragged through the mud. I love this bass, but if I'm honest with myself, this bass hasn't fit my vibe for a long, long time. (Looking at the catalogue this bass was introduced in is evidence of that.)

So what is my vibe? I love things that are very clearly modern but are also classic — stuff that feels like a blend between vintage and future. Right now I love my Ampeg PF-50t fliptop and Godin A5 fretless. They feel like instruments I will use forever, and I haven't really had that experience before. It's nice.

I narrowed my options down to an this bass hasn't fit my vibe for a long, long time (in dark night) and a Yamaha BBP35 (in vintage sunburst). These fit my price range, sound great, and seem built to last forever. I'm 85% sure I'll get the BBP35, because it manages to be much more modern while being very classic.

So! What is your "forever bass," and how did you choose it? Also: what would y'all pick if you were me?

I'll narrow it down to Rickenbacker, but 4003 or 4005, they're both really excellent. The important thing to actually playing the instrument though is to settle on something and stay there. Moving around constantly will not help your mastery of the instrument.

 

[Grinderman]

Forever is a very long time and a word I'm wary of.

 

[scuzzy]

i've yet to play a ritter in person, but if I do, and it wows me like a bass of that price should, it will become my forever bass.

 

[Trailertrash74]

Never had one!! 60+ years of playing...they come, they go! Do I have regrets letting some of them go..Yep! The only forever I have is my Wife...and sometimes...!!

 

[Kaa]

That is a fine looking bass model, and if you love it, play itproudly. If it needs some tweaks to fit your current vibe, then tweak it with new electronics.

 

[Geri O]

Forever is a very long time and a word I'm wary of.

Not if you are 60 (at the time) and finally finding your forever bass after 45 years (at the time)….

Of course, you are absolutely correct. It was that point that I found what I call my forever bass. And at this age, forever probably won’t be that long.

 

[ElectricBass72]

There is no such thing as a forever bass. There's too much excellent diversity in bass guitar. Too many good ones, so mulitple basses must be played and owned.

 

[Sarge79]

My, what I believe, is my forever bass is the one with me in my avatar. I just got it a couple months ago, and it's the Jazz Bass Ultra V. I just wanted one nice and fancy bass to be my finale purchase. I have a few others, and I love my Yamaha TRB 1006 that's actually up for sale on Sweetwater, but I only put it up there to appease my wife into thinking I am making room.

 

[Grinderman]

Beyond knowing I, and any bass for that matter, will not be around forever, forever, as much as the future, is unknowable. Everything is temporary. The future is unwritten.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

It's been said by others, but I think my forever bass chose me. When I first started I went through a few basses trying to find something that really was comfortable. When I was gifted my '78 Musicmaster after it was recovered from a barn in dreadful condition that was it.

It's the one in my avatar, been though lots of changes and still the one play the most. All the others that I've bought have to closely live up to this one or they're gone.

 

[Spectre Gunner]

I love my "forever bass" until I find an even more "forever bass". Then I have to sell my forever bass and the cycle continues. I've found that if you like the bass you have, don't pick up something better. There are way too many forever basses out there to stay with just one forever bass. Am I making any sense?

 

[Stewie]

These are mine. If I really had to chose, the DB would go. as it is harder to move around. The Pea bass started as a 73 Jazz, but has slowly morphed into the bass I lusted for as a 15 year old

 

[Bob_Ross]

What is your "forever bass," and how did you choose it?

I don't really believe in the concept.

Yeah, not sure I believe in the concept either ...or perhaps, not sure I believe that we as bassists can choose a "forever bass" in advance of owning it, using it, living with it for a while.

I think if there is such a thing as a "forever bass" it chooses you.


edit: or, what he said:

It chose me.

 

[scott sinner]

Hi folks. I've been playing bass for a long time, and my main has been a Schecter C-5 that I've dragged through the mud. I love this bass, but if I'm honest with myself, this bass hasn't fit my vibe for a long, long time. (Looking at the catalogue this bass was introduced in is evidence of that.)

So what is my vibe? I love things that are very clearly modern but are also classic — stuff that feels like a blend between vintage and future. Right now I love my Ampeg PF-50t fliptop and Godin A5 fretless. They feel like instruments I will use forever, and I haven't really had that experience before. It's nice.

I narrowed my options down to an this bass hasn't fit my vibe for a long, long time (in dark night) and a Yamaha BBP35 (in vintage sunburst). These fit my price range, sound great, and seem built to last forever. I'm 85% sure I'll get the BBP35, because it manages to be much more modern while being very classic.

So! What is your "forever bass," and how did you choose it? Also: what would y'all pick if you were me?

Another option that hits the modern but very classic P-style is a Maruszczyk Jake
Public Peace - Jake C

You can find some in stock in your price range.

But thinking 'forever bass' you might want to consider that, for a bit more, you can get one of these custom. Very much possible, with a preamp and some pickup switching, to get one that has classic to modern sounds on board.
See their 'Configurator.' Jake C - Type | Public Peace Customshop

I have a Maruszczyk Frog. Not much classic about that. But I'd just note that the quality of these is outstanding. Damn thing shipped from Germany to the US and was still in tune. Action was to spec, though I've adjusted it down to a pretty silly 1 to 1.25mm at the 12th fret and there is no buzzing anywhere unless you really go ape. Just feels super solid, if you know what I mean. And not a visual imperfection anywhere on the thing.

And subjectively, I got mine in a very particular finish that I'd seen something like it somewhere and just loved it. Again, not classic at all, not for you, just again emphasizing that they have lots of options, worth taking a look at least.

 

[RGerhart]

Mentioning "forever bass" on TB has strict guidelines (consult your handbook for the full rundown). Basically, it comes down to these, though:

(1) When a TB member mentions the words "forever bass," you have two options: (a) sell the majority of your collection ("thinning the herd," or "downsizing" are acceptable verbiage) and take a loss in order to purchase said "forever bass." After acquiring the "forever bass," you must post a NBD about it, and within six months, start acquiring all of the old equipment that was sold to purchase the "forever bass." Or (b) you purchase the "forever bass" and make plans to sell other equipment, but never do. An additional credit card is in order, of course.
(2) Mentioning "forever bass" on TB automatically warrants a new post with a poll for other members to weigh in with their own opinions that will ultimately have no effect on your own decision, but nonetheless provides the same recycled information about "what makes you happy," and "only you can decide" blah blah blah

 

[Markmann]

When I pick a forever bass or amp I make sure it has a good resale value because for me nothing is forever. I also learned long ago that I don't need to spend a ton of money to find something that plays well and sounds great.

 

[Bass-ball]

It kind of doesn't really work that way for me. Sort of like footwear: I wouldn't wear golf cleats to go fishing, nor would I wear my waders to go golfing.

 

[Auspuff]

Hi folks. I've been playing bass for a long time, and my main has been a Schecter C-5 that I've dragged through the mud. I love this bass, but if I'm honest with myself, this bass hasn't fit my vibe for a long, long time. (Looking at the catalogue this bass was introduced in is evidence of that.)

So what is my vibe? I love things that are very clearly modern but are also classic — stuff that feels like a blend between vintage and future. Right now I love my Ampeg PF-50t fliptop and Godin A5 fretless. They feel like instruments I will use forever, and I haven't really had that experience before. It's nice.

I narrowed my options down to an this bass hasn't fit my vibe for a long, long time (in dark night) and a Yamaha BBP35 (in vintage sunburst). These fit my price range, sound great, and seem built to last forever. I'm 85% sure I'll get the BBP35, because it manages to be much more modern while being very classic.

So! What is your "forever bass," and how did you choose it? Also: what would y'all pick if you were me?

Not only have I completely embraced fretless, I discovered I really like the feel of Fender Jazz necks.

So, here is, for the foreseeable future, my "Forever Bass."

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The BBP35 could be a great choice IMO. I've owned LOTS of different basses over the years and my search for the perfect bass ended with the BBP34. The objective build quality of MIJ BBs is much better than Fender AmPro but some people will still prefer the more classic Fender vibe. You won't know if it's YOUR dream instrument until you actually try it.

One thing to be aware of: Every BBP34 I've tested had a linear tone pot, which means the tone control acts more or less like an on/off switch. It's a very easy fix. Simply replace the pot with a logarithmic/audio taper 250k. I've only played the 4-string BBP34 so I'm not sure if this applies to the 5-string version or if Yamaha has fixed this on later production runs. It's such a strange oversight from the normally superb Yamaha Japan. Apart from the useless stock tone control the current BB Pro series are SUPERB instruments, easily as good as anything out there in ANY price range. At least for MY taste.

 

[gmarcus]

Forever...........
I'll get back to you