Do you have a perfect bass?

[Thumpin6string]

Mine is absolutely perfect FOR ME and it will never be replaced. It didn't come from a factory, it came from my head and hands.

 

[Lowendchamp]

My perfect 4 string, but I just picked up 5 string. This came to me as a factory "mistake" with a Jazz neck instead of a P neck and I love it! Did put EB cobalt flats on her though.

 

[SLO Surfer]

Anybody else have a bass that you wouldn’t change a thing on?

Yes. All of them.

Fender FSR P bass
Moollon Classic P IV
Warwick Fortress One 5-string
Music Man fretless stingray 4

I don’t buy basses if there’s something I’d want changed on them, and I’d rather sell it than try modding it if there’s something I don’t like. So I’ve bought and sold about a dozen basses to end up here; gas-less.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I suppose my 68 Hofner would be in the category of perfect give the OP's description. It is vintage, so that is a motivation not to modify it. I also love the tone as is. Only one pickup works, but this means I can use a single switch as a kill switch and do all EQing via the amp. That is my preference. I did want to swap out the tuning pegs, but I found out the holes didn't match and I didn't want to drill new holes into it.

 

[sedan_dad]

The only ones I have that aren’t modded are the ones that are so imperfect that they end up being cool. And even those I change the strings.

Longhorn!

 

[HardNHeavy]

yes, all 4 of them. haven't played too many other basses unfortunately but my
MIM 2000 J
MIA 83' P
and 2 "Fenderish" parts builds, all sound and feel great.

got another PJ in the oven, we'll see how that turns out..hoping for the best.

 

[Bill Murray]

Both of these are flawless and that’s the way they arrived. I haven’t even changed the strings on the stingray and probably never will.

 

[mikecd1]

Sometimes we get bored, sometimes we like to tinker and sometimes there's just nothing to do but enjoy it. That's how my Hofner Club is and also my Peavey Fury. Other than those I've "renovated" or upgraded my share of basses in a tonequest and had a ton of fun doing it. My FrankenSterling is a shining example. Hipshot bridge, tuners, Bartolini pups and preamp, string trees and a neck pocket re-cut along with a new decal. I'd still like to do some shaping on the neck too, but that can wait!

 

[gmarcus]

G&L JB5 Empress with chomes. Does pretty much everything for me.

 

[GwenOnBass]

Nordstrand Acinonyx. Everything is as it arrived. The only thing that will be changed are new, but not different, strings.

 

[Warhawk]

G&L L-2000. Only thing I changed was to put Schaller strap lock buttons on it. The strings it came with are what I like.

 

[Clark Westfield]

Sadowsky NYCSatin. This one needs nothing.

well maybe a white pick guard change to make the blue pop.

View attachment 4409209

Then with the pick guard change she looks like this:

 

[logdrum]

No. No such thing. I do strive for contentment and peace of mind.

 

[okabass]

I played as a pro some 20 years with my WAL 5. I feel that it is quite near a perfect bass. Vintage 7enders are different but great too.

 

[Nightman]

My Skjold Griffin 5’er. Just tune, set the EQ and play! Maybe change the strings when it’s time to another set of Skjold strings.

 

[Baa]

The one at 3 o'clock.
I've had the exchange the bridge on the other five.

 

[Jefus]

In order of acquisition:

Yamaha RBX200 - Added a J, swapped to EMG with BQC
Carvin LB76F - Swapped to Bartolini pickups and electronics
Warwick Thumb BO 5 w/ piezo - PERFECT
Yamaha TRBX1004 - Swapped to Nordstrand pickups and electronics
G.Gould 5-string - Swapped to Nordstrand pickups/Darkglass electronics
Schecter Omen-8 - Swapped to Nordstrand pickups/Darkglass electronics
Zon Sonus-8 - Swapped to Nordstrand electronics (would swap the pickups out too, but those g*?d@#m Bartolini X4 shells! (ordered a new Zon 8 with the electronics I want; due next summer))
Warwick Thumb BO 5 fretless - PERFECT

I bought both of the Warwicks because I wanted that sound, and that's what they do. I wish the fretless had piezos too, but it was acquired used at too good of a deal to complain. The others that were modded were probably built to be somebody's idea sound, but they weren't mine. Most are in their final incarnation. For now.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I have one, of seven, that hasn't been modded at all.

Oops! No. No, I don't.

 

[coyote1]

A little clarification.
Strings did not come to mind when I posted this tread. And really not part of the equation. For me.
If you changed a bridge, pickups. nut, tuners or general electronics.
Everyone has their strings that they love so I expect strings to be a normal change on every Bass.
Sorry for the confusion.

And yet mere strings can be, and often are, the biggest difference-maker in playability and sound.

 

[the harp unstrung]

These three are perfect as-is:

G&L JB fl
Rick 4003
Rick 4003 fl
Removing the pickup cover on a 4003 does not count as a mod.

View attachment 4409472

I endorse this post.