Does your #1 in your collection suddenly get pushed back in preference?

[vindibona1]

For the longest time I would have considered my Yamaha TRBX605 my #1 bass that I'd grab on the way to a gig. The two other 5ers in my collection that competed for spots were an Ibanez BTB675m and a Fender MIM Jazz5 that has been heavily tricked out.

A few weeks back I switched strings on the TRBX and BTB, liking the BTB much better with the new strings and the TRBX605 the opposite because I hadn't used my preferred strings on that bass. But a few days ago I restrung the 605 with my favorite strings for that bass, Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Everything was back on the 605 as it was.

However, in the few weeks I'd been playing my BTB and having a great time playing it. Yeah, it's a little big all-round, but it sounded great and was easier to play than I remember, especially my right hand. I think I played 3 or 4 gigs with it, enjoying each one.

So today, with the new EBCF strings I grabbed the the Yamaha and went for a 2 hr gig at a farmers market. I have to say, even after it being my #1 for 2-3 years, I missed my BTB, which was for the same period my #3 of the fivers. in practice I'm also now preferring the Fender over the Yamaha, though the 9.5" radius feels way different on my right hand, but still it's pushed the Yamaha back in the pack in my mind. I'm debating whether to take the Ibanez or take the Fender just to see how I still feel about it?

Does anyone else go through phases like this?

 

[bholder]

My "top basses" list gets reshuffled all the time, trigger could be a NBD or just cleaning up a corner of the house and coming across an old gem I haven't played in a while...

 

[bassist4dalord]

Absolutely. I have three basses- one I’ve had for a year, one I’ve had for eight years and one I’ve had for ten years.

My newest is my #1 but, every once in a while, the Schecter tries to sneak in and take the #1 spot. I don’t need any more basses. I should be content with what I have. That being said I’m much more interested in trying new bass strings than owning a new bass…

 

[Dave W]

Yep. I have a whole stable of #1’s, fortunately or unfortunately.
Same deal with amps.

 

[bolophonic]

My basses are in constant rotation. Everyone gets a chance to boogie in the spotlight.

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

I’ve been taking the same bass to gigs for 17 years. Don’t see any reason to stop now.

 

[2cooltoolz]

I have a #1 5 string (of three), a #1 4 string (of three) and a #1 short scale (of two) out of a total of 8 basses. Weight and the state of my back determine who goes to the party. My #1 5 string (avatar) is my true #1, and the one I always wish I had.

 

[21DaHoagie12]

Totally normal! A few months ago it was my mij BTB, followed that with my lakland jazz for a while, then had a month where my Spector NS-5 CRFM was just mwaaa, perfection. Currently I’m absolutely loving my Ibanez SR1006 upgraded with an Aguilar OBP3.. usually not a 6 string player but it’s so comfy to play and chords sound so nice with US Bartolini’s, it’s exactly the tone I want for the stuff I’m jamming on recently .. In a few months it might be another bass. It’s a good thing to have multiple basses that you like so much you can’t really choose a #1. That’s a good problem to have

 

[Snert]

I played my SR806 all the time, then the BTB for a couple of years and now am back with the SR206. With new strings and (soon) new EMGs, the 206 is fine and very understated looking.

But I have new strings on hand for the BTB and 806 so my opinion might be different next week.

 

[tb-player]

For the longest time I would have considered my Yamaha TRBX605 my #1 bass that I'd grab on the way to a gig. The two other 5ers in my collection that competed for spots were an Ibanez BTB675m and a Fender MIM Jazz5 that has been heavily tricked out.

A few weeks back I switched strings on the TRBX and BTB, liking the BTB much better with the new strings and the TRBX605 the opposite because I hadn't used my preferred strings on that bass. But a few days ago I restrung the 605 with my favorite strings for that bass, Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Everything was back on the 605 as it was.

However, in the few weeks I'd been playing my BTB and having a great time playing it. Yeah, it's a little big all-round, but it sounded great and was easier to play than I remember, especially my right hand. I think I played 3 or 4 gigs with it, enjoying each one.

So today, with the new EBCF strings I grabbed the the Yamaha and went for a 2 hr gig at a farmers market. I have to say, even after it being my #1 for 2-3 years, I missed my BTB, which was for the same period my #3 of the fivers. in practice I'm also now preferring the Fender over the Yamaha, though the 9.5" radius feels way different on my right hand, but still it's pushed the Yamaha back in the pack in my mind. I'm debating whether to take the Ibanez or take the Fender just to see how I still feel about it?

Does anyone else go through phases like this?

Each of my basses does something different or unique, compared with the others. So it’s hard to have a #1. But yeah, I get what you’re saying. I probably experience this most between my Lull 5-string and my Sadowsky 5-string. They’re very different basses but both still vie for my attention. So yeah, the struggle is real. But a good one to have.

 

[Killing Floor]

I pull one out of the case and remember why I bought it in the first place. That’s what happens when you have more than 1 that sounds good.

 

[devnulljp]

Depends on the gig.
I favour the 72P with flats, but had a gig last week that needed the Jazz with rounds, so that's what went out the door with me.

 

[GreyBeard]

My #1 always gets push back when I get a new bass but, when the honey moon is over it's back to #1

My #1 for over 25 yrs

 

[Maxi Funkl]

I have a top 5. My basses on my rack get played more my EBMMSRS 4HH and 5H I'd say is my number 1 4 & 5 strings basses. But since they're kept in their cases in a closet to protect them from my 9 month old Rottweiler. They get played less but definitely my number 1's. Although my bass with my favorite neck is on my Charvel PJ IV which is on the rack thus it gets played more.

 

[twinjet]

For the longest time I would have considered my Yamaha TRBX605 my #1 bass that I'd grab on the way to a gig. The two other 5ers in my collection that competed for spots were an Ibanez BTB675m and a Fender MIM Jazz5 that has been heavily tricked out.

A few weeks back I switched strings on the TRBX and BTB, liking the BTB much better with the new strings and the TRBX605 the opposite because I hadn't used my preferred strings on that bass. But a few days ago I restrung the 605 with my favorite strings for that bass, Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. Everything was back on the 605 as it was.

However, in the few weeks I'd been playing my BTB and having a great time playing it. Yeah, it's a little big all-round, but it sounded great and was easier to play than I remember, especially my right hand. I think I played 3 or 4 gigs with it, enjoying each one.

So today, with the new EBCF strings I grabbed the the Yamaha and went for a 2 hr gig at a farmers market. I have to say, even after it being my #1 for 2-3 years, I missed my BTB, which was for the same period my #3 of the fivers. in practice I'm also now preferring the Fender over the Yamaha, though the 9.5" radius feels way different on my right hand, but still it's pushed the Yamaha back in the pack in my mind. I'm debating whether to take the Ibanez or take the Fender just to see how I still feel about it?

Does anyone else go through phases like this?

As much as I love swinging on a 6er, I have primarily been a four-string player for the last 7 years. I don't take the L-2000 out much these days, but every time I pick it up I remember why it's my top choice.

 

[King Harvest]

Same number one for four years (when I got it)… no ifs, ands, or buts.

 

[Ghastly]

I had a #1, my '73 p bass. In recent months I rediscovered my love for jazz basses and put my '73 p away and brought out my jazzes. Enjoyable, but in the past few days I've been dissatisfied with their sound and pulled #1 back out. What a perfect fit in sound and feel! Like a well loved, broken-in glove.

 

[Reverend179]

If I didn’t have use for all my basses, I wouldn’t have more than one (maybe two, as a backup). As soon as I stop wanting to pick a bass up and play it consistently, it goes on the block. That being said, whenever I pick up my L2000 that I’ve had since 2002, it feels like home.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

I definitely have a couple that are MEH one day and are OMG the next.
All good though, i have a couple that play and sound great every day so there’s always something to groove to and be happy with!!

 

[Samatza]

Sometimes I like the simplicity of a P bass and other moments I'll reach for something way out there. It always seems to work out though, I've never had a bad night and no one has ever complained. Different basses do make me play differently though.