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

[tbz]

I shuffle through mine fairly consistently. If I buy something new I like it normally goes to the front of the line for a bit.

 

[Nobis17]

My SRS 4HH is by far my #1. I bought a Nash PB-63 at the beginning of the year, which is super cool, which jockeyed for a lot of attention for a while. Now the Nash is sitting on the wall watching me play the Stingray. There is something truly special about the SRS. I am even looking to offload the Nash, if I'm not playing a bass, I have a hard time justifying keeping it.

 

[Ron Berenato]

My Stingray is #1 when I play with my fingers. My Frankenprecision is #1 when I play with a pick. My Washburn acoustic is #1 when I learn new songs and/or write. It's polygamy in my collection.

 

[Isaac_James]

My #1 (Mexican Fender P Bass with a jazz neck) had that spot for about 20 years. For most of that time it was my only bass, it did exactly what I needed it to and I didn't have disposable income for extra basses. But about a year ago I got a case of GAS for a 5 string, picked up a Yamaha and it's been my #1 since then. I don't know if I'll have it in that spot for 20 years again, but I don't often buy new gear, so who knows? The Yamaha does pretty much everything I want it to, just like the Fender did for years, so I don't feel the need for a new one.

 

[lermgalieu]

Yes

 

[ArtechnikA]

not yet.
9 years now...

 

[capnjagg]

Absolutely. Had my T-40 tucked away for a good while, I’ve bought and sold a few since then, but my two electrics right now are that and a Squier Bronco. I’ve been using the Bronco mostly since acquiring it, but switched back to the T-40 because I’m getting ready to do some Rush covers with my dad and uncle. It’s a nice bass, I used to love the neck (pretty thin front to back and side to side), and I’m sure I’ll adjust to it again, but I’m missing the comfort of the Bronco neck for sure. It’s not so much the scale length, just the actual shape of the neck that I miss, it just fit the contour of my hand in a really natural way. I’m saving up for something new currently, no guarantees I’ll actually buy anything, but I’m gonna test drive everything I can get my hands on.

 

[HelpImaRock]

I'm playing out again and realizing I don't want to take my Reverend. It's a prototype and I'm starting to get precious about it. So I bought a Squier and it's great. I'm not saying I'll never play the Rev again, but the Squier is definitely getting the majority of the playing time.

 

[conttador]

I have 12 basses and they each have a “purpose” based on my perceived tonal needs.

I have a 6er strung w half rounds that I like when I want to create thick bass lines.

I have a pre-Gibson Tobias 6er that has more of a modern tone.

Then there’s the Mid 80s Smith BT 6 that has that quintessential Smith tone

Then there’s another Smith Kate 90s BMT 5 that I use if I’m looking for a funky Smith tone

Then there’s an Alembic Essence 5 that has that very modern Alembic sound.

I also have a 90s Sadowsky Modern 5 that’s great for funk

I could go on and on but everyone will have their own rationale. At the d of the day it’s your world.

 

[RGerhart]

It just depends on the day (and how my left wrist is feeling!). That's the beauty of having more than one bass and with different string amounts.

 

[DrBnz]

STRINGS make the BASS, not the other way around and its all SO subjective, I think I even change from week to week..... So I used to swear that a P bass w Ti strings is the absolute best (to me). UNTIL..... I held/heard a G&L L1000 w La Bella 760 flats..... For me its usually a FLAT, yet all Flats have subtle differences. So ya can't even tell somebody to go buy XXX.... it all depends on the many variables. Certain flats sound great on a Stingray or Jazz Bass and almost always sound good on a P-bass. While some flats (normally found on P-bass) take away from the characteristic Stingray or Jazz bass growl. I even have different strings from my passive J-bass vs. the active version.
But to answer the question, who is #1?. I bounce back and forth between an Ultra P w Ti Flats and a G&L L1000 w 760 flats

 

[HardNHeavy]

variety is the spice of life..but now i'm on my jazz bass fetish since i've been playing along to alot of Zeppelin lately.

 

[jdjk7]

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?

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?

I started with one bass and have just kinda bought another one after a couple years and that one becomes the main. I started on a Squier Precision Special, then an Epiphone Thunderbird, then went to a fretless Carvin 4-string, then a 2001 MIM P-bass, and my current main is a Grass Roots G-T-60B (a 4-string, long scale Bass VI, a "Bass IV" so to speak).
I've had other basses in my collection, including a cheap P-bass copy, a 90s Washburn 6-string, and a Squier Bass VI. But those have always been side pieces to the main, brought out when desired/appropriate.

 

[mrcbass]

I have 3 "go tos" for diffrnt situations:
My most used a Fender V P with flats. It woks with most of my current classic rock gigs.
Others are:
A Sire PJ 5 that is used in my funk/soul project; occasional need for slap and the grittier presence is desired
A ESP Fretless V that I use for jazz or other fretless needs.

Of course I have backups for all of them. No I've never bounced back to a previous "favorite".

 

[Medicine Man]

For me, it is gig based. My fav is a purple Q5, but im playing a P in my current country project.

 

[JimmyM]

Your experience is the norm for many musicians, not just bassists.

 

[ac100X]

Yes, I go between my number #1 VOX Phantom bass and the other VOX basses but end up going back to #1.

 

[bassbrad]

My #1 since 1982 has often not been my most played bass depending on my current gig or needs but Taz will always be my #1. That '82 Carvin LB50 will remain when all others are gone for me because it is the bass where my playing style and sounds all came together and everything just feels perfect.

I am fortunate to have many wonderful #2 basses that each have their own tone and feel.

 

[Mastermold]

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

Nice. My 2013 SR5 is my only 5-string now. I had other 5-string basses but after getting the SR5 I never played them and eventually sold them all. It's versatile enough for me and I love the neck and overall playability.

 

[Mastermold]

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.

I play P-basses a lot too, but also have a variety of other "flavors" I use regularly. Variety is the spice as they say.