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Durable basses. Those basses that can take a beating and still kick booty.

#45
My vote is for Warwick. My father-in-law says, it means "War Stick" in German. And I'd be willing to take it into battle. The woods are tough and the construction is bulletproof.

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Wenge is one tough wood. Warwick doesn't make necks from it very much any more because 1) It's becoming rarer and 2) Woodworking tools such as saw blades tend to require replacement more often compared to working with softer woods like Maple.

Why not have a "battle" of basses, and find the answer?
 
#47
Woodchuck said:
Think about this: Prince has a white custom Thumb. Everytime he plays it, he tosses it about fifteen to twenty feet off stage, with it bouncing 4 to 5 times. It still plays great. He's done this numerous times!
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I just saw Prince live last month. He played a funk bass duet with Rhonda Smith :cool: . He was using what looked to me like a 70's era Jazz w/a maple fretboard with white pearloid block inlays.

Oh yes, the Artist named Prince who was formerly called the Artist, can play! :)

Rhonda was fantastic too!

BTW, judging by the picture posted, Wenge makes one heck of a strong neck.
 
#49
Well, we've certainly seen some basses that can really take a beating.

So, anyone have insight into those basses that, say, when they have beer, cola, vomit, rotten fruit, or what-have-you spilled/projectiled/etc. on them, don't short out and all that good stuff? Basically, a bass that doesn't get all upset in a food fight which is what could potentially happen at a bar or drunken house party gig.

I know someone mentioned a Stingray that survived cola spills.
 
#51
I know nothing's invincible. So it's more a matter of what survives with the least damage. And given the electricals of basses, cola could probably do more harm in certain ways than a hard thwack.

Either way, the 'crest is enjoying the stories and insight (as if I haven't said that enough already *broken record*)
 
#54
well if you want to pour beer on your bass, and wack it on the floor, and expect it to continue to play well...I spose any bass will eventually crap out under those conditions. The pups may be the first to go. Or maybe you'll crack the neck or strip out the neck bolts. If you're into that sort of thing, get Roger Sadowsky to dip yer pups to seal them, like Newstead's basses.
 
#55
jive1 said:
My vote is for Warwick. My father-in-law says, it means "War Stick" in German. And I'd be willing to take it into battle. The woods are tough and the construction is bulletproof.

[This invalid link has been removed]

Wenge is one tough wood. Warwick doesn't make necks from it very much any more because 1) It's becoming rarer and 2) Woodworking tools such as saw blades tend to require replacement more often compared to working with softer woods like Maple.

Why not have a "battle" of basses, and find the answer?
Click to expand...

:eek: Does he do that to all Warwicks? Holy crap! That's immense! I'd laugh if it broke though. Doesn't it damage the neck?
 
#57
Luckydog said:
well if you want to pour beer on your bass, and wack it on the floor, and expect it to continue to play well...I spose any bass will eventually crap out under those conditions.
Click to expand...

That certainly goes without saying. I don't think anyone would be stupid enough to intentionally pour beer on it or use it as a sledgehammer, but some similar treatments are unavoidable, especially if you're playing a rowdy venue. A drunken mosh pit audience ain't gonna baby your bass the way you do. And I don't expect anything to keep playing well after abuse. Just being able to play and not falling apart would probably be achievement in and of themselves.

And keep in mind, I'm probably talking in terms of extremes. Some of those things probably won't happen, but they're still plausible.

And I find that Warwick neck test impressive yet disturbing at the same time. Given what many people on the forum say, I'm not sure if ovankol can hold up to that test as well as wenge can. Although it is said that ovankol can be just as hard.
 
#58
My P Active has put up with me bleeding all over it (reason still unknown), being hit against several low ceilings innumerable times and having the head slammed against low doorways on trains while it's on my back.

My Thunderbird's had beer all over it, knives stuck in it (again, reason still unknown), several drops and several roof hits. Still plays perfectly, and takes about 2 weeks to lose tune, even in drop D.
 

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