Essential Bass Arsenal

Just one. Stu Hamm Urge II.

 

This is my essential arsenal. I’ve been working on it for about 3 yrs. I have everything sound I need covered with these. I even have a spare set of TI flats when need arises.

 

I have:

Precision
Jazz (3 examples)
Modern active 5-string

These cover everything I need. These days, I bring one Fender Jazz and my Mike Lull M5 to gigs, and I really could get away with just bringing the Lull, but I still love a good Fender Jazz so I don't mind switching between the two during a gig.

 

For the gigging musician:

1. A good one that speaks and sings for you when you play it.

2. A basic backup should #1 have an issue on a gig that either does something similar - if you are in a band that requires a specific sound - or very different but workable one if you are in a flexible outfit like an originals or jam band as I am. Fretted and fretless to a gig is often nice.

3. A great amp and cab. Great needn’t be expensive.

4. A backup plan for the amp, even just a DI.

For studio work:

1. a precision.

2. another flavor. Possibly more modern, but it needn’t be active. EQ can happen ITB.

For those with G.A.S.:
You need twelve things. They are steps. The first is admitting you have a problem.

 

Oh, I have a problem, but it ain’t the number of basses….

Lull M5V Jazz-style
Lull P5 Precision style
Stingray SR5
Generic Fretless (ESP LTD my electronics)

All 5-strings, I don’t consider “5-string” a style.

I don’t consider the strings as a style.

Nor do I consider active or passive a style. I have both. A bass’s active-ness or passive-ness doesn’t determine its suitability for my needs.

Apparently, my problem is being 64YO, thinking I can still work professionally and keep buying basses like I’m 30….

 

Well, I could be wrong, but I think you can drastically pare down the list.

4-string P-style
5-string J-style
5-string PJ as backup
high-quality multi-FX unit or a small pedal board (compression, HPF, maybe chorus and/or other modulation)

My guess is that musicianship, proper preparation and showing up on time are a thousand times more important than the type of pickup or a spalted maple top....

 

I have a modern, boutique, J style 6 string that can do anything a J does and then some.
And a P with flats.
That's all I need.
In a pinch, I could ditch the P. But it lends you a certain authority:
Whatever bass you bring, you left a Fender P at home, so it must be good ;-)

 

I believe all of the major food groups are represented. ..... Ric 4003, Stingray Special, L-1000, T. Franklin (fretted) PJ, Fender 32" J-bass, Squire 32" P-bass.

 

Any serviceable bass and a ton of skill. I've got plenty of the former, but am somewhat lacking in the latter.

 

I think what you need, "need", to cover most anything thrown at you would be a passive P, an active 5 string J and the third bass is something unique to your style. Maybe an upright, maybe a a synth, maybe a fretless. All depends on what you do. What do you really, really need? Probably just a quality 4 string that's setup well and plays well. What do you really, really, really need? Skill and presence on whatever bass is in your hands and some vocal skill helps out.

 

Depends on what you are playing, and if you are planning to hire yourself out as a session player. I have a PJ 4 string and a Warwick Corvette 5 string. Pretty much that has provided me with any voice I’ve needed.

I’m pretty certain me playing a fretless at this point in my life would likely result in being cashiered from the project. LOL!

As far as hearing bass tones in your head, it good you have a good idea of what tones you want to have on hand. Me, on the other hand, I have my tone down, and unless somebody requests something different (which hasn’t happened in the last 40 years), I have the tools on hand.

Have fun on your search.

 

Pretty much I have a compromise with a Pj as opposed to a J & a P. I have a modern 5er though. Same idea.

 

You need an upright too.

 

Here is what I pieced together over the years and my methodology. Basically two of each kind that are on different ends of the spectrum tonally. Take a P bass for example, it can sound like Jameson/Dunn or Entwistle grindy. Classic 60’s Jazz vs 70’s Marcus or Geddy.

• X2 P Basses
  • Classic 60’s, 3TSB, RW fb, could easily wear flats
  • Maple neck with GZR, very rock and grindy
• X2 J Basses
  • 70’s tone- 1977 Jazz
  • 60’s tone- 80’s MIJ with 60’s nj4
• Stingray
  • 96 4string H 3-band
  • 2018 Special
• Warmoth fret less Jazz

I pretty much complete at this point and can cover any gig or session. I don’t have a 5 string, but that’s intentional and not my thing. If someone needs a 5 string, I point them to someone else

 

Essential ? Something that will play reliably. Could be a glarry. Anything more than one bass is pretty redundant.

 

As Rich pointed out, a Fender P or Jazz will work in 99% of studio or live. I can get a Ricky sound with the Jazz and everything in between. The sound is in your hands, amp and head.

 

A Rickenbacker. Then a cheep old Dan Electro. And an old Gibson. Soon after that an Alembic. Been down that road.

 

STRONG username-to-arsenal-consist correlation...