I don't aim to be able to achieve just about any sound, rather than the sound I like. Nowadays I play fretless exclusively and I think I could incorporate it in just about any music genre I enjoy playing.
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Essential Bass Arsenal
- Thread starter DRay521
- Start date
Make the stingray a 5 string and then you have all three of these in one bass. Lets you get it all done in 5 basses. Make the jazz bass the fretless, and you’re done in 4.
In that case, I generally take it upon myself to know what it is they want. I’ll put in the research to know if they reference a particular tune or record, I can achieve that tone to the best of my abilities.
For example, I played with a pro-level touring tribute act, and we covered the Stones. Bill Wyman played a Mustang or Vox, so while I didn’t have those exact basses, I was able to bring a short scale with tapewounds and adjust EQ to nail the tone. I don’t think a jazz with rounds would’ve fit in that scenario. Could I play over the fingerboard, roll off the tone, and get pretty close? Sure, but having a tool for the job was more efficient IMHO.
Currently -
Active Vibrawood Pbass
Passive Vibrawood Jazz
81 Ibanez Musician Fretless
52 Kay upright
94 Spector NS4CR
three mid-60's Matsumoku hollowbody basses (one fitted with an active EMG system, one passive with rounds, one passive with flats (these have different headstock branding, but they are the same bass)
I got the Vibrawoods because they are under 7lbs and sound fantastic. The P has and Audere system and is very flexible. The Jazz has lively Lollars.
The Fretless doesn't get much run, but it's always an option. Same with the upright.
The Spector has a really special tone with the EMGs and HazLab pre. So easy to play with great action.
The hollowbodies are my "signature" basses. Nobody else plays them and I always get comments and questions at shows.
Active Vibrawood Pbass
Passive Vibrawood Jazz
81 Ibanez Musician Fretless
52 Kay upright
94 Spector NS4CR
three mid-60's Matsumoku hollowbody basses (one fitted with an active EMG system, one passive with rounds, one passive with flats (these have different headstock branding, but they are the same bass)
I got the Vibrawoods because they are under 7lbs and sound fantastic. The P has and Audere system and is very flexible. The Jazz has lively Lollars.
The Fretless doesn't get much run, but it's always an option. Same with the upright.
The Spector has a really special tone with the EMGs and HazLab pre. So easy to play with great action.
The hollowbodies are my "signature" basses. Nobody else plays them and I always get comments and questions at shows.
My primary studio arsenal (and that's mostly what I've been doing the past few years) is:
P-style (incl. Regenerate Guitar Works VRB-P4, G&L SB1/LB100)
J-style (Regenerate Guitar Works VRB-J4)
Fretless (Muck 5/G&L L2500)
5 String modern (Yamaha BB5000A)
Also, I have a Jack Casady and an old Greco hollowbody that have seen a lot of studio dates over the years. And other basses that fit into the above categories.
And upright, though that fad has passed for the time being, in terms of everyone wanting upright on their tracks.
P-style (incl. Regenerate Guitar Works VRB-P4, G&L SB1/LB100)
J-style (Regenerate Guitar Works VRB-J4)
Fretless (Muck 5/G&L L2500)
5 String modern (Yamaha BB5000A)
Also, I have a Jack Casady and an old Greco hollowbody that have seen a lot of studio dates over the years. And other basses that fit into the above categories.
And upright, though that fad has passed for the time being, in terms of everyone wanting upright on their tracks.
I'm very happy with my current arsenal, but then again...I'm an unrepentant gasoholic and this all could change tomorrow.
1 Fender jazz (Sadowsky onboard preamp)
1 Fender Tony Franklin fretless P/J
1 Fender Precision with Lollars and flats
1 Fender Mustang
1 Thunderbird-style (Mike Lull P with T pickup)
1 5 string P/J (for the occasional country pickme-up gig)
1 G&L L-2000 that I am on the fence about
1 G&L L-1000 Series 750 ("fun" 5-string)
1 Upton upright
1 Fender jazz (Sadowsky onboard preamp)
1 Fender Tony Franklin fretless P/J
1 Fender Precision with Lollars and flats
1 Fender Mustang
1 Thunderbird-style (Mike Lull P with T pickup)
1 5 string P/J (for the occasional country pickme-up gig)
1 G&L L-2000 that I am on the fence about
1 G&L L-1000 Series 750 ("fun" 5-string)
1 Upton upright
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A EBMM Big Al 5 string will cover almost any sound anyone could desire.........
(preparing to duck under fire) .... why is it that bassists almost always refer to their collection of basses (or their collection of pedals, or whatever) as their "arsenal"? An arsenal is a storage facility for firearms and ammunition. Just curious ... no derogation implied or intended.
99% of the time if people are specific about "what bass" they want me to bring/play it's when it's "upright".
Exactly One studio job I did specifically wanted "a Fender Precision".
Exactly One studio job I did specifically wanted "a Fender Precision".
I agree with Your selection, with one exception - no need for Modern Active/Boutique!
The rest six are more than enough to cover all styles, needs and desires.
Right on the money! When I bring out my Al 4 string, no one seems to know that it was even in existence, much less made by EBMM.
I’m trying hard to stick with these and not get anything more. It pretty much covers all the sounds I care about. I can easily get a perfect, record-ready sound with all 3 using different UAD amps.
P with Labellas, Stingray with TIs and an all around perfect Stratocaster.
P with Labellas, Stingray with TIs and an all around perfect Stratocaster.
