Getting the 3 Bass GAS balance right.......

[IotaNet]

I have multiple basses but my ideal three would probably be:

1) Lakland JO5 (Ultra traditional)
2) Lakland 55-02 (Ultra versatile)
3) MM Bongo (Ultra modern)

 

[Double Agent]

1) a modern 5-string (Spector Rebop)
2) a classic 4-string (Fender P/J)
3) either a really old-school, short scale bass (Hofner or Gibson SG), or fretless (probably a Jazz).

As you can tell, I haven't decided on #3 yet.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

There are two possibilities for an ideal three bass combo for me: A) quality six string (TRB-6, MTD, Cirrus, Ken Smith), quality five string (Lakland, Fender Jazz, MTD), quality four (Fender Jazz or MusicMan); B) Fender Jazz Five; MTD Kingston; Yamaha BB605 (modded w/Bartolini electronics.)

 

[Mikio]

1.- nice JBass
2.- nice Pbass
3.- nice modern 5 strings active bass

and I would have a 6 strings around just for the matter of having one lol, cuz I think I don't need more than 5

 

[l0calh05t]

1) 5-string with Delano Hybrid system (to cover both jazz and stingray tones) - check
2) 4-string with flats (preferably passive) - almost check... got a 4-stringer which currently has rounds on it and is active...
3) A fretless - check (although it's just a rockbass... meh)

 

[Jaydin Nathan]

1) 5 String Passive Alder/Rosewood Jazz
2) 4 String Passive Alder/Rosewood P
3) Walnut/Ebony Active ACG Bass

At lease those are the ones on my GAS list But I think I'd be pretty much set on anything. Only other thing I'd want is a fretless jazz.

 

[rayzak]

I've used the 3 bass "system" for a few years now..... although, just yesterday stepped up to the 4 bass club.
My 3 were:
Sadowsky Jazz
EBMM Stingray
Ric

Just added a Lakland P.
I'm with the Jazz, P, Ric crowd when it comes to the perfect 3.

 

[dave64o]

I took a three bass approach and right now I'm very happy with what I have, partially because of the tonal characteristics of the basses but also how they feel to me personally. Someone could take the same generic ideas I had in mind for each three and come up with multiple basses for each category but my personal choices are :

1) Old school and thumpy - Precision V with flats

2) Modern and/or aggressive - Stingray 5 HH with rounds

3) Fretless - Jazz V (mine happens to be a Deluxe) with flats

 

[mponthier]

My favorite 3:
1) Rob Allen Deep-4 fretless
2) Sadowsky NYC Vintage J 24-fret 5-string
3) Sadowsky NYC Ultra Vintage P

 

[Nedmundo]

Three is a good number, because if one's in the shop, you still have a backup. For a long time, I was happy with these three, which are close to the OP's idea:

1. Jazz;
2. Precision; and
3. DiPinto Belvedere semi-hollow.

Eventually, the arsenal ballooned up to an absurd seven, but I've sold two including the DiPinto, and I'm thinking about paring things down further. Though I'll probably never sell my 2004 Precision, I could easily get by with these:

1. Fender 2008 Am. Std. Jazz V;
2. Jazz four; and
3. G&L SB-2.

 

[Sauron_]

1J, 1P, 1MM.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I am totally revising my suggestion:

1. Active five string Jazz (Fender Jazz Deluxe)
2. Fretless Five String (SR5)
3. Four String Fretted (Jazz, Stingray, or Sterling)

 

[huido]

I don't know if this list is "perfect" but it works for me (for now).

• An active 4 strings (I have also a passive one, but I'll get rid of that one)
• A passive 4 strings fretless
• An active 5 strings multi-scale (aka Fanned Frets)
• An acoustic 5 strings fretless

I should clarify that I currently own only the first 2, and I'm working to get my list complete (in a year or two).

 

[mponthier]

My favorite 3:
1) Rob Allen Deep-4 fretless
2) Sadowsky NYC Vintage J 24-fret 5-string
3) Sadowsky NYC Ultra Vintage P

Oh, and being that I play jazz 90% of the time, I'd have to include another

4) Wan-Bernadel double bass

 

[RickenBoogie]

I'm in with the 3 bass idea. I've got 4 right now, but one's for sale. #1 (always) Ric 4003, #2 Fender AM Dlx P w/flats, and #3 was a 5 string, but now another Ric, 4004Cii tuned BEAD. I'm covered.

 

[TrevorOfDoom]

1. Lakland Decade (unique tone, quai-chameleon)
2. Lakland JO (jazz bass. a standard)
3. Fender MIA Fretless P (both a P, and a fretless)

all my basses (pun!) are covered.

 

[Craigster]

My 3 are (for now)
1. Fender 70's Jazz
2. Peavey Cirrus 5
3. Breedlove ABG 4
I use all regularly. But for a 4th I would like to add a fretless (am building one now)

 

[ManOnStreet]

With me:
1) Spector NS-J2
2) Spector 5LX
3) Ibanez SR405QM

 

[FronTowardEnemy]

1995 Fender Jazz 75 Reissue Japan (Main player)
2004 Fender Jazz American Series (Modded backup)
1995 Ovation Viper Bass A/E (Played occasionally)

 

[paganjack]

i've got 3 right now in use

1)ATK305 w/ flats =rock/folk/metal
2)ATK750 w/ rounds =fusion/funk
3) SX Fretless 5 w/ flats =jazz

my basses cover all my bases