Got any personal preferences on bass?

[MynameisMe]

I like FSO's. That being said I have had a few basses that I liked of many configurations.
The only one I've ever played that I would consider of being a decent quality I didn't like was the Ric.
Love the sound, hate the playability.
No thanks.
Never could bond to that Lakland 5502. Tried for years. Finally traded it off for a Jazz, then ultimately traded to my #1 P bass.

 

[lbbc]

30 or 32" scale
4 string RH
21-24 frets
Non FSO
Currently prefer passive soapbar pickups
Boutique(ish) looking

 

[Spidey2112]

36-24-54

I sincerely hope no one finds this offensive...

... I just want to ensure a big bottom end, as my personal preference... on bass.

 

[ezstep]

Ergonomics (playablity), tones, weight. Least important - shape (as long as it is ergonomic), headstock, f/b, and least of all, color and/or looks. Function over form, big time.

 

[HardNHeavy]

36-24-54

only if she's 5'3"

- Sir Mix-a-lot

 

[MultiScaleMale]

Sounds good in a mix

 

[Jefenator]

1. Sounds good
2. Responds evenly across all registers
3. Takes a good setup
4. Isn't too hideous for me to look at
5. Can be maintained & serviced for the long haul (without having to deal with some weird proprietary part that will be next to impossible to source or substitute, 10 years from now)

 

[friskinator]

Pretty sure everyone here has personal preferences. That’s why this site exists

 

[Baa]

I wonder what elements make you bassists get a new bass. Definitely not looking for tips as I got myself my own. Just curious.

I only care about the appearance
1. Shouldn't be Fender-looking
2. Shouldn't have maple FB
3. 2x2 head or at least split
View attachment 5465738

Do you have your own??

Sounds pretty much like my list.
I'd add:
4. Symmetric body shape
5. Two pickups. Preferably double P

 

[Thumpin6string]

1 Non-FSO
2 No paint
3 No 4 or 5 strings
4 Must play and sound awesome

 

[Lo-E]

I have to like the neck.
I have to like the way it sounds.
It can’t be red.

 

[logdrum]

I am open as long as it can be intonated and set up. Does not have to go super low as I am a medium action type guy

3-7 strings, 36=29 scale 20mm to guitar spacing, fretted, fretless. It could even be 12 lbs. My baritone sax weighs more than that and I survive long sets with it.

Metro preference

 

[dave64o]

Preferences? Yes. I prefer and own traditionally shaped basses (Jazz, Precision, Stingray, a 60's styled hollowbody, etc.) in traditional burst finishes.

That being said, I only play five strings, which is not exactly "traditional".

And a strong contender for my #1 bass (tied with my two Stingrays) is a Musicman Big Al, which is definitely not traditionally-shaped. It's also Metallic Candy Red, which is not a traditional burst finish.

Preferences, yes, but I don't strictly limit myself to the preferences. I can certainly appreciate cool shaped basses, cool finishes, or other unique features and sometimes even buy one for myself.

 

[andvari7]

6 strings
Made of composite materials - Carbon fiber, Tunable Composite, Arium, the like
Headless
Preferably multiscale, but at least 35”

I’m not against Fenders, but I prefer something different. Ideally, someone like Hantug or Kahler would make a headless, multiscale bass trem, and then the aforementioned luthier could build my ideal bass around it. Heiko from Basslab doesn’t like multiscale, and Aristides, while they make the guitar version of the bass I want, do not make the bass. In fact, they don’t make any basses right now - they’re still in preorder - and they won’t make a headless one for a while.

 

[r_bnks]

My only preference is that it has to be a Spector.

 

[Freight Train]

In general my preferences are:
1. Fender-looking.
2. Maple fretboard.
3. 4 in-line headstock.

I do have a Jack Casady Epiphone that’s the polar opposite of that and I like it very much.

 

[Mark Karwan]

I glanced at this and thought it said personal REFERENCES on bass. Yes, I have a handful of people who would vouch for my work.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I wonder what elements make you bassists get a new bass. Definitely not looking for tips as I got myself my own. Just curious.

I only care about the appearance
1. Shouldn't be Fender-looking
2. Shouldn't have maple FB
3. 2x2 head or at least split
View attachment 5465738

Do you have your own??

Maple

 

[dhagopian]

"Only care about appearance" seems like an odd criteria for something that's meant to make sound...

 

[bassfran]

Stability, not too heavy and has good playability. And no maple boards.