• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Guitarists Have All The Fun

PennyroyalWe

PennyroyalWe

Sep 2, 2018
2,424
4,316
Oregon
#1
Okay, we all know guitarists generally get most of the attention from the major makers. There’s been a few guitar models that I really wish would be made into a bass model.

  1. F74E3015-1F10-4B01-A0DA-F59A134A5900.jpeg
    The Squier 51: a guitar based off a bass design being made back into a bass might seem redundant, but I love the vintage/modern mashup of this model. A 51 p bass with an angled scpb in the neck and a musicman or double jazz humbucker in the bridge. Simple volume and 3 way switch controls. Sounds pretty rad to me.
  2. 97BE9698-B077-4C86-8966-F67358DBAFC6.jpeg
    Peavey Patriot: I hear you now “but there was a Patriot bass!” Yeah, well, they did it wrong IMO. The Patriot guitar has two single coil pickups, and is a 24.75” (same as gibson) scale. So, in my mind, a more approximate bass version would likewise have two single coil pickups, and should be a short 30.5 (i.e. Gibson) scale. Where the real Patriot bass was basically just a T-20, tonally similar to a tele bass, this version would be more like an EB-3, or (tonally) even a Rickenbacker.
But, alas, they’re not real so it’s all fantasy. Any of you have guitar models you wish were made into basses?
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: zontar and mikewalker
#3
I think a bass version of G&L's Comanche guitar would be extremely cool. Three MFD split-coil pickups would be monstrous. G&L took a step in this direction with the Matador bass, which has two split-coil pickups, but IIRC they are not MFDs.
D9C9E8CA-C357-46D4-9730-D75970F29945.jpeg


Also, I think DiPinto should offer a Galaxie with electronics more like the Galaxie guitar, which has either two or four single coil pickups, each with its own on-off switch. (It's available with humbuckers too.) As it stands, the Galaxie bass has a single split-coil, and it's a very cool bass, but multiple single coils would be totally rad. DiPinto might make one with multiple single coils as a custom order, but I don't know.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
  • Like
Reactions: packhowitzer, GregC, mikewalker and 1 other person
#6
I wish EBMM would make the Sabre again, especially because the re-releases earlier this century came in some really nice finishes. I wish we had basses with Maxon pickups again (especially something like an Electra Longnecker.) I wish Ibanez would make the Musician basses again because man finding those used is pricey!

I really wish Matsumoku would come back and make all the cool stuff they made in the 80s, both guitars and basses.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Spectrum and mikewalker
#7
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker and definenredefine
#11
If you could only have 1 car in the Indianapolis 500 would you choose a race car or the pace car?

Instrument makers look at bass players the same way everyone else does. Guitarists get the cool gear because they play up front. They make a connection with the audience instead of the drummer. They sing lead or backup. They play in the spotlight instead of hiding next to the drum riser.

A cool guitar at a gig is marketing for that company. A cool bass is the bassist’s secret.
 
#15
Spectrum said:
Godin made one, the Shifter:

MS5qcGc
Click to expand...
I really like Godin guitars and played a few bass guitars at gatherings and they are sweet instruments. They really need a better presence in the bass community they are that good . Pure Canadian wood and solid and great craftsmanship. Hapax plays Godin bass guitars... Great Dark Wave band that is on the top of their game ! or
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker and Spectrum
#17
MIMike said:
Well, there was the Fender Rascal!
View attachment 4739032

Note: not my image.
Click to expand...

Those are cool but not based on any guitar as far as I can tell. More like a Bass VI with 4 strings instead of 6 that plays like a normal short scale bass. I thought they were cool and came pretty close to buying one a few times despite having no need for another 4 string bass. Every once in a while Fender puts out something really different.
 
  • Like
Reactions: mikewalker
#18
There are plenty of bass luthiers who can do what you need. Most of that is aesthetics and a tweak on pickups and pre's.
Just stick close to their model template.

The thing you need to factor innwith wacky ideas is what happens if you sell it.
 
#20
Spectrum said:
Those are cool but not based on any guitar as far as I can tell. More like a Bass VI with 4 strings instead of 6 that plays like a normal short scale bass. I thought they were cool and came pretty close to buying one a few times despite having no need for another 4 string bass. Every once in a while Fender puts out something really different.
Click to expand...

I thought the three single coil pickups (with an angled bridge PU) and a 5 way blade switch were pretty Strat like. Since the OPs OP seemed to talk about pickup configurations as much as body shape, the Rascal was the first thing I thought of that fit.
 
  • Like
Reactions: PennyroyalWe and Spectrum

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back