Apart from switching to 5's in 1996 I haven't changed much since I took up bass. My style has matured, but is essentially still the same, IMO my sound is the same (but better) and I've mostly played Precision basses since the early days. I still get compliments, so why change a winning formula.
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Has your taste changed over the years?
- Thread starter jd56hawk
- Start date
Yes and no. I have been a Rickenbacker guy since 2012 and I won't play anything else as a main bass.
I have also been a passive 4 string bassist since Day 1. I have tried 5 strings and active electronics a few times and it hasn't worked out yet. I am open to change in those aspects.
However, my taste in FSOs has changed. I started off on a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass in 2009 and I loved Jazz Basses until about the pandemic. I was starting to make and record my own music by 2020 and I realized that everything I can do with a Jazz Bass I can do even better with my Ric. I also fell out of love with the Jazz Bass' VVT tone controls by this point. I realized that Leo had it right after the prototypes with the stack knob configuration. The biggest change came when I acquired my first ever Precision Bass in 2021. The simplicity, neck width, electronics, and tone just worked better for me. I no longer own any Jazz Basses as of Spring 2025. The only FSO in my collection is my MIA P Bass.
I have also been a passive 4 string bassist since Day 1. I have tried 5 strings and active electronics a few times and it hasn't worked out yet. I am open to change in those aspects.
However, my taste in FSOs has changed. I started off on a Squier Affinity Jazz Bass in 2009 and I loved Jazz Basses until about the pandemic. I was starting to make and record my own music by 2020 and I realized that everything I can do with a Jazz Bass I can do even better with my Ric. I also fell out of love with the Jazz Bass' VVT tone controls by this point. I realized that Leo had it right after the prototypes with the stack knob configuration. The biggest change came when I acquired my first ever Precision Bass in 2021. The simplicity, neck width, electronics, and tone just worked better for me. I no longer own any Jazz Basses as of Spring 2025. The only FSO in my collection is my MIA P Bass.
Tonally I haven't changed what I like. Hearing ballsy punchy huge bass tones are what made me want to play in the first place so now the only difference is that I've since acquired a taste for fretless too. My taste in basses hasn't changed a lot either aside from my opinions of certain basses becoming more favorable after some time with them. Namely Ibanez Soundgears. Thought they were kinda vanilla and overrated. Tried a couple and now I own a couple. Lol the SR 505 is one of my absolute favorites. Wasn't too excited about Warwick streamers at first glance but after hearing some guys playing and having one I'm a believer. Sounds killer and a great body shape. Wasn't sure about fretless until I defretted one and now I definitely would buy another if I found the right deal. I think the main takeaway is that I've opened my mind to things and have been very fortunate to experience some things.
Pretty much wherever the winds blew me over the decades
Nothing very far out of ordinary....
Nothing very far out of ordinary....
Time change, but you still keep look charming even current day ! Salute !
Wow, look nice ! How much she weight ?Same, I was content with what I had.
Wife walked in while I was watching a BassTheWorld video on the home theater unit. She evidently like what she saw and heard. I ended up with this budget toe-in-the-water multi-scale, thanks hun!
View attachment 7304564
Cat seems to like it too
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The cat?
His weight fluctuates between 18 and 20 lbs.The bass?
It stays at a manageable 9 lbs. even 
Sunn 200s particularly the cabinet I thought of as one of the 3 best bass cabs 4 if you include the B-15 but for big sound, 200s, SVT 8x10, and Acoustic 361
Oh yeah. 31 years into playing my tastes are still evolving. For along time I was a jazz bass guy. Now I don’t own one. Lost the sound for it and it’s never come back. Stingrays and Precisions have been what I’ve been using for along while. I enjoy trying to get my perfect sound out of each instrument.
For the longest while it was always Peavey, with a very long stint playing various Cirrus basses. Then I finally broke down and tried some Fender's after actively avoiding them to the longest time. Now I split my time alternating between Precisions, my Stingray, and my Spector. I've also moved from mostly 5 string to mostly 4 strings in the process but keep a 5 around those times it's needed.
My taste has always been fender pbass. It's what most of the punk guys were playing when I got into bass. Finally got my hands on one and she's become my main baby. But still have GAS for alot of basses.
I mean a nice bass is a nice bass, especially if it can live in my house
I mean a nice bass is a nice bass, especially if it can live in my house
It's hard to tell if my tastes have changed or if I've always wanted the same things and just expected to find them in whatever bass I was GASing for at the time.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
Other than my fretless, I'm still playing the bass I put together in 1983 (jazz with P neck), and the Lull I got back about 2004 (precision).
So no, not really.
So no, not really.
I used to prefer neck pickups, and a strong bump in sub bass with gradual taper of frequency; little mids and almost no treble. Now I like P bass and any similar grunty growly bass.
Always had a preference for ergonomics, neck angle up away from floor, almost classical guitar position. No neck dive!
Always liked Ampeg aesthetic, but now I double down on that tone preference, and other amps that have the same vibe, sonically.
It’s funny, I played bass 25 years, but electric guitar only 5… much more rapid experimentation and decision process!
Always had a preference for ergonomics, neck angle up away from floor, almost classical guitar position. No neck dive!
Always liked Ampeg aesthetic, but now I double down on that tone preference, and other amps that have the same vibe, sonically.
It’s funny, I played bass 25 years, but electric guitar only 5… much more rapid experimentation and decision process!
Used to be most into jazzes, then came Rickenbacker era which has turned into Precision bass love, which will probably eventually fade away. I wonder what comes next!
I've been primarily playing Rickenbacker basses, Jazz basses and P bass variations for around 50 years. I Love SS roundwound strings, and live for the Chris Squire / Geddy Lee / John Entwistle tone. I also have the love of a really nice Alembic somewhere in there.
I've been sidelined lately with a total knee replacement, (that sucks by the way), and have been catching myself looking hard at the Epiphone Jack Cassidy bass, and maybe even picking up a decent fretless.
Should I call the doctor?
I've been sidelined lately with a total knee replacement, (that sucks by the way), and have been catching myself looking hard at the Epiphone Jack Cassidy bass, and maybe even picking up a decent fretless.
Should I call the doctor?
Not at a single bit. I'm still prefer unusual instruments.
Over the years I have bought 3 jbs and 2 pbs but I almost don't touch them.
Over the years I have bought 3 jbs and 2 pbs but I almost don't touch them.
