How do you bond with a bass?

[FretNoMore]

Superglue?

Anyway, I think this is something that will sneak up on you, when you realize you always gravitate to that same bass for every gig because you know it usually works best. I can't say I've found The One yet, but there are certainly one or two favourites.

 

[zontar]

In a sense I don't choose the bass or the guitar--it chooses me.

I don't buy the first one that bats its eyelashes at me either.

I take my time, and when I find the right one I know it--and I bond with it rather quickly and I have a bond that lasts with each one.

 

[Wallace320]

Actually I don't really know

The bass I bonded with most (and still do) it's a Yamaha Attitude limited II... I mean...
You all know these basses suffer from neckdive, are really heavy and everythin' in between so, as somebody else stated, I must admit I everytime fight (in a way) against it

But it delivers, it has a tone like no other and is unbeatable live.
So, even if it's definitely not one of my friendliest basses, it's among the ones I still own after a bunch of years (believe me, it's so much for one like me) moments we shared are the reason for which I always bond with the hardest "Precision inspired" bass to deal with

Btw I still have to check its studio appeal, if such there ever be

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[bassliner50]

Clean it and admire it after each gig.

 

[Bongolation]

I don't know what it feels like to actually LOVE a bass.. When I buy a bass, I usually really like it for a couple of weeks, then the magic starts fading and I'm able to sell/trade it without a second thought. What's the secret? Do I need to spend more money? I'd like to have an instrument I would never sell.

It's just gear.

Attachment and all this kid stuff is just a phase.

The more you actually know, the less satisfied you'll be with any bass or guitar, ever, and the less obsessed you'll be with the sheer novelty of going through a bunch, which becomes tedium. Eventually you'll grow up and find some that aren't too bad (and there aren't many!) and stick with them for a while.

 

[Kazz3lrath]

I disagree, I don't think it's unreasonable to get attached to gear. Other than my first gig, every gig I've ever done has been with my Fender Select Jazz Bass, and I love that thing like a child.

 

[lfmn16]

I've never had to think about bonding with a bass before. I can tell in under a minute if I like it or not. Maybe I should play hard to get!

 

[Roy Vogt]

If I really dig a bass, I take it to every gig no matter what. I may take another bass that is more suited to the gig as well, but I try to get a lot of "face time" with the instrument. That usually does it. Also, take the time to do a good setup or get your bass tech to do one. That's made all the difference for a couple of mine.

 

[headband]

I agree with a previous post that a good setup is important. There is more than one bass that I wasn't too impressed with until it was set up properly.
Then, it is about feel and tone. A keeper just feels good in my hands - makes me want to play it. And second, after many gigs, if it has the sound I am looking for it becomes one I keep. Currently I have four keepers:
'64 and '69 jazz basses
Nordy vj4
'55 Pbass custom shop
Any of these are great at what they do. I have others that don't make me feel that way and they are usually sold or traded. Right now I am thinning the herd as I have found baases that are special to me. After these it takes a lot for me to want to add another.

 

[FFTT]

The one that always just feels right, the one that you count on to sound good regardless of the situation.
Your Go-To Bass even though you may have others that are very nice. The one you used to play your best performance ever.

 

[Unemploid]

maybe you're a guitarist or a drummer because i'm attracted to basses. maybe you're not into basses. jk

seriously, when it can to my bass, it struck me. i din't no which bass i wanted and if i was going to get a 5 string. i had the money for an orange 5 string ibanes bass for around $200 dollar, but that day that's when i say it. i say the gretsch g5123b. i didn't purchased the ibanes, i instead saved for the gretsch. right now my gretsch is in the pawn shop, i get it out as soon as i can. the bass lokks and sounds great, it is my tone.

 

[LeftyJack]

Feel, sound, looks. In that order. I've had a beautiful custom ordered G&L that sat hanging on the
wall as I found myself aways grabbing my '89 MIJ P-Bass as it just caressed my hands and sounded
oh so good.

 

[Bluemoon4655]

I don't know what it feels like to actually LOVE a bass.. When I buy a bass, I usually really like it for a couple of weeks, then the magic starts fading and I'm able to sell/trade it without a second thought. What's the secret? Do I need to spend more money? I'd like to have an instrument I would never sell.

That might be a good thing that you dont get too attached, haha. I've bonded with my 1st bass, and I dont think i would ever sell it because I want to be able to show my kids one day, or just have it and 'wow' people that i still have my first bass. Its just a Fender Affinity Squier J Bass. As for my other J Bass, its much more high end, so I wouldnt sell it being my first high end bass.

So I guess just try to attach memories or sentimental values to the bass, and that may make it harder for you to part ways with

 

[Munjibunga]

I recommend having at least ten basses, but more is better. Then when one starts to lose favor, you move to the next. If you rotate through basses, say, one every two weeks or so, in a half a year coming back to the first one is like hooking up with an old friend. Trust me, it works. But you have to keep every bass you buy.

 

[Son of Wobble]

I recommend having at least ten basses, but more is better. Then when one starts to lose favor, you move to the next. If you rotate through basses, say, one every two weeks or so, in a half a year coming back to the first one is like hooking up with an old friend. Trust me, it works. But you have to keep every bass you buy.

An excellent strategy which also works well with girlfriends.

 

[Son of Wobble]

It's just gear.

Attachment and all this kid stuff is just a phase.

True, but arrested adolescence can sometimes make the phase last indefinitely

 

[FFTT]

Playing bass is safer than bedroom chemistry.

The truest bond forms when both the instrument and the player grow up together as pups.

 

[squidtastic]

I don't know what it feels like to actually LOVE a bass.. When I buy a bass, I usually really like it for a couple of weeks, then the magic starts fading and I'm able to sell/trade it without a second thought. What's the secret? Do I need to spend more money? I'd like to have an instrument I would never sell.

I imagine it's like loving anything -- you don't know it till you fall in love. And I don't think there's a secret. Anyway, does it really matter? Just use what you like until you don't like it. Personally, I don't worry about how much I love my bass; I just make sure I can play what I wanna play on it and that I can get the sounds I want out of it. After that, I really just think about loving the musical situation I'm in.

 

[ombuki]

I met Dimple almost 8 years ago and it was love at first sight. Of course we had our issues over the years but we managed to get through. It is an Ibanez EDB555.
I know it is not the best sounding bass around and has a mediocore build quality but I still love it. After all these years it began relicing and all those little straches reminds me all the good times and the bad.
So spend time with your instrument, the more time you spend it gets more special.

 

[vin*tone]

Concentrate less on the bass and more on the notes coming out of it. The instrument is only the vehicle for your ideas.