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how has your taste in basses changed?
- Thread starter pcake
- Start date
I started playing bass in the 1990s. Maybe the then-current MIA Fenders were better, but as all I could afford would have been a MIM model, that's what I tried out in the store. And did not like it at all.
I used Yamahas for years, until I began to realize (a) I was not getting the sound I wanted, and (b) almost all of the recordings that did have the sound I wanted were made with Fenders. So I tried them again, and was amazed.
I now have only Fenders. I expect to eventually add something non-Fender to my collection again, but I am very happy with these instruments.
I used Yamahas for years, until I began to realize (a) I was not getting the sound I wanted, and (b) almost all of the recordings that did have the sound I wanted were made with Fenders. So I tried them again, and was amazed.
I now have only Fenders. I expect to eventually add something non-Fender to my collection again, but I am very happy with these instruments.
In the 90's I went to flatwounds exclusively because the rusty roundwounds were starting to hurt my fingers.
No other changes.....
No other changes.....
Not knowing anything about basses I bought a $300 Ibanez P bass... maybe P/J, I dunno it was maybe 1997. I don’t remember much about it but I went through a few looking for something that felt good until I bought a new G&L L-2000 in 2000. Since then I have owned dozens of basses; Roscoe,Zon, Status , Sadowsky, Warwick, Lowend, Benavente, Some really nice Spectors ( I blame TalkBass). Many of the custom basses I owned had paisley flat neck profiles and didn’t sound particularly special. When I got above the $1500 mark I noticed that the playability and fit and finish were exceptionally good but always went back to a more raw sounding and perhaps more “colored” Fender style bass. I have found that the Fender style basses I’ve owned have required a shim to get them where I want them but the sound is always there. I like a P/J configuration finding the HH setup to be a little flabby sounding. I have a Dingwall NG3 that nails the super aggressive Hi-Fi sound I like but it’s not as comfortable as my Fender style basses. I still have the L-2500 and love it, it’s a monster and the most aggressive sounding bass I own. My main gigging bass is my deluxe Fender Precision with Nordstrand pickups and Sadowsky preamp. I think $1500 is the bass sweet spot ( mostly talking about the used market). I really think Fender got it right, it’s kind of a colored sound but a good Precision or Jazz bass will do anything for you.
so what - if anything - has changed when it comes to your bass taste / preferences?[/QUOTE]
Playing comfort overtook the cool factor several years ago. Before that I felt I had to adapt to the neck! Now I've got both in one ax with the Jag (seen in my icon on the left).
Playing comfort overtook the cool factor several years ago. Before that I felt I had to adapt to the neck! Now I've got both in one ax with the Jag (seen in my icon on the left).
5 string Laklands or MTDs ... I have never played a US Lakland or MTD so I am talking Skylines and Kingston's but I imagine I would like the US models as much if not more ..
I don't need active pups.. butabut I like a pre that is active or passive preferably with some kind of passive tone ... I prefer simple preamps... B,T M .. and I prefer sweepable mids over preset mids say with a preset on a switch but it is not a necessity. I prefer lighter under 10 lbs preferably closer to 9, 18mm to 19mm spacing.I also prefer nickel over steel and I don't mind 24 frets but it is not a necessity for me. If I had to pick just two basses to keep it would be my Laklands. Ergonomically they are perfect for me.
I guess the main difference is I know what I like better now than I did initially. I went through about 23 basses over the years to get here and TB made that whole process so much easier.
I don't need active pups.. butabut I like a pre that is active or passive preferably with some kind of passive tone ... I prefer simple preamps... B,T M .. and I prefer sweepable mids over preset mids say with a preset on a switch but it is not a necessity. I prefer lighter under 10 lbs preferably closer to 9, 18mm to 19mm spacing.I also prefer nickel over steel and I don't mind 24 frets but it is not a necessity for me. If I had to pick just two basses to keep it would be my Laklands. Ergonomically they are perfect for me.
I guess the main difference is I know what I like better now than I did initially. I went through about 23 basses over the years to get here and TB made that whole process so much easier.
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Over the years I have owned other basses but my taste has been pretty constant. Basically it's been a Fender Precision shaped world for me. Four years ago I added a Jazz bass, but I think that was the last change.
Does moving to 5 string basses count? It doesn't feel like I changed anything as I just expanded what I was already doing.
Does moving to 5 string basses count? It doesn't feel like I changed anything as I just expanded what I was already doing.
My mind has never changed in regards to my favourite brand, i had always wanted an alembic bass even though i was primarily a guitarist till about 8yrs ago. Eventually after managing to save the right number of pennies i got myself a 4 string then a few years later 5 string alembic and my dreams are now reality. I’d say im pretty much fixed and satisfied in my taste now.
I used to prefer boat-anchor, back breaking G&L L2000s with ash bodies, maple boards and massive low end. 20+ years later I discovered Sadowsky NYCs with chambered alder bodies, RW boards and single coils with the full spectrum of ranges. That's likely where I'll remain.
It's been a journey for me.
I started on a P bass in the 80s.
Then, like many, I went through quite a few pointy basses.... a Kramer Forum in hot pink, a dark blue Ibanez, an aqua Ibanez, a couple of black Carvin 6 string basses, etc. Most of them active.
Then I did a million gigs with an Ibanez BTB.
Then, on a whim, I bought a Fedner Roscoe Beck Signature 5 string. That yanked me back into Fender style Passive basses in a big way. I got a 5 string P bass. I actually found the original P bass I started on back in the 80s. I had Hammersmith make me a custom 5 string creation that combined all of my favorite attributes from a 5 string P bass, the Roscoe Beck Signature, and my trusty on BTB.
That was several years ago. Then, recently, I went a little nuts. Now my bass tastes are all over the place. The Hammersmith, the original P bass, a purple, black, yellow and white swirl dipped jazz bass, a parts P bass, a custom LeCompt STSS funky shaped thing with custom pinstripes, a hot pink parts bass with EMG PJs, a black Ibanez neck and who know what body, a magenta point I banez, a fretless G&L L 2000, and several others.
I started on a P bass in the 80s.
Then, like many, I went through quite a few pointy basses.... a Kramer Forum in hot pink, a dark blue Ibanez, an aqua Ibanez, a couple of black Carvin 6 string basses, etc. Most of them active.
Then I did a million gigs with an Ibanez BTB.
Then, on a whim, I bought a Fedner Roscoe Beck Signature 5 string. That yanked me back into Fender style Passive basses in a big way. I got a 5 string P bass. I actually found the original P bass I started on back in the 80s. I had Hammersmith make me a custom 5 string creation that combined all of my favorite attributes from a 5 string P bass, the Roscoe Beck Signature, and my trusty on BTB.
That was several years ago. Then, recently, I went a little nuts. Now my bass tastes are all over the place. The Hammersmith, the original P bass, a purple, black, yellow and white swirl dipped jazz bass, a parts P bass, a custom LeCompt STSS funky shaped thing with custom pinstripes, a hot pink parts bass with EMG PJs, a black Ibanez neck and who know what body, a magenta point I banez, a fretless G&L L 2000, and several others.
Generally, I’ve always found the same aesthetics appealing over time, but I do appreciate these more:
1. A tone that fits in the mix. I’ve sold a lot of basses because I couldn’t get them to work in a live setting.
2. Thinner necks. I have normal to smaller sized hands and playing busier lines in the first position will cramp my hands with bigger necks.
3. Passive electronics. Not that I’m opposed to active basses but I more easily get a sound I like from passive instruments.
4. Simple controls. The most complicated I ever want to get is a MM StingRay preamp. I want to spend more time playing and less time searching for a “better” tone by fiddling with knobs.
5. 4-string basses. I’ve owned and feel very comfortable on 5s, but I feel more comfortable on 4s. I’ve been toying with the idea of setting up a bass to BEAD just to give me that lower range while keeping my preferred neck size.
I think that’s it
1. A tone that fits in the mix. I’ve sold a lot of basses because I couldn’t get them to work in a live setting.
2. Thinner necks. I have normal to smaller sized hands and playing busier lines in the first position will cramp my hands with bigger necks.
3. Passive electronics. Not that I’m opposed to active basses but I more easily get a sound I like from passive instruments.
4. Simple controls. The most complicated I ever want to get is a MM StingRay preamp. I want to spend more time playing and less time searching for a “better” tone by fiddling with knobs.
5. 4-string basses. I’ve owned and feel very comfortable on 5s, but I feel more comfortable on 4s. I’ve been toying with the idea of setting up a bass to BEAD just to give me that lower range while keeping my preferred neck size.
I think that’s it
- Jun 30, 2010
- 49,588
- 221,964
- Disclosures
- musician/artist/owner - Gildaxe
1978 - '64 II which just arrived
a couple years ago - same bass/strap
a couple years ago - same bass/strap
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In the 80’s and 90’s, I preferred thin-neck, light-weight, small-body basses — Ibanez MC, RB and SR. Now, I prefer basses with some heft — EBMM StingRay, Lull NRT, Fender/Nash Jazz.
Settling for fretless – 4-string jazz and electric upright. My third bass, an Ibanez BTB 5-string, does not get much love these days.
