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If you could only have 6 basses...

#21
Six? Assuming I’m not gigging for a living, which I’m not, I might not even have six:

1. Basslab L-Bow VI fretless multiscale, 29 fret equivalent, EndurNeck profile, Fishman Fluence pickup, in my custom Doodoo brown flake finish
2. Basslab STD-VI multiscale, w/Strandberg-collaborated EndurNeck profile, Strandberg trem, 29 stainless frets, Dingwall NG pickup/preamp configuration, all in my custom argyle finish
3. Basslab STD-VI 35” scale, in cranberry pearlcoat finish. I have this bass, at present.
4. Carbon fiber upright. 6 strings.
The last pieces:
The Bluguitar Amp-X, with Bass modeling, a switchable 1000/500/100/50/10/1 watt power amp, and effects that outdo everything else out there. And a better interface.
Accugroove El Whappo and Latte cabs, for home and jam, and a good IEM system for the stage.
 
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#22
I'm kind of in this situation, though I imposed the limit myself. I play a lot of fretless, and experience has taught me to have a backup instrument. The fretted bass selection is more about variety.

1. Sandberg Booster fretless
2. Ibanez "Portamento" SRF700 fretless (as a backup)
3. Atelier Z JHJ fretted (which gives me two basses in one: an active Jazz bass and a Stingray--strung with Pressurewounds)
4. Ibanez Roadstar RB620 fretted (my "P bass with flats")
5. Fender Jazz bass fretted (classic passive Jazz bass--strung sometimes with Pressurewounds and sometimes with flats)
6. NS Design Omni (34" scale electric upright--which comes in handy sometimes)
 
#25
I love all of the answers, but my question was more about the widest possible pallet of tones across the spectrum, like the 6 most distinct basses with little or no overlap on sound more so than my personal top 6 wish list. All of the answers are still interesting though.

I should have added fretless and upright to my original #6 list.
 
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#27
For the most variety, though not my particular tone preference:

1. 4-string P bass, with detuner, passive, flatwounds
2. 5-string J bass, active, rounds
3. 4-string Stingray Classic, with detuner, active, rounds
4. 4-string semi-hollow (like the Godin A4) fretless, active, with tapewounds
5. Fodera Emperor 5 Standard Classic, active, rounds
6. 4-string uke bass, with those rubbery strings

Basses covered!
 
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#29
CochinoBass said:
I love all of the answers, but my question was more about the widest possible pallet of tones across the spectrum, like the 6 most distinct basses with little or no overlap on sound more so than my personal top 6 wish list. All of the answers are still interesting though.

I should have added fretless and upright to my original #6 list.
Click to expand...

Looks like you have answered your own question. :thumbsup:
 
#31
Here's 6 basses that have a fairly wide variety of sounds....

Mike Lull M5V Jazz-style bass (already have one)

Mike Lull P5 Precision-style bass (already have one)

MM Stingray SR5 or H, whatever it is these days (Already have one on kinda-permanent load)

Alembic Series One or Two five-string (oh, I sorely wish!)

Roscoe Century Custom 5-string (a buddy has one that he's stopped playing. Too bad. Not many basses I'd consider owning, but this one is oh so fine and special in every way)

And a Lull custom-build fretless PJ with Nords of some kind and Nord preamp (Lull's suggestion). This one is being thought about hard as we speak.....:D

No doubt, there's some variety there. The only other 7th-option bass I'd think about is a decent Fender Jazz of some kind that I could fly with if the need occurs. Not in the foreseeable future.
 
#34
what would i get for the next four?

I'm thinking about going to one. I think if your one is fretless, one is better than grabbing whatever suits your whim any random day

As Rupert Holmes said.. I knew the curve of her face. Monogamy has its advantages .
 
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#35
This is a crippling limitation.

P fretted flats
J fretted rounds
Semi hollow with buckers fretted flats
Ray fretted rounds
5 fretted active rounds
Fretless P flats


bonus round is an ABG for campfire playing, I’ve owned an ABG (actually 2) since before MTV Unlugged existed and have never played one at a real campfire
 
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#36
CochinoBass said:
So, lets say your wife said you can have 6 basses, obviously in a perfect world we all want one of everything, but hypothetically lets say you could have 6 and you wanted the widest spectrum of basses. Lets say you already have an Epiphone Rivoli so you have the Gibson Mudbucker sound, you have a 4003 so you have that, you have a P bass so you have that. Obviously you would need a J bass as #4, and I'm guessing some kind of Stingray for #5, but what would 6 be? Thunderbird? Hofner? Dingwall? Some kind of acoustic with a piezo? Some kind of 5 string?
Click to expand...
My problem is that I like to have "pairs" of basses, so the main live bass has a backup that's close to identical. So for me, here are the six that I'd keep. Two pair and two fun studio alternates.

Charvel San Dimas PJ IV in Lime Green Metallic
Charvel San Dimas PJ IV in Sparkle Black
Muckelroy headless short-scale 4, maple top
Muckelroy headless short-scale 4, swamp ash
2014 Gibson SG Special Bass
Ibanez Mikro 5
 
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#37
If my wife said I could have 6 basses I would be ecstatic.

So in that case:

Fender TF Fretless
Fender PJ Bass (MIJ or USA)
Fender Jazz Bass (MIJ or USA)
Carvin/Kiesel LB 70
Dean USA Hillsboro PJ
Squier 1983 P bass (MIJ)
 

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