Is your newest always your favorite?

[lz4005]

There's always a honeymoon period for a couple of months where the newest is the favorite. Then it generally goes into the rotation, getting used where appropriate. Or at least where not inappropriate.

Unless, of course, the new one solves a specific problem. Like the new-ish song in my jazz trio's current set where I need a 21st fret.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

No. I have my clear favorites, and they are rarely displaced even temporarily by a new instrument. That said, my custom Muckelroy immediately hit favorite status when it came and hasn't been (nor probably can be) bumped from the top of the mountain. It is the instrument by which I judge all others.

 

[scuzzy]

every new bass starts at the bottom of the pack, where a newb belongs. then after putting them through their paces, playing them endlessly through all the amps and effects, a ranking comes out. once ranked, they make it to the live performance arena. you let me down there.....it's off to the craiglist. i don't make the rules, just follow them blindly.

 

[GIBrat51]

No, not at all. Years ago, when this '78 P-Bass was my only bass, I made a list of specific basses; brands of basses; and types of basses that I wanted. I bought the first of those basses some time in 2003; I bought the latest one last month. When I get a new bass, yes, it's more or less the center of my attention - until I get the set up the way I want, and find the strings that give me the sound I think I want from that bass. After that, it's (usually) just one of the herd, with 2 or 3 of them out on rotation for a month or so (I have... 23, I think). I do have 2 basses that sit within easy reach all the time, though; I suppose they are my co-favorites. They're this '73 Rick 4001, and this MIK Rogue VB-100. The Rogue is the first bass I bought on the "herd list", and the Rick is... the 7th, I think. I've had them both for several years now; so they're not exactly my newest basses. But, they are my favorites...

 

[stonetone7]

In my 47 years, I’ve only owned three basses:

A high-school-jazz-band-era Kay SG copy
A 2000 standard (but heavily modded) Jazz Bass, my first working bass
A 1999 new old stock Hot-Rodded Precision, that I could never quite love

Today the only bass I own is the Jazz. Given the industry, I’m no longer interested in buying American Fenders, but I’m so planning to mess around with VMs and Vibes and perhaps DIY some kits and blanks.

 

[bassestkkm]

I usually play the bass that fits the mood best at the time. BUT, A lot of my more diverse gigs have been on the bass in my profile picture.

 

[andruca]

No, but they get closer to my #1 "reference" instrument in some aspects I consider basic to really like an instrument (a certain playability, a certain cutting quality to the sound).

 

[NoiseNinja]

Usually is, but, no, not always!

I recently bought my second Ibanez Mikro bass, one of the GSRM20B models in weathered black and with mahogany body from 2017, I switched the EMG Geezer butler P pickup I had in my old black Mikro, a 2010 GSRM20 with basswood body I have modded fairly heavily visually, over to it, but couldn't fit the Geezer Butler J pickup in it cause the cavity for it was routed too short, so left the stock one in.

Well, fast forward, it didn't feel quite right in my hands playing it, and although it acoustically seemed to have a more present and open sound, the amplified tone lacked something too compared to my old Mikro, so I quickly switched back to using my old one, putting the Geezer Butler P pickup back in it.

Further more the new Mikro turned out to have a slight buzz on the high G string almost consistently over the entire fret board and the neck wood seemed to be of worse quality than that of my old one.

If those issues hadn't been there it might or might not have turned out my new favorite, I do really like how my old Mikro plays, feels and sounds though, so probably hard to find a bass that would be able to replace it.

My good old trusted black Mikro, which is a bit beaten up, since I tried, but failed, drilling an extra far neck pickup cavity into the body, which I then had to fill up with filler mass and paint and varnish it over, and in the process also chipped off a bit of the fret board, concerning the last two upper frets of the low E string, which I then glued on again with super glue (luckily plays and sounds like it used to before my haphazardly performed procedure):

 

[Watchootognbout]

Usually/always.

It's a bell curve.
The new one will be an obsession for a while.
Then I'll taper off and go back to my other bass.
Then go to my newer bass until playing time is about equal.
More or less.

 

[chris_b]

To those who own multiple basses-
Is your newest bass always your favorite?
How do you choose what bass to bring to a show/rehearsal?

In Talkbass terms I haven't owned many basses. About 12 in 50 years, but only 7 have made it to go-to status. Every bass I buy I try to make an upgrade, a better bass than the current one, so the latest is usually the one that gets gigged, the last one becomes the backup and the older one will probably be sold. For me these are tools not toys so I don't hang to old basses if they are not being played. The new bass doesn't always hit the spot so the current bass remains the go-to and the new one will be sold.

So, yes, if I'm making the right decisions the newest bass is always the best one I've owned and the only one I'll gig with.

 

[mesaplayer83]

Ugh. After reading your reply I picked up on the fact that I should've worded my post differently..."I'm getting there" was a reference to "filling holes" and not about getting independently wealthy...



That's a sane policy IMO although I shouldn't be allowed to comment on anyone else's sanity due to sheer lack of my own...

I actually have two shopping lists: one is a somewhat short "must have" and will likely be done with by the end of 2018, and the other one is "nice to have" where the stuff that I do like a lot but is not my top priority sits, waits and gets purchased if the price is right...as in very low.

I dunno about my own sanity - some might say that owning 19 basses, 9 cabs, 5 amps, etc... isn't all that sane, lol... I think my buying is going to slow down considerably in '18 - there really isn't much more that I want... although as always, I suppose I could be tempted by a nice piece at well below market value, lol...

 

[Acoop]

At the moment it’s putting parts basses together that has spurred my interest. Getting my hands on an old Fender neck starts the process and once it’s finished it’s take her out on the highway/gig and she how she lays it down. My latest is a 64-neck and 63-pickups on a black Mexican alder body. So far she’s a monster but I may soon swap out her BA2 bridge for something different. A great Bass starts with a great neck.

 

[ninjaaron]

No, but usually. I've never had a fretless be my favorite. They are cool and I like them, but I don't get excited about the fretless bass the same as a fretted.

 

[mesaplayer83]

A great Bass starts with a great neck.

I couldn't agree more...

 

[Skybone]

Not always.

 

[Ric5]

To those who own multiple basses-
Is your newest bass always your favorite?
How do you choose what bass to bring to a show/rehearsal?
Do you have one you always seem to go back to?
(If you are in multiple bands/projects) Does each event have a bass that works best?

Me:
Kinda, sorta. I always bring my newest to the next show.
I try to mix 'em up.
I think my Modulus will be my go-to.
Loungey/jazzy (but not renewed for the new year) P-bass with flats. rock- Modulus, Jazz, or Ric. Country- a five string (always need that low G)

The bass with the fresh set of strings and a new setup is my favorite ...

Or the latest frankenstiened creation assembled from parts is my favorite ...

Or what ever bass I have in my workshop being restored or converted into a 5 string is my favorite.

 

[bassmanrocke]

I go through moods and switch favorites. Generally the new one is my favorite, but sometimes I'll pull out one that I haven't played in a while and it will feel like a new one.

 

[Relsom]

This. Since I’ve gotten my Mustang I haven’t played any of my other 3 basses. And it just looks so good.

View attachment 2846117

Is that one of the current MIM offerings? That looks a lot bluer than most of the photos I've seen of these, which look more pale.

 

[Joe Nerve]

I think the shorter scale probably has a lot to do with it - changing the hang angle, the height, the general placement of the bass in relation to the 'functional' centerline of your spine (which varies a bit for everyone). You know, standing /moving around with one arm basically stretched out to one side constantly does put a fair bit of torsion on those lumbar vertebrae (and associated course and fine musculature)!

Been thinking about this since I read it yesterday. This morning I am relatively pain free. That hasn’t happened in quite a while. With all the working out I’ve done over the years, I never attributed back pain to my bass - but I started thinking last night that the chronic pain began when I started gigging again regularly, and really kicked in this past year since I’ve been playing 2-3 gigs a week. I’m the guy who used to think it was ridiculous that a 9 lb instrument could cause problems, but hey... live and learn. I’m hopeful that I can have my old back back once again . Fingers are crossed... thanks for the post.

 

[basscapes]

Of course, in my younger years (read: teenager), ANYTHING NEW was always the best to have!

As I learned to listen and trust my gut about items (basses, amps, effects, etc...), I became more discerning with regards to the gear I would pick. Is it really worth anything to me? Can I actually USE these items in any given project?

Also, I've learned to listen to the musical voices in my head (hopefully, they're all GOOD)! E.G., knowing when to (or not to) use a P-bass/J-bass/MM/Ricky, chorus, delay, distortion with a specific song/band.

In my mind/opinion, good players will/should always use their ears first to make a judgment call before inflicting their sonic onslaught on the world!