Leo got it right the ____ time

[fermata]

We often hear the phrase "Leo got it right the first time." Maybe so, but the Precision is just one of several significant basses he invented. So here's a chance to weigh in on what you think Leo's greatest creation was. (I've kept the poll simple, but you can elaborate on various specific models below. And for the indecisive, you can have two votes!)

Edit: Apologies for neglecting the Mustang, Bass VI, and probably something else. (Just think of the omissions as a testament to how many great basses he designed.)

For the sake of completeness, as pointed out by @GeneralElectric on page 5:
1st time is Single Coil P-bass
2nd time is Split Coil P-Bass
3rd time is Fender Jazz
4th time is Fender Bass VI
5th time is Fender Bass V
6th time is Fender Mustang
7th time Musicman Stingray
8th time is the Musicman Sabre
9th time is the G&L L1000
10th time is the G&L L2000

 

[kx-]

I guess i fall in the first or second? I'm partial to Mustangs and Musicmasters. Only because im not a giant with steel shoulders Im small haha

 

[ChrisNJ]

Every time.

 

[bholder]

Every time.

Was just going to post that.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I'm one of those who go for "Leo got it (almost) right the first time." I have owned several of Leo's designs, including a fretless Jazz, a G&L Tribute L2000, a couple of split-coil Precisions and a Music Man SR5. Given that I still own all but the G&L, what do i play?

A Classic '51 CIJ Precision, of course! Now, about the "(almost)" part: my bass has a 4-saddle bridge, an Electrosocket output holder, a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickup and Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. It's the bomb.

 

[2saddleslab]

Leo got it right the very first time........ok, the mid 50's will work too.

 

[lz4005]

First time = single coil P
Second time = split coil P
Third time = J
Fourth time = Bass VI
Fifth time = Bass V? (unclear how hands-on he was with the design)
Then the Stingray, then the G&L stuff.

 

[Wisebass]

Each and...

Every time.

but I love mine!

may the bass be with you

Wise(b)ass

 

[el murdoque]

One thing we can hopefully agree on is that the Name G&L does not carry the weight of the names Fender and Musicman. I pretty much doubt that in twenty years the G&L's are, from a collector's view, as sought after and highly priced as vintage Fenders and Musicmans.

 

[2saddleslab]

One thing we can hopefully agree on is that the Name G&L does not carry the weight of the names Fender and Musicman. I pretty much doubt that in twenty years the G&L's are, from a collector's view, as sought after and highly priced as vintage Fenders and Musicmans.

Some actually buy basses to play them. In that case G&L certainly holds it's own with Fender & Musicman.

 

[BassholeKI]

All the above, each time, every time.

 

[spufman]

I favor the Jazz if picking one primary type. But my absolute favorite 'Jazz' is my 1st generation G&L SB2.

 

[Badwater]

Although Leo Fender was not a bass player, he invented a lot of historic instruments and helped with development of instrument amplification. Regardless of opinion as to which is "right", music and technology evolves, as do a lot of great musicians. I think Leo Fender got it right with all the inventions he created, or helped design. After all, there's only so much you can put into one design.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

The relative value of any bass over time often bears little to no relation to their superiority or inferiority as instruments. I've watched with great amusement as 70's Fenders, considered junk at the time, and often deservedly, now demand high prices because they are "vintage". Time + Hype = market value, apparently. There is evolution over time. The J is an ergonomic and stylistic improvement over the P, IMO, and the G&L a technical improvement over both. I can get a range of tones covering all the most popular P, J, and even even a decent Ric emulation out of my L2K. I have a fretless J that's a lovely thing, and fun to play, but it's not a shadow of the L2k as far as versatility. I'm in the minority on P's, never had one, no interest in ever owning one. Leo got them all right, but the G&L was his best.

 

[39-Bassist]

I would say ALL OF THE ABOVE...

 

[MCS4]

60% of the time, he got it right every time.

 

[KillerEddie]

I think he got it right every single time. Leo Fender was a man who absolutely loved what he did. This is a man who got up every single day and got to follow his passion. This is a guy who genuinely loved music and making instruments. Sure he made money but I honestly believe the man did it more for the love of it. You can't get it wrong when you have that kind of outlook.

 

[InhumanResource]

They're all pretty great from where I sit!

 

[two fingers]

Yeah they are all different and great in their own way. My favorite? The '59 P bass and all other variations of it thereafter.

But, yeah, he was to the bass business as Lee Iacocca was to the car business.....transformative in every way possible.

 

[Gaolee]

Leo invented the bolt on neck and guitar as industrial product. Everything else is a variant.