Little things you like for no reason

[seansbrew]

I wish all my basses had the truss adjustment wheel. As found on music man basses.

 

[zackthompson]

Black n maple basses. No reason. They're just sexy to me

 

[NightTripper]

I prefer the tuners to be two on each side or four in line. Anything else just looks odd to me. I don't care for MM's headstock with three on one side, and one on the other.

I usually prefer blocks (or triangles a la Rick) over dots too.

 

[williamk]

jack input in the front of the bass, not the side (like on most fenders)

 

[Count Bassie]

jack input in the front of the bass, not the side (like on most fenders)

Me too... I modded an 80s vint-type bass (got a lot of grief for that one) and moved the jack from the side to the front, replacing a knob location.

 

[caeman]

It has to be distinctly different from what I already own. The only instruments I own that are duplicates are harmonicas (9 different keys) and tin whistles (different keys), and there is not much getting around that limitation with those instruments. But, with basses, guitars, etc, it has to be substantially different from what I own.

That is my OCD.

 

[giacomini]

Oh, I said before straplocks but there's something else...

CTS pots and orange drop caps (I know caps sound all the same if they're the same value, but still I keep on getting them in my cheapos)

 

[Calaverasgrande]

jack input in the front of the bass, not the side (like on most fenders)

exact opposite here.
My old Ovation Magnum has cracked several times at the output jack. I finally pulled a big old washer out of my tool box and it's held since then.

I kind of prefer unplugging my bass by accident over damaging it.

 

[Engine207]

Volume, Blend, Tone (or EQ). I like the ability to adjust my volume on the fly with just one knob, without the hassle of re-blending with the other pickup.

and this...

I wish all my basses had the truss adjustment wheel. As found on music man basses.

 

[BritFunk]

My Friends,

Quite a list of "little things" here!

For me, all other things being equal:

- No fingerboard inlays
- 2-on-a-side tuners
- Brass nut
- Truss rod adjustment access on the body end of the neck, rather than at the headstock

Any of these would be enough to tip the scales in favor of one instrument over another.

----
Kurt

 

[ffutterman]

2x2 tuners with Y-shaped knobs. I'm not big on cloverleaf-shaped knobs, and I really don't like 4-in-line (it's almost a deal breaker).

 

[goldenglory18]

Maple necks and black pick guards.

 

[Count Bassie]

We are a funny bunch! Glad to know it! You know, not being the only one, and all...

 

[Immigrant]

Neat tuner post wrapping. Several rotations. No flailing string ends.

And glossy necks and fretboards. Moreso fretboards. Glossy necks OK unless sticky. Glossy Ric fretboards.

That's hot.

 

[jweber76]

Jazz knobs... With very few exceptions everything is better with jazz knobs.

 

[BogeyBass]

exact opposite here.
My old Ovation Magnum has cracked several times at the output jack. I finally pulled a big old washer out of my tool box and it's held since then.

Dude...what the heck.. that bass is so ugly I think I like it
have you ever thought about polishing up the hardware and returning it to former glory. never seen anything like it and my OCD wants to see it all cleaned up and new again. interesting

anyhoo back on topic....

I like basses that were made before i was born, and say Fender on them.

 

[BenBL]

For me it's the weight of the instrument. Not that it is light but It has to feel like I can bash it against something without hurting it. I know it's weird but If a bass or guitar is too light I just don't enjoy playing it as much. it might just be that I have a very aggressive playing style.

Also it has to have a glossy neck that's not to sticky. I can't stand satin finishes on the back of bass necks. It works for me on regular guitars for some reason.

 

[hdracer]

I like a .047uF capacitor on my tone pot.

 

[jweber76]

Straps are another one for me... I can't stand switching straps between instruments! The worst is switching between different types of bass! Like going from one of my Js which I wear down low to my Rivoli which requires a higher playing position... Just when I had the strap right in the sweet spot!!
I prefer cheap nylon straps and I have one for each of my basses and guitars. Craziness, I know...

 

[D.M.N.]

Things I like and aren't deal breakers:
Burgundy Mist
Matched headstocks
Independent Volume and Tone for each pickup
Vintage Reverse Tuners
Nitro finish
Bridge covers
Fender TV/70s Logos
Bound & Block

Things I like that are deal breakers:
Vintage frets and 7.25" radius
NOT having Pearloid pickguards
Clover leaf or Lollipop tuners