Living with just 3 basses

[TTPbass1]

Ok, this is a serious one and I'm really interested in objective and, let's say, scientific answers.

If you have to live with just 3 basses from this list, which would you choose and why?

1. 1984 Fender MIJ PJ-555 all stock
2. 2011 Fender MIM Deluxe Active Jazz with Lusithand 800TS preamp and SCN pickups
3. 2014 Fender MIA Special Precision with EMG Geezer Butler pickups
4. 2016 Fender MIM Standard Jazz with Dimarzio Model J pickups and dual concentric pots.
5. 2018 Sire P7 5 strings all stock
6. 2020 Fender MIM Player Precision with Nordstrand NP4V pickups and CTS pots
7. 2020 Lakland 44-64 GZ PJ

All of them are great instruments, but have to take a hard decision, thanks for your help

 

[TN WOODMAN]

2
3
6

This is hard & doesn’t even concern me. Honestly I’d have to play each but on its face any of the 3 look like sound choices. Draw numbers from a hat.

 

[AHaze]

5: I don't love P/Js but it's the only 5 string on the list and also covers having something with an on board preamp.
With no fretless on the list, I can't completely narrow it down any further than that but would probably keep a J (2 or 4, would need to play them to decide) and a P. I'm biased toward keeping #3 on paper but if I were selling basses off to raise money for something else, #6 could stay instead.

 

[B-Mac]

Ok, this is a serious one and I'm really interested in objective and, let's say, scientific answers.

If you have to live with just 3 basses from this list, which would you choose and why?

1. 1984 Fender MIJ PJ-555 all stock
2. 2011 Fender MIM Deluxe Active Jazz with Lusithand 800TS preamp and SCN pickups
3. 2014 Fender MIA Special Precision with EMG Geezer Butler pickups
4. 2016 Fender MIM Standard Jazz with Dimarzio Model J pickups and dual concentric pots.
5. 2018 Sire P7 5 strings all stock
6. 2020 Fender MIM Player Precision with Nordstrand NP4V pickups and CTS pots
7. 2020 Lakland 44-64 GZ PJ

All of them are great instruments, but have to take a hard decision, thanks for your help

I didn’t vote because they’re all ‘slab o’wood’ basses. If you’re gonna limit yourself have a solid body, then a hollow/semi-hollow and then a good ABG. That’s REAL variety.

A fretless something or other would be good to have too.

 

[bassicmike]

Without playing them, no idea. And even then, my favorite 3 would probably be different from your fav 3.

 

[taketwo]

I voted 257, but I would have picked 345.
A P, a J, and a 5. Good for a bit of everything.

 

[jeff62]

4, 6, 7

 

[scuzzy]

4, 5, 7. great versatility, diversity, and trusted build quality.

 

[Levent]

2 5 7 , least Fenders also jj, jp and a 5 string.
Most versatile option.

 

[Thumpin6string]

None of the above.

 

[JakobT]

3, 4, 6. A MIA P, a decent J, and a decent P for back-up.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Ok, this is a serious one and I'm really interested in objective and, let's say, scientific answers.

If you have to live with just 3 basses from this list, which would you choose and why?

1. 1984 Fender MIJ PJ-555 all stock
2. 2011 Fender MIM Deluxe Active Jazz with Lusithand 800TS preamp and SCN pickups
3. 2014 Fender MIA Special Precision with EMG Geezer Butler pickups
4. 2016 Fender MIM Standard Jazz with Dimarzio Model J pickups and dual concentric pots.
5. 2018 Sire P7 5 strings all stock
6. 2020 Fender MIM Player Precision with Nordstrand NP4V pickups and CTS pots
7. 2020 Lakland 44-64 GZ PJ

All of them are great instruments, but have to take a hard decision, thanks for your help

1,3,7 Don't ask me to explain.

 

[mini-milli]

I'd go for 3, 2 or 4, and 5.

Flats on the P, rounds on the J and 5.
I think it'll get you the best variety in sounds. It's similar to the collection I have right now and I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything (besides maybe an upright).

But the real question is what are your 3 favorites? Which ones would you regret selling?

 

[MIMike]

For me, I don’t need a 5 string and I don’t need an active bass. What about you? That seems like a MAJOR determining factor in what you keep.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

#6, everybody needs a p bass
#2, jazz is different from a p bass
#???? Something with humbuckers. Stingray?
You need a variety, not all just p basses.

 

[CallMeAl]

I voted 237 cause that’s a P, J and PJ.

on paper I like 235 cause there’s a 5 (is the sire the only 5?)

though I’d really want to play them! Plus I’d like to see a regular single coil passive J and/or a stingray in a trio stable!

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Ok, this is a serious one and I'm really interested in objective and, let's say, scientific answers.

If you have to live with just 3 basses from this list, which would you choose and why?

1. 1984 Fender MIJ PJ-555 all stock
2. 2011 Fender MIM Deluxe Active Jazz with Lusithand 800TS preamp and SCN pickups
3. 2014 Fender MIA Special Precision with EMG Geezer Butler pickups
4. 2016 Fender MIM Standard Jazz with Dimarzio Model J pickups and dual concentric pots.
5. 2018 Sire P7 5 strings all stock
6. 2020 Fender MIM Player Precision with Nordstrand NP4V pickups and CTS pots
7. 2020 Lakland 44-64 GZ PJ

All of them are great instruments, but have to take a hard decision, thanks for your help

3,4,5

 

[nickpc]

I voted 1,2,5 but would have picked 1,4,5 if it had been an option.

 

[Kael]

None of the options works for me.

1 - a five string P bass, fretted
2 - a four string fretless, probably a J, probably with a series parallel mod
3 - an upright

I own these basses. I ought to sell the others as they do not get used.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

2,3,7: a J, a P, and a P/J.