Living with just 3 basses

[alex1fly]

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

First bass - I'd say keep #5 because its the only 5 string.
Second bass - pick between #1 or #7 as a 4 string option.
Third bass - between #2 and #4.

#2 and #4 are redundant with each other, but get you the Jazz Bass tones that the PJ won't. #3 and #6 are redundant with each other and also with every other bass; no need to keep a P-only bass when you have so many PJ options.

 

[nonohmic]

I would keep 6.

Then sell the rest and buy something out there, or get a custom build.

 

[13bass]

You have the 1,2, 5 choice twice?

 

[nonohmic]

Or sell them all and buy this;

Fodera Monarch 4 Standard Indian Black Hardware 4-String Electric Bass Electric Bass

 

[swarfrat]

I can't vote. #2 is in all of em

 

[CochinoBass]

None of the options in the poll. I would go with 3, 4, 6.

 

[Ricky Rioli]

1) start with #2 because you really want it

2) add the one that best does what #2 can't

That's your needs covered so....

3) whichever is the one that you're inexplicably fond of

 

[Liam Wald]

IMHO you probably only need two considering the fact that they are all basically the same thing.

 

[deff]

Another vote for 3, 4 and 6.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I need five basses minimum. Bottom line.

 

[Rayjay]

It depends if you're an "options" guy or a "redundant backup" kinda guy. For studio work I like to have the exact bass for the sound you're going for, but live I just need a single bass that gets me through the gig. For instance, I usually use round wound strings live because I can cop a flatwound sound if needed. Don't overthink it, just keep the basses that inspire you and speak with authority.

 

[groovaholic]

That title cracks me up; "living with just 3..."
Anyhow, bass #2 is on all of your options - so it sounds like a modded Jazz is your must-have flavor.

So put all of the other basses in their cases and ignore them for a few weeks.
When bass #2 is your only option, does anything about it start bugging you?
What's the first bass you miss?
Does one of the other basses fill the voids that bass #2 leaves?

 

[Ric5]

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

sell all of the 4 strings and go with the 5ers

 

[Salem6127]

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

Agreed, I've once had two of the exact same bass for a time and they both sounded & played different even with same strings/setup/EQ. Each bass is it's own beast.

 

[J Wilson]

I like maybe just one of them. I'm on the outside looking in once more.

 

[Nunovsky]

2,3,5
2 - Active Jazz Bass
3 - Passive PJ that would sound good with flats
5 - 5 strings active PJ that

 

[selowitch]

Just three basses? Is that three for each room in your house???

 

[stringthrough]

A P, a J, something hotter like a MM or G&L Kiloton. One of them should be a 5-er. If you must, a fretless.

 

[Outbush]

1, 4 and 7.

Swap 4 for 2 if you want an active.

Bass 1 is something different, quirky, unusual with a great reputation.

Bass 4 a classic Jazz, bass 2 the active version of the same.

Bass 7 is a modern classic in every respect and although I’ve never played one everything I have read tells me that that reputation is deserved.

 

[coy garcia]

I'd keep #3 and convert it to fretless....but only you can decide what you love best.