Most essential bass(es) to own

[pringlw]

If you are in a cover band, a studio bass player or just someone you hired for backing a solo artist etc ... yeah you need a jazz, a precision, a stingray, a fretless and a modern 5 ...

if you are in a original band or solo artist ... well you shouldn't ask that question

I mostly agree with this. If you are a cover band or studio musician, you could get away with any one of the "big three" (basically Leo's three creations) - a Precision, a Jazz, or a Stingray. After the big three, the first to add would be a Ric.

Once you have a Precision, a Jazz, a Stingray and a Ric - IMHO your basses are covered (pun intended). Virtually everything else is inspired by one of these 4.

Sure you can have a Warwick or a Lakland or whatever, but almost every other bass is a derivative of one (or more) of these four basses in terms of PUP configuration and basic sound.

My Lakland for example (which I love) has a MM S pickup configuration with the ability to isolate the coils on the MM pickup. In practical terms that means I can make it sound like a Stingray, or like a J Bass (but always with a Lakland quality to it). So I love love love that bass, but it is clearly a derivative which was inspired by one of the big four,

 

[5string5fingers]

As far as I'm concerned you only need one. A P bass. But i'm slightly biased.

 

[bassingeorge]

I have played my G&L Tribute L-2500 for every style of music I'm interested in for 8 years!
If I were to have just one bass...it has to be a 5 stringer, Active/Passive, Medium weight, and have a heavy bridge and chunky-ish neck.

 

[R. Laevinus]

This is NOT a sarcastic statement - the most essential basses to own are the ones that speak to YOU. The ones that YOU feel sound the best, like playing the best, like looking at the most.

I spent about 7 years owning 1 bass and it was all I needed. It was MY essential bass. These days, I have 3.

but that is definitely a very subjective question.

I also agree! I spent years buying and selling basses, looking for the one that spoke to me.

I found it, in a Fender Precision. I like it so much that I bought a second, and am saving for a third. As far as I'm concerned, the humble P is all I need or want.

But you ain't me, and a darn good thing too!

 

[Shoewreck]

I'd call Warwick Streamer Stage One the "go-to" bass. It's a modern comfortable bass with not too much character yet many tone options.

 

[WhoIAm]

schecter custom, fender jazz, thunderchief. those three anything can be played. not a fan of the precisions sorry all those i just made upset with my first post

 

[Aspidites]

The ones that inspire you to be a better player.

 

[pie_man_25]

just get the bass you like I suppose, I agree with most that the fender P., J., EBMM stingray, and a rick 4003/4001. However, if all basses are just derivatives of these sounds, then why not use one of the other brands - ie. a sadowski instead of a fender, etc...

 

[pringlw]

just get the bass you like I suppose, I agree with most that the fender P., J., EBMM stingray, and a rick 4003/4001. However, if all basses are just derivatives of these sounds, then why not use one of the other brands - ie. a sadowski instead of a fender, etc...

Well you could but remember the thread asks for the most essential basses. In my view a Sadowski is essentially a Super-Fender. So if that's what you have, it's basically like having a really really great Fender.

 

[Relayer71]

The most essential bass to own is the one you own. If you don't own one, play a bunch, find one you like and figure out how to buy it.

The rest is up to you.

And that is the gospel, from the Book of Musicians; Bassist 12, Chapter 1.

 

[edbass]

I suppose the term essential is subjective, but I can usually find "the right tool for the job" among these;

I also have some other "specialty" basses; multi string, acoustic, vintage, etc., but these essentials by far get the bulk of the work.

 

[pringlw]

I suppose the term essential is subjective, but I can usually find "the right tool for the job" among these;

I also have some other "specialty" basses; multi string, acoustic, vintage, etc., but these essentials by far get the bulk of the work.

There they are. P, J, Ray, Ric and Fretless P. That's the stuff. Pure bass bliss.

 

[audiomitch]

No collection of basses is complete without a Ric

Add a P bass and a decent 5 string, you're pretty well covered.

 

[giacomini]

In my perfect world (which hopefully will be in a few years from now ) where I get money enough to start a "collection", narrowing it down to the essential (just for my pleasure) I'd have:

(not in a specific order)
1- Fender P, stock '62 specs (vintage or RI, I don't mind), sunburst, RW fretboard, chrome covers, flats on (think the Funk Machine)
2- Fender J, '62 too (stacked knobs), oly white, tort pg, RW fretboard, chrome covers
3- Fender J, a Jaco-ish fretless
4- Fender P, P/J pups (alrealdy got this one, my P-Plus)
5- Fender P, any color but with a maple board
6- Fender Jaguar (i like its looks, that's it)
7- Fender American Deluxe J 5 string (this new 2010 version)
8- Fender '51 P
8- Yamaha TRB5PII (or the TRB6PII)
9- Gibson EB-3
10- a Dingwall 5er
11- Something multi-string, like 8 or 12 in octave pairs

I guess I'd be GAS free for a while with those basses.

 

[bassingeorge]

In MY perfect world...

1. Rob Allen Custom Deep 6 (BEADGC) with mandolin sized frets and Flamed Koa Top! DROOL!
2. Warmoth parts Copy of a 1962 Fender Jazz Bass Black/Mint PG/Black Headstock painted by yours truly outfitted with sadowsky pups
3. I would very much want a Warwick Streamer Jazzman in Trans Black Quilted Maple.

I wouldn't need any other bass....

 

[bighead4G&L]

+1 on P, J and Stingray

 

[BoulderBassist]

P-J-Ric- Fretless

 

[eoinfennessy]

Fenders are overhyped, you know.

This is not true. I wish people would stop giving out about Fenders - the Mexicans are overpriced and generally pretty bad, but the Americans are some of the best instruments you can get (at a price that isn't outrageous).

 

[Billy3000]

I agree that the most essential are whatever basses appeal to you. My essential 4 just happen to be a popular choice for the top 4 (P bass, Jazz bass, Rickenbacker, Stingray). But there are definitely lots of other sounds out there, just not ones that really appeal to me and my own playing style.

 

[Big_Daddy]

The essential bass is that one that calls to you when you're playing it; the one that feels perfect. THAT is the go-to bass.