my current number one bass is...

[ectoflanger]

When I'm away from home for more than a couple of weeks, which is fairly often- the one in the middle for fretless and the one to it's right for fretted-

The XL-25 with it's active EMG'S and HAZ electronics is high octane mid range- crazy low action giving killer MWAH. It's companion for it's active HBCS pickups upgrade providing mid-range punch like a stick of butter with razor blades and drop DB lever. Currently using each for two different original songs I'm working laying basic tracks for-

For home and local gigs-

Fretless- 2017 Warwick Thumb NT 5, one of the last of the Bubinga models owing to the CITES ban that year-

Phenomenal sound and great action - and fun to look at-

Fretted- 1985 Aria Pro II ZZB Deluxe with Hipshot drop D and upgraded with MJS passive pickups-

A nice easy action afforded by it's 32 inch scale, a rich P-bass timbre (without the boominess) courtesy of the passive MJS pickup upgrade, and the Hipshot Drop D lever adding versatility. Also durable and relatively inexpensive to be leave on a guitar stand, albeit a Hercules, on a sailboat.

 

[Gervais Cote]

Probably one of these two….

View attachment 5275828 View attachment 5275829

If ever you decide on the second one, I ‘ll take the first one, done deal ?

 

[Gervais Cote]

The black one on the right, both home-brew builds. I built the Walnut one for my son.

I would like to be your son !

 

[Gervais Cote]

Its as simple as a P. This baby just sounds great, sits in the mix great, weighs 7.5lbs great and always does everything asked of it and is ready to do it again tomorow. Nuff said<3
View attachment 5275860

Not really impressed or jealous……………….but please let me know if ever it’s for sale, please!!!

 

[Gervais Cote]

This thread is giving me major GAS! I'm afraid of accidentally buying another bass now!

You’re not the only one !

 

[Wyrdlow]

Funny thing is, when I bought my two Wals they weren’t super ultra desirable boutique basses which cost an arm and a leg (and a couple of internal organs for shipping). They were not particularly sought after, out of fashion, niche basses from the late 70s/80s. Each cost me in the region of 500 bucks (GB). Folks are horrified that I used them for 100s of pub, club and wedding gigs but to me, they’re just my two favourite basses! Still love them! Still take them out to our local jam night.

That's even better, to be honest! They were made to be played after all. Keep on enjoying them!

 

[Joeynone]

Numero Uno. I think you can figure out why

 

[Core Creek]

 

[dave64o]

Sire V3-5 with Audere pre and Nordstrands . The pre has a passive type control that is very handy . Getting so I can't do without it .View attachment 5275972

I have a Franken Jazz with Nordstrands and an Audere 4-band pre and it sounds just heavenly. Great vintage sounding pickups and a verstaile, transparent preamp.

 

[ADHD librarian]

I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue SB-2
Where the folks are fun
And the world is mine
On Blue SB-2

 

[PBFACTOR]

For now......i always return to the Warwicks it seems.

 

[Gervais Cote]

For now......i always return to the Warwicks it seems.View attachment 5276034

Apart from the headstock, it looks similar to a Warwick so you’re good.

 

[Reedt2000]

Spector NS Pulse 5 string, neck pickup swapped for a P pickup, preamp swapped to an EMG BQC three band.

It's light at just over 8 lbs, has a really comfortable roasted maple neck, it wasn't crazy expensive so I don't worry about gigging it at all the places I play from little bars to outdoor stuff. It was easy to upgrade to electronics that work for the various stuff I play. The finish is "sandblasted" so if it gets dinged you can't really see it. It's been great, the perfect working bass for me

I added some FretFX LEDs

 

[dave64o]

I'm going back someday
Come what may
To Blue SB-2
Where the folks are fun
And the world is mine
On Blue SB-2

View attachment 5276024

That is SUCH a pretty color - and a cool bass, too. I've wished they offered it in a five-string.

 

[Wyrdlow]

The black one on the right, both home-brew builds. I built the Walnut one for my son.

Wow! Serious skills. The walnut one is up there for the most beautiful bass I've ever seen. That is just bang on "right" on so many levels. I absolutely love it. Bravo.

 

[Evan J]

Got it for $350 at a pawn shop this summer.

Has a massive gash in the neck. Also some random knobs that they replaced at the shop.

After sanding down the splinters, it’s the best P Bass I’ve played.

 

[Wyrdlow]

Numero Uno. I think you can figure out why
View attachment 5275993 View attachment 5275994 View attachment 5275995 View attachment 5275996 View attachment 5275997 View attachment 5275998

And if you got too hot playing it, you could cool off swimming in it by the looks! Superb finish.

 

[darwin-bass]

Why? Super-slim 'thin D' gloss-finish bird-eye neck modified to 12" radius, perfect strap balance, East preamp and Delano MC-4-FE ceramic pickup. Nothing else comes close
View attachment 5275175

Great balance on the strap, East preamp, ceramic pickup. I second the motion!

 

[ThunderV]

My number one..........lots of gigs..........lots of replacement parts.

 

[BlueTalon]

My current #1 is a Maruszczyk Frog. I got it because it looks cool. I have several features on it that make it unique even among other Maruszczyk Frogs, the most visible being the extra finger room on the lower bout that gives it a bit of a can opener look. I tried to replicate the neck of a Rickenbacker 4001 that was stolen from me decades ago -- I don't know how close I got to the Ric neck, but I absolutely love the result. 40mm nut, 20mm deep at the 1st fret, 18mm bridge spacing. Two Delano pickups and Maruszczyk's own 3 band preamp with passive option. It looks great, sounds great, and feels great.