One bass to rule them all

[DeanGallberry]

So I'll get down to business and jump right in with my first post here.

Let's pretend for a moment that we are only allowed to own one bass. No ifs, not buts, you can only own a single bass.

So what would your choice be and why?

 

[Smokey P]

I prefer playing a stingray 5, but if it’s a desert island situation than a passive jazz bass cause it’s more reliable/easier to fix.

 

[ctmullins]

 

[Jugghaid]

My MTD 535-24.

I have owned probably 100 high end basses and played many more and this one fits me the best.

 

[2saddleslab]

My numero uno for the past 34 years & hopefully a few more.

 

[CletusMarley]

A passive Jazz bass.

 

[GIBrat51]

I'll give you the same answer I give every time this.. question... has come up since I joined TB 10 years ago. "If I were forced to give up all but one of my basses (23 of them, now), then I wouldn't have ANY. I'd sell everything I own, but what I needed for a nomadic Biker existence; load it all on my motorcycle (used to be a BMW GS Adventure; now it's a Harley Freewheeler trike); and disappear over the horizon. I'm not - and never have been - a musician that rides motorcycles. I'm a Biker - that just happens to like playing bass guitar..."
I have to tell you; I have actually thought - very seriously - about this very thing. Decades of cross country riding have taught me what's necessary for long distance riding; 24 years of military life - mostly in a barracks, when It wasn't a 16-man tent in some crappy 3rd world country - have made me think a Motel 6 is... kinda nice. I figured out how much doing this would cost, a long time ago - I can easily afford it. And, there's a lot of this country I've yet to put a wheel on, and it's full of 2 lane roads that look like they'd be lots of fun...
So, probably not a good idea to tempt me. I've only been in this new house in Indiana a couple of years; my throttle hand is... twitchy, and the Harley's calling my name...

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

StingRay5 Special.

 

[Warpeg]

One bass to rule them all

It's Talkbass, so I believe the correct answer is "a P-bass with a tortoise shell pickguard and flats".

 

[GretschWretch]

I'll give you the same answer I give every time this.. question... has come up since I joined TB 10 years ago. "If I were forced to give up all but one of my basses (23 of them, now), then I wouldn't have ANY. I'd sell everything I own, but what I needed for a nomadic Biker existence; load it all on my motorcycle (used to be a BMW GS Adventure; now it's a Harley Freewheeler trike); and disappear over the horizon. I'm not - and never have been - a musician that rides motorcycles. I'm a Biker - that just happens to like playing bass guitar..."
I have to tell you; I have actually thought - very seriously - about this very thing. Decades of cross country riding have taught me what's necessary for long distance riding; 24 years of military life - mostly in a barracks, when It wasn't a 16-man tent in some crappy 3rd world country - have made me think a Motel 6 is... kinda nice. I figured out how much doing this would cost, a long time ago - I can easily afford it. And, there's a lot of this country I've yet to put a wheel on, and it's full of 2 lane roads that look like they'd be lots of fun...
So, probably not a good idea to tempt me. I've only been in this new house in Indiana a couple of years; my throttle hand is... twitchy, and the Harley's calling my name...

But, but, it's a trike. You have all that cargo area in the back and, three words: acoustic bass guitar.

 

[Deleted member 365158]

this one.

 

[BGroovy]

right now I’d go with my short scale bullet. Lightweight, easy to haul around, comfortable to play, thump for says. And it has a tortoise guard and LaBella flats ;-)

 

[Bozendoka]

It's Talkbass, so I believe the correct answer is "a P-bass with a tortoise shell pickguard and flats".

The Mothman would like a word....

 

[Altitude]

It would be a passive 5 string Jazz bass. Probably a Valenti because I like how his bodies are a little smaller than a Fender.

I actually have one like that now.

 

[Jefus]

I've got a G.Gould 5 w/ 19mm spacing that has been repaired and modified into a unique (read: nobody else would want it) instrument that, at least in my hands, can cover any ground I'd want it to. Over the years I've developed a connection with it that I'll be surprised if I ever find with another instrument.

 

[IPA]

Passive PJ could get me there easily. Not thrilled with the colors of the American Performer PJ bass, but specs wise it could be my only bass and I'd be happy.

 

[halcyo]

My Peavey Cirrus 5. I love my G&L L-1000 perhaps a bit more, but if I can only have ONE instrument, Imma need a 5th string for them low notes.

 

[Pyrat]

It's as much a shock to me as anyone else...but it'd be THIS one. So comfortable and fun to play...I have learned as much about me and I have the bass...it SCREAMS at me to pick it up and every single time I do...I am glad (I'm glad, I'm glad, I'm glaaaaaaaaaaaad). IF the genie/fairy/leprechaun is handy...my other two wishes are my Gibsons (SG bass and LP DC tribute)...

 

[BOOG]

I refuse to participate

Oh yeah, welcome to TalkBass.

weirdo

 

[jd56hawk]

I have two very nice USA-made G&L L2000s, but I'd sell both and keep this, if push came to shove.

Why?
Plays and sounds even better than it looks and it's always nice owning something just a little bit different, something that raises a few eyebrows.