I like the Tony Franklin too but not really interested in a $2,400 neck diver, that I have to replace the tuners on, especially on a fretless. No need for the drop-D tuner either. Regarding the Stingray, I'd rather have a Ball Family Reserve fretless, but just too pricey for me.I was very empressed with the Tony Franklin fretless P Bass. I wold love to try the Pino Pallidino fretless Stingray.
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Signature Basses / Instruments...yes or no
- Thread starter Ajsweet
- Start date
I don't own any, but I wouldn't mind a Geezer Lakland, Troy Sanders P or a Oliver Riedel Sandberg California.
In general I'd agree that there's often not a good reason for the sig models to exist, but also have noticed that sometimes a model like the jmj fills a niche for that model that folks desire. Most people aren't buying the jmj mustang because of the artist, they just want a vintage style mustang with a certain neck profile, good pickups, etc... most people who go to a store and A/B it to other mustangs in that price range decide that it's the best sounding one, and plays great. But the model got made because of the artist, and the small things that put it above were influenced by their experience as a long time professional bass player. I think that's pretty neat and okay.
That all said... please keep the signature small and on the back of the headstock.
That all said... please keep the signature small and on the back of the headstock.
I wonder how many artists don't really like their signature model, but just like their check? Squire didn't like the Squire 4001, and it really didn't sound like his Rick, but Rick sold lots of them becuase people wanted to sound like him. Note Rick had already incorporated Rick-O-Sound into the bass based on his input before releasing the Squire model.
I think when the artist endorses the entire line, like the Sire, you have a better chance that the bass will meet the artist's standards?
I'm probably going to get dumped on for saying this.
I think when the artist endorses the entire line, like the Sire, you have a better chance that the bass will meet the artist's standards?
I'm probably going to get dumped on for saying this.
Iām out of touch and had never heard of Justin Meldal-Johnsen until I joined TB and heard people raving about his signature Mustang.
So I researched the guy and found out that his fingerprints are all over the music that Iāve loved for the last 30 years or so. And then I saw him comment on a few TB threads (āone of usā¦ one of usā), and he seemed like a super down-to-earth guy despite a resume that lots of us could only dream of.
So yeah, Iād play a JMJ signature. Good bass, good guy, why not?
(EDIT: Stupid autocorrect misspelled āJohnsen.ā)
So I researched the guy and found out that his fingerprints are all over the music that Iāve loved for the last 30 years or so. And then I saw him comment on a few TB threads (āone of usā¦ one of usā), and he seemed like a super down-to-earth guy despite a resume that lots of us could only dream of.
So yeah, Iād play a JMJ signature. Good bass, good guy, why not?
(EDIT: Stupid autocorrect misspelled āJohnsen.ā)
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My Rex Brown Thunderbird and Duff McKagan Deluxe P are amazing basses that came standard with Drop D Xtenders. The Rex Thunderbird is active/passive. I also like the Geddy Lee Jazz bass, but my current J's and Rickenbacker can get close enough to the Rush sound, so it's not really required. Love the P/J tones of the Duff and the active pickups on the Rex.
I may get the new 40th anniversary Aria Pro II Cliff Burton bass when it's available.
I may get the new 40th anniversary Aria Pro II Cliff Burton bass when it's available.
Agreed. Itās unfortunate that instruments like the Warwick Thumb and Spector bodies have short strap horns. Theyāre unplayable standing up for me despite tonal perfection. I LOVED a 2024 Warwick LTD Thumb 5 I played a number of weeks ago. Tone, neck, weight, string spacingā¦everything was spot on what I like. Except the strap horn. Took all of 10 seconds to know I could never own it. Spent a couple years fighting with a Pedulla Pentabuzz (my dream bass for a decade) only to sell it for a loss because of that short strap horn.
Fender P/Music Man StingRay strap button proportions feel/wear just right. Though my Dingwall is quite comfortable as well.
I used to have the number memorized but I need to crack it out of the case and look again. The pickups are EMG. Iām not sure when the Duncan ones started being made but Iām fairly certain they didnāt exist when the bass was built.
My only real annoyance with the bass is that the bridge slot for the B string is stupid narrow. I have to run a tapered string or a 120 might barely fit. Itās an issue with Spector bridges that was discussed years ago. I could file the bridge slightly. Until then string changes suck.
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Same. Still havenāt looked into what music heās been a part of lol. Care to give a recommendation?
Would you count Fender and Gibson as signature instruments? Because Fender and Gibson are peopleās names.
So are Spector and Dingwall and many more. Iād say thereās a distinction between the brand name a signature model.
Ibanez's approach with Adam Nitti's signature basses (ANB 205 and 306) is very positive: the musician had already been playing both basses in a custom version for some time before he released a production version with Ibanez. He was very involved, and Ibanez went to great lengths to accommodate his ideas: the placement of the bridge, the use of a Hipshot bridge, the unusual 18mm string spacing for SR bassesā¦ the same applies absolutely to the Gary Willis basses.
But: the bass has to appeal to me as a player, it has to meet my needs. The fact that such renowned professionals as Nitti or Willis contribute their knowledge increases the likelihood that the bass will be a good fit.
But: the bass has to appeal to me as a player, it has to meet my needs. The fact that such renowned professionals as Nitti or Willis contribute their knowledge increases the likelihood that the bass will be a good fit.
Well, recording with Beck and touring with Nine Inch Nails jumped out at meā¦ but maybe thatās just my flannel-clad ā90s showing.
Check his Wikipedia page and prepare to be surprised.
I like them when they're more than just a fancy paint job and give something unique that the regular models don't. For example I had a short scale stingray that I love the feel of but wasn't 100% on the sound and was contemplating replacing the pickup with a split P style, so when the Joe Dart short scale came along I picked one up and couldn't be happier, it wasn't the standard, but it was everything I wanted.
Here's a good example where the bass is pretty forward. It's a fantastic melodic run.
Had one and it's good, but it's not a Series like he actually plays.
No for me. Maybe only the OG TRB6 JP John Patitucci in the 90's only because of the cut-out which is useful. Otherwise. I will not pay money for a name. If their stock models need additional features, they should just call it a sub model or make those as add in options.
Everything else is fan-gagah-ism . Like a poster of Farrah Fawcett in my teenage bedroom
Everything else is fan-gagah-ism . Like a poster of Farrah Fawcett in my teenage bedroom
