Simple basses

[mmmmmmmmm]

Not meant to offend, but I don't understand players that want to get that "classic" basic P bass sound, yet have their P Bass hooked up to a gazillion effects pedals and EQ devices and wondering why they can't get that vintage sound.

I just run mine straight into the amp—used to use a compressor, but I hate batteries...

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

The pickup and EQ design is positively brilliant, but you need to understand what Ron was thinking when he designed it. My background is electronics so I got it right away and could dial in a huge variety of tones without much effort.

Aprt from the Distillate which I bought new (and paid a lot for, but I was very young then), the Series basses I bought secondhand for less than some new American Fenders at the time. They can be very good value secondhand.

Maybe once I get a better job I'll look into them...currently making $9 an hour

 

[mexicanyella]

I dig the Musicmaster hotrod! What is that dual-rail pickup you installed in it?

I definitely appreciate simplicity, though I think everything has it’s place. Since hanging up my Bass VI’s, this has been my go-to:
View attachment 3603690

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

My main bass is a JBass with series-parallel mod. 99% of the time I run it in series with volume and tone wide open. Simple is good, particularly when you have an instrument that is plug-n-play good.

/thinking I should get a PBass or a Stingray and be done with it - it seems like I favor single pickups

Do it! It makes life a lot easier...I'm even looking to ditch my HH jazzmaster and replace it with a one-humbucker axe

 

[GretschWretch]

Setting up those floating bridges must be fun...

As @GIBrat51 has pointed out, the pickups on these Gretsches ride high, and on the old basses are not adjustable. This unleashes a whole domino effect of tweaks necessary just to get the strings down to a playable level. The "space control bridge" is just one part of the process.

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

View attachment 3603302
Overkill ^^^

Dear. Lord. Only a guitarist...

 

[mmmmmmmmm]

Simple is best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

View attachment 3603456View attachment 3603457View attachment 3603458

Sweet basses and sweet beard!

 

[rllefebv]

I love all the bells, whistles, effects, and tone shapers when other folks are using them. I can just never get them to work for me... To each their own...

-robert

 

[fermata]

That's a fancy-looking potentiometer, what does it do?

It's a capacitor switch (sometimes called a decade switch or varitone, which isn't technically the correct name). Very nicely made by Invalid Link Removed, but they can also be inexpensively and fairly easily homebrewed. Here's a good example of the sound (not mine):

 

[VincentGrim]

I dig the Musicmaster hotrod! What is that dual-rail pickup you installed in it?

Thanks! It is a GFS Strat pickup. I had always intended for it to be a place holder until I could get something like an Aero Musicmaster pickup, but it actually sounds really good and is dead quiet.

 

[friedlbug]

Thanks! It is a GFS Strat pickup. I had always intended for it to be a place holder until I could get something like an Aero Musicmaster pickup, but it actually sounds really good and is dead quiet.

Nice. The bass in my avatar is a modified Musicmaster, too. SD Cool Rails in mine.

 

[friedlbug]

Here are my 3 that would qualify. Loving the Musicmaster content in this thread.

 

[mexicanyella]

Thanks! It is a GFS Strat pickup. I had always intended for it to be a place holder until I could get something like an Aero Musicmaster pickup, but it actually sounds really good and is dead quiet.

View attachment 3604302
Here are my 3 that would qualify. Loving the Musicmaster content in this thread.

I love looking at these hotrod one-pickup basses. I was heading for that configuration last year with this thing:

https://www.talkbass.com/attachments/img_20180425_222659-jpg.2997025/

But got stalled when I really screwed up on a pickguard I was all excited about. Now I’m thinking ugly pickguardless with screw holes might be the sort of beater aesthetic for me. Anyway, the
EMG Select Strat pickup sounds great and is dead quiet but has very low output. So one of those dual-rail Strat pickups could be just what I need!

 

[Warpeg]

Much like the OP, I used to be fascinated with lots of pickups, knobs, and switches on my basses. As I've perfected my technique over the years, it seems that I also prefer simpler basses. I can compensate for needed tonal changes through technique instead of having to rely on complex electronics.

 

[friedlbug]

But got stalled when I really screwed up on a pickguard I was all excited about.

Try emailing Pickguardian. Custom PGs and unusual pickup routes in standard PGs are his thing. He could definitely set you up, and I can vouch for the quality of the Ric 4001 PG he did for me a few months ago. Custom Fender Pickguards | Pickguardian

 

[Auspuff]

So, when I started playing bass, having tons of pickups and controls and things seemed like the best thing in the world. Tons of tonal variety, active preamps or pickups, what-have-you...but now, as I've become a performing musician and done more semi-pro work, even a simple J-bass setup stresses me out! Having more than one pickup and knob (well, maybe two if you include tone but that isn't like necessary) seems superfluous and too busy now. I guess I'm becoming an old geezer...ha ha. Maybe eventually I'll ditch electronics entirely and go back to upright Have you guys had similar experiences? Or am I just weird?

I hear ya'.

My 1985 Carvin LB40. This is as simple as it gets. I love it!

 

[biguglyman]

This is as simple as it gets. I love it!

Actually, I think THIS may be as simple as it gets:
Carvin Timothy B. Schmit signature bass.

 

[fermata]

View attachment 3605609
This is as simple as it gets. I love it!

Actually, I think THIS may be as simple as it gets:
Carvin Timothy B. Schmit signature bass.
View attachment 3605630

This is one of Bassdom's greatest conundrums: What is simpler, a one-pickup bass with two knobs or a two-pickup bass with one knob?

Here's my take: Two pickups with one knob is actually the simpler of the two, because the two pickups behave like a single very wide-spaced humbucker. So electrically, it's a one-pickup bass with one knob.

 

[biguglyman]

This is one of Bassdom's greatest conundrums: What is simpler, a one-pickup bass with two knobs or a two-pickup bass with one knob?

Almost as unanswerable as the old chicken/egg debate...lol

 

[rllefebv]

This is one of Bassdom's greatest conundrums: What is simpler, a one-pickup bass with two knobs or a two-pickup bass with one knob?

One pickup, no knobs?.

-robert