The best bass for thumping with a pick is:

[Barkless Dog]

Gibson EB-2


This just about nails it

 

[megadan]

Ric's are made for picks.

+1

 

[Valerus]

P with flats?

 

[lousybassplayer]

A Rickenbacker or a p-bass

Could have quoted about ten other people, but this one summed it up succinctly. I think that about does it for this debate (sorry stingray guys, they may sound cool with a pick, but not as cool as a ric or p. And stingray to me says "slap that sucker")

 

[pjmuck]

Hollowbodies or semi-hollowbodies work great for that fat, thumpy, muted pick tone (as shown in that Animals clip with the EB2). Some examples would include:

Danelectro Longhorn
Gibson EB2/Epiphone Rivoli
Hofner Violin Bass/Club
Gretsch Broadkaster

Ricks and Precisions work great for this too. But really, you can achieve this tone with just about any bass with the proper technique and palm muting.

For a more straight ahead driving pick tone:

Rickenbacker
Gibson Thunderbird
Fender Precision

 

[Barkless Dog]

Flats are helpful, black tape wounds better.

 

[DanRJBrasil]

yeah a t bird if you like a dark humb sound, for a heavy sound for rock and metal fit very well

 

[flipper_gv]

a warwick for sure






oh wait.....





maybe not






P bass
Ric
Thunderbird
ESP
Gibson EB series

 

[metron]

The G&L L2000 is a great pick bass.

 

[Solarmist]

I pick all the time on Ibanez SR series, but I think you can pick anything ... I just "picked" a new bass from Sweetwater I'm waitin for!

 

[knumbskull]

funny lots of you have said Rics ...to me they just look like they want to be dug into with a pick

...can't really comment, i haven't played a Ric for years... if i could give up food i'd have one by now. or beer. but that 2nd one just ain't happening.

oh and i like the sound of a P with flats w/ pick.

 

[Nedmundo]

My favorites of those I've owned: DiPinto Belvedere Standard semi-hollow and G&L SB-2. The SB-2 sounds much thicker than a traditional P-bass, and works great with a pick. In fact, I think any G&L bass with MFD pickups (L-2000, L-1500, ASAT, SB-2) would be great for pickstyle. My L-1500 produces a gritty, cutting tone with a pick that sounds like nothing else. It's almost too much grind, but for the right material would be awesome.

 

[PaulMacCnj]

I say a Fender P-bass for sure. Play close to the neck for a deep, thumpy tone. I've never thought of a Ric as thumpy.

 

[FL Knifemaker]

I love playing my Darkstared T-45 with a pick. I get 3 very different tones by playing above, right over or behind the pickup including a very nice Ric with a pick tone

 

[Calexia13]

I'm gonna pick the Jack Casady Bass. Also a Reverend Rumblefish PJ, and the Lakland HoBo.

 

[EagleMoon]

I've not met a bass yet that didn't sound good with a pick. Even if they sound like cr** fingerstyle.

 

[Tunaman]

Stingray & Sterling... see LESS THAN JAKE to get an idea of if you like that tone.

 

[The Universe]

P, Thunderbird, Ric, Yamaha BB