The One-Bass Bass Players' Thread!

[unbasslichkeit]

I expect this has been a thread before, but somehow I wonder given the turnaround in the Classifieds...How many of you are married to just one (1) i.e. ONE bass?

I'm talking...The ONE Bass. The one you'd rather play than anything in your collection or in anyone else's? The one you've known longer than you know your wife, or your girlfriend, or your kids, or anyone in your neighborhood. The one that would get you in lots of trouble if it could talk. The one like Jamerson's Funk Machine...where if it got lost or stolen that would be the end of you.

I really felt this very strongly last week whe I took a newly purchased SX Precision out on a gig and left my regular Jazz Bass (bought new 23 years ago) at home. After one set all I wanted to do was to go home 35 miles one way and get the Jazz Bass (which of course was impossible to do on a 20 minute break.)

I wanted my skinny neck. The Fralin pickups, and the aging half round strings and the strap with my Granddad's WWII era ID badge pinned to it.

To hell with the SX. I wanted MY sound. Mine.

Got a bass like that? Like this?

My #1 (with winter pickguard)

 

[BrandonBass]

i only hav 1 bass because i cant afford any more

 

[vinny]

Yup, My '78 P. I have other basses but I always go back to comparing them to my "P", I know some folks will discredit '70s Fenders but believe me this one has "it"

 

[Spacelordmother]

Indeed....
In 10th grade I scraped up enough money to buy a used (ie. beat to hell!) early '80's MIJ precision w/ HSC for $200.00. I played her non-stop for a year without an amp. for my next birthday/christmas (they're close together) my mom and I went halves on an amp and a brand new MIM jazz. I couldn't have been happier, and i promptly put the P back into it's case where it remained for years while I rocked the jazz. about a year ago I pulled out the P and thought about how much harder it was to play due to the larger neck and so it hung out on a stand for several months. I could hear it calling me.... now I have realized that it feels better, sounds better, weighs less, and has TONS AND TONS more mojo - I rarely play anything else. She's my baby and I can't live without her.



:edit: WOOT! Neko bus!!

 

[srxplayer]

My 2004 MIM Jazz. I love this bass. It's nothing special. Has Seymour Duncun SJB II's and a Leo Quan bridge as well as a good set up. Plays as good and sounds as good as anything else I have played.

I will never get rid of this bass.

 

[low rider]

mine a '62 fender jazz, bought for me by me gramps. his motive to get me off the blasted drums. the only one i own and play. i dont even have a back up

 

[MikeBass]

I have gone through a lot of basses, but I always go back to my old Jazz.

 

[agreatheight]

My Zon Sonus. Best bass I have ever played, not just owned. I have a bunch of other basses and like them all for different reasons, but the Zon is where it's at for me. It's my soul-mate-instrument!

 

[Bill G.]

I don't have one special bass, but if I had to have only one, it would be a 4-string Stingray. It just feels right!

 

[honeyboy]

My '95 G&L L2000 is recently acquired but is the one I compare all the rest to and the one I prefer. It beats out my '94 MIM P-bass with S.D. SP1 vintage pick-up, '83 Japanese Squire P-bass, MIM V string Jazz with Noiseless pick-ups, Geddy Lee Jazz, Carvin V string bolt and 2002 White Sparkle MM Sterling. It is my latest acquisition but the best. I imagine it will be my favorite many years down the road as well.

 

[Standalone]

I don't think I'll ever sell my '81 Roadster. One day I'll get a lighter bass and maybe play it more, but I'll keep the Ibby.

 

[keb]

My Rickenbacker 4003 has been my #1 since I got it back in '92.

 

[Ben Lesser]

While I've only had the bass since early last year, I'd have to say my Ibanez SR506 is my 'one' (at least for now). I've had many other basses come in and out of my roster in the past 3 years, but the Ibanez is the only one I've actually kept and not thought about selling. It's perfect for me.

 

[Bubba Love]

I haven't been playing bass long enough or owned one bass long enough to grow really attached to one, but right now I'm feeling an almost emotional connection to my 6 month old Am Jazz Deluxe. I have to really force myself to play anything else. I can picture this bass being with me until I die.

 

[tycobb73]

I have a Warwick and a Fender but I always find myself coming back to my Tobias Killer B. The Fender is in its case under the bed and Wick is used for alternate tunings. But I have the type of personality that gets attached to things and is afraid to let them go. And I'd rather spend my time practicng than searching for gear.

 

[Skullie]

My #1 has to be my Frankenstein Precision, '90 MIJ Fender 51 Reissue maple neck on a white MIJ body, black/white/black pickguard, Seymour Duncan 1/4 lb P pickup, and a Badass bridge. This bass is insane, it growls through my GK head. But I do love my black Mike Dirnt Bass with a Fender Sting neck and a Seymour Duncan 1/4 lb pup.

 

[labgnat]

i actually have 2 basses, but 1 of em's pickups are so f'ed up that i can only play 1 of em amplified i'm gonna say i qualify for a one bass bassman. but i'm actually trying to focus more of my attention on keyboard at the moment

 

[bassplayer48]

Yep thought i was one the few who basically use one bass i have an 83 MIA stock P with active Dimarzio pup was owned by a mate who bought it new and had it sitting in its case for about 20 years. (he's a one bass guy too has a really old cruddy Jazz) So i bouth a used G&L fretless just recently and though wow skinny neck great sound this is it! Then i went back and played the old P with the fat neck one sound and i have to admitt i dont think the fretless will be getting a lot of use.

 

[m.oreilly]

my warwick thumb fretless. it fits. it just does it for me

 

[Ale]

I have a few basses , but i only use one ...
On the road i always have one backup though ..
If you only use one bass , its stupid to have a collection , than you can sell thoose basses and give the money to people who need them more ...