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The One Bass

Fletz

Fletz

Jan 16, 2009
4,658
3,007
New Jersey
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Disclosures
Hartke artist
#1
Thought I'd start a fun little thread here...

Of all the basses currently in your stable (and I'd say MOST of us have 3 or more - just a guess), imagine you can only keep one. For whatever reason - desert island, storage space, financial issues, mandate from an evil inter-galactic alien take over - up to you. The point is, you are only allowed to keep just one.

Which one do you keep and why? And, perhaps as interesting, why not the others? I won't make it a requirement, but try to post a pic as well. Start with "I would keep my [insert bass description here] ... Enjoy ...
 
#2
I would keep my 2008 Fender American Standard Precision.

There are a handful of reasons why I would choose this bass over the other 5 I currently own. First of all, it’s an instant classic. When I think bass I think P-Bass. And the 2008’s have a special something about them – the great debate, right? Did quality improve in 2008? Secondly, it is one of those rare, off the shelf perfect basses from a feel standpoint. Best neck, weight, and balance of the bunch. Even the way the pickups were set taking it off the wall is the standard by which I compare all my basses. And even when I stray and bring my Ric, my Tony Franklin fretless, my Geddy or my Fender Custom Shop Jazz, to a gig, I always bring this one with me and I seem to always break it out at some point in the night. In fact, since I got it in the middle of 2009, there hasn’t been a single gig I’ve played where she didn’t get played for a minimum of 2 songs and it’s usually for the whole night.

Additionally, this bass holds a special place for me as I got it just after my daughter was born. She’s put a few stickers on the neck plate and every time I pick it up, I got her with me. (Insert sitcom worthy “awe” here.)

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miap005 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr

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miap004 by peterdannenfelser, on Flickr
 
#3
I guess at the moment it would be my Spector Euro 4 LX. Reason being it is my most often played and most comfortable to play right now. I am one of few who have never actually personally owned a fender, but I have my eye on two, a p and a jazz. Once I get my dirty little hands on the P I have a feeling it will be my go to based on the fact that I love oh so much that wonderful Precision Bass sound. Now to find just the right one...
 
#5
tough choice but if I had to pick one, it would probably be my early 90s Carvin LB75 five stringer. It was my first decent bass and I do like the low B as it opens alot more tonal options for the kind of music I play (mostly blues and gospel)...if I could have two (please let me have two!), I'd add my 2010 Musicman Stingray 4. I can get some really nice P sounds out of it and I feel it's built better then most, if not all, my Fenders (my opinion only) therefore able to survive desert island monsoons.
 
#8
I'd also keep my Spector Euro 4LX. The playability is just so comfortable, and the growl never gets old!

My Fender P/J is the sentimental favorite, as it is the bass I first performed with, but the Jazz taper neck just makes my fretting hand too crampy. The "big Fender, little Squier" P is my first bass, and a gift from my wife, but just not in the same class as the other two.
 
#9
My TBC Lightwave..... I have yet to hear an electric sound as much like an upright..... In fact NO electric will sound like an upright unplugged, but once the pick up goes on it then all bets are off. And this TBC sounds like an upright with a pickup....

It is the last Lightwave that Jack made. The first neck wasn't right so he made a second one with a cocobolo fingerboard.... Slapped some TI flats on it...... f'getaboutit!!!!
 
#12
I think, my G&L L-2500 (with single coil option). It's the Swiss Army Bass. Very close second would my Stingray 5. The G&L can produce so many different sounds, it can always adapt to fit in anywhere. The Stingray is the opposite. It kind of just does one thing (more or less), but that one thing seems to fit in anywhere.

My One Bass would definitely have to be a 5-stringer, just so I'd know I would never run across a gig where I needed a B string and didn't have it. Most stuff doesn't NEED a B string. But, if I'm picking just one bass, I want to be prepared to handle even the uncommon situations.
 
#13
That's an easy one for me. My main bass is my EBMM 4string Bongo unlined fretless Blue Dawn LE, HH+P. My others are an EBMM 4string Bongo fretted HS, NAMM prototype model, 4string Lakland Darryl Jones Jazz, and 6string Yamaha TRB. The fretless gets 99% of the play time, so that is without a doubt my 'The One Bass.'


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I don't have the Sterling that's in the middle anymore.

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#16
StuartV said:
My One Bass would definitely have to be a 5-stringer, just so I'd know I would never run across a gig where I needed a B string and didn't have it. Most stuff doesn't NEED a B string. But, if I'm picking just one bass, I want to be prepared to handle even the uncommon situations.
Click to expand...

I understand this perspective, so I probably should pick my 2008 Am. Std. Jazz V. It's the lightest, most resonant bass I own, it has very good playability, and it sounds huge.

Problem is, I like my red/maple 2003 Am. Series Jazz four a lot more. It's been my go-to bass since I bought it new in 2003, and with noiseless Lindy Fralin pickups and a drop tuner it covers just about everything. I'm more attached to it than to any other instrument, so I'd have to keep it. My 2007 USA G&L SB-2 would be next up, and if it had a maple fretboard, maybe it would take the number one spot.

Here she is with my favorite guitar, a 2004 MIA Strat with Lace Sensor Hot Golds:

DSC_0096.jpg
 
#20
first of all - that blue fretless bongo is SWEEEET. (!)
hmmm-overall my RIC 4004 cii would be my choice. i have a laredo and a 4000 that i like almost as much,but the cii really is a great feeling bass,set up perfect for me, It's my favorite bass that i've owned in 30 plus years. but then i would miss the fun i'm having with my yamaha rbx fretless...
 

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