ronaldpdbrandt said:
I used to have one of these. Sold it on eBay during that lull when I thought "my playing days are done.". Can't decide if I miss the bass as much as the amount it would be worth if I kept it.
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The One Bass
- Thread starter Fletz
- Start date
I used to have one of these. Sold it on eBay during that lull when I thought "my playing days are done.". Can't decide if I miss the bass as much as the amount it would be worth if I kept it.
rtslinger said:
This is the bass I learned to play on! I mean not that one but the exact everything. Read the story on my site: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Would love To add onto my brood
Cool Pete, I have never let mine go over all of the years I have been playing it has been by my side from my parents home my 5 apts and finally my own house. Here recent shot of me and the Ripper
- Sep 14, 2009
- 903
- 665
- 57
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: GullanskyLab pickups
Both for sentimental and sound reasons, out of my -now- seven basses, it would be my Ibanez RB II 850 (no pics right now, sorry).
Bought new in 1985 (back in the old days when Ibanez used to make excellent stuff) it was my first "good" bass, Versatile and brilliant (passive, 2 humbuckers switchable to single coil), great neck, it's been my companion since my early pro gigs: together we did some records, studio work, and lots of gigs ranging from jazz to blues to pop. I think we'll never part.
But, of course, i'd need my double bass too (and also my 30yrs-old classical guitar, for those melancholy moments that may happen on desert islands...)
Bought new in 1985 (back in the old days when Ibanez used to make excellent stuff) it was my first "good" bass, Versatile and brilliant (passive, 2 humbuckers switchable to single coil), great neck, it's been my companion since my early pro gigs: together we did some records, studio work, and lots of gigs ranging from jazz to blues to pop. I think we'll never part.
But, of course, i'd need my double bass too (and also my 30yrs-old classical guitar, for those melancholy moments that may happen on desert islands...)
Awesome. So, here's the sad story about that Ripper. If you read the story you know it was my Dad's and he let me play it as I learned. He then got away from the Ripper and got a P-Bass Lyte (insert argument over the decision here). My Dad was much more of a performer than a bass player. So he wanted light weight, no pressure, punchy, etc. Anyway, when I was about 17 he said I could have the Ripper and "do whatever I want with it." I thought it could use a new paint job (this was 1987). I stripped it and RUINED it. Seriously, completely f'd it up. I then stopped playing for a while and he gave it to a friend of his who was a luthier to re-re-finish it and bring it back to it's original glory. The guy disappeared and we haven't heard from him in 15 years or so. He has the bass somewhere.
So sad... but, I love the hell out of my Dad for having a relationship with me where he could give up a Ripper to "do whatever I want with it." I love my daughter, but she's not refinishing my 2008 P-bass in 15 years (or any of them for that matter). Unless she becomes an excellent luthier and wood worker.
I have two basses that are polar opposites and it would be hard to pick between them. Both are desert island candidates. If you held a gun to my head, I guess I'd go with the fretted just because it gives a bit more flexibility. Thankfully i don't have to make the choice at this point...
I'd probably keep my EBMM StingRay. There's nothing special to it; it just feels right, is capable of getting all the tones I want to get, and it looks (IMHO) really, really cool.
- May 30, 2000
- 4,707
- 256
- Disclosures
- Creator of: iGigBook Sheet Music Manager
If I'm restricted to one bass, it would have to be a double bass cuz you can't do arco work with a bass guitar.
Awesome. So, here's the sad story about that Ripper. If you read the story you know it was my Dad's and he let me play it as I learned. He then got away from the Ripper and got a P-Bass Lyte (insert argument over the decision here). My Dad was much more of a performer than a bass player. So he wanted light weight, no pressure, punchy, etc. Anyway, when I was about 17 he said I could have the Ripper and "do whatever I want with it." I thought it could use a new paint job (this was 1987). I stripped it and RUINED it. Seriously, completely f'd it up. I then stopped playing for a while and he gave it to a friend of his who was a luthier to re-re-finish it and bring it back to it's original glory. The guy disappeared and we haven't heard from him in 15 years or so. He has the bass somewhere.
So sad... but, I love the hell out of my Dad for having a relationship with me where he could give up a Ripper to "do whatever I want with it." I love my daughter, but she's not refinishing my 2008 P-bass in 15 years (or any of them for that matter). Unless she becomes an excellent luthier and wood worker.
I hear ya Pete, we did a lot of bone head things when we were young lol. Mine has miles of wear and tear on it I used to wear studded wristbands in my metal band back when and I have a 6"wear mark in the body that I cringe every time I look at it what was I thinking!
I would keep my Fret-less J-Bass. It was a Christmas present from my father 19 years ago. It was my first "real" bass replacing a yellow BC Rich Warlock Bass I started with. Every time I take her out of the case, I can still smell that Christmas morning. Not to mention that when I play that bass, the instrument seems to disappear and the music just flows. Can't beat that. She needs some TLC right now. New pups and a rewire, but I'd still never get rid of my black and white fret-less beauty.
I am somehow envious of the "one and only" philosophy. I have 6 basses now and each one feels like it's untouchable. But I do always come back to the P. I often wonder what I could do with the dollars I would gain by selling the bench strength.
Fletz said:
Oh don't get me wrong - if I had more gigs and more money, I'd be in your boat! I've decided that for my 5-6 gigs a year, I'd rather have one nice bass than 5 lower end basses. That was my former life!
