The Stable - What do you play and why?

[Corrington]

#1 Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV in Mystic Blue b/c it sounds amazing, it looks great, it’s well balanced, and the neck is simply the best feeling neck I’ve ever played. Fits my left hand like a silk glove.
#2 Schecter Banshee with DiMarzio Relentless pickups b/c I wanted that bad ass P bass sound in a comfortable short scale bass.
#3 SBMM StingRay short scale with EMG MMTW and EMG BTS preamp system b/c I wanted that bass ass StingRay sound in a comfortable short scale bass. I put in the EMG b/c I hated the stock electronics. The volume boot was a gimmick and the rotary pot felt flimsy and cheap. The EMG gets me that classic StingRay sound plus a whole lot more.
#4 SX Ursa 2 JR MN 30" short-scale bass with EMG JVX b/c I wanted that bad ass J bass sound in a comfortable short scale bass. I put in the EMGs b/c I wanted that Jaco burpy bridge pickup sound without the single coil hum.

In the process of selling:
* Schecter Banshee I converted into a fretless. Turns out I don’t enjoy playing a fretless. An expensive failed experiment.
* Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute DC Bass b/c I hate everything about this bass. Worst waste of wood I’ve seen in a long time. I got it in a trade. Can’t wait to get rid of it.
* Ibanez Mezzo SRMD200 32” medium-scale bass b/c with the exception of the Charvel I’ve switched to 30” short scale basses. This bass was a stepping stone in my journey from long scale to short scale.

 

[butterfingers1]

The three Fender designs.

 

[cymbop]

The stable has gotten to a place where I can make all the sounds I want to make.

#1 is the blue USA Lakland P-bass with flats. We shall never part.
The sunburst '62 AVRI, owned for almost 20 years, wears rounds.
The goldtop Casady with flats is a lot of fun for a changeup, and not far from a P-bass tone.
The Lakland Skyline Jazz with Chi-sonics wears half-rounds and it's there if I need some single-coil spice in my life.
The Sterling Ray34 is the newest member and I'm still getting to know whether it wants flats or pressurewounds.
The Takamine, well, it usually hangs on a peg all lonesome. A gift from a good friend means I won't get rid of it.

 

[Scarysharkface]

So I'm down to four basses, a 2018 MM Stingray Special, Fender Tony Franklin Fretless, Fender USA Geddy Lee Jazz and an Allparts Precision with an Allparts Jazz neck and EMG Geezer pups. The Geddy Lee and Tony Franklin wear Roto 66s, the Allparts TI Jazz Flats, and the Stingray EB Cobalt flats. All four sound uniquely different from each other, yet all four are equally usable as standalone instruments for the music and gigs I play.

In the past I've owned more exotic instruments (Ric 4003, Gretsch Thunder Jet, Gibson T-Bird, Dale Roberts 6-string, Spector Bantam 5, etc), and while they were all wonderful basses they usually stayed home in favor of a Precision or Jazz. I liked looking at them, and I liked playing them, but they rarely went to the gig.

So I have finally accepted that I prefer basic Leo Fender style 4-string basses, and have whittled the herd to these four. I'm curious what other Talkbass members have in their stable and why? Pics appreciated!

View attachment 5012708

Alembic Series I with some Series II options
Lakland 5502 fretless
Rickenbacker 4003s
LTD B208 8-string (double-course)
Ibanez EHB1506MS
Englehart (I think) plywood 3/4 upright

I've gigged all of them (You Can Call Me Al is fun on the upright, and So What sounds huge on the 8-string) and my mood at the moment largely determines who gets the gig. The Alembic sounds incredible with roundwounds or flatwounds. The Lakland has only ever worn nickle roundwounds, as have the Ric, the LTD and the Ibanez at this point (strings are expensive). I think I'm most at home with a 5-string, but it seems I've mostly been playing the Ibanez 6 since I got it in November. I do miss having a Precision with Fender flatwounds, as that's kind of an iconic hard-to-not-get-a-sound configuration that always works and doesn't need batteries or external power. Other than the Alembic, they're all replaceable. I'll never have the funds for another Alembic. Normally my primary go-to is the Lakland fretless, but my son has it at the moment so I'm stuck with frets for now. Anyway, they're all fine instruments and I seem to have everything pretty much covered.

John

 

[mistermikev]

I have a lot of guitars and don't play out... just play w myself (lol) so I'm a spice of life guy.

I have a 89 sr900 that I tossed some dimarzio in and a bartolini pr that I keep going back to. just has a pencil neck that suits me.
have a partscaster jazz bass w 1/4lbs in it, warmoth boat neck.
have a ledgend 5
ibz edb 905 that I bought for peanuts... it's fun sometimes.
32" scale p bass I built.
It is hard to beat the classic designs... you aren't alone. I play that j bass a lot and would a lot more if it wasn't so damned heavy!
I'm in the process of going through and replacing all my basses with something I build so lately have been playing this a lot:

 

[Altitude]

Left to right:

Fender Precision Bass.
Sometimes you need a P-bass. This is a good one. It's my newest bass - American standard body, American Pro Jazz neck, Hipshot ultralite tuners, Babicz bridge, '62 Custom Shop pickup. Very light, nice bass. It has D'Addario NYXLs on it right now but I also have a set of Chromes in the bag.

Skjold 6-String.
This was a 2006 build and is now a pretty early Skjold in the grand scheme. It's very light and sounds fantastic. I've not had a gig in a while where it made sense, hope that changes soon. Has D'addario Half-rounds on it because that's what Patitucci uses.

If you go to Spotify and search for "Fina Dupa", this bass is on the entire "Give It Back" album and also the bass solo in "Over Now" from the "Are You Happy Now" album.

Valenti 5-string Jazz Bass.
A 2008 build. Nordstrand NJ5 pickups. It's passive now, having had a Sadowsky preamp in it most of its life. Sounds better passive. This is my #1; it feels super comfortable and the neck is home. That is a swamp ash body and maple neck, the pickups are in the 60s position which make it an odd build I guess. It sounds like a Jazz Bass, on the bright side. I've tried to sell it 2 or 3 times just to shake things up; I can never bear to. Has Ernie Ball Cobalt flats on it.

Skjold 5-String
This might be my most interesting bass. 2010 build. It's passive and check out the pickup placement where we moved the front pickup back a bit so they are both near the sweet spot. This bass sounds like a cross between a Stingray and a Fodera, it's really cool in the right musical situation. I play it on funk gigs mostly. It's bit heavier than my others but not enough to bother me. I bet it's about 9.5#. Has Skjold nickel hybrid strings.

Ergo Upright
Before I was a bass player I was a cellist, and I played a lot of upright bass in college. I've never been willing or able to spring for an actual upright bass, but I do have this. It's been out on several doubler gigs. It has whatever strings came on it, no idea.

LTD TL-5
Not shown above; this is a semihollow that I keep at my other place. Actually maybe this is my newest - I bought it right before the pandemic for a gig that never happened. It's a fun bass though I've never played it with other people.

I'm a guy who believes that if you have 'em, play em. So here's a gig picture of me with each bass.

The Fender P, with the Makeshift Funk Band:

The Skjold 6, with Fina Dupa:

The Valenti J, with Fina Dupa:

The Skjold 5, with Fina Dupa:

The Ergo, with the Texas Wind Ensemble. Slight cheat as I'm not in the photo but the best I could do.

 

[HardNHeavy]

out of the six FSO's i own...lately playing this passive parts bass with some screaming Bartolini's...They just have that clean/barky sound my ears need to hear this week..Nextweek it might be a regular P bass or my J

 

[rtslinger]

I have too many
but I gig all but the A/E which I used to practice with so nothing collecting dust

 

[cymbop]

It's so interesting to see the dichotomy between guys whose stable is variations on one theme, versus a more varied approach for others. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[Holdsg]

holding at 5 electrics and the upright at this time

Fender American Jazz frankenbass - sunburst, fretted fretless neck, Sadowsky preamp. my JPJ bass

Fender American Original P - olympus white, tort, Lollar pickup. P bliss

Fender American Performer Mustang - sunburst. short scale fun

G&L 80's El Toro - mahogany, burst. because I love the sound of it

G&L L-1000 Series 750 - natural. because I love the sound of it and needed to keep one fiver around

Upton Hybrid Bohemian - blonde. because I love the sound of it

 

[joel the bass player]

FSOs, because I do what I want.

 

[ElCrowg]

Mainstay is a P from the Mod Shop. Covers the “P Bass” stuff pretty well on account of it being a P Bass and all.
TI flats if you’re asking.
I play others, 4 or 5, some with rounds but this is the every day.
1 piece RW neck and etched logo.
View attachment 5012837

That thing is a beaut!!!

 

[coreyfyfe]

I’ve migrated to vintage Fender P basses - mid 60’s are the ones I prefer. I currently own 3 of them. I’ve been through a bunch of basses from Fender CS, Fodera, Lakland, Sadowsky, and G&L. All of those were great basses, but I’ve realized I truly connect with the simplicity, tone and feel of Precision Basses. The mid 60’s have added mojo that I just cannot replicate elsewhere.

My current 3 basses are:
1) 1963 P Bass Sunburst, all original, 8 lbs 5 oz, Labella Flats, med pickup height

2) 1965 P Bass Olympic white, all original, 8 lbs 13 oz, TI Flats, low pickup height

3) 1966 P Bass Sunburst, all original, 8 lbs 2 oz, TI Flats, high pickup height

Between these 3, I get all of the tones I want. I did have rounds on the ‘66 but I just have no use for their tone and feel anymore and the high pickup height gives me a bit more top end brightness and more output. Leo nailed it 60 years ago in my opinion.

That’s where they’ve all gone.

I was quite satisfied with my 70s fenders until I got my hands on some late 60s models and the necks have ruined me for other eras of fender. The thinner front to back feel, the smoothness, the edges of the bound jazz. Killer. I’ve been trying to find a similar late 60s/early 70s P (B or A nut, everything is a C!) to replace my 78 and I keep missing out. That and prices have gone bonkers in the last few years.

To answer the question in the OP - my main squeezes right now:

novo serus, a 69 jazz bass, and a 66 mustang for two of my projects. Just beautiful players, great feel to the necks, and great sounding basses.

For another project I usually play a gibson grabber, but when I don’t want to fight with the bass I use a Serek Lincoln.

 

[Liam Wald]

I switched to short scale a few years ago and now my two primary players are Lakland HB-30 and Fender Mustang. Between the two they cover everything that I do (Jazz, Funk, R&B, Soul, Blues)

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

My main FOUR -
1) Pink, Breast Cancer Awareness Bass, goes everywhere and I use for all gigs. Alder MJT body w/ 78 Jazz neck. The EMG set and preamp really shines in every situation.
2) Gold 81 Jazz / Passive. Paisley Marcus Miller guard is just for show. Ash body, Maple fingerboard, Fender Gen 4 Noiseless pickups and Richter harness are great for all gigs. It has plenty of snarl and burp for Funky stuff or 80s Rock gigs.
3) Red Rain Devon Jazz 5…… (Angels singing soundtrack) Bartolini pickups and Aguilar preamp sound sweet and clear. If there is a recording situation or a live video shoot, or a big production performance, its going to be this bass. It too works well for all situations. Alder body, quilted Maple top, Wenge neck and Ebony board can cut through everything. Its a Funk, Jazz, Rock and Gospel masterpiece!
4) Fender USA Marcus Miller V - loaded with Duncan Quarter Pounders and Sadowsky preamp. When I want that, old school-ish, dirty, gritty, sound or I’m doing an R&B or Soul Gospel gig… YES!! I have also used it for a Rush tribute show
All basses loaded with DR Lo-Rider Nickel Wound Strings 40-100 / 125

 

[Maxi Funkl]

#1 Charvel Pro-Mod San Dimas Bass PJ IV in Mystic Blue b/c it sounds amazing, it looks great, it’s well balanced, and the neck is simply the best feeling neck I’ve ever played. Fits my left hand like a silk glove.
#2 Schecter Banshee with DiMarzio Relentless pickups b/c I wanted that bad ass P bass sound in a comfortable short scale bass.
#3 SBMM StingRay short scale with EMG MMTW and EMG BTS preamp system b/c I wanted that bass ass StingRay sound in a comfortable short scale bass. I put in the EMG b/c I hated the stock electronics. The volume boot was a gimmick and the rotary pot felt flimsy and cheap. The EMG gets me that classic StingRay sound plus a whole lot more.
#4 SX Ursa 2 JR MN 30" short-scale bass with EMG JVX b/c I wanted that bad ass J bass sound in a comfortable short scale bass. I put in the EMGs b/c I wanted that Jaco burpy bridge pickup sound without the single coil hum.

In the process of selling:
* Schecter Banshee I converted into a fretless. Turns out I don’t enjoy playing a fretless. An expensive failed experiment.
* Gibson Les Paul Junior Tribute DC Bass b/c I hate everything about this bass. Worst waste of wood I’ve seen in a long time. I got it in a trade. Can’t wait to get rid of it.
* Ibanez Mezzo SRMD200 32” medium-scale bass b/c with the exception of the Charvel I’ve switched to 30” short scale basses. This bass was a stepping stone in my journey from long scale to short scale.

I completely agree on the neck of the Charvel once I put in a Audere Classic preamp its killer. Mine is blue as well I wish Charvel would do 4 string JJ version of this bass I'd be all over it just because of the neck.

 

[ad9000]

I'll restrict mine to the top 4 most frequently used, in order of the amount of play time they're currently getting.

1. 2011 MTD 535-24: the most dependable and great sounding axe I own. The only situations where I wouldn't take it would be where a more rootsy or old school vibe is appropriate.

2. Bluesman Vintage El Dorado V: Fit like a pair of old shoes from the first time I picked it up, though I have made some alterations - it originally had a P/J pickup configuration but I ended up with a J/J configuration using Lindy Fralin pickups. Since there is a universal rout for the neck pickup position that was easy to do - I just needed a pickguard, which I got from Spitfire Tortoiseshell. I also swapped out the original (Omega) bridge for a Badass Bass V.

3. 2008 Road Worn P-bass with late 1990's Genuine Fender replacement neck and Klein pickups: a monster P-bass, not much more that I can say.

4. 1962 P-bass: A magical instrument but sometimes I am a bit reluctant to take it out on gigs unless I can watch over it carefully.

 

[Old Fart]

American P-Bass with Pure Vintage '63 pickups.

 

[Gyver]

It's so interesting to see the dichotomy between guys whose stable is variations on one theme, versus a more varied approach for others. Different strokes for different folks.

Exactly. I used to own a bunch of considerably different basses, but eventually settled on four similar (but still slightly different) basses because those were the ones that got all of the play.

 

[Gyver]

Primitive, but effective.View attachment 5013479

But sometimes only a hollow body will do.
View attachment 5013482

Man I love those single pup teles, every time you post a picture of them!