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The Top 10 Basses
- Thread starter ivyman
- Start date
Best basses, (quality, build, tone, feel, versatility)
1.Modulus Quantum Q4
2.Fender Deluxe MIM Jazz bass
3.Alembic Buzzard
4.Musicman Stingray (any make)
5.Ibanez SoundGear (any)
6.Luna Andromeda
7.Godin A4&5
8.Ampeg AUB-1
9.Schecter Stilleto
10.Vintage v940fl
No bias?
1.Modulus Quantum Q4
2.Fender Deluxe MIM Jazz bass
3.Alembic Buzzard
4.Musicman Stingray (any make)
5.Ibanez SoundGear (any)
6.Luna Andromeda
7.Godin A4&5
8.Ampeg AUB-1
9.Schecter Stilleto
10.Vintage v940fl
No bias?
Best basses, (quality, build, tone, feel, versatility)
1.Modulus Quantum Q4
2.Fender Deluxe MIM Jazz bass
3.Alembic Buzzard
4.Musicman Stingray (any make)
5.Ibanez SoundGear (any)
6.Luna Andromeda
7.Godin A4&5
8.Ampeg AUB-1
9.Schecter Stilleto
10.Vintage v940fl
No bias?
Alembic Buzzard, very nice, have you played an Alembic Spyder they r amazing too. And thanks for the clarification
The Precision was the first and most important as well as the most relevant... it should be number 1. I think it is the prototypical electric bass sound, the sound all bass comes from.
The Jazz, of course, should be number 2.
I happen to think the StingRay should be number 3. Is that crazy? Where the P was the forefather of all passive bass tone, the StingRay was the forefather of active bass tone and remains the king of active bass to this day. If someone said "shut your eyes and imagine perfect active bass tone" most people would imagine a Ray. It's THAT influential and although I would never play one because that's not MY sound, it is the definitive sound for many styles of music.
Sorry to be a hater but I think you could put any and all Gibsons, including the T-Bird, closer to the bottom of the list. Outside of a dedicated but loyal contigent of fans, they haven't had a lot of impact. Granted, those Gibby fans are loyal so the T-Bird and SG-derived basses should be on the list but certainly not THAT high.
Why is Ritter on the list at all? Who among us has actually played a Ritter hands-on?
The Jazz, of course, should be number 2.
I happen to think the StingRay should be number 3. Is that crazy? Where the P was the forefather of all passive bass tone, the StingRay was the forefather of active bass tone and remains the king of active bass to this day. If someone said "shut your eyes and imagine perfect active bass tone" most people would imagine a Ray. It's THAT influential and although I would never play one because that's not MY sound, it is the definitive sound for many styles of music.
Sorry to be a hater but I think you could put any and all Gibsons, including the T-Bird, closer to the bottom of the list. Outside of a dedicated but loyal contigent of fans, they haven't had a lot of impact. Granted, those Gibby fans are loyal so the T-Bird and SG-derived basses should be on the list but certainly not THAT high.
Why is Ritter on the list at all? Who among us has actually played a Ritter hands-on?
The first 5 maybe could be in the top 20 best basses but the last 5 is a joke.
Fender jaguar? haha.
Fender jaguar? haha.
Well, I remember listening to Metallica when they first started and the bass tone never stood out as a Rickenbacker. He could have been playing anything.
Unless I am totally wrong, I don't remember hearing any old Metallica and noticing the awesome Rick tones like other Rickenbacker users.
Some of you guys play rough. I'm pleased that we've got a young kid interested enough in music and basses to post a list of instruments he likes, instead of playing video games. No need to bust his balls for that, just treat it as a bit of fun.
So, here's my list:
1) J
2) Fretless J
3-10) These vary depending on my mood.
So, here's my list:
1) J
2) Fretless J
3-10) These vary depending on my mood.
Top 10 Basses
1. Fender Jazz Bass
The Fender Jazz is almost the undisputed winner, it has the same incredible quality of the Precision but it has a more versatile sound. With its more trebly tone the Jazz (or J bass) stands out from the mix, making it the choice for Jazz players and those who want to play more melodically.
2. Fender Precision Bass
The P bass was the first bass to come from fender guitars, two pickups close to neck position gives a smooth tone that brings joy to the ears of any bassist into blues, rock or Motown. The bass has a warmer and deeper sound than the J and it is slightly less versatile.
3. Gibson Thunderbird
The Thunderbird is Rock n Roll. The axe of choice for many rock players such as Nikki Sixx, John Entwistle, Jean Simmons and Josh Reedy. With its humbuckers and heavy tone this bass is a true monster (a heavy one too). The standard model has a cool sunburst finish and of course the iconic eagle on the pickguard.
4. Musicman Stingray
The Stingray is an awesome bass with a modern sound that suits all sorts of styles from pop to funk and all the way to metal. It is a great bass for slapping and this makes it the ideal choice for players such as Louis Johnson and Flea. The bass usually features a teardrop pickguard and a single large humbucker.
5. Rickenbacker 4001/4003
The Rick is another one of those iconic rock basses. It would have been higher on the list except that I find it to be a bit uncomfortable to play. It usually costs a fair bit to buy but is still one of those basses you dream of buying. Notable players include Paul McCartney, Geddy Lee, Lemmy, Geezer Butler and Cliff Burton. If you havent heard of any of those players then youre on the wrong site!
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6. Ritter Bass
The Ritter, as seen in one of my previous blog posts, is a really really incredibly good looking bass guitar. Expect high prices and crazy designs (not a bad thing!).
7. Fender Jaguar
Im probably a bit biased because I own one but this is a cool bass. You can read about it in my first blog post. Awesome Japanese electronics make this bass more versatile than Johnny Depp. Notable players include me, JMJ and that guy from The All-American Rejects.
8. Warwick Corvette
This is what the Warwick website says about the Corvette If the entire line of Warwick basses is like a family at a party, then the Corvette is the latest in-law who ate all the food, drank all the booze and is now in the coat closet with not one, but two of the wait staff!. Not sure if thats true but the bass does look, sound and feel pretty snazzy.
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9. Hofner Beatle Bass
Youve seen this bass, youve heard this bass and you probably know that
Paul McCartney plays this bass. If you didnt, well now you do.
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10. Gibson SG Bass
Also known as the EB-3 this bass isnt as popular as its birdlike cousin, which might be because its not quite as heavy and tough. Anyway Jack Bruce from Cream plays it, isnt that enough?
ha! seriously?
no picture of a Stingray?
The Thunderbird at #3???
and the comments of the Corvette were about one particular model: the Corvette $$
I stop now, because these lists are just made to get people arguing
but I'd put P over J and Stingray in the top3 somewhere while T-bird goinw way down and Riter not even appearing
and now, I'll play too 
1) MM Stingray
just can do no wrong in my eyes/ears
2) Precision
not my favourite sound by itself, but in a band context it just fits so well. Deep, resonant. Simple.
3) Jazz
because it can do some of what the P does, and a lot more. Because this one does sound great on its own. Because the bridge pickup's nasality is wonderful and it growls.
4) G&L L2000/L2500
ultra versatile, powerful and clear sounding pickups.
5-10) combinations of the above in 4/5 strings fretted/fretless and with rounds/flats/tapewounds
1) MM Stingray
just can do no wrong in my eyes/ears
2) Precision
not my favourite sound by itself, but in a band context it just fits so well. Deep, resonant. Simple.
3) Jazz
because it can do some of what the P does, and a lot more. Because this one does sound great on its own. Because the bridge pickup's nasality is wonderful and it growls.
4) G&L L2000/L2500
ultra versatile, powerful and clear sounding pickups.
5-10) combinations of the above in 4/5 strings fretted/fretless and with rounds/flats/tapewounds
This is what I've seen from a lot of bands over the last 5-10 years:
1 - Fender P (by far the biggest bass in rock and the many variations thereof)
2 - Fender J
3 - Fender P/J
4 - Gibson Thunderbird
5 - MM Stingray
6 - MM Sterling
7 - Fender Tele
Anything else is a surprise.
1 - Fender P (by far the biggest bass in rock and the many variations thereof)
2 - Fender J
3 - Fender P/J
4 - Gibson Thunderbird
5 - MM Stingray
6 - MM Sterling
7 - Fender Tele
Anything else is a surprise.
+1 to this all.
1)P
2)j
3)Stingray
Everything is arguable after that point because no huge innovations have been made since 1976 in the bass world.
Dunno, man... I'm super surprised by how easily my ('05 Korean) G&L L2K took over the #1 spot from my late 70s (Japanese) Yamaha BBs. Seems there have been some innovation since then. So much that it wasn't even a question that one was better than the other and why... The G&L was just better. Anyway, an opinion.
Maybe it was better made. I'm not saying QC and electronics aren't better today. I'm saying that the basses of today have the same components as the basses of 1976. Nothing has changed in the basic design of basses.
Your G&L is super versatile and the best bass for you, no doubt about that. But its presenting variations on already existing themes, not reinventing the wheel. No bass since the late 70's has truly reinvented the wheel, just tweaked what has come before. Innovations? Definitely. Major game-changing innovations? Not so much.
Guitarists and bass players are both fundamentally conservative in their approach to the instrument they hold in their hands. Innovations to amplification and recording have been huge but innovations to basses is just in little bits and pieces.
