There IS no "best bass"

[chuck norriss]

right. the artist, not the instrument.

i like how legends jimi, jaco, louis johnson, jj, & graham all used relatively standard, common instruments but turned sh*t inside out

 

[JPSBassist]

Best is a bad word... it implies an absolute. And there are no absolutes other than death and taxes...

I'd prefer to use the word "optimal"... What is the optimal bass for this or that.

And then it comes down to what this and that might be.

Lastly I like to point out that with todays DI technology it doesn't really matter what you plug in... who would have thought that you could go to a NIN concert and see JMJ busting out huge distorted bass tone on a vintage Fender J?

 

[BurningSkies]

All these "what's the best bass for X" threads are silly. Any bass can play any type of music. It's all about finding one you like.
I wonder if clarinet players have a "best clarinet for baroque" thread going on at talkclarinet.

Sorry man, you're wrong.

...I own the best bass for everything.

 

[Wannaflea]

It doesn't matter, just buy any bass and put a tort pickguard on it. Good for the tonez.

 

[kcole4001]

....

Pbass is best for everything FTW

Strongly disagree.
P bass works for everything.
Best?
No.

 

[dpbass613]

A P Bass and a good compressor through pretty much any amp can cover anything...wait for it....including slap passages.

I personally prefer the Carl Martin Compressor, since it is a floor unit...

 

[JeffBTZ]

I thought soapbars were for when a "clean" tone is required... like in church.

True statement. The name of the pickup is directly related to it's uses. PJ pickups are obviously for when you need to sleep.

 

[Vincent P]

I own the best bass. Can't tell you what it is, and no it's not listed in my signature but, trust me on this, it's the best bass in the whole wide world.... I think???

 

[DennyOnBass]

Everybody knows it's the most expensive one. Anybody want to buy a $100,000 SX?

 

[Vincent P]

shoot I only have $99,998 on me!!!

 

[Wannaflea]

Everybody knows it's the most expensive one. Anybody want to buy a $100,000 SX?

Tort guard?!

 

[ejaggers]

BEST bass broken down by musical styles:

Blues: A really Road Worn P
Metal: Black Explorer or Ax shaped
FunkPolka: Daisy Rock
Psychedelic: Fender Paisley
Bluegrass: WashTub Bass
Real Jazz: Upright Bass
Fake Jazz: Bass keys of the piano
R&B: Sunburst J
Classic Rock: Beatle bass
Country: Fender Cowpoke
HipHop: A record player

All other styles of music should not be played on a bass

 

[Tommygunn]

BEST bass broken down by musical styles:

Blues: A really Road Worn P
Metal: Black Explorer or Ax shaped
FunkPolka: Daisy Rock
Psychedelic: Fender Paisley
Bluegrass: WashTub Bass
Real Jazz: Upright Bass
Fake Jazz: Bass keys of the piano
R&B: Sunburst J
Classic Rock: Beatle bass
Country: Fender Cowpoke
HipHop: A record player

All other styles of music should not be played on a bass

Theres always the one guy who takes the thread seriously.... I'll play.

I believe you missed funk, reggae, 90's alt, and a lot of others. Or maybe I'm wrong and none of the styles I listed are bass driven.... Hmmmmm....

 

[baileyboy]

pretty sure the Precision bass is the best bass...for anything.

+1

 

[Schwinge]

"My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron."

-Optimus Prime

 

[Nev375]

"My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron."

-Optimus Prime

Hi Optimus.

 

[M.Wrenn]

"My name is Optimus Prime. We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron."

-Optimus Prime

So what's the best bass for a transformer?

 

[Schwinge]

“Freedom is the right of all sentient beings.”

-Optimus Prime

 

[Schwinge]

So what's the best bass for a transformer?

Optimus Prime.

 

[M.Wrenn]

Optimus Prime.

should I play my optimus with tapewounds? Steelcore?