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Top 5 Favorites

#24
1) Jerzy Drozd Legend VI semi-hollow body fretless - Unique, expressive, articulate tone that sounds closer to a human singing voice than any fretless I've played. Unbeatable build quality and ergos. Lightweight, balanced, and effortless playability (own it).

2) Pre-Gibson Tobias Basic/Classic/Signature - I own a Classic, and I've played at least two dozen others between '86 and '89. I prefer these to Mike's current MTD USAs for their complex build (neck-through, five, seven, or nine-piece necks, slightly better ergos, nicer aesthetics) and rich, smokey, complex, organic tone. Gibson imitations need not apply.

3) Bee Worker/Queen - Modern, innovative, ergonomic designs with great tone, playability, build quality, and value. Some of the best ERBs in the business (played at NAMM).

4) MTD USA 635-24 - Amazingly holistic design; everything works together as a complete system to achieve the unique MTD sound. Great tone and build quality, but a little pricey for a one-piece flat-sawn neck (played half a dozen at the Bass Exchange in the last few years).

5) F-Bass fretless - I currently own a '91 neck-through and it's punchy, aggressive, articulate, woody and warm sounding. Lightweight, great balance, and great-but-unusual ergos. The newer bolt-ons are nice, but a bit too soft and polite for my tastes. They have a much simpler build, but cost a lot more than the older neck-throughs. Laminated tops choke the tone (and the appearance, IMO) on these for some reason. I've owned four Fs, and I think the company peaked in the early '90s for tone, build, and value, though they still make excellent basses.
 
#25
Debased said:
1) Jerzy Drozd Legend VI semi-hollow body fretless - Unique, expressive, articulate tone that sounds closer to a human singing voice than any fretless I've played. Unbeatable build quality and ergos. Lightweight, balanced, and effortless playability (own it).

2) Pre-Gibson Tobias Basic/Classic/Signature - I own a Classic, and I've played at least two dozen others between '86 and '89. I prefer these to Mike's current MTD USAs for their complex build (neck-through, five, seven, or nine-piece necks, slightly better ergos, nicer aesthetics) and rich, smokey, complex, organic tone. Gibson imitations need not apply.

3) Bee Worker/Queen - Modern, innovative, ergonomic designs with great tone, playability, build quality, and value. Some of the best ERBs in the business (played at NAMM).

4) MTD USA 635-24 - Amazingly holistic design; everything works together as a complete system to achieve the unique MTD sound. Great tone and build quality, but a little pricey for a one-piece flat-sawn neck (played half a dozen at the Bass Exchange in the last few years).

5) F-Bass fretless - I currently own a '91 neck-through and it's punchy, aggressive, articulate, woody and warm sounding. Lightweight, great balance, and great-but-unusual ergos. The newer bolt-ons are nice, but a bit too soft and polite for my tastes. They have a much simpler build, but cost a lot more than the older neck-throughs. Laminated tops choke the tone (and the appearance, IMO) on these for some reason. I've owned four Fs, and I think the company peaked in the early '90s for tone, build, and value, though they still make excellent basses.
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I like the Bee bass's worker too.
 
#26
4 stringed fury said:
Well if we are gonna talk about classics than hell yea Fenders are amazing. I just don't care for the Post-1965'ers ( CBS Ones) as much.
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I'm talking about the "look" of the Fenders, which has not changed all that much after 1957. I was basically responding to the poster who said he didn't care for the "look" of the Fenders. He added the caveat of "different strokes", which is absolutely correct. To each his own. I'm just saying that to me, the designs and overall appearance of the Fender Jazz and Precision are gorgeous. I'm not talking about pre-CBS versus post CBS. That's a debate for another thread. But I will say that in general the "post-CBS" Fenders get a lot of abuse that might not be warranted. There are some great sounding Fenders that were made after 1965. If you're going to refrain from buying a Fender unless it's a '65 or older, you could be missing out on some great instruments.
 
#27
Jeff K said:
I'm talking about the "look" of the Fenders, which has not changed all that much after 1957. I was basically responding to the poster who said he didn't care for the "look" of the Fenders. He added the caveat of "different strokes", which is absolutely correct. To each his own. I'm just saying that to me, the designs and overall appearance of the Fender Jazz and Precision are gorgeous. I'm not talking about pre-CBS versus post CBS. That's a debate for another thread. But I will say that in general the "post-CBS" Fenders get a lot of abuse that might not be warranted. There are some great sounding Fenders that were made after 1965. If you're going to refrain from buying a Fender unless it's a '65 or older, you could be missing out on some great instruments.
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I see, I thought you were talking about tone and stuff... Well, I have a (CBS) Fender and my friend has one also (plus a pre-CBS). And yea, looks haven't changed much on the regular J and P. And what you said is true about "a lot of abuse that might not be warranted" look at the 2008 they are actually good as if CBS got there act together. But for what its worth I'll stick with some other brands for now until I find one that sings to me.:bassist:
 
#30
top 5 I've owned

spector4.JPG

1. Spector Euro XL (still have)

jazzb2.jpg

2. Fender Jazz 62 Reissue - I put together from parts and love it! Why? because I built it, it sounds and plays great! I would put this over the next couple of basses only because I still own it.

bongo6.jpg

3. Bongo 5 Stealth HH - HEY, someone used my pic in this thread already - so I'll use a different one! I sold it (YOU FOOL GUBNA!) so I could buy this bass:

bluedawn2.jpg

4. Bongo 4 Blue Dawn HH (then a fellow TBer made me an offer I couldn't refuse for it, and I needed to get out of debt - otherwise I'd still have it) I wanted one ever since I first saw one.

sting.jpg

5. Stingray 5 Blue Dawn (original)


Top 5 I'd love to own?
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1.Carl Thompson

2. Alembic
Orion?

3. More EBMM's
Sterling and Bongos

4. Sadowsky Jazz

Invalid Link Removed
5. Benevente (like that one)
 
#33
CBAnaesthesia said:
1. Warwick Corvette Std. 5
2. Traben John Moyer Havoc
3. Peavey Cirrus 5 (USA Series)
4. Ibanez ATK305
5. Peavey Millenium 5 (USA Series)

In no particular order. As you can probably tell, I'm not exactly a "boutique" guy, nor am I a fan of Fenders and their countless clones. It's all about the affordable performance, to me, and if I could have 5 basses, it would be these.
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every warwick i have played has had a huge big think meaty neck and i cant stand that...:eyebrow:
 
#35
Gubna said:
top 5 I've owned

spector4.JPG

1. Spector Euro XL (still have)

jazzb2.jpg

2. Fender Jazz 62 Reissue - I put together from parts and love it! Why? because I built it, it sounds and plays great! I would put this over the next couple of basses only because I still own it.

bongo6.jpg

3. Bongo 5 Stealth HH - HEY, someone used my pic in this thread already - so I'll use a different one! I sold it (YOU FOOL GUBNA!) so I could buy this bass:

bluedawn2.jpg

4. Bongo 4 Blue Dawn HH (then a fellow TBer made me an offer I couldn't refuse for it, and I needed to get out of debt - otherwise I'd still have it) I wanted one ever since I first saw one.

sting.jpg

5. Stingray 5 Blue Dawn (original)


Top 5 I'd love to own?
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
1.Carl Thompson

2. Alembic
Orion?

3. More EBMM's
Sterling and Bongos

4. Sadowsky Jazz

Invalid Link Removed
5. Benevente (like that one)
Click to expand...

I love your Spector!!!
I want one...:(:crying::bawl:
 
#37
Top 5 i could actually afford:
1-Stingray 4 HS natural with maple board.
2-Fender Jazz Dlx 5 white with maple board.
3-Peavey Cirrus 5 wenge with bubinga or walnut.
4-Warwick Thumb BO 4.
5-Stingray 5 white with maple board.

Top 5 i love even if i can't afford'em:
1-Ken Smith 5 Black Tiger.
2-Sadowsky 4 NYC (just like Will Lee's TV bass)
3-Tobias Classic 5 flamed maple top.
4-Musicman Sterling BFR quilted maple rosewood (like Dave LaRue's)
5-Spector 4 USA quilted maple natural finish.
 
#38
1)stingray5 20th HH Maple(or pre ernieball 4)(played)
2)Vintage Jazz Bass 60s to &79s(played)
3)Jerzy Trods Fretless(played)
4)Ric 4001 or 4003(not played)
5)Carl Thompson(not played)


And if had the chance to play Ritter, alembic,Pedula,etc maybe i ll change one of my list dont know what though:hmm::confused::confused:
 
#40
In no particular order...today my six "top five" favorites are:

DIY singlecoil P bass.
Peavey GBass
Fender AVS '75 Jazz Bass
EBMM Stealth Bongo
Epiphone Jack Casady Sig
Epiphone Rumblekat (aka Allen Woody Sig)

Other Contenders:

Ibanez SR500
Eastwood Club Bass
Sukop 4 string
 

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