Just a straight question, what do you think is the strongest, toughest bass? What bass has the longest lifespan due to sheer invulnerability? As someone who doesn't have many instruments, when making a purchase, I want to know how long this instrument will last. What do you guys think?
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Toughest, most durable bass?
- Thread starter JonahTheAmazing
- Start date
Fender, P. or J. (The better ones) ..... I've seen mine slip and fall onto the ground and still be in tune. .....
Probably a modulus or the like. Something thats mostly or all carbon fiber.
Any high quality instrument is going to last you a life time if you keep up with it well and don't abuse it.
Any high quality instrument is going to last you a life time if you keep up with it well and don't abuse it.
How did I know the first answer would be P? Surprised anything else was suggested. It's well known that the phrase "baseball bat neck" originated in the 50's when, during a strike at the Louisville Slugger plant, the MLB used Fender P necks as bats. When the strike resolved, said bat/necks were fretted and installed on basses.
Seriously, any well built bass will hold up to normal playing with the usual basic maintenance. Once you start throwing it onto concrete, nothing's going to last long. They're just wood with a few metal bits screwed on. Except, of course, the aforementioned carbon fiber basses.
My Steinberger does look like it was used to pound railroad spikes, then dragged behind a bus for 3 world tours. I was amazed it still plays when I got it, but not only does it play, it plays well with very low (almost NO) action, and stays in tune for ages. I still wouldn't want to smash it onto something concrete though.
Edit: T-40 necks were briefly considered for use as baseball bats, but the players complained they were too thick to hold onto properly. I think Peavey made them by sawing telephone poles in half and cutting to the proper length.
Seriously, any well built bass will hold up to normal playing with the usual basic maintenance. Once you start throwing it onto concrete, nothing's going to last long. They're just wood with a few metal bits screwed on. Except, of course, the aforementioned carbon fiber basses.
My Steinberger does look like it was used to pound railroad spikes, then dragged behind a bus for 3 world tours. I was amazed it still plays when I got it, but not only does it play, it plays well with very low (almost NO) action, and stays in tune for ages. I still wouldn't want to smash it onto something concrete though.
Edit: T-40 necks were briefly considered for use as baseball bats, but the players complained they were too thick to hold onto properly. I think Peavey made them by sawing telephone poles in half and cutting to the proper length.
My first bass. 
Its survived 5 years of thrashing by myself and another 20 or so of regular playing before me.
Currently made bass though?
Fender Mike Dirnt Pbass, 2nd most solid thing I've ever put my hands on.
Its survived 5 years of thrashing by myself and another 20 or so of regular playing before me.
Currently made bass though?
Fender Mike Dirnt Pbass, 2nd most solid thing I've ever put my hands on.
Jaco eventually beat the Bass of Doom down and it had to be completely rebuild. .... So, maybe that's not a good example. ...... But a good try.
Another vote for the original Steinberger. For 10 years, mine never needed anything other than strings & batteries. From Denver to Miami, the west coast to the Caribbean, it never even needed a single truss rod adjustment. A bullet-proof bass for sure, and I wish I still had it.
