What is the best playing/sounding bass you’ve owned

Ibanez Portamento.

If it wasn’t for the simplicity of playing my fretted 6 live, I’d never play anything else.

 

SR1800E by Killed_by_Death posted Feb 1, 2018 at 10:00 PM

 

The one I'm selling at the time... always best ever but still selling for some reason.

 

Stingray

 

My Fender parts bass that I have been playing for over 33 years:

- '76 clear Jazz body
- '73 P neck
- DiMarzio bridge pickup
- Hipshot d-tuner on the E

Other than replacing the Badass II bridge with a vintage one, and refinishing the body (the prior owner had destroyed the finish), it hasn't changed in over three decades. A little heavy, but basically a part of me.

 

Washburn WB-66.

 

For pure adrenaline, I’d say the Gibson SG. It’s easily the hot rod of basses.

 

The one I'm playing at the time.

 

I own a Birdsong Hy5 and it is the best sounding bass I've ever played.

 

Best for the song? The set? The band? My basses are like colors, I paint with what works for what I'm trying to create.

 

Beautiful bass!

 

My 2010 Precision V. It’s just so bony ant in any position on the neck. Fits tone-wise in anywhere. It’s instinctive, light and feels good in my hands, terrific tone.

Probably not the nicest bass but, for me and the genre, it just works.

 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<Mine.

 

First would be the Gibson Les Paul standard bass I owned years ago, sold it like an idiot since we hadn't played in over a year. Second would be my American pro jazz. It plays and sounds as good, it's only second because it's not as pretty.

 

A fretless Carvin AC50 that I saw at a local store. All Koa, gloss finish, tapewound strings, flawless and sounded like heaven. I had never played fretless before and yet my fingers knew exactly where to fall.

I've wanted a Carvin/Kiesel ever since. I got a used AC50 but the previous owner had damaged the piezo

 

In the past 40-odd years I have had a couple of hundred basses (including several extreme full-custom boutique basses) - and I currently own 8 1/2 other very nice basses, but this Vaccaro X-ray has turned out to be the best of the best of the best!! It sounds so good that it even over-rides my sworn devotion to the comforts of 32 inch scale. (Vaccaro is 34)

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Who knew?

 

My early ‘90’s Modulus Q5. It’s been my main bass for over 20 years, it plays like a dream and has won over the hearts of hundreds of sound guys over the years!

 

Best sounding and playing bass I’ve ever owned...or laid hands on. Marleaux Contra five-string.