What is your main bass and why?

[Jack Butler]

I AM a weight weenie. My roadworn P is the best sounding P I’ve ever owned, and weighs 7.7 lbs. if I had to play a heavy bass to get that sound I would, but if there’s no reason to, why play a heavy bass.

I'm not a weight weenie but ergonomics are a huge factor for me as well.

 

[Thegreatzambini]

No…..not another what is your main bass and why thread

 

[ryco]

'04 EBMM Sterling H now my go to - hate to use #1 moniker.
Just a super easy axe to play, one vol knob for one pup, very tone vesatile onboard 3 band EQ, 3 way switch delivers good basic tone settings - mine's usually in parallel = this bass always sounds good! Light, small body, nice unfinished rubbed neck that plays fast and feels good.
It's getting useed as a main bass now because I joined an originals pop/rock dance band. I can dial up any tone I want to use from slap, to blues, jazzish thud, to punkish, to MOR rock.
Sounds GREAT thru GK and Sunn rigs, which are what I use.

 

[Luckydog]

For the last few years, my #1 has been my Sadowsky HPJ. I’ve mostly been playing it passive lately. Feels great, cuts and supports. Currently wearing Sadowsky Black Label flats.

#2 (and often moving into #1 status), is my 66 P-bass, stock with exception of added hipshot D-tuner. Wonderful p tone, with any strings it wears. Currently sporting Labella 760FL.

 

[foal30]

MTD Grendel V is the bass I practice with the most.

Well built instrument

 

[alembicguy]

Number one on the left
Number two on the right (different tuning)

 

[basslayer]

This is the main bass. It feels great to play.

 

[DrThumpenstein]

Hello

At first i thought i needed other basses now i'm asking myself what should my main bass be and why?

I currently have:

1. Fender P (MIM) with roundwounds (sounds and feels pretty good and does that thing)

2. Fender Telecaster (humbucker 2012) with flatwounds - modified this taking the second humbucker out and replacing it with a Musicman style 90's SD)

3. Epiphone Jack Casady with flatwounds

All of them ok in their own way, but each with it's own little problem/quirks.. I want to get something else not to have a bigger collection but to have a better n1.

What is your number 1 and why?

Thanks in advance

D

I'm fortunate to have 3 in the rotation for #1. Currently, it's my Aerodyne, which I've modded quite a bit. Like @JRA says, it's all about the neck, and the Aerodyne has a great one, along with a sleek little body that also fits me just so. I put in Geezers and an Audere 4-band preamp and I couldn't be happier with the range of tones available right on board, between technique and EQ. I have a Fodera in the rotation that sounds and plays great. I enjoy playing it but I'm a lot more comfortable with a $1200 bass in a bar, so the Fodera's only going out on special occasions. That's ok, ol' Jules here is a monster bass and more than up to the task.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

All 11 are my main bass.

 

[P. Aaron]

My main bass seems to be my 2010 Precision V. It's always been a great bass with good vibe right outta th' box. After playing it for a few gigs, I switch off to the 2014 Dimension Deluxe 5 and really end up liking it but, I always come back to the P-Bass. The tonal simplicity, feel, even the wide neck, there's just something great about it. Yet, the Dimension has similar vibe, and an immediacy of response that seemed to elude me in numerous other active basses I've played.

If I didn't have one of them, I'd be delighted with the other.

 

[HowieD72]

The one in my profile pic.

-Fender USA Standard JB body in Olympic White
-Purple pearl pickguard
-Fender Roasted Maple Vintera 70's JB neck
-Leo Quan Badass III bridge string thru body
-Fender Pure Vintage 70's tuning machines
-Starr Guitars wiring harness with series/parallel switch
-Kent Armstrong Hot Lips JB pickups.
-EB Cobalt Flats 45-100

 

[JIO]

"Main bass" to me is most used basses. I'm in two bands and use different basses for each band, both live & recording. I leave/play one at our rehearsal space, and play a few different basses at home learning new material & practicing. So not just one 'main bass'. For the occasional jam session, other basses are enlisted. Main 5 most used basses -

 

[HowieD72]

"Main bass" to me is most used basses. I'm in two bands and use different basses for each band, both live & recording. I leave/play one at our rehearsal space, and play a few different basses at home learning new material & practicing. So not just one 'main bass'. For the occasional jam session, other basses are enlisted. Main 5 most use basses -

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Love that Fender J

 

[J-Bass RMR]

just updated my signature, inspired by this thread....

 

[jamro217]

I don't have a number 1. Out of the fifteen basses that I reside with, each gets attention and temporarily claims that title. Some more often than others.

 

[Dave Siff]

Reverend Rumblefish #12. Great tone, playability and overall vibe. My only fretted bass currently, got a Nash arriving soon.

 

[40Hz]

Main bass for what type of music?

One instrument doesn’t need to serve for all genres if you have options available.

 

[faulknersj]

These are my main squeezes…

 

[Iristone]

One word: Rickenbacker

 

[Ghastly]

I have two... they both sound just like I want them to without any further settings, and they feel just right in my hands.