What is your main bass and why?

[ELG60]

If I'm playing a 5 string, I'll use this Devon with roundwound strings:

If my fingers are a bit worn, I may use another similar Devon with flats:

Whenever I'm using a four banger, this one has been my #1 since finishing it early this year:

The reasons are for feel, tone, and aesthetics.

 

[cymbop]

I want to get something else not to have a bigger collection but to have a better n1.

To address the OP: You're doing good thinking here, asking a good question. Is it better to have one awesome bass or a few that are more middle-quality? But it sounds like you might not yet know what kind of axe could be your super-duper sweet #1. You might need to have a couple more affairs with mid-line instruments to decide what's your type. Then you can sell off some of the herd and go all-in on the best axe of that type that you can attain.

For example, you might have to own a Ray34 for a while to decide if a Stingray is your sound, then decide whether to get a nice one. You have a nice quiver of basses already. But if you don't know which type is going to produce the sound in your head, keep trying different ones.

My type is P-with-flats. But I've had to own a Jazz and a Stingray, at least, in order to be sure of it.

 

[James Flowers]

Like so many questions the answer is ... it depends. I have three basses that are #1 depending on what type of music I am playing. The current reigning champ would be my HB-60. Loving the light weight as my only current paying gig is a long night.

 

[pfern]

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

Hey Dave- Which 'fish is #12?

 

[pfern]

My main basses are my Rumblefish 4 in BugEye Black Chrome, my Serek Sacramento and my Serek Midwestern 2, depending on what I'm playing.

 

[chris_b]

I have 2 #1 basses; a Mike Lull PJ5 and a Sadowsky RV5 Jazz.

Why? Cos they are the best sounding basses I've owned so far. I haven't found a band or gig where they don't excel.

A lower back problem means I'm currently auditioning a lightweight replacement for the Sadowsky. It's a tough ask. Nothing I've tried comes close.

 

[Dave Siff]

Hey Dave- Which 'fish is #12?

Hey Patrick! #12 is a green/maple one, it’s in my profile pic. I got it on Reverb almost two years ago, put a Hipshot D-tuner on it. It’s not #47, but close!
The red one I got back from you is still in Atlanta, I sold it to a friend who plays in a crazy space-rock band and it fits in perfectly!

 

[ga_edwards]

My G&L Tribute JB2.

Why?

I wanted a jazz bass as my band started to take a different direction that needed that bass tone, but I wanted one without the weight usually associated with jazzes as I started getting back problems coming out of lockdown.

I also didn't want to spend a small fortune on a new bass. I've had expensive (for me) instruments and they've been great, but life and priorities change. I'd been blown away how good inexpensive instruments have become lately - such as Squier CV guitars, so budget was also a factor.

Lastly, there's ergonomics and aesthetics. I bass has to balance properly and feel right. And I love a maple fretboard on a slightly chunky neck

The Tribute JB2 came up on a list of lightweight options and the sunburst option appeared to tick all the boxes. . I've never been attracted to sunburst in the past, but this one looked great. The ergonomics and weight are great due to the slightly smaller P bass shaped body, the neck feels perfect and it has a good range of tones - even better since I slapped a set of NYXL strings on it.

The price was right too. I kept my fingers crossed for the black Friday sales a couple of years ago and grabbed it for £299 down from £399. Amazing.

I still want to mod it a little. I've added block inlay decals but I need to get the wiring looked at (there's a bleed somewhere) and I need to add a hipshot xtender, so I'll replace them all with ultralites when I can.

Excuse the shirt. It was a corporate summer party.

 

[bullshark]

Fender american performer pj. Why?

I decided that I want to play bass, but not collect basses, so 1 bass it has to be.
I hate mucking about with batteries, so passive it had to be.
I love playing old motown numbers, so a P bass kind of fit that.
But I also wanted the versatility of having another tone for playing modern rock stuff, and the added J pickup give me just that.

 

[WoodyJ]

I have two main basses - a '65 Fender Precision for gigging and a Custom Shop '62 Fender Jazz for recording.

 

[LG TPAFL]

I have twelve basses, I've been playing this one for the past few months exclusively...it's that damned good.

However, this is the one I'd keep if I could only have one.
Why?
Because I like everything about it.
Is there any other reason needed?

I have that 40th Squier jazz (same color) and absolutley love it. I did string it with some flats however but it's a great bass with the rounds it came with. Great bass for now under $400.

 

[jd56hawk]

I have that 40th Squier jazz (same color) and absolutley love it. I did string it with some flats however but it's a great bass with the rounds it came with. Great bass for now under $400.

Yes, the factory strings were surprisingly good, but I'm big on GHS black tapewounds, so...
I do have flatwounds on my 40th-Anniversary Vintage Precision, though.

 

[seescottrock]

I play my Dingwall Combustion 5 pretty exclusively. It's just the correct kind of comfortable for me.

 

[Blues Bass 2]

This one . It's my lightest , great feeling neck and sounds just like I want . Sire V3-5 .

 

[logdrum]

After having this bass for 8 years and also getting active here again... I have been playing my Tune Japan BEB6. 6 string 36 inch scale 19mm spacing makes it sound like a beastand unwieldy to play but it's not bad. B string can't be beat. Quad coul pickups and finally figuring out the Pope preamp can make it sound like a passive bass if needed.

Forgot the pic"

 

[DDR]

Thank you everyone!

What I got the most out of this is that, sound is a factor but generally lots of basses cound good or can have pups replaced, strings changed etc to affect that and looks, well i guess it matters to some more than others... so in an order to make a plan for what to looks for we could say :

1. playability (neck, body and including weight)
2. sound
3. looks

Sounds fair?

 

[Bright Midnight]

300€ South Korean Squier from '89. For the moment it's all I can afford, yet I'm impressed with the build quality, playability and sound. I knew these South Koreans cost next to nothing and are pretty good basses, and a month back I just stumbled upon one online, drove 500 kilometers back and forth and haven't had a regret yet. Simple, effective, good looking....

 

[TrevorG]

Love my fender Ultras but after five years or so of owning them I pick up my Woodstock Ns 5 XL Spector and forget I have the others. Haven't touched the truss rod in years, barely ever needs tuning, can sound more Jazz than a Jazz and a P type tone that's good for everything I need (1999 Issue number 18)!

 

[TheArchitect]

TRBX605 is number 1 I suppose. Every pickup combo is great with a nice growl and great eq balance. The Player J is number 2. It plays unbelievably and does the J thing great. If I need to slap, this is the choice. The P is ok with rounds but I would not choose it often over the other's. It's getting flats. I expect that will be a big step forward

 

[rtslinger]

My number #1 will be with me 49 years in Jan., 1975 Gibson L9-S The Ripper
I owned many basses and they are all have their qualities, but my Ripper checks all the boxes for me
If I only had one it would be it.