What would be your Holy Grail bass(es)?

[ectoflanger]

Before posting I did a thread search on Holy Grail basses which mostly dealt with a specific model or ones that were owned by someone famous-

In case I'm curious as to what your holy grail bass or basses would be and why-

This has nothing to do with who owned it or how rare it is, or even how much it costs (though they tend to be expensive). You may own one, or merely aspired to someday own or at least play one. It may not even exist. It's about a bass that you may have desired because of a particular song or artist.

For me one of the basses that I was inspired to own based on it's sound on a particular song- not highly technical playing, mind you, but it had such a rich tone and timbre that I dreamed of getting one someday. That day never came and probably never will, but here it is-

An unlined fretless Wal MK !! as played by Dan K. Brown of The Fixx-

The song that inspired it- "Camphor" from the Walkabout album, their last record with MCA.

 

[Jugghaid]

I own most of my grail basses. The ones that were always aspirational.

MTD 535-24
Sadowsky ,overnight 24 5 string
Fbass BN5
G&L custom shop M2500 fretless
PRS Grainger 5

Still need a couple though

Status Stealth 5
Mike Lull PJ5
Original 1960 Fender stack knob Jazz

Plus I have a lot of other super nice basses that weren't on my grail list for years.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

My holy grail bass was a factory fretless Rickenbacker 4003.
Found it, bought it, played it, sold it.

 

[ectoflanger]

That's a rare one for sure, I have a standard one that I like, but my fretless stable is already full-

 

[ectoflanger]

I own most of my grail basses. The ones that were always aspirational.

MTD 535-24
Sadowsky ,overnight 24 5 string
Fbass BN5
G&L custom shop M2500 fretless
PRS Grainger 5

Still need a couple though

Status Stealth 5
Mike Lull PJ5
Original 1960 Fender stack knob Jazz

Plus I have a lot of other super nice basses that weren't on my grail list for years.

That's an awesome list, congrats bro! I concur with the Status 5 in a fretless version-

My Wal MK II replacer wound up being a Warwick Thumb NT5 unlined fretless which has managed to keep me sated, hence my willingness to let the MK II go-

However my Steinberger XL-25 unlined fretless five I do consider a holy grail, partly because I had no idea they even existed, when I once quipped to a luthier friend that it would have to be those specs if I ever got one of the carbon fiber ones-

 

[ectoflanger]

I suppose that a Warwick Stryker or Hamer Standard could be additional candidates for Holy Grail status-

Both are way off the scale as far as cost, but maybe someday I'll snag a blonde Stryker with a P/Reverse-P setup

 

[Tonegasm]

A full frills Carl Thompson 32" 4 banger in some gorgeous exotic woods.

 

[Gervais Cote]

The holy grace of bass to me is the Zon Hyperbass.
I must specify THE holy grace of bass, not MY holy grace of bass as I will never be good enough to make it sing as it can.

 

[YamahaBasses]

Attitude 3

 

[Wisebass]

Hi ecto

Holy Grail basses

I absolutely love what I have. It was made for me just like I want it to be.

On the other hand, when I saw this one

I said: Holy Moly Maccaroni!

It's just so unreal!

it's not for me!

Wise(b)ass

 

[Ostie]

I'm happy to report that I have no Holy Grail bass.

 

[SteveC]

I guess after decades of trying, buying and selling, the bass I've kept for over 12 years (a record for me I believe) would be my "Holy Grail" bass. Roscoe Century Standard 5 Plus with a gloss Koa top, Birdseye maple board, maple neck, swamp ash body, Bartolini pups and preamp. Black HipShot hardware. Amazing bass.

 

[BioDriver]

The (un)holy grail, of course

 

[GodsLove66]

One previously owned by Chris Squire, Mike Rutherford or Geddy Lee!!!

 

[WG Plum]

Toss up between -

Lined Wal mk 1 fretless

32" scale Zon Legacy Elite fretted fiver with high C

Fretted or fretless Martin Keith Elfin semi-hollow, 32" scale with high C (financial potentialities mean this may happen in 2024 - it's the 'cheapest' of the three by far)

 

[SunByrne]

Another thread asked if anyone had both a fretted and a fretless of the same model.

Someone posted their pair of Wal Mk IIs. That's the holy grail right there.

 

[Mastermold]

I'm happy to report that I have no Holy Grail bass.

I don't think I do necessarily but I've had basses I chased down because of the sound they made and I was wanting one for my arsenal. I'm happy with what I have.

 

[Heiwa]

 

[57pbass]

I would love an Early 60's J Bass. No way I could afford one though at today's prices.

 

[r_bnks]

I already have my holy grails.