What's our Holy Grail?

[DirtDog]

Probably a pre-CBS Fender Jazz Bass.

I think the "holy grail" in the thread title might be misleading; a '59 Les Paul isn't really a holy grail because there are more than one of them out there. They may be rare, coveted, and iconic, but they're not unique in the grand scheme of things.
A Gibson Moderne on the other hand is the holy grail of guitars...so, what's the bass equivalent of that?

Fender Starcaster Bass prototype from the 70s?

 

[ThinCrappyTone]

I don’t think we have one

 

[Bob_Ross]

Fender Starcaster Bass prototype from the 70s?

Didn't those go into production? Or maybe I'm misremembering...

 

[DirtDog]

Didn't those go into production? Or maybe I'm misremembering...

The 6-string guitar Starcasters made it to production back in the day. Apparently only very small number of bass prototypes were made at the time

I own one of Modern Player reissues of the bass model.

 

[bongostealth]

My holy grail is split in two: Warwick Thumb NT 6 and Modulus Quantum 6 with two pickups

 

[TheReceder]

It's amazing the stuff I learn from TB. Never knew that about the first bass.

I'm just glad my standards are so low. For me it's my first bass. A late 60s early 70s mustang bass that had been stripped refinished in a dark stain and upgraded to P pups. My bet is that it's been beaten and bruised, but I'd take it back any day. It's almost like a first girlfriend thing... wait... scratch the beaten & bruised part... that just sounds sick.

 

[mongo2]

IMO: this is an age/experience issue. i searched for the 'holy grail bass' when i was younger because in spite of some talent = i just felt that a 'perfect' instrument would give me 'something more'.

While I agree that it's an age/experience issue, I come at it from a different direction. My experience tells me what I want in tone and general playability characteristics in a usable bass and my age (and the issues resulting from it) helps me refine those characteristics into a personalized "Ahh, that's the one" bass.

 

[GretschWretch]

A bass that has absolutely everything I would want in a bass, which is something which does not and cannot exist -- not all-in-one.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

This is it. I don't know why there is even discussion on the subject

 

[Londo Molari]

This:

 

[JRA]

While I agree that it's an age/experience issue, I come at it from a different direction. My experience tells me what I want in tone and general playability characteristics in a usable bass and my age (and the issues resulting from it) helps me refine those characteristics into a personalized "Ahh, that's the one" bass.

i'm with you!

i have 4-5 "holy grail" instruments based on your POV. it's a nice place to be!

 

[Spidey2112]

For me, it's a pair of pants that'll stay up!.....

... so that you don't leave a Holy Trail? Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

 

[Lava]

A vintage Wal 4 string.

 

[Warpeg]

An original stacked-knob Jazz Bass in a custom color would be the closest thing I can think of to a "holy grail". That would fetch the most money of any bass model I can think of.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

...a Shell Pink Jazz Bass with a contentious history?
I know I want one now!

Ha ha ha!
Dang, you beat me to it.

 

[TheCouchBassist]

An original stacked-knob Jazz Bass in a custom color would be the closest thing I can think of to a "holy grail". That would fetch the most money of any bass model I can think of.

Agreed.

 

[micguy]

My holy grail bass doesn't have to be old, or look beat up. It just has to put out the notes in my head, not the ones my fingers are playing.

 

[Gyver]

View attachment 2917161​

Beat me to it!

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

... so that you don't leave a Holy Trail? Hmmmm? Hmmmm?

 

[Wisebass]

Still searching...

I hope the grail is a fretless

Wise(b)ass