• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What's our Holy Grail?

#84
I'm sure somebody else has said it already, but I really don't think that there is one, universal holy grail bass. That would all depend on who you're asking... if you were to ask me, I would say Jack Casady's original modified Guild Starfire bass, that was stolen in 1969 and returned to him in 2016. Absolutely 1 of a kind, with completely unique passive electronics and tons of gorgeous hand-carved and inlaid artwork. Here's what it looks like nowadays (image from Alembic forum):

226915.jpg
 
#91
If it's a regular production model (continued or discontinued) ... Maybe a black 5 string made in germany Warwick Corvette $$ or a black 5 string Dingwall NG2 ... For a more "traditional" vibe.. A 60's Sunburst P bass

If it's a custom made model..A black Sandberg California VM 5 string , 35" scale neck , zero fret , maple fingerboard , SIMS superquad pickups and a switchable Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp.
 
#92
800px-Gibson-Moderne-Heritage.jpg


The OP's premise is flawed. The '58 Gibson Moderne is the real holy grail of the guitar world. Experts are not even 100% sure it exists.

quoted from Wikipedia:
Gibson engineer Rendall Wall (and later co-founder of Heritage Guitars) played it in the early 1960 for a local performance of Bye Bye Birdie. Wall recounted that he got it out of Gibson's "morgue", and that he could have bought it for $50: it was so ugly that nobody wanted it. He returned it after the show, saying he was more a country player than a rock and roll player.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bob_Ross and ajkula66
#95
roller said:
While we all have our personal faves, but that's not what I'm asking.

I'm also not asking about a specific bass that was played by a star (ex. Jaco's Bass of Doom, Jamerson's Funk Machine, McCartney's Hofner "Beatle Bass", etc.)

Similar to how the '59 sunburst Les Paul is seen by most guitarists, I'm wondering what mass-produced electric bass is collectively deemed by most bassists as a sweet-sounding bass and a fantastic player while continuing to fetch huge amounts of money, more than any other bass, whenever they're sold.
Click to expand...
1958 Fender Precision in 3-Tone Sunburst.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DamirDart

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back