• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

What's Your Bass/Guitar's Name?

Brownie
4189FA19-24F5-46E9-87DE-F88D99C1754F.jpeg
 
One is called the Jazz, the other is called the PJ.

Sorry, I can't get more creative than that!
Oh my god. Epiphany time for me. I've been reluctant to call my new Fender Ultraprecision bass a PJ. Sounds like "pyjamas" to me. So, I've thought of it as a PBJ (Precision Base with the Jazz pup)...and it seemed appropriate, somehow to do so.

As I was just staring at it by my desk right now, it dawned on me that the darker maple fretboard was the color of Peanut Butter...the red torty PG is the color of Strawberry Jam...and the arctic white body is unmistakably the whiteness of Wonder Bread. PBJ might be an appropriate name...IF I named my basses, which I don't do.

(Now I can't unsee it when I look at it.)
 
My latest build, which was a pickup location experiment, led to a bass with a deep, throaty sound. As I do church gigs, I decided having the name "Deep Throat" on the tag of my gig bag....wouldn't be a great idea. Yeah, some folks would find it amusing, but....anyway, that bass is now "Thunder".
 
Oh my god. Epiphany time for me. I've been reluctant to call my new Fender Ultraprecision bass a PJ. Sounds like "pyjamas" to me. So, I've thought of it as a PBJ (Precision Base with the Jazz pup)...and it seemed appropriate, somehow to do so.

As I was just staring at it by my desk right now, it dawned on me that the darker maple fretboard was the color of Peanut Butter...the red torty PG is the color of Strawberry Jam...and the arctic white body is unmistakably the whiteness of Wonder Bread. PBJ might be an appropriate name...IF I named my basses, which I don't do.

(Now I can't unsee it when I look at it.)
Lol! I instantly thought that! Peanut butter and Jamb!:laugh:
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheMadBassist88
Of 10 basses, I named only the first 4 (~30+yrs ago) and currently own 4 different ones.

Admittedly, naming your Squire "Chris" is about as unimaginative as naming your dog, "dog". As for "Diana" Rickenbaker it fits the british, "Carla" because it sounds like it matches Robelli, "Zula" for a blue Ibanez. Really uninspired. Even my Cheese Bass (formerly Chris Squier) was called "Cheese Bass" for the holes and yellow paint. "Stand aside, Cpt. Obvious is here to help!"

Even now for the nameless four I have, nothing clever comes to mind. The Ibanez Emerald anniversary SR4 is gorgeous and deserving of a name. "Midori" is Japanese for green. Obvious. Esmerelda for Spanish lacks punch. "Emma" fits Emerald and this bass certainly has "M. Appeal" written all over it, but I've already got a cat named Emma Peel and that kitten is the real deal already. But again, obvious.

Maybe "Rusty" for my metallic orange SR300. Obvious. "Dina" for the Dean Edge fretless. Obvious. As for the $90 ebay crapper- 4 string, I've got a radical mod concept for that as maybe my "Cheese II". We'll see.

The problem I clearly have for naming in these cases is a lack of cleverness and overdose of obvious At some point, I suppose they will tell me their names, but the Dean has been with me for 18yrs and nothing yet, so...

PS. Rusty could actually be "Decius" as the model # ends in -ROM for "Roadster Metallic Orange". Decius is the only Romulan named in star trek TOS of which I am a fan. Decius is a lot of syllables though, but "Deke" could work as that name is also an Apollo astronaut/admin dude of which I am also a fan. I was thinking to re-paint this guitar, so maybe a moon theme now... Hmm. And as it is that everyone knows the moon to be made of green cheese, maybe my Emerald SR4 (model# ending -EGL (Eagle) has some lunar tidings ahead as well. "Fret Buzz" Aldrin, Armstrong...

PPS Maybe I just solved my own problem! Wonderful what hashing something out can do for an idea.
 
Last edited:
I posted here some time ago that I don't humanize my instruments, but I refer to them with either the make, style or color. Recently I culled down my collection of bass ukulele/mini bass guitars from 31 in a variety of styles, to 6 of a style most comfortable for me to play with nerve damage to my neck, RondoMusic Hadean 21" Hofner/violin style. I have them modified by Eric's Guitar Shop and refinished by Pat Wilkins Finishes, so I decided to make headstock labels and give them formal names, again not humanized. I've made the labels, and will attach them shortly with new photos.

Upper right is named Hofnelele, below that is Vertelele (green in French), then Veneerelele because I had a cherry veneer added. Top of next column is Tealelele, then Chromelele, then Tortelele.

Bass Collection 6.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: shortscalesrule