Which bass would you chose?

[Obese Chess]

Of those five, I would get a Sadowsky, which to me is just the essential "boutique" Jazz-style bass. I admittedly have not played an F-Bass, or NYBW, though, so take that with a grain of salt.

However, if we get to order "off-menu" I'd be looking at a Mike Lull or a Dingwall Super J.

 

[bearhart74]

Dont leave out Keith Roscoe. His Classic Jazz is killer.

 

[RobertAuCoin]

I have never played a Fender I liked, and not to mention their TERRIBLE B strings!!! just awful

I have played two Ultra V jazz basses. One had flats, the other rounds. Both sounded great, including the B string.

 

[monsterthompson]

F Bass based on my experience with the BN5. Not that the others aren’t as good or better. I just like what I like.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Something like this:

Mb-1 Mahogany Fretless Bass #336 (used, mint condition) — Rob Allen

This Mb-1 bass dates to 2002, and was a custom order. It so happens that it is also one of a kind, as this wood combination with a lacquer finish like this was never duplicated. The semi-hollow body is made from a single piece of mahogany, with a lightly flamed mahogany top, and faux tortoiseshell c

www.roballenguitars.com

 

[Discount Bassy]

None of the above. For the money, you could have a G. Gould and only make setup adjustments once due to the carbon fiber/graphite neck being eminently stable. His usual 5's are 17.5mm, but I believe 19mm is an option. I am not certain if a 34" scale is available for the 5 and 6 stringers, but the 35" standard sounds right as rain and was an easy transition from 34" instruments. Also, he is an active member here on TB.

Disclosure: I own 3 basses, all Goulds. GGi-5, GGi-6 fretted and fretless. All 35" scale, 24 frets, active EMG's. I may be biased...

 

[darwin-bass]

I would not spend that much on a bass.

Warmoth build with pickups/preamp of choice. Probably under $2k.

 

[J Wilson]

WHY on Earth would you want us to pick out a bass for you, when there's no way we could possibly know what would really suit you?

 

[DWBass]

Lakland. Honestly though, I could never spend $4k on a bass. Just couldn't justify it.

 

[alembicbones]

I tried this bass out a little while back and it is pretty killer.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Right in your price range and you might be able to do a little haggling.

Bones

 

[ragetoca]

Slap together a Warmoth parts bass and invest the remaining $3k on BBB+ bonds

 

[ragetoca]

For the kind of money why not have your favorite luthier make you a boutique bass that's exactly what you want?

I can't wait 3 years for a bass LOL

 

[ragetoca]

I tried this bass out a little while back and it is pretty killer.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Right in your price range and you might be able to do a little haggling.

Bones

I already have a modern sadowsky (Blue on my wall) I want a jazz

 

[ragetoca]

Dont leave out Keith Roscoe. His Classic Jazz is killer.

I own a custom SKB but not a fan of 35" scale, unfortunately

 

[ragetoca]

WHY on Earth would you want us to pick out a bass for you, when there's no way we could possibly know what would really suit you?

I specifically said the things I am looking for, I am just asking for opinions, in the abundance of suggestions there is a certain truth behind it...

 

[GIBrat51]

Well...
Couple of things;
1. Pretty sure I've looked at those basses, at one time or another. I either didn't particularly care for them, or they didn't make a left handed one - or both...
2. As it happens, I could pay $4500 cash for a bass in the next 10 minutes. At that price? I could buy six of them...
3. I filled every spot in my "Herd" of 27 basses, just about a year ago; a very custom left handed Birdsong Fusion lined fretless bass filled the last open spot. Didn't cost $4,500, but... it was not far off. As I said; very custom... Since then, while I like to look at new basses? I haven't seen anything I really, really want to buy. Playing 27 basses; 4 guitars; and a cool vintage 5-string long scale banjo, is more than enough to keep me busy. However...
4. If I did decide to buy another bass - and spend that much on it? I'd start looking at lefty 4001 Ricks. I already have one, but I could probably make room for another - especially a cherry 4001v63 McCartney replica...

 

[alembicbones]

I already have a modern sadowsky (Blue on my wall) I want a jazz

Yep, that scratch is itched. I own a NYC Sadowsky JJ 5 string and it is wonderful. Keep your eyes peeled and one just might pop up.

Happy Hunting.

Bones

 

[DuluthDank]

I changed my vote from Lakland to Sadowsky when I saw you liked a modern, active jazz bass. I feel like they are pretty much the standard bearer for that.

 

[J Wilson]

I specifically said the things I am looking for, I am just asking for opinions, in the abundance of suggestions there is a certain truth behind it...

Well, it's hard to include 2 used basses (just how used are they?) alongside 3 brand new axes.

IF I had to decide, I'm a big fan of Mr. Furlanetto's F Basses. You're looking at variations on the theme of a Jazz Bass, all of these would/could work, but F Bass would be coming at this from a slightly different viewpoint as these are not the traditional F Bass models they made their bones with. As an aside, I don't know what the tariffs may do to his products on this side of the Canadian border, if anything, or maybe a lot, I don't know.

Not to mention some version of a Jazz Bass is made by many, many builders, easily the broadest range of choices for a traditional bass model.

 

[getBAK]

It really depends on the quality of the used. The best Luthier I know, says F-Bass is the apex right now.