I got back into bass playing just shy of a year ago (after 20 years away from bass, playing other instruments) with a Sterling SUB Ray4. It's a good instrument, but it wasn't delivering the warm, round sound I had in my head. This spring, I had cash in my pocket after selling another instrument, and so I was ready to start shopping--for a P bass, I assumed. I live in a small town with a small music shop that usually doesn't have much interesting going on by way of basses, but right at this time they happened to have a Hofner Contemporary. After a few in-store 'dates' with the bass, I decided to call off the P-bass search and lay down my money, and I'm very happy.
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Why did you choose YOUR bass?
- Thread starter AudioOUTRAGE
- Start date
Everyone has their story behind their bass. That killer sound and that unbelievable look. So, what makes your bass the greatest bass for you?
What you mean "your bass"? This is TB where only teens and newbs have one bass. I'm trying to think if I own any bass where I actually "chose" it rather than it choosing me? I guess you might say I did that with my Carvin fretless AC50 which is about the only bass (except for all my SX, natch) that I bought without hearing or playing it first. But it hasn't been a main axe for some time now. The only bass I really "chose" was my Fender MIM Deluxe V. I decided I needed a Fender-shaped headstock and so did ALL the music stores with Fender basses within road trip distance. Did I say it had to have 5 or more strings as I'd given up on "going home" to 4 strings. I remembered what a pain in the butt living at home was. So after all the himming and hawing, I picked out this nice used USA Fender 5er for about a grand. But before I bought it I happened into GC and there on the wall was a nice like new MIM Deluxe jazz for $300. Played (but did not sound) every bit as good as the USA I had picked out. Well money talks etc. Eventually I had to put in SCN pickups to get the tone I wanted, but I picked it out and it's my Fender-shaped headstock. Hate it. Play it only when Fender headstock absolutely needed. MUCH prefer the fatter necks and single coil tone on my SX jazz basses (though I do like the hum-free sound of the Fender). Sorry I just hate that Fender Jazz neck. It's odd because I really love a P-bass neck. Many guys love to put jazz necks on their P-basses. YUK!
The rest of my basses pretty much chose me! Killer sound and unbelievable look? Yeah they are all there. Alembic fretless 6er, Ken Smith 6,, two Modulus 6, Fretted and Fretless G&L L2500, Carvin AC50, couple Wishbasses, and of course a host of SX each set up to give the wondrous variety that Jazz bass clones can offer like say my Avatar which is a SX Fretless 6 string jazz clone and has two fretted SX pals one with flats and one with rounds. Haven't seen something like that in the Fender catalog for a while, have you?
For me it's mostly wander the stores and see if something speaks to you that you can't live without. And, well, if it does, you KNOW what you gotta do!
I went into the local music store knowing I wanted a bass but that was it. One of the sales guys recommended a Cort c4h. It looked cool so I bought it, not knowing anything about it. After a couple years of not finding the sound I was looking for I went and picked out a Fender P. I played it for a and hour or so. It was comfortable and I loved the simplicity. Haven't looked back.
I'm a Fender guy who can't get along with 5 string Fenders. I became interested in Lakland because they were getting good reviews and great write ups and their 55-94 had just won a 5 string bass shoot out in a bass magazine. One came up locally, hardly played and at a very good price. I played it, loved it and bought it. That was 14 years ago. I played it last Saturday and it still has the magic.
My other bass is a Lull PJ5. Four years ago I found a guy selling this one, didn't know anything about them, checked out the reviews and comments on Talkbass and bought it. I have loved every second playing this bass.
Two very lucky right place - right time finds that changed my bass playing life.
My other bass is a Lull PJ5. Four years ago I found a guy selling this one, didn't know anything about them, checked out the reviews and comments on Talkbass and bought it. I have loved every second playing this bass.
Two very lucky right place - right time finds that changed my bass playing life.
Well you have what I cal ?a nice piece of kit!'. And look how clean and shiney it is wow! Now I am shamed I have to go polish my bass's
thanks for v. nice photos!
You might be speaking to someone else! I didn't post any picturesWell you have what I cal ?a nice piece of kit!'. And look how clean and shiney it is wow! Now I am shamed I have to go polish my bass's
I chose the USA Geddy Lee Jazz for two main reasons. The feel of the neck is smooth, and quick. The American Vintage ’70s pups on this bass are incredible. They put out a great, clear, low tone. A good full tone also. The weight of it is an even 9 lbs., very comfortable on the neck and shoulder.
I didn't know much about basses at the time, although I had been a musician for a long time, and frankly I don't know that much more now than I did then. I played all the sub-$1000 basses in GC, with an eye on Fenders solely because I had heard of the brand. The best tone came out of a Fender J-Bass MIM 70's reissue bridge pickup so I bought that one. I love that bridge pickup to this day. I did upgrade the PUP's to noiseless and change out the strings, but the tone I love is still there.
I was looking for something along the lines of a Timex Watch. Something that could take a licking and keep on ticking. I play the snot out of my instruments. Not beat them up, just play them hard. And it needed to be in the ballpark of the tone I was looking for. So I that's why I use what I use.
Looks pretty good with that pickguard.I chose the USA Geddy Lee Jazz for two main reasons. The feel of the neck is smooth, and quick. The American Vintage ’70s pups on this bass are incredible. They put out a great, clear, low tone. A good full tone also. The weight of it is an even 9 lbs., very comfortable on the neck and shoulder.
Why have plain black or white with so many other options out there?
Dare to be different!
I had been working four months of mandatory overtime with only every other off day cancelled if I was lucky. so on that rare day off was Mrs Jheng was shopping I visited a Sam Ash to play around with 5 strings when sitting with the used instruments was a 5 with soapbars that I had on my wish list. It sounded right and balanced right in my hands. Since the last GAS attack was an upgraded camera for her it was my turn
