Why do you own the basses you own?

[MrLenny1]

My Pedulla Series 5 was my first 5 string that I could afford. No.1 bass for gigging.
Godin A4 is an affordable quality Acous/Elec.
Tobias Basic 5, bought it because it's the nicest bass I've ever seen.
Tobias Classic 5 because I got it at a wicked steal price!
Stambaugh Resonance 5 because I had enough money to get a custom bass made.

 

[bass4worship]

Only owning three basses now I can use them all the time.
My 1996 Carvin BB75 is my rehearsal Bass and would never sell it.
My 2003 Ken Smith is my main gigging bass now.
My 2010 Carvin SB5000 is my Church bass.
and I'm though for now..LOL

 

[CapnSev]

All I use these days is my Fender P5 with a P-Retro, because frankly, I feel like I can cover anything with a P bass.

The only one I miss is my Stingray 5, because that SR tone is just great. In fact, I don't think I'll ever get another bass that isn't a 'Ray or a P.

 

[JimmyM]

i own the basses i have because i bought them.



but seriously...

76 precision was first good bass i ever owned. bought new, been through tons of changes over the years that killed its collectability but i still have it.

91 guitar factory 5 was the second because i wanted a 5 string.

96 guitar factory 4 was the third...bought it because i was sick of playing 5's and i wanted a kahler whammy bar.

98 pieces parts pj was because i wanted to see what kind of bass i could build with cheap parts (darn good one, btw)

04 jay turser beatle bass because i wanted a nice light bass. its amazing big honking lower mid was just a bonus.

06 and 07 sx p and pj because i wanted to see how much bass $110 gets you. sold the p but i'm keeping the pj.

95 p lyte because i wanted a light fender sounding bass. 4 pickup changes later, i got it.

10 danelectro longhorn because sam ash dropped the price to $190 and i couldn't resist.

 

[India_Sierra]

My 1989 Kubicki, well I own that because it is a Kubicki! I used to have a white 1989 model that I sold when I was 18, like a fool. I missed it immensely and despite going through many great basses in the interim, I always wanted another Kubicki because no other bass has ever sounded so good or felt so right for me. So I tracked one down and traded my Warwick Thumb for it. I couldn't be happier, and I will never let it go. If I'm honest, it's an even better bass than the first one!

And my ACG, well I bought that because I liked the look of it. I didn't really know much about ACG electronics (which are the best I've used outside of Kubicki) or Alan's basses in general. After agreeing to buy it, I started doing some proper research and when I got the bass I was just blown away. The quality is as good as anything I've ever played, and it sits comfortably along other handmade basses like Ken Smith, Fodera, Alembic etc etc. It really is quite amazing. I bought it as a "floater" bass, one I could keep for a while and enjoy and then trade on, leaving my Kubicki as a keeper. I have been so blown away by the ACG that it'll be a keeper too. It is stunning.

 

[jedgargroover]

I have an Ibanez SR 3004E I'm selling. Used to use it for funk and fusion. Don't play that stuff so much anymore.

I just sold a Danelectro DC that I'd used for an indie punk jangly kinda pop thing I'd been playing in (Link Removed)

I mostly play my CIJ Fender P 62 reissue with D'Addario chromes on it.

Just picked up an Epiphone Elitist EB-3 because I LOVE the Zombies' bassist. But I'm not loving the bass.

Also picked up a reissue Fender Mustang. Got both short scales due to tendonitis. Still waiting for the UPS man on the Mustang. I figured it was the closest short scale I'd get to a P bass. Plus, I have small hands and want to do more soloing in a jazz context.

I put Chromes on both of the short scales. Me + Flats + Fender Bass + Pick = Happy

 

[plangentmusic]

Gotta have a P -- because that's the most recorded sound.

Gotta have a Rick -- cause that was the "anti P."

Gotta have a J -- because that rear pu sound is like nothing else.

Gotta have a fretless, just because.

Gotta have an Ibanez. (Any will do -- they all sound the same).

Gotta have a slapper, be it a Ray or Sterling.

And what the hell. Hofners are so cheap.

Everything else is gravy.

 

[KsToaDangr]

Rogue LX205-my first bass ever, gift from my mom for christmas. i keep it because i quite honestly love it.

Washburn Lyon 5 string-also a gift from my mom, it was the bass that i learned how to do set up work on and was my back up bass for about 6 years. mainly kept because of sentimental reasons.

OLP MM2-bought used on here. full story of why i wanted this bass is here

JB Player musicman style 5 string-bought as a project bass, mainly to teach myself as much as i can about installing electronics and various other stuff on a bass before i build one from scratch. list of what i plan to change/fix/upgrade is here

 

[Village Torcher]

I only have my one bass, an '02 Schecter Stiletto C-4. It was a gift to myself for graduating college. Now I'm finally starting to play it, 6 years later. Since it is my first, I don't plan on getting rid of it.

 

[SB Dog]

Need the J Bass for so many songs that require it.

Need the Stingray for different (active) tone.

Need the acoustic when the power goes out.

Need the Rics (they may be the same but have different strings on each) for several types of music.

Still on a quest fo the right P Bass to fill everything else.

 

[user362432]

1977- Aria J copy - had to start with something and could not pay for better bass
1979 Ric 4001 (brand new) - because I've seen 2 Deep Purple bass players used it
1980 - sold RIC because I did not want to play anymore seeing Jaco live and was disappointed in my playing to such depth that I gave up of bass.
1982 Sold Aria
..
...
...
2000 My wife got me Yamaha BB300 to make me happy
2003 I wanted to try 5 strings - Yamaha BBG5S (still great guitar, I love it)
2005 I wanted to try fretless - cheap Brice 5 strings (and I hate it. It's piece of crap)
2007 Accidentally run on TUBE TWB 53 and fall in love (phenomenal guitar, I don't need anything better)
2008 Upright bass (just for fun, payed $150 and $165 for shipping from China, curently used as decoration in bedroom, it's helluva boring to play it)

I cannot stand Fender and still would like to get me

Ric 4003 (too much $$$, no way I am going to pay for it so much)

one of US Masters (I love look and sound, neck and playability)

Maybe some decent fretless. TUBE would be fine with me. But, does not want to pay $7-800 for something that I am not going to use to pay it off.

I have plenty of amps and cabs and my house need 3 more rooms to fit all of the crap I accumulated lately....

 

[HaMMerHeD]

I bought the 5-string Schecter Omen 5 Extreme when I decided to pick up playing bass again and wanted to start with a 5-string. It was the best-looking thing in my price range, and trying anything I could afford before I bought it was not an option. For what it is, I am happy with the bass. Now, I would prefer wider string spacing, better pickups, and a 3-band pre-amp. But again, for what I paid, I have no complaints.

The ESP LTD F-4E is my favorite bass. It is a 4-string neck-thru, 35" scale, with a 3-band eq. It feels good, sounds great, and looks like exactly what I want. I would like to get some more aggressive tones out of it without having to touch my amp, like I can do with my schecter, so I may upgrade the electronics. I'm thinking about a pair of EMG 35TW pickups and an Aquilar OBP-3. It would all be pretty simple to rig up, and no body modification would be required. All the holes I would need are already there, and the pickup cavities are the right size. It'd be easy, but pretty expensive, as my gear goes.

 

[Dr. Eagle]

Precision Bass: This was the 4th bass I ever owned. It was a replacement for the 1973 I disposed of hastily when I decided to give up on music in the 70s. I managed to get John Entwistles signature on this bass in 1998 when the John Entwistle Band played at a local club.
Carvin LB76: My first 6 string bought in 1995 was a decision I made to expand my horizons as a bassist. It was tough getting used to but ultimately I found it an improved my playing and gave me lots of options.
Carvin LB76W: Was originally bought as a replacement for the LB76 in 2001 was a beautiful bass with improved electronics and amazing looks. But I found I liked the sound of the older one as it was different so I kept both.
Carvin LB75F: Thought I would enjoy playing fretless so I bought this bass used in 2002 (its a 1995 model) so I wouldn't sink a whole bunch of money in to it. Hasn't worked out so much that way and I am not sure I will keep this one... we;ll see.
Warwick Buzzard. Playing in a Who Tribute band I had to have a buzzard bass. I'd have to say its not my favorite bass and I have changed out the pickups and preamp, but still am not satisfied with the tone.
Thunderbird Bass: I got a Thunderbird Studio 5 string in 2006 which I think is one of my favorite basses. Again a Entwistle-esque bass for the Who Tribute band, the sound is awesome and the action on the neck is outstanding.

I'll be looking to get a Fenderbird or one of the new Dean Entwistle tribute basses to round out the stable.

 

[Photobassist]

I only have 1 bass... a 2005 Warwick Corvette Fretless. Since childhood I was fascinated with fretless and I always wanted a Warwick. After owning many fretted basses I made the switch to Warwick and fretless and haven't looked back. This bass does everything for me and I really have no need or want for something else.

 

[paganjack]

86 MIJ Fender P [w/ flats]: Because it is the best P I have ever held; it sounds and plays like a stick of warm butter. Also, it's a classic pretty looking bass.

SX BG-205-fretless: First electric bass I owned (bought in 07). Upgraded the pickups, and it's actually a workable backup bass too. It's fun for those days where I want to play fretless.

Warwick Corvette $$ 5: Pretty much covers all the sounds I could want, plays like a dream and looks pretty slick (nirvana black).

Whenever I have more than 3 basses I feel silly. I think these 3 will last a long time; I can play in about any situation with these.

 

[Hoover]

Why do you own the basses you do? Any plans on getting rid of any anytime soon? What would you replace them with? If you own doubles, why more than one?

Oooh, excellent, a justification thread! I need to practice up on my excuses for the next time my wife tells me my basses are taking up too much space in the closet!

I currently own 6 basses:

- mid-80s Schecter B/4 (passive Jazz Bass clone, from back in the day when Schecters were MIA and considered "boutique" instruments) -- I have this because it's my main go-to bass for almost everything. It's versatile, sounds great, plays great, is comfortable, what's not to love? (other than the metallic coral lip gloss paint job, I suppose) I jonesed for a Schecter B/4 ever since I first played one, and when I finally got one I swore you wouldn't be able to pry it out of my cold dead hands. It is The Schiznit, period. Irreplaceable...although, I suppose in the event of a catastrophe, a Sadowsky or Mike Lull or something similar could suffice.

- original Steinberger L-2 (got it new in 1982, serial # 361) -- I use this as my backup 4-string for studio sessions, my main axe for outdoor gigs in the tropics, my experimental tunings platform (because you can put any combination of weird string guages on it without wreaking havoc on the neck), and, because it's an original Steinberger and sounds freakin' awesome, it too will never leave my arsenal. Irreplaceable.

- Modulus Quantum-6 SPX (6-string w/ bolt-on graphite neck, alder body w/ coco bola top, EMG J pickups, and, as of fairly recently, an ACG/East EQ-02 preamp). I ordered this to be built for me in 1988 because I was playing in a contemporary comprovisational ensemble where I had to cover a lot of 'cello parts, so I needed an extended range instrument. This is pretty much my go-to axe for any of the avant-jazz gigs I do where people want me specifically (as opposed to just "a bass player"). I probably wouldn't ever sell it or replace it, because it's so intimately tied up in my personal sonic identity...but, having said that, if I absolutely needed another 6-string (and had a buttload of cash) I don't think I'd lament its passing too greatly, so long as I replaced it with another Modulus, or a Zon, or a Fodera, or F Bass, or Pedulla, or... But I definitely need a 6-string in my arsenal.

- Rob Allen MB-2 (5-string chambered fretless w/ piezo pickup & nylon strings) -- the ultimate upright emulator. My wife bought this for me as a gift for our 5th wedding anniversary, so even if it sucked I'd never part with it...but trust me, it does not suck, not by a long shot! One of the best soundling fretless basses I've ever had the pleasure of touching. Gorgeous instrument. I play a lot of fretless these days, so I absolutely need a good fretless bass in my arsenal; I could see getting another bass, one that's less "upright-y" and more "Jaco-esque" than the Rob Allen, just to have some contrast. But this one's a keeper.

- Warmoth/Dolan 8-string frankenbass (a Warmoth Jazz body, custom Michael Dolan 8-string neck, EMG J pickups & EMG BTC preamp, Schaller bridge) -- I use 8-string bass a lot in the studio, so I absolutely need one in my arsenal...but frankly, it could probably be almost any 8-string bass. This is the one I have now, and I'm in no hurry to replace it, but for the types of things I do with 8-string, they're almost all interchangeable.

- Lakland Skyline 55-02 Deluxe -- It's pretty much my only "stock" bass (i.e., not custom or limited-production or made-to-order). I was seeing the increasing need for a fretted low B-string in a lot of the rock gigs and studio gigs I was doing, and, despite the fact that my Modulus has a killer low B, that aforementioned "intimately tied up in my personal sonic identity" thing makes it less-than-ideal for sideman work. I also wanted a bass that was essentially disposable; or at least easily replaceable. If I'm on tour in Bumtuck, Montana and someone steals my Lakland, I can walk into any Guitar Center in the US and pull an identical instrument off the wall.

So that's it. I can't justify adding anything to that arsenal, I have everything that I need...but I also need everything that I have.

...or at least that's what I tell myself. (And my wife.)

 

[OPBASSMAN1994]

I buy a bass because of the following:

Tone
Playability
Looks


My Fretless Dean, I own, well partly because of sentimental value. It was my first bass, which I later defretted Jaco-style. I love it's wah tone with rounds, and thump with flats for some stuff.

My Squier VM Jazz because it looks stellar, sounds pretty incredible, even direct, but especially with the right settings on my amp/pedal. Clanky, gritty, crunchy tone when set up right. (I'm a tone freak. ) and it plays fast and comfortable.

I hope to own a Ric 4003 for the above tone reason, as a Ric is the pinnacle of the that kind of tone, and it plays even better than my jazz. I love rics. If only they didn't cost so friggin' much.

 

[brianrost]

Why do you own the basses you do?

Silly question...because I like them.

Any plans on getting rid of any anytime soon?

I am thinning the herd, sold two electrics off recently and will be putting a few more up for sale soon. A few are worth so little I'll probably keep them even though they never get played.

What would you replace them with?

Nothing! I have too many electrics and most of my gigs these days are on upright.

If you own doubles, why more than one?

I don't have duplicates of anything, not much point in that. I own 4 Precisions right now but no two are the same version.

 

[EricF]

1. Fender P/Tele parts bass - My #1. It's light, sounds awesome, and feels great in my hands.
2. 1968 Fender P - 40th B-day present. Neck date same year and month I was born.
3. Reverend JJ4 - Something different in look and sound.
4. Fender 57RI P with Darkstar pup - A different flavor.
5. Jazz parts bass - Built becuase the body is a beautiful piece of wood, but doesn't sound as awesome as it looks.
6. Fender '62RI Jazz - Got in trade for Lakland 55-01. Great sounding bass that needs more playing time.
7. Fender P Lyte Deluxe - First bass. It's the beater I keep at my office.

 

[IntrepidCellist]

Why do you own the basses you do?

Schecter C-4 Elite
Link Removed

-My first bass. Musicians' Friend was blowing them out since they were discontinued, so I got it for a killer price. Set neck, mahogany body, abalone binding before abalone binding was "cool." Sounds awesome, is lightweight, and plays incredibly; a total tonal chameleon and can get super aggressive for harder music.

Dingwall ABI Elite

-Picked up used here on TB; bought it because I wasn't happy with the feel of most standard 5-strings in a bout of tax-return-induced fiscal irresponsibility, and because I was never going to see one with a quilt top and this color scheme at anything near the price ever again. Glad I did, has incredible passive "growl" and has a very balanced, clear voice that can go from "P-ish" to balls-out mid punch to modern.

Rickenbacker 4003

-I had wanted one of these basically since I had been playing bass. A friend of mine had two, and this was the one he had the hardest time parting with but he had decided he was only playing 5s. It's a great one, although the neck moves like crazy with temperature changes. Incredible growl and punch, as well as great thumpy vintage tones.

Fender 1978 P-bass

-Probably the brightest P I've ever heard with the tone wound up. Given to me by my stepfather, who bought it new in the late 70s. A real boat anchor so I never play it live, but it records beautifully.

Ibanez ATK305

-Recently picked this up in trade for an 8-string bass I snagged on the cheap and didn't like. Does great P-bass and Stingray impressions and the 3-band EQ is incredibly useful. Not a lightweight, but it sounds good and I dig the looks.

Any plans on getting rid of any anytime soon? What would you replace them with?

No plans to thin the herd.