Why don't all basses have...

[u84six]

It would be nice if they all got the truss rod wheel. Another thing that has always baffled me is the fact that the cable jack is what activates/deactivates the battery. Many times when I’m done practicing in my office, I put the bass back on its stand and leave the cable plugged in, which continues to drain the battery. Doh!

 

[mikewalker]

Why don't all basses have... composite construction?
For me, this was the discovery of the millenium.
Hm... my bass almost never needs tuning, and it doesn't require any seasonal action adjustments either, even though I have the action set ridiculously low.
What's not to like?

 

[Chris Chong]

No one mention this yet… quick release bridge.
Do not like pulling the strings through a small hole during string changes.

Quick release string retainer (I hated retainer bars)
Magnet battery covers (Dingwall)
Truss rod adjustment wheel (musicman/sadowsky)

A bit controversial, adjustable nut (Warwick)

 

[Deuteragonist]

1) Sweepable midrange control
2) Shelving-type boost and cut low and high EQ
3) 24 fret neck
4) Zero fret OR metal nut
5) Big holes in the tuners (I play very thick low B strings)

Simply not having one or some of these features isn't a dealbreaker to me, but I've never played a bass that I didn't feel could benefit from these things. As for the batteries, I replace em once a month anyways - cheap insurance!

 

[Dincrest]

1) Why can't all basses with active electronics have easy-open battery compartments?

2) Why can't all basses with headstocks have lightweight tuners?

3) Though I'm not a lefty, why can't all basses be offered in lefty versions and not just a few select "token gesture" ones?

I could list more, but the OP asked for top 3.

 

[sleddogn]

1. Diesel not unleaded... thats all

 

[TeaTime]

Mute switch.
Adjustable nut.
Side dots that are visible under actual stage conditions.

 

[Phreaky Phriday]

1) Why can't all basses with active electronics have easy-open battery compartments?

2) Why can't all basses with headstocks have lightweight tuners?

3) Though I'm not a lefty, why can't all basses be offered in lefty versions and not just a few select "token gesture" ones?

I could list more, but the OP asked for top 3.

If the lefty is just reversing the cad model for the cnc, should be easy right?

 

[Sharko]

Squier precision painted on the headstock

 

[Yahboy]

So every once in a while when I buy a new bass, it'll have a feature on it that seems so obviously like a great idea that it makes me wonder why all, or at least more, basses don't have it. I know cost is a big driver and I get that not everyone likes what I like, but some of them are just so nice to have. I know there's a contingent of TBers who think that if Jamerson didn't have it in 1963 we shouldn't now, but for everyone else...

The three that get me the most:

• Truss rod wheel at the base of the neck. (SBMM Ray34) So, wait, you mean I don't have to take screws off to remove a plate to shove an Allen wrench into a cavity that I can't see into very well? I can just turn a dial? Yes, please.

• Low battery indicator. (Yamaha BB734a). If the battery is getting low, just tell me? I mean, crazy, right? Who'd want that? It's an LED that costs maybe a nickel if you buy one and probably a fraction of penny if you buy in bulk, so cost probably isn’t the big barrier. (Yes, I know not everyone likes active basses. But for those that have them, seems like a no-brainer.)

• Curved body. (Spector Dimension NS5). I'm sure this is cost-prohibitive to manufacture, but wow do I love this. I'd played Spectors in stores that had it and it seemed OK but perhaps not a big deal. However, now that I have one and play it regularly, I've come to love it and wish all my basses had this. Admittedly, like a lot of middle-aged guys I do have a beer belly, but the other folks I've had try it out don't and they've liked it, too.

What are your top 3?

About Low battery indicator ..... i been own TRBX504, i found this feature not useful for me. I am more prefer dual 9V battery housing along with switch. Just flip to the another battery when battery get empty emergency while on stage performance.

But truss rod wheel on neck heel are strong point for me, Charvel and SBMM did a great job here.

Curve on back of bass body are nice, but don't curve on Fender or any legendary shape bass guitar. Otherwise , i love to see Ibanez provide that option on their line.

 

[pingvuiini]

3) Though I'm not a lefty, why can't all basses be offered in lefty versions and not just a few select "token gesture" ones?

 

[Coerced]

The higher-end Ibanez basses have truss rod access behind a sliding cover. No screws to fiddle with.

The lower end GSR200 have a slide out cover as well.
As far as the OP, the wheel adjuster has always been a "want to have". Unfortunately, none of mine have it.

 

[Makten]

No one mention this yet… quick release bridge.

Post in thread 'Why don't all basses have...'

Sep 20, 2025

– Bridge with individual string adjustment for height AND spacing.
– Adjustable pickup pole pieces (soooo many basses with crap string balance due to flat pickup but different string height).
– Beveled body for the forearm.

Edit: Bonus: – A bridge with slots instead of holes that you have to thread the strings through when changing them.

• Makten

• 

 

[Highs&Lows]

A removable truss rod like Fodera basses have. Should it ever break or something is wrong with it, its an easy fix. I dont understand why more manufacturers dont do this. Are there any disadvantages?

Countersunk bridge.....or at least no bottoming out of bridge saddles. I dont want to have to shim or modify (on a neck through) that shiny new bass. You should be able to set the action as low as you want when experimenting with different strings etc.

 

[Malak the Mad]

1. Diesel not unleaded... thats all

But then, I'm on my third TDI Volkswagen, so…

 

[Chrisk-K]

Fender vintage reissues still putting truss rod adjustment under the neck without a cavity is pure insanity and a dealbreaker to me, I agree on that

1,000%. Even if I won a lottery, I’d never buy a guitar/bass featuring the Fender vintage truss rod (in)access.

 

[Green Knight]

I'd like every 4-string bass produced from this point on to include Kubicki's Drop-D tuning system as a stock feature.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

Already mentioned excellent features:

1 Adjustable nut
2 Radiused pickups or adjustable pole pieces

Not mentioned yet:

3 Case included. Who doesn't want/need a case? Why not provide one that custom fits your bass?

 

[Wyrdlow]

strap lock compatible buttons fitted as standard (Schallers on Sandberg)

When I got my Rickenbacker, it kept slipping off the strap due to its small strap buttons. I decided to invest in a set of Schaller strap locks, only to find that's what it was fitted out for already! Doh.
Great idea, but it surely wouldn't have hurt them to include the strap fittings as well!

 

[Jazzdogg]

I have a guitar where the truss rod cover has a little door that swings to the side, so you can tweak it without removing the screws. It's literally just a little piece of plastic on the little piece of plastic that's there already. Why aren't they all like this?!

Truss rod covers, electronics cavity covers, battery compartment covers...
...with small and powerful neo batteries available, why mess with screws at all?

On active basses:
A mute switch that disconnects the preamp (Instead of unplugging);
On-board variable high-pass and low-pass filters.