You get a bass as a 1-time gift.

[Eon Sky]

Le Fay fretted four string, please.

 

[fretlessman71]

I'd find a bassist who was really poor and very talented, ask them what their dream bass was, and ask for that and "permanently loan" it to them.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

F bass

 

[red_rhino]

Well, I've played a lot of basses from a lot of companies, but never a Jerry Drozd. So one of those.

 

[Pauly 4001]

I'm sorry but it would take a lot of persuasion for me to submit to the rules of this little game
I'll keep what I have and love and you can have what's behind door #3

 

[Bass V]

Reverend
until YAMAHA make my custom Rev bass...

 

[Sparkl]

This is the deal:

1. You get one bass for free.
2. You can't sell\trade it (so price is irrelevant)
3. All your other basses are gone, and you can't buy basses anymore.
4. It is a bass company you never played\owned any of their instruments.
5. You choose a specific company \ luthier - but you can't choose the model you get.

Which company or high-end builder would you pick?

Le Fay.

 

[bass183]

This is the deal:

1. You get one bass for free.
2. You can't sell\trade it (so price is irrelevant)
3. All your other basses are gone, and you can't buy basses anymore.
4. It is a bass company you never played\owned any of their instruments.
5. You choose a specific company \ luthier - but you can't choose the model you get.

Which company or high-end builder would you pick?

I bought a Music Man Sting Ray 4 string way back in 1988 when I was 15. I think it was the first year Ernie Ball was making them. Bird's Eye maple neck w/ all black body. I still have it and love that bass. What year are we in??? Anyway, that bass just feels great to play. If that was my only bass (I do currently use a Fender JB more often these days), I would be super happy. I still use the Music Man to this day.

That said, I've always like what I've heard from bassists that play Sadowsky. Considering the players that use those instruments, I think it's safe to say that they make an instrument that you can play for life. And I do like the classic Fender bass look, which Roger Sadowsky honors. I'm not really into the radical modern designs. That's just my taste. I've never played a Sadowsky or held one. So, that's my answer to your question: a Sadowsky custom bass.

 

[logdrum]

Fodera (technically I played one for 30 seconds - A fretless Monarch ) -- if that disqualifies then Alembic. The closest I got to one was when Stanley Clarke was in a small venue.

 

[ComicBass]

I would never take this deal. There is too much sentimental value in some of my basses. Id fight very hard to keep my most precious babies.
Plus, no other basses?! Just one?! No thank you.

 

[Bright Midnight]

WAL.

 

[r_bnks]

Wal

 

[Chickenwheels]

Carl Thompson

…but not this one https://www.talkbass.com/threads/wo...item-111111813-carl-thompson-for-549.1150090/

 

[antfarm]

Olinto.

 

[BlueTalon]

This is the deal:

1. You get one bass for free.
2. You can't sell\trade it (so price is irrelevant)
3. All your other basses are gone, and you can't buy basses anymore.
4. It is a bass company you never played\owned any of their instruments.
5. You choose a specific company \ luthier - but you can't choose the model you get.

Which company or high-end builder would you pick?

As part of the deal, do we at least get to specify what we like in a bass? I'd be particular about neck dimensions, among other things. But to answer your question...

Ruokangas.

I know what I like - but if it has to be a brand that I have never owned... then

("something by Jens Ritter" - R8 CONCEPT Shown)​

I almost said Ritter.

 

[Bevan777]

Carl Thomson

 

[SteveCS]

Wal is the only marque that would buy me into the OP scenario - I regretfully let this one slip through my fingers back in 2016:

 

[MingusBass]

Olinto

 

[HowieD72]

I'd say "no thanks" and walk away.

Yep, me too.

I was going to say a custom-shop Warwick but I already play & own Warwick's.

 

[Chickenwheels]

As part of the deal, do we at least get to specify what we like in a bass?

No.