You get a bass as a 1-time gift.

[Pedullist]

Ken Smith, and hoping it's a bass with humbuckers

 

[BlueTalon]

No.

My answer is still Ruokangas.

 

[pcake]

lots of us can't play heavier or certain shapes of basses due to physical limitations, so that's a rough one. without being able to choose the model, i'd have to pass as i wouldn't give up basses i already know i can play without pain on a big maybe.

 

[ximun]

I'd easily take an Olinto P.

you cannot specify P


I'd trust Wilcock London, I like most of them creations from what I see/hear online. Never touched one.
Wilcock Basses/ Home (wilcocklondon.com)

 

[andruca]

Wal.

 

[Nephilymbass]

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?

Probably fodera

 

[Watchootognbout]

A Stradi Symphony 6 by Marek Dabek

 

[TheSeagoats]

You've never played a Fender?

At best, I've noodled on one in a store at some point. I've definitely never owned one or played on one for any significant length of time that stands out in my memory.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

It would have to be some kind of high-end (but relatively true to "vintage specs") passive P-bass. Which kinda defeats the purpose as there's no need to buy boutique prices for a superb, passive P-bass.

If the conditions of this thought experiment had been slightly different I would have gone with the Yamaha BBP34, but I already own one, which means it doesn't qualify. But if I had to pick ONE bass (sacrilege!) that would be it.

 

[ximun]

you cannot pick a P model, just a brand or maker

 

[Inertialsky]

Would I give up Modulus and Pre Gibson Tobias basses for a Wal???

the answer is a big fat maybe

 

[Pedullist]

I almost said Ritter.

Let's hope its not this one (unless you like stabbing someone)

 

[Dynacord]

While I know it's just a mental exercise, #3 alone makes it a nonstarter:

"3. All your other basses are gone, and you can't buy basses anymore."

Trade what I know works for an unknown with lifelong commitment? Not happening.

Add to that #4:

"4. It is a bass company you never played\owned any of their instruments."

I've played basses from the obvious candidate companies like Fodera, Ritter, Alembic, etc and find much to appreciate in them but have had the experience that they can still not be the right fit or there are others I just prefer as a more primary instrument.

 

[Bonecat]

Status Graphite S2 Classic

 

[Lowbrow]

Calumet Tomahawk

 

[lbbc]

Michael Dolan custom violin bass

 

[Zooberwerx]

Carl Thompson...it'll be a scroll-something and I'm not picky about the scale.

Riis

 

[Hypocrite]

Can't choose the model, but can I choose colour and amount of strings? If yes, Spector. If no, no dice.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

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.

Nice premise, but I don't like the terms. Hard Pass.

1) It's not free if 3) all other basses are gone
Sounds like the most expensive bass I've ever heard of.

2) I don't ever want to be locked into to any one bass for life, especially if 4) I can't play it 1st
("bird in hand")...

5) That's the reason I never listened to the radio.

But if You'll omit #3, I'll take a Mas Hino Bass for 100, Alex.

 

[Geogio]

I would go with the Cort Jeff Berlin signature jazz.