Your 3 basses for the most well-rounded stable

[Caloiski]

Jazz
P
Ric

 

[DennyOnBass]

Honestly, I have two basses that cover everything I NEED for a gig.

'76 Fender PBass with flats
'74 Fender Jazz with rounds

I play in a funk/R&B/soul band where the P sees about 75% of the action and the J sees 25%. I also have a roots rock/Americana band where I only play the PBass and the Jazz serves as a backup.

I own a Stingray 5, a synth, a Modulus 6, a custom fretless, a Taylor acoustic bass, and probably a few others that I'm not thinking of. Each of them might see face time a handful of times a year, but only because I choose to bring them. Generally speaking, they aren't necessary and I wouldn't be out much if I sold them. If I could only keep one out of that list it would be the Stingray because it's a great option if you can only bring one bass for a gig.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

all humbuckers all the time

 

[BigDrew]

Your timing is great! I went out a spree and have acquired a bunch of basses recently. However, I have been wanting to pare them down to what I actually need. My two mains are an MIA Jazz and an MIA P. I picked up a Mustang last night and am debating if I should keep it. However I think that I have decided that I need:

1) Jazz
2) Precision
3) Rickenbacker (trying to decide between 4003 and 4003S)
4) - Possibly a Hofner, but may keep the Mustang and add flats....

 

[BigDrew]

all humbuckers all the time
View attachment 973603

Where did you get that mirrored pickguard? Does it enhance the tone?

 

[Fletz]

If you had to pick three basses to own that would cover the most band situations which would they be? This isn't a "which bass is better" or "which is more versatile" it's a "which three would YOU choose?"

Let's keep it civil, ya animals.

I'd personally choose a Fender P, a Fender J and a Rickenbacker. I think that pretty much covers it, except maybe a good active sound.

I'm close to that. I have my Rick 4001, my American Standard Precision modded to be a P/J and an American Design Experience P with chrome flats. Covers everything I need.

 

[DavC]

i have 3 basses ... all Fender wood parts

1 - 5 string w/hi C , J

2 - 5 string w/low B , 51 P/J

3 - 4 string normal tune , fretted & fretless necks , nylons , J

all passive ... external pre ( RMI Basswitch Classic )

 

[LowDownHawkeye]

I guess it would be close to what I've got-active/passive fretted PJ, active/passive fretless J, and active HH. Wish the latter was a Stingray, but no (or maybe not yet?)

 

[Wolfenstein666]

I'm close to that. I have my Rick 4001, my American Standard Precision modded to be a P/J and an American Design Experience P with chrome flats. Covers everything I need.

That's a gorgeous P bass.

What year is the RIC? I remember seeing your thread about it not too long ago, it's a pretty bass.

 

[maxschrek]

MM Sabre
Fretless MM Stingray
Jazz bass

 

[Plectrum72]

P/J, dual HB, hollow-body. Your choice of 4 or 5-string, flats or rounds, active or passive.

 

[Jay2U]

G&L L2000
P-Bass copy
Ibanez GSR200EX Modified to BEAD tuning

 

[Wolfenstein666]

My three, illustrated

 

[RyanJD]

I'd go with these three out of the half-dozen or so in my possession:

• Fender J w/ DiMarzio Model J's (Half-Rounds)
  
• Fender P w/ Bill Lawrence P-46 (Flatwounds)
  
• Ibanez SR1205e w/ stock Nordstrand Big Singles (Roundwounds)

I'm a fan of my bass uke as well. It's great for acoustic-sounding stuff. Really nice to complement an acoustic guitar and a cajon. (But requires a little amplification, obviously.)
My third pick was almost a toss up for my Warwick. But I like having the 5th string available on my Ibby. I like using my Warwick with near-piccolo gauge strings for solo bass arrangements but I rarely use it in a band situation.

 

[Fletz]

That's a gorgeous P bass.

What year is the RIC? I remember seeing your thread about it not too long ago, it's a pretty bass.

Thanks. My daughter designed the ADE blue one ... She was 4 at the time. The Ric is a 1980

 

[Dragan]

Jazz,MMan,both with rounds and Precision with flats.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

A Pbass with flats
A 70's spaced Jazz with rounds
MusicMan 5 2band eq.

 

[Sixgunn]

If I could only use 3 of mine, these are they

 

[Holdsg]

ignoring the upright, that's a tier zero must-have.

Passive P (covered by my Lakland Bob Glaub)
Active J (covered by my Lull TC4 or Spector NS-2J)
Fiver (covered by my Lull PJ5)


oh, and I play classic rock, acoustic rock, country, and bluegrass (on the upright)

 

[Sixgunn]

all humbuckers all the time
View attachment 973603

Isn't the Rick single coils?