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Your basses, past and present, highest to lowest quality.
- Thread starter Cut the middle
- Start date
tl;dr: I have a Shifter and a fretless Jazz
Godin Shifter Classic 4 - Still have it and play it daily (except when I go through phases where I only want to play fretless)
Fender American Deluxe Dimension Bass IV H - The red finish (Cayenne burst..?) was beautiful, and I normally don't like red basses/guitars, all around it felt like great quality, but in the end it wasn't for me
Ibanez [4 string something] - I bought it in the early 2000's, I think it was a BTB or something similar. I dunno. It was a very nice bass. Sold it before I went abroad in 2008
Fender Player Jazz Bass Fretless - Still have and play it a lot. Not exactly a top quality instrument, and I have plans for some mods/improvements, but I am still quite happy with it as-is
Aria Pro II PJ - My first bass, a gift from my parents... I think in 2000 or 2001. It was the cheapest one on the rack at the local guitar store, but it was good enough for me!
Squier Jaguar Short Scale - Picked this up on kijiji a few years ago when I decided to get back into playing bass after several years of pretty much only playing classical guitar. I wasn't necessarily looking for a short scale specifically, but it looked cool and the price was right. It has since been sold to another person eager to learn bass
Godin Shifter Classic 4 - Still have it and play it daily (except when I go through phases where I only want to play fretless)
Fender American Deluxe Dimension Bass IV H - The red finish (Cayenne burst..?) was beautiful, and I normally don't like red basses/guitars, all around it felt like great quality, but in the end it wasn't for me
Ibanez [4 string something] - I bought it in the early 2000's, I think it was a BTB or something similar. I dunno. It was a very nice bass. Sold it before I went abroad in 2008
Fender Player Jazz Bass Fretless - Still have and play it a lot. Not exactly a top quality instrument, and I have plans for some mods/improvements, but I am still quite happy with it as-is
Aria Pro II PJ - My first bass, a gift from my parents... I think in 2000 or 2001. It was the cheapest one on the rack at the local guitar store, but it was good enough for me!
Squier Jaguar Short Scale - Picked this up on kijiji a few years ago when I decided to get back into playing bass after several years of pretty much only playing classical guitar. I wasn't necessarily looking for a short scale specifically, but it looked cool and the price was right. It has since been sold to another person eager to learn bass
what defines "low quality" and "high quality?" price point? dependability? joy?
i can't recall all of the axes i've owned over the years.
if i didn't keep it = low quality.
if i currently play it (depend on it) = high quality.
of this i am sure: as my playing has become more 'seasoned' the quality of my axes has increased while the cost of them has decreased.
i can't recall all of the axes i've owned over the years.
if i didn't keep it = low quality.
if i currently play it (depend on it) = high quality.
of this i am sure: as my playing has become more 'seasoned' the quality of my axes has increased while the cost of them has decreased.
Highest to lowest quality:
Schecter Elite SLS 5 - still own - about 13 months old. More tone options than anything imaginable. Sounds and looks awesome in every regard. Plays like a champ. Can't say enough good about it. When I play Groove Machine or any King's X on this with my Ampeg cranked and my dUg pedal engaged, it shatters my bones and grinds my internals in the most delicious way.
Tricky second pick - Ibanez SR 505 - about 3 years old. I put it 2nd because it's a higher model # than my next bass. Still own it. Sounds great and is light as a feather. It really sings pretty and holds tune unbelieveably. If I had to sell one of my current four though, this would be it. And probably only because the Schecter is a prettier 5 string with more tone options and plays a little better. This bass has a tone quality that none of the others can replicate and is great for a very specific type of sound that I love (think Dakona).
3rd pick - Ibanez SR 400 - still own it and have owned it longer than any other bass in my life Must be 15 or more years old now. If my house was on fire and my wife and kids were out safe already and I could only grab one item, it would be this. Hard to put it 3rd. If a bass was a soul mate as I've seen others post, then this one is mine. The passive pups with active EQ and just something about the tone and playability of this thing puts it in a very very special place for me. It's not my prettiest, the least flashy probably, but still beautiful, but the tone, as played and in recordings is so smooth and blends so nicely between the P and the J. It is butter. I love it. This bass may have been the lucky one built on the right day by the right craftsman from the right block of wood and with the right electronics magically coming together. In the money spent brand new category, this is my 3rd most expensive bass, but I'm telling you this thing should be worth a lot more. Plays so smoothly. I've had a professional older lead singer/guitarist/musician who has played with many bassists in his life tell me that this is the best sounding bass he's ever heard (he didn't say the best sounding bassist...lol).
4th - and my newest is my Ibanez Mikro that I've had for like a month now. It is so much fun to play that I can't put it down and for the cheap price so worth it. For the value, this should be very high on anyone's list that wants a short scale. Only #4 on this list because of it's price. I really like this thing a lot. For the money, it sounds really good, but just a bit too muddy to me or a bit too barky depending on the tone knob setting and i can't find the exact sound between the two that I like. Or to be fair, it may be because there is no pup blend, but each pup has it's own volume knob which I'm not used to. In any case, I've ordered Aguilar pick ups to replace the stock ones. These pups cost more than the entire bass. If they sound like they do on youtube, this could climb the list pretty quick because I already love playing it.
5th - Fender Squire II - Must have been from around 1988 or 1990 timeframe. Nothing wrong with this bass. As you can see from my top 4, I like thin C necks (short fat fingers). This bass sounded great and was well put together, but the neck was just too fat for me. I played it as my primary for probably about 10 years or more. I just wasn't as agile on it.
6th and starting to drop on quality quite a bit in my opinion. Hohner mustang or something like that from mid-to late 80's. My first bass. Good enough for a starter bass. I broke the headstock on my brother's drum set unfortunately. It sounded mediocre. Played good enough for a beginner.
7th and worst by a long shot, but as expesive to me used as my number 3, is a Gibson Epiphone. It was baby blue with gold hardware. Cheap gold pup covers and hardware that corroded. Action was horrible and it never stayed in tune. I hated this bass other than the very unique look of it. Unfortunately, that gigged a lot back in the day (late '90's). It may have been the lemon that I bought in a rush and was crap when I bought it used and just as much crap when I got rid of it. I got ripped off on that one. LOL. Sounded indistinct and muddy. Played like crap. Looked ugly (but uniquely ugly). My bandmates at that time talked me into it because I guess my Squire II didn't look rocky enough (plain white bass).
Schecter Elite SLS 5 - still own - about 13 months old. More tone options than anything imaginable. Sounds and looks awesome in every regard. Plays like a champ. Can't say enough good about it. When I play Groove Machine or any King's X on this with my Ampeg cranked and my dUg pedal engaged, it shatters my bones and grinds my internals in the most delicious way.
Tricky second pick - Ibanez SR 505 - about 3 years old. I put it 2nd because it's a higher model # than my next bass. Still own it. Sounds great and is light as a feather. It really sings pretty and holds tune unbelieveably. If I had to sell one of my current four though, this would be it. And probably only because the Schecter is a prettier 5 string with more tone options and plays a little better. This bass has a tone quality that none of the others can replicate and is great for a very specific type of sound that I love (think Dakona).
3rd pick - Ibanez SR 400 - still own it and have owned it longer than any other bass in my life Must be 15 or more years old now. If my house was on fire and my wife and kids were out safe already and I could only grab one item, it would be this. Hard to put it 3rd. If a bass was a soul mate as I've seen others post, then this one is mine. The passive pups with active EQ and just something about the tone and playability of this thing puts it in a very very special place for me. It's not my prettiest, the least flashy probably, but still beautiful, but the tone, as played and in recordings is so smooth and blends so nicely between the P and the J. It is butter. I love it. This bass may have been the lucky one built on the right day by the right craftsman from the right block of wood and with the right electronics magically coming together. In the money spent brand new category, this is my 3rd most expensive bass, but I'm telling you this thing should be worth a lot more. Plays so smoothly. I've had a professional older lead singer/guitarist/musician who has played with many bassists in his life tell me that this is the best sounding bass he's ever heard (he didn't say the best sounding bassist...lol).
4th - and my newest is my Ibanez Mikro that I've had for like a month now. It is so much fun to play that I can't put it down and for the cheap price so worth it. For the value, this should be very high on anyone's list that wants a short scale. Only #4 on this list because of it's price. I really like this thing a lot. For the money, it sounds really good, but just a bit too muddy to me or a bit too barky depending on the tone knob setting and i can't find the exact sound between the two that I like. Or to be fair, it may be because there is no pup blend, but each pup has it's own volume knob which I'm not used to. In any case, I've ordered Aguilar pick ups to replace the stock ones. These pups cost more than the entire bass. If they sound like they do on youtube, this could climb the list pretty quick because I already love playing it.
5th - Fender Squire II - Must have been from around 1988 or 1990 timeframe. Nothing wrong with this bass. As you can see from my top 4, I like thin C necks (short fat fingers). This bass sounded great and was well put together, but the neck was just too fat for me. I played it as my primary for probably about 10 years or more. I just wasn't as agile on it.
6th and starting to drop on quality quite a bit in my opinion. Hohner mustang or something like that from mid-to late 80's. My first bass. Good enough for a starter bass. I broke the headstock on my brother's drum set unfortunately. It sounded mediocre. Played good enough for a beginner.
7th and worst by a long shot, but as expesive to me used as my number 3, is a Gibson Epiphone. It was baby blue with gold hardware. Cheap gold pup covers and hardware that corroded. Action was horrible and it never stayed in tune. I hated this bass other than the very unique look of it. Unfortunately, that gigged a lot back in the day (late '90's). It may have been the lemon that I bought in a rush and was crap when I bought it used and just as much crap when I got rid of it. I got ripped off on that one. LOL. Sounded indistinct and muddy. Played like crap. Looked ugly (but uniquely ugly). My bandmates at that time talked me into it because I guess my Squire II didn't look rocky enough (plain white bass).
Im lucky to still have all of mine - but I'm only at 6...
Just saying hi to a fellow LADO player!
Sold or otherwise no longer in my possession:
Guild B301A (78/79)
Fender Jazz of unknown year
Rick 4001 of unknown year
Kramer DMZ 5000 of unknown year
Ibanez RB360 of unknown year
EBMM Bongo 4HH of unknown year
Currently in the shed or with family:
Epiphone Allen Woody of unknown year
'77/8 Fender Precision (gotta pop off the neck one of these days)
'88 Yamaha RBX200F
Yamaha BBN 5 of unknown year
'90 Guild B30
Kala Spruce UBass of unknown year
All are or were good (or acceptable to me) quality. The Ibby probably the worst, if only b/c I thought the pup was kinda anemic. Best overall either the Bongo (because EBMM) or the P (built like a tank, sounds like home every time I pick it up).
I would definitely like to have the Guild B301A back.
Guild B301A (78/79)
Fender Jazz of unknown year
Rick 4001 of unknown year
Kramer DMZ 5000 of unknown year
Ibanez RB360 of unknown year
EBMM Bongo 4HH of unknown year
Currently in the shed or with family:
Epiphone Allen Woody of unknown year
'77/8 Fender Precision (gotta pop off the neck one of these days)
'88 Yamaha RBX200F
Yamaha BBN 5 of unknown year
'90 Guild B30
Kala Spruce UBass of unknown year
All are or were good (or acceptable to me) quality. The Ibby probably the worst, if only b/c I thought the pup was kinda anemic. Best overall either the Bongo (because EBMM) or the P (built like a tank, sounds like home every time I pick it up).
I would definitely like to have the Guild B301A back.
Top tier: My current G&L USA M-2500 and JB, which are utterly perfect and have rigid quartersawn necks.
Tier two: Most of the others I've owned. Might have minor issues, but are/were functionally perfect. Includes other USA G&Ls, a few USA Fenders, an MIJ Fender, and a DiPinto Belvedere.
Tier three: Either lower quality than higher tiers, or at least one functional issue. MIM Fender Jazz. It was well-built, but definitely a cut below the MIA Fenders and USA G&Ls. Fender MIA Jazz V, which should have had a better neck that allowed for lower action. G&L JB-5, which seems to have the dreaded "high saddle disease" but is otherwise fantastic. Ibanez SRX500, which was beautifully built but was acoustically dead and sounded horrible in a band mix.
Bottom: An SX fretless P-bass. Absolute junk, except for the pickup which sounded surprisingly great.
Unranked: Two Peaveys, which were my first basses. Built like tanks, but I don't remember them well enough otherwise to compare to the others.
Tier two: Most of the others I've owned. Might have minor issues, but are/were functionally perfect. Includes other USA G&Ls, a few USA Fenders, an MIJ Fender, and a DiPinto Belvedere.
Tier three: Either lower quality than higher tiers, or at least one functional issue. MIM Fender Jazz. It was well-built, but definitely a cut below the MIA Fenders and USA G&Ls. Fender MIA Jazz V, which should have had a better neck that allowed for lower action. G&L JB-5, which seems to have the dreaded "high saddle disease" but is otherwise fantastic. Ibanez SRX500, which was beautifully built but was acoustically dead and sounded horrible in a band mix.
Bottom: An SX fretless P-bass. Absolute junk, except for the pickup which sounded surprisingly great.
Unranked: Two Peaveys, which were my first basses. Built like tanks, but I don't remember them well enough otherwise to compare to the others.
Lowest quality to new
Charvel P bass - cheap all around
BC Rich Warlock - neck dive
80's Hondo 830 series - too heavy, but played it for years with different mods added
2019 - Squire Parts build but with "new" SD basslines
2018 - Squire parts build with Bartolini's
2000 - Fender MIM Jazz
1983 - Fender P bass (fullerton)
Charvel P bass - cheap all around
BC Rich Warlock - neck dive
80's Hondo 830 series - too heavy, but played it for years with different mods added
2019 - Squire Parts build but with "new" SD basslines
2018 - Squire parts build with Bartolini's
2000 - Fender MIM Jazz
1983 - Fender P bass (fullerton)
Highest to lowest:
- Wal MkII 5 -string
- Cliff Bordwell 6 string/Stambaugh Fretless 5
- EBMM Stingray 5H
- Fender MIM Jazz
2007 Fender Custom Shop '64 Jazz Relic (owned for 3-4 years, traded)
2000 EB/MM Stingray 4 (owned 2 years, sold)
early 90s? Fender MIJ Precision (modified to PJ, active) (owned 10+ years, still own)
2018 Fender Starcaster bass (reissue) (owned 1 year, sold)
1999-2017 A number of MIM P and J basses (sold em all, plain Ps, plain Js, Deluxe Active Jazz)
early 90s? Squier by Fender MIJ P bass (on permanent loan to my brother)
2018-2020 2x Sterling by MM Stingray5 (still own one, sold the other one)
2001 Godin SD-4 PJ (owned for a couple of years, sold, bought my first Stingray)
1996 Squier Precision (owned 2-3 years, sold)
90s? Spacer PJ (cheap Spector-like knockoff, owned 1 year, sold)
80s? no name home made bass found in a buddy's basement (I think it spontaneously combusted).
2000 EB/MM Stingray 4 (owned 2 years, sold)
early 90s? Fender MIJ Precision (modified to PJ, active) (owned 10+ years, still own)
2018 Fender Starcaster bass (reissue) (owned 1 year, sold)
1999-2017 A number of MIM P and J basses (sold em all, plain Ps, plain Js, Deluxe Active Jazz)
early 90s? Squier by Fender MIJ P bass (on permanent loan to my brother)
2018-2020 2x Sterling by MM Stingray5 (still own one, sold the other one)
2001 Godin SD-4 PJ (owned for a couple of years, sold, bought my first Stingray)
1996 Squier Precision (owned 2-3 years, sold)
90s? Spacer PJ (cheap Spector-like knockoff, owned 1 year, sold)
80s? no name home made bass found in a buddy's basement (I think it spontaneously combusted).
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Warwick thumb
Warwick thumb pro series
Warwick vampyre Rock bass
Warwick alien acoustic
Spector rebop(sold)
Spector performance series(sold)
Ibanez sr 300(Sold)
Ibanez sr 200(sold)
Harmony (sold)
Quest(sold)
Unimed Frankenstein bass(destroyed by former band mates)
Warwick thumb pro series
Warwick vampyre Rock bass
Warwick alien acoustic
Spector rebop(sold)
Spector performance series(sold)
Ibanez sr 300(Sold)
Ibanez sr 200(sold)
Harmony (sold)
Quest(sold)
Unimed Frankenstein bass(destroyed by former band mates)
-Tenson Precision (First bass, gift of my parents)
-Cort GB 74 (Second bass, my first buy)
-Squier VM Precision (I got it in exchange with the Cort)
-Sterling by Musicman Ray 34 CA (Fourth)
-Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn (Third)
-Fender Precision RI 57 US MIJ. (Fifth, in exchange with the Squier and money)
-Cort GB 74 (Second bass, my first buy)
-Squier VM Precision (I got it in exchange with the Cort)
-Sterling by Musicman Ray 34 CA (Fourth)
-Lakland Skyline Joe Osborn (Third)
-Fender Precision RI 57 US MIJ. (Fifth, in exchange with the Squier and money)
In order from worst to first--
Samick P-style bass (1998 vitage; total sh!t, ended up in the sh!tcan)
Rickenbacker 4003 (1999 vintage; had a bow so bad in the neck that it was unsalvagable)
Warwick Corvette fretless (1999-2000 vintage; great bass, just not my sound)
Fender Adam Clayton Sig. Jazz Bass (2015 vintage; sold after sitting in the case for more than 6 months)
EBMM StingRay (2000 vintage)
EBMM StingRay 5 (2005 vintage)
EBMM StingRay 5 (2017 vintage; tied with the 2005 SR 5 and is my current bass)
Samick P-style bass (1998 vitage; total sh!t, ended up in the sh!tcan)
Rickenbacker 4003 (1999 vintage; had a bow so bad in the neck that it was unsalvagable)
Warwick Corvette fretless (1999-2000 vintage; great bass, just not my sound)
Fender Adam Clayton Sig. Jazz Bass (2015 vintage; sold after sitting in the case for more than 6 months)
EBMM StingRay (2000 vintage)
EBMM StingRay 5 (2005 vintage)
EBMM StingRay 5 (2017 vintage; tied with the 2005 SR 5 and is my current bass)
No pics as most are gone. I list from oldest to most recent:
Ibanez GSR200 - Father's Day 2004 (I think), sold. Beginner Pack like $300 new. Sold for $125
Yamaha BB1000MA - 2016ish sold around mid 2019. Bought used with Roland Bass Cube 60 for $250. Bass sold for $250.
Squier Mustang - 2017ish sold late 2019. Bought used for $150 then traded it for the Warwick below.
Peavey Millenium 5 String - 2017 for a couple of months. Bought used for $125, sold for $125.
LTD B5-JR 5 String - 2018 for a couple of months. Bought for $100 and sold for $100.
Warwick Rockbass Corvette - mid to late 2019. Traded Mustang for it. Sold for $360.
Lakland Skyline Jerry Scheff - mid to late 2019 still have. Bought used $600. May be trading for MTD Kingston Heir 5 String? TBD
Glarry P-Bass - Christmas 2019 still have. This is the cheapest. Bought with Amazon points, otherwise would have been $79 new. Actually plays as well as everything else I've had!
I think I have less than $300 (real money) out of pocket so far! I also sold an unused gun to help finance the Lakland.
Ibanez GSR200 - Father's Day 2004 (I think), sold. Beginner Pack like $300 new. Sold for $125
Yamaha BB1000MA - 2016ish sold around mid 2019. Bought used with Roland Bass Cube 60 for $250. Bass sold for $250.
Squier Mustang - 2017ish sold late 2019. Bought used for $150 then traded it for the Warwick below.
Peavey Millenium 5 String - 2017 for a couple of months. Bought used for $125, sold for $125.
LTD B5-JR 5 String - 2018 for a couple of months. Bought for $100 and sold for $100.
Warwick Rockbass Corvette - mid to late 2019. Traded Mustang for it. Sold for $360.
Lakland Skyline Jerry Scheff - mid to late 2019 still have. Bought used $600. May be trading for MTD Kingston Heir 5 String? TBD
Glarry P-Bass - Christmas 2019 still have. This is the cheapest. Bought with Amazon points, otherwise would have been $79 new. Actually plays as well as everything else I've had!
I think I have less than $300 (real money) out of pocket so far! I also sold an unused gun to help finance the Lakland.
Fender P-Bass-2018-American Performer-Still have it.
Fender Jazz Bass-2018-American Performer-Still have it.
Fender P-Bass-MIM-1999-Hated it's sound. Left it in Rehearsal room when I quit the band. Their new Bass player is playing it! lol
Squier P-Bass-Indonesia-2018-Still have it.
Ibanez-Korea-1990-This is the only one I regret losing. It played amazing.
Vantage-225B-Korea-1992-Hated the way it played and it sounded bad.
Mako-LPB1-Korea-1990-Plywood body, horrible sound, sold it.
Fender Jazz Bass-2018-American Performer-Still have it.
Fender P-Bass-MIM-1999-Hated it's sound. Left it in Rehearsal room when I quit the band. Their new Bass player is playing it! lol
Squier P-Bass-Indonesia-2018-Still have it.
Ibanez-Korea-1990-This is the only one I regret losing. It played amazing.
Vantage-225B-Korea-1992-Hated the way it played and it sounded bad.
Mako-LPB1-Korea-1990-Plywood body, horrible sound, sold it.
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Past and present?? 
!
(I've had more than 300 over the last 4+ decades, so that would be a big project...)
! (I've had more than 300 over the last 4+ decades, so that would be a big project...)
Highest quality:
RIC 4003s
G&L SB-2
Epiphone TBird Vintage Pro
Carvin LB40
Lowest:
MIM Fender Jazz.
RIC 4003s
G&L SB-2
Epiphone TBird Vintage Pro
Carvin LB40
Lowest:
MIM Fender Jazz.
Rickenbacker 4003 (81)
I believe all these basses are mid-level basses, probably similar quality -
SBMM StingRay ray25
Kramer Spector
Yamaha BBG5S
Yamaha BB300
Mia
Simpson-Sears bass
El Degas pbass (bought used, lasted a few months in '82)
I believe all these basses are mid-level basses, probably similar quality -
SBMM StingRay ray25
Kramer Spector
Yamaha BBG5S
Yamaha BB300
Mia
Simpson-Sears bass
El Degas pbass (bought used, lasted a few months in '82)
