• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Your favorite bass, ever?

Shaboom
 

Attachments

  • 20201230_143223.jpg
    20201230_143223.jpg
    776 KB · Views: 67
The 5 on the right.

I have to adjust the neck constantly, addressed fret sprout twice, back of the neck has this grainy feel (compared to the ultra-smooth one on the left), has a few weird spots in the grain and oil finish, and I wish it had the binding and shark fins like the other. Objectively and on paper not great, but man it is my favorite. Every time I play my fireglo 5 I wonder why that one isn't my favorite, and then I come back to the walnut and it immediately hits me why (feel, tone).

Ric2.jpeg
 
I know it sounds crazy, but I'd have to say my 2012 MIM Jazz, and I've owned dozens of basses. I bought it new, played the heck out of it, dinged it up on stuff, replaced the pickups (unnecessary in hindsight), and it's still utterly reliable. It has great structure, plenty of sustain, and the body and neck are well-matched. For whatever reason, it came new with crowned frets. Not sure how that came to be, but I have had zero problems with it. It's always been my most reliable instrument, and if I had to sell all my basses but one, I wouldn't hesitate to make this one the keeper.
I've sold some great basses that I'd love to have back, but this one is more comfortable and more reliable than all the others. It sounds great, to boot.
Runner-up would be the 98 Streamer LX.
 
Bought this bass in 2010 from Andrew Drake. Every bit of wood in the bass is nicely figured, thus it has been christened, "Figgy". I played more than 600 shows with it in two great bands late 2010 - 2013 and countless open jam sessions in ensuing years until the pandemic hiatus.

Wonderful bass. Maple core, neck and fingerboard. Walnut facings. Very slim, comfortable neck in 32" scale. It is currently passive with Aguilar DCBs. Weighs in at about 8 pounds, 12 ounces. Best sounding and playing bass I've had my hands on in my 58 year musical journey.

This one loves you back.
4.jpg
 
I feel like the ugly girl in the corner at the dance here, all these expensive and/or classic basses. But that's nothing new. :D

My favorite, my constant workhorse since I got it in '97 has been my '78 Musicmaster. Long story but I got it free and it was in pretty terrible condition. It's been changed a few times, most recently a Bronco neck for the comfort of my arthritic old hands. This is my "bury me with it" bass.
new neck.jpg
 
Definitely my ESP...Still kinda miss having a soap bar style pickup to use as a thumb rest and wish it had a black headstock, but those are literally my only two minor quibbles with it.

The active EMGs really sound nice and pi$$ed with my amp on full distortion and the P pickup on full. I like that it looks slightly "classic/vintage" on the body style, but active electronics make it sound anything but...

Also- the neck seems to feel "just right"- Substantial enough that I won't break it, but thin enough to play relatively fast...I have considered buying another bass, but every time I go to do it I pause since it essentially has everything I was after

ESP_AP4.jpg





ESP AP-4.png
 
I feel like the ugly girl in the corner at the dance here, all these expensive and/or classic basses. But that's nothing new. :D

My favorite, my constant workhorse since I got it in '97 has been my '78 Musicmaster. Long story but I got it free and it was in pretty terrible condition. It's been changed a few times, most recently a Bronco neck for the comfort of my arthritic old hands. This is my "bury me with it" bass.
View attachment 4127743
Hey, my favorite is a lowly MIM Jazz.
 
My old girl. She turns 37 this year.
A 1984 Frank-en Fender Jazz
The body&neck are ‘62 Fender reissues.
Badass bridge and 94J Bartolini pups.
These two are also 1984.

I have tried to replace her as my all purpose go to. All my attempts at finding something else have failed.

52673BCF-7CD9-46B9-B025-5C6DE44D0EF2.jpeg
 
Last edited:

Latest posts