A precision bass Super Light from Sandberg might be a contender then.
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Your Retirement Dream Bass?
- Thread starter bassfootballguy
- Start date
Hi BF Guy......if you're not entirely sure what your "dream bass" is, and you're leaning towards something mighty spendy, even if you're currently flush, my free .02 is to either spend a whole lot less than the 8K stated ceiling, or buy something with as reliable a retained value as possible. I'm not into basses as "collectibles" at all, but if I was dropping 4K or more right now for 1 Fenderesque bass, I'd be looking for an older Fender, used Elrick or a Sadowsky (preferably used), with honourable mention to used Alleva. That said, I've been fortunate enough to have owned a number of high dollar basses and have moved them all on. Right now I am semi-retired (whatever that means...working about 30% of an FTE) and after thoroughly enjoying a 20 year period of frequent sampling/flipping gear, have pretty much "stabilized" at a stable of 6 basses, all 4 string fretted strung BEAD, which includes 2 passive Fenders (P and J), a recent German Sadowsky MM/J, a Lakland 44-64 (the only one bought new) a G & L L2K and a travel bass. None of the uber pricey basses I have owned in the past is any better or worse or more/less special than any of the ones I find myself with now. Lastly, if weight is as much of a priority for you as is is for me, I'd highly recommend that whatever you decide on, make it no more than 8 lbs, because if it ain't comfy, it won't matter how sexy it looks or luscious it sounds. Greater comfort=greater joy in playing, an equation that will only amplify in importance with age/time. My lightest basses are the Sadowsky and G & L (both in the 7.5 lb range) and if I had to whittle down to 1, it'd be between those 2. Happy retirement.
edit-I am not sure if you plan on keeping any of your current basses around, but I'd seriously consider not parting with that sweet uber light G & L you have listed, because variety!-if you wanna trade that up for one of mine, pm me
edit-I am not sure if you plan on keeping any of your current basses around, but I'd seriously consider not parting with that sweet uber light G & L you have listed, because variety!-if you wanna trade that up for one of mine, pm me
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congrats on your retirement!
i think your retirement dream bass budget can get you just about anything you want! a different POV:
only because i've had a few pricey "dream bass" experiences earlier in my life, i went in a different direction when i retired: instead of buying off-the-rack or 'commissioning' custom-built axes, i decided to do a deep dive into parts basses, to have some fun, and to see if i could do any better myself (assembling parts into usable instruments). it's been a surprisingly rewarding endeavor, and i've ended up with a half-dozen fantastic EBs.
my goal was to have the lightest weight axes i could manage from parts. FSOs (bolt-on necks) are a no-brainer, so most of mine are fender-ish --- and they're all lightweight (6.0 lbs. to 7.8 lbs.). i like PJs, too. here's one that's very special to me:
7.2 lbs., EMG active pickups + audere preampgood luck finding one (or more!
) that's special to you! 
I've got 10 yrs to go before I retire (That's come round to fast where did the 80's go?)), & a few have mentioned having a light weight bass to retire with. My retirement bass will be my light weight number 1 bass my, 1964 Hofner 500/1 Violin Bass.
The bass has recently turned 60 itself so it's a little closer to retirement age, so when it's my time to hang up my working week we can both be packed off to the knackers yard together
.
The bass has recently turned 60 itself so it's a little closer to retirement age, so when it's my time to hang up my working week we can both be packed off to the knackers yard together
.
congrats on your retirement!
a different POV:
only because i've had a few pricey "dream bass" experiences earlier in my life, i went in a different direction when i retired: instead of buying off-the-rack or 'commissioning' custom-built axes, i decided to do a deep dive into parts basses, to have some fun, and to see if i could do any better myself (assembling parts into usable instruments). it's been a surprisingly rewarding endeavor, and i've ended up with a half-dozen fantastic EBs.
my goal was to have the lightest weight axes i could manage from parts. FSOs (bolt-on necks) are a no-brainer, so most of mine are fender-ish --- and they're all lightweight (6.0 lbs. to 7.8 lbs.). i like PJs, too. here's one that's very special to me:
View attachment 5466008 7.2 lbs., EMG active pickups + audere preamp
good luck finding one (or more!
Schwing!!!
Hi BF Guy......if you're not entirely sure what your "dream bass" is, and you're leaning towards something mighty spendy, even if you're currently flush, my free .02 is to either spend a whole lot less than the 8K stated ceiling, or buy something with as reliable a retained value as possible. I'm not into basses as "collectibles" at all, but if I was dropping 4K or more right now for 1 Fenderesque bass, I'd be looking for an older Fender, used Elrick or a Sadowsky (preferably used), with honourable mention to used Alleva. That said, I've been fortunate enough to have owned a number of high dollar basses and have moved them all on. Right now I am semi-retired (whatever that means...working about 30% of an FTE) and after thoroughly enjoying a 20 year period of frequent sampling/flipping gear, have pretty much "stabilized" at a stable of 6 basses, all 4 string fretted strung BEAD, which includes 2 passive Fenders (P and J), a recent German Sadowsky MM/J, a Lakland 44-64 (the only one bought new) a G & L L2K and a travel bass. None of the uber pricey basses I have owned in the past is any better or worse or more/less special than any of the ones I find myself with now. Lastly, if weight is as much of a priority for you as is is for me, I'd highly recommend that whatever you decide on, make it no more than 8 lbs, because if it ain't comfy, it won't matter how sexy it looks or luscious it sounds. Greater comfort=greater joy in playing, an equation that will only amplify in importance with age/time. My lightest basses are the Sadowsky and G & L (both in the 7.5 lb range) and if I had to whittle down to 1, it'd be between those 2. Happy retirement.
edit-I am not sure if you plan on keeping any of your current basses around, but I'd seriously consider not parting with that sweet uber light G & L you have listed, because variety!-if you wanna trade that up for one of mine, pm me
Had some thoughts along these lines this morning.
Yeah, I have a bass that can fill in at a questionable venue, I built a 1955 P-bass from decent parts. When I have flyaway gig I bring a ‘75 P-bass. I’d hate to have something happen to it, but I could live with it. But, if I lost the ‘54 I’d be devastated.
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At my age with knee and ankle issues, plus no desire for late night gigs … I’m staying with this, one of kind SBMM Sterling
The pile of wood and miscellaneous parts STILL sitting in my basement. By the time I get around to it, the wood will be perfectly dried and seasoned.
I have found both retirement and bass playing in retirement to be somewhat different than I had expected.
From the bass playing perspective, one significant thing that has changed is a whole lot more “Classic Rock / R&B etc” gigs; and a whole lot less Jazz / Improv / Fusion gigs. Most audiences for whom I am performing want to hear familiar material played pretty faithfully.
Of course, you COULD play all of that material on $10k - $25k Alembics or Foderas. Most audiences won’t know the difference. But, my sense of things is that Fenders (and I’m NOT an FMIC shill) are pretty good at getting the job done.
I also think the bass tends to find the player, more than the other way around. For example, I bought a ca 2007 Fender American Jazz Deluxe 5 in burst a few years back; and I’m not really a big fan of burst finishes. My original intent was to send the bass to Pat Wilkins to be re-shot in Black. That never happened; because, lo and behold, that bass generates BY FAR the most enthusiastic audience and fellow musician response of any bass I have ever played. No idea why that’s the case. It just is.
So, the Burst stays; and I keep learning that what I think isn’t what anyone else thinks.
From the bass playing perspective, one significant thing that has changed is a whole lot more “Classic Rock / R&B etc” gigs; and a whole lot less Jazz / Improv / Fusion gigs. Most audiences for whom I am performing want to hear familiar material played pretty faithfully.
Of course, you COULD play all of that material on $10k - $25k Alembics or Foderas. Most audiences won’t know the difference. But, my sense of things is that Fenders (and I’m NOT an FMIC shill) are pretty good at getting the job done.
I also think the bass tends to find the player, more than the other way around. For example, I bought a ca 2007 Fender American Jazz Deluxe 5 in burst a few years back; and I’m not really a big fan of burst finishes. My original intent was to send the bass to Pat Wilkins to be re-shot in Black. That never happened; because, lo and behold, that bass generates BY FAR the most enthusiastic audience and fellow musician response of any bass I have ever played. No idea why that’s the case. It just is.
So, the Burst stays; and I keep learning that what I think isn’t what anyone else thinks.
When I play a festival, where the bass goes on and off the stage with me then gets put back in the trunk of the car, I take my 1970 EB3. When I play a club where the bass will be sitting on a stand on stage between sets, I take my customized Epi EB0.Not trying to throw a wrench in the retirement works, but do you plan to take this dream bass away from home to play?
I ask because I had a bass built that was my unicorn, everything I wanted in a bass down to all stainless hardware. It was a real looker and played as nice. Sadly I quickly discovered I hated taking it out of the house. Even a tiny scratch would have ruined the perfection it represented to me. So I quit taking it out of the house. A few months later I sold it and have never again had much desire for perfection or a holy grail vibe in a bass. I accepted that they are tools and tools get used and when tools get used they get worn. If I want functional art I’ll stick to tie dye.
Headless 5 string ~ 7-7.5 lbs...something without the wonky string hardware I see all-too-often. I've come close a couple times but no cigar.
Riis
Riis
D
D
My birth year has become too expensive.
Don't know if anyone has posted this Bass yet but from OP first post and if I had 8k this is the one[You can get 20 fret P body also]
Sadowsky NYC Custom Shop
oedtnrospSi1f07eh2h8cu1 403cl09t3O0t02tc ,rl2i2b1t9232i1o9t2 ·
Here's one of the first Super-P, Super-J basses that we built. If you aren't familiar with this setup:
Super P= P neck pickup that is switchable to P and reverse P
Super J= J neck pickup with two coils. One in the 60's position, one in the 70's position, with the ability to run both coils at once. Humcancelling in all positions.
The Super P and Super J are standard options available on our Custom Order Form: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
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Sadowsky NYC Custom Shop
oedtnrospSi1f07eh2h8cu1 403cl09t3O0t02tc ,rl2i2b1t9232i1o9t2 ·
Here's one of the first Super-P, Super-J basses that we built. If you aren't familiar with this setup:
Super P= P neck pickup that is switchable to P and reverse P
Super J= J neck pickup with two coils. One in the 60's position, one in the 70's position, with the ability to run both coils at once. Humcancelling in all positions.
The Super P and Super J are standard options available on our Custom Order Form: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
Invalid Link Removed
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I would get Fender Precision Custom Shop or Masterbuiltt. Also for 8k You can get a cool vintage Fender from the end of 60's, but that's just me.
People love to dream of spending other people's money
People love to dream of spending other people's money
