Favorite bass?

[Denis]

Now that a bunch of us have the BaCHbirds added to the collection, quite a few of you have picked up a number of basses since I joined this here forum and I've had a chance to play various basses of my own, what are your top favorites?

[Highlander]

Still the same three since '87...  

Fretless RD
Peter Cook Custom
Hohner Jack

all radically different - all just fine...

[Chris P.]

I always try to find a modern back up for my Thunderbird, but no Thunderbird... I already have one...

And I always come back to the '76er... I am trying out a bass now, which could be nice. More about that later:)

[Pilgrim]

It's really hard to say, and changes with the day.

My '63 P is an old friend I've had for 40+ years, and it's a great, solid bass.

My gold top Epi Casady has a unique voice that I really like.

My short scale Gretsch Electromatic Jr Jet 2202 has a super-hot pickup and is a breeze to play.

My MIM Jazz in Midnight Blue is a very cool bass, and the E string sustains like the pedal on a pipe organ.

My Univox hollobody 335-copy is the prettiest bass I have, but it needs different pickups.

The P/J that I refinished and defretted is lovely, but I don't have a lot of reason to play it.

And I have a few others with varying degrees of attachment.  I'm selling the Jay Turser 401, hopefully tonight, because I never play it.

[gweimer]

For me, my go-to bass over the past couple years has been the fanfret Precision project.


Depending on the music I'm doing, my second in line is the Johnson Scroll bass, or the BaCH TH-1.

The Holy Crap bass seems to be on hiatus for now.

The G&L L-1000 is more decoration these days, and the Magnatone needs to get the neck fixed (slight warp up past the 12th fret).

The Hamer Cruise 2Tek is one I'm wrestling with.  I don't play it, but I do like it.  I've been thinking that getting rid of the Barts and putting Lollars in it might change things.

[TBird1958]

 My favorite bass?

The one I'm playing......of course!

Funny thing, even tho mine are all Thunderbirds no 2 sound exactly alike, or even play alike.

I need another one     

[Chris P.]

You just bought another one!

[Highlander]

So many Thunderbirds... so little time...

[Hornisse]

My current favorite is the bass I play out live.  A 1986 Guild SB-605 Pilot 5 string I picked up a while back for $400.  It has a great neck and a nice flame maple body.  EMG Jazz bass pickups are standard and I prefer them because you don't have to worry about having your bass grounded while playing in strange venues.  I'm also really digging the Framus Nashville that Denis picked up and shipped to me.  I want Denis to pack all of my basses from now on.  He does a superb job!

[Barklessdog]

Rd Artist
Blueshawk
Lp Standard
EB-0 Project bass


Each have a role they fill.

[chromium]

My current gig favorites are the 76 and the BlueBaCH:




...and the occasional Triumph:

[Aussie Mark]

I'm down to 6 now, which is the lowest number of basses I've had since 2002.

The two Nash P basses are both great, as is the mahogany 30th Anniversary Stingray and the Jetsons inspired Swiss Army Knife, also known as the Musicman Big Al.

I'm also really digging my two SG RIs and my Epi Rivoli.

[the mojo hobo]

I am really diggin' the black ex-Hörnisse Bach lately, but the bass I always go back to is my Carvin B4. It's neck is just right in my hands and it is pretty light-weight too.


And chromium, if you ever decide to sell the BlueBach, let me be the first in line. That is beautiful.

[Freuds_Cat]

My 74  Jazz is still the go to workhorse.
Old reliable, never lets me down.

Epi Allen Woody is the number 2 due to its specific tone and the fact that its a shorty. Always gets a look in at least 10 or 12 songs.

Third is the Cargill fretless because there are always at least 3 songs that just beg to played with this bass.

My Utility bass is the $200 Dean Edge that I have recently put EMG passive Humbuckers, CTS pots and a Gotoh 201 bridge on. Covers all bases  and gets taken to those overnight country shows when the Jazz misses out.

Recent studio stuff used the Jazz and the Woody.

This is a pic of all of the guitars and basses used on the recordings.

[Chris P.]

If it comes to live playing I get out my MIM 50s P often. I often play in small venues without a proper backstage and without my own amp, so I'm afraid to take my Bird with me. A P can fall of its stand without getting detuned. It also sounds well on almost every amp.