At some point, I've owned almost every godlike bass available. Fender Jazz, Rickenbacker 4003, Musicman Stingray and so on. Each with their own special qualities. Some are/were masterful live performers and some were near perfection in the studio. Yet none performed the delicate balance without some assistance from pre-amps, compressors and the like. A few years ago I was in a used instrument shop in New York. One of their seasons employees was telling me a story about Jaco Pastorious hauling his bass around without a case and sometimes in the rain (we all know the bass of which I'm speaking). From Weather Report gig to an impromptu jam. ''He would just walk in off the street to the club, plug into the mains and blow everyone's mind.'' As I was listening intently, I was also peering at this rather plain looking Warwick bass. I asked if I could have a go. ''We don't have a bass amp but you can plug into that powered monitor, it's old but it'll make sound.'' Well, better than nothing I suppose. I plugged in and... that was the first moment of the rest of my bass playing life. Funny how I was just hearing about a bass that needed only it's player; this bass was the objective entity of that story. I bought it straight away and wandered into the street (no case) just like Jaco had all those years ago. Since that day, my German made '99 Warwick Streamer Standard has encapsulated my every need in regard to bass.
Recently, the Warwick and I were in the studio recording my latest when I was asked: ''How much compression do you want on your bass?'' I decided that 'none' would do this time around. ''EQ?'' Let's go flat an see I said. ''So, your just going completely dry then?" Why not As it turns out, that was the best decision. The proverbial dressings had been removed, the crutches taken away, the net no longer there to break my fall and I was free.
In short, when you find that bass (and you will) you two will be all each other needs. Oh the Amp makers won't be happy but... listen for yourself... YouTube: ''Brixton - Closer'' and hear for yourself.