What are you looking for.

[basshead56]

I think in terms of my collection, I'm almost at critical mass - I've ditched out nearly everything I'd be willing to part with that wouldn't hurt a bit lol.

I am selling my black and maple 3EQ EBMM Ray and my 90's Dano DC in silver sparkle to make way for one more bass, I'm just not 100% sure on what that one would be.

 

Potentially another Ray, but preferably with a rosewood board (I just prefer the look of rosewood on a lot basses, the sound on Jazz basses)

 

This year, I've been on a Jazz odyssey - I've sold one (the only one I'd owned for 10+ years) and bought 4 of em.

I've really developed a taste for active/super-Jazz-style instruments since owning an Am Dlx QMT and a Victor Bailey, so would probably say I'd actively look for another QMT in a different colour and maybe, at some point, treat myself to a high-end Sadowsky. (really loved the Jason Newsted Sadowsky sig earlier this year, gutted I didn't have the money for one of those).

I'd probably also consider an Adam Clayton Jazz or a Blu DeTiger sig Jazz if either popped up.

 

I'm covered for all things Precision and I think with my Aria SB-CB, Thunderbird Studio, Rascal and other EBMM basses, I've got all my humbuckin' requirements covered too.

A Thunderbird IV would be cool, as would one of the Epi Vintage PRO/64 Tbirds but not sure when I'd actually use it

 

Someone mentioned about 'tribute' basses earlier - bass choices inspired by favourite bass players - I can definitely dig that.

I am still scouting for an Aria CSB 380 in red ala Kim Deal.

 

Other than that, I'm not really 'looking' for anything.

I'd like to think I'm getting better at managing GAS as I get older... lol

[chris_b]

On 21/11/2024 at 17:19, joel406 said:

When you're considering a new bass, what are you looking for in that, or any particular instrument?

I have certain parameters I require just to consider the bass for the heard.

 

Body style

# of strings

Color.

Feel.

 

For me, the first 3 of that list, have to be met. Then I go for feel.

 

What are the things that the fine people of BassChat look for when considering a new (or used) instrument?

 

Why doesn't tone appear on your list?

 

It's #1 on my list.

[joel406]

15 minutes ago, chris_b said:

 

Why doesn't tone appear on your list?

 

It's #1 on my list.

Tone can always be met. Pickup change, pedals, modelers.

 

These days that's the least of the things to consider.

Edited November 28 by joel406

[chris_b]

11 minutes ago, joel406 said:

Tone can always be met. Pickup change, pedals, modelers.

 

These days that's the least of the things to consider.

 

Sorry, not in my world.

[joel406]

1 hour ago, chris_b said:

 

Sorry, not in my world.

Sucks to be you.

[russ.c]

My first 2 bass guitars as a teenager I had no clue about pickups or tone. I chose them because they looked cool. I massively regret selling them because 30 years on they would still have a place in my collection. My 3rd was a Tanglewood Stingray copy. It was my punk machine which got gigged and recorded. I gave up playing for a long time then a PPI payment allowed me to buy a real Stingray, same reason for buying the first one, because like many I'm a big fan of Flea. Subsequent basses I now own I carefully selected for various qualities, like feel, sound, playability, versatility, reliability, and a little bit on looks. And always 4 string because drop D is low enough if needed.

Edited Saturday at 10:44 by russ.c

[chris_b]

On 29/11/2024 at 00:34, joel406 said:

 

Sucks to be you.

 

Can we stop this childishness?

[neepheid]

This is disappointing.  This should be 100% a "no wrong answers" type thread, it's personal opinion!  Stop effin' bickering about stuff that doesn't affect you in the slightest!

[Lozz196]

Agree, this thread shouldn’t be one-upmanship, it should be about finding out what other bassists use/want and why. I find this very interesting and am sure many of us do as well. 

[ezbass]

59 minutes ago, neepheid said:

it's personal opinion

^^^^ 100% this.

What works for one doesn’t necessarily work for another. When considering playability, weight plays heavily (no pun intended) into my consideration, it doesn’t bothers others. They’re not wrong and neither am I. I think that we all consider playability, sound and looks when looking at an instrument, but not necessarily in the same order, or with the same importance. Ultimately, you do you, I’ll do me.

[Killerfridge]

Back on topic, I'm thinking about something for my 40th, and have been given basically given carte blanche to get/get made whatever I want. It's making me self reflect heavily on what I am actually looking for in an instrument. I was initially thinking some sort of single cut, buckeye burl, fusion style bass. Then I went down the path of MTD, or F-bass i.e. basses that people who's playing I enjoy play. But the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards just (just) a P bass. It's something I've never owned, and they just sound beautiful. 

 

So in answer to the question, I think "vibe" is my number one element when choosing a bass.

[OliverBlackman]

3 hours ago, Killerfridge said:

Back on topic, I'm thinking about something for my 40th, and have been given basically given carte blanche to get/get made whatever I want. It's making me self reflect heavily on what I am actually looking for in an instrument. I was initially thinking some sort of single cut, buckeye burl, fusion style bass. Then I went down the path of MTD, or F-bass i.e. basses that people who's playing I enjoy play. But the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards just (just) a P bass. It's something I've never owned, and they just sound beautiful. 

 

So in answer to the question, I think "vibe" is my number one element when choosing a bass.

I recommend trying a MTD or F Bass before considering ordering one. I love both in the hands of others but neither sounded or felt right in my hands.

[joel406]

4 hours ago, Killerfridge said:

Back on topic, I'm thinking about something for my 40th, and have been given basically given carte blanche to get/get made whatever I want. It's making me self reflect heavily on what I am actually looking for in an instrument. I was initially thinking some sort of single cut, buckeye burl, fusion style bass. Then I went down the path of MTD, or F-bass i.e. basses that people who's playing I enjoy play. But the more I think about it, the more I'm leaning towards just (just) a P bass. It's something I've never owned, and they just sound beautiful. 

 

So in answer to the question, I think "vibe" is my number one element when choosing a bass.

I highly recommend a P-Bass. My best bass is a Precision. 

[crazycloud]

5 hours ago, Killerfridge said:

the more I'm leaning towards just (just) a P bass.

That's like being offered to go out to any great restaurant in your city and opting for Subway.

[GuyR]

4 strings, 34” scale, 1.5” at the nut, 2 pickups, passive and preferably 9lb or less, cellulose finish.

 

If I’m trying a bass, I don’t plug in for a good while. A lively, zingy response unamplified will invariably give me the tone I want plugged in. I want ringing harmonics, a straight neck and the option to get a low action. 
 

A flat ish fingerboard radius would be ideal but rarely found in conjunction with the criteria above.

 

Having done it once, I wouldn’t order a bass to be built to my specification. There are enough existing already to choose from and, buying used, much lower risk of serious financial loss if you do your homework.

 

My preferences of course are no more or less relevant or valid than anyone else’s.

[alittlebitrobot]

10 hours ago, GuyR said:

If I’m trying a bass, I don’t plug in for a good while. A lively, zingy response unamplified will invariably give me the tone I want plugged in.

I was on Denmark street years ago, looking at all the nice things I can't afford. I played a Peavey Grind at the time, so when I saw a Cirrus, I wanted to know what the difference was. The second I had it in my lap, I could tell it was spectacular. The guy working there was bemused, and amused, that I wasn't bothered about plugging it in. 

God I wish I could get on with the 35" scale cause otherwise the Peavey neck is made for me.

[Hazza2004]

On 21/11/2024 at 17:19, joel406 said:

When you're considering a new bass, what are you looking for in that, or any particular instrument?

I have certain parameters I require just to consider the bass for the heard.

 

Body style

# of strings

Color.

Feel.

 

For me, the first 3 of that list, have to be met. Then I go for feel.

 

What are the things that the fine people of BassChat look for when considering a new (or used) instrument?

Actually completely agree with the original post based on order of priority.  At the moment: Active J, 5 String, Sunburst