The Best Bass Guitar You've Played?

[rickenbrother]

Dan Saifer's `74 4001 is pretty amazing as well. I think Joey helped him set it up. The action is crazy low and easy to play.

It's an April '73 IIRC. It's really sweet!

[kennyhowes]

Ditto here; Joey's S bass is one of the best I've ever played.

grrrrrrrr

[kennyhowes]

I like the ones I have a lot, but John Hall's 4003 Shadow has a certain magic to it. I'm not even crazy about the way it looks, it just plays PERFECT.

[cassius987]

Scott Pope's 4002 is one of my all-time faves for every aspect of bass-itude. I played one of Bill Conklin's Sidewinders once that was a real breeze for a fiver, and the tone was a blast. All of the MusicMan Big Al's I have played were set up to my liking (far more so than other EBMMs I've tried including ones I've owned), and I always have good luck with vintage P Basses for some reason--with the exception of the electronics which are always shot! I've never gotten to play many of those boutique Fender copy basses before, other than a few Laklands which were okay, but they don't make my "Best List" I guess.

I have to say, I'm really impressed with all of the basses I own right now for different reasons. My dead stock 4003 that was built in 2007 is one of those basses I can always pick up and be at home with, and I was happy to hear that when my dad was getting read to ship it to me after I'd finished moving to Colorado, he took it into a music store in my home town and the salesmen were willing to admit (to him) that they really loved how it played--a lot of them knew me and my band when I lived there and would never admit they even liked the LOOKS of the thing to my face! If I had to pick a favorite bass out of my current stable... well, I couldn't! I guess the 4003FL is my main, though. I've put the most care into its setup--it's definitely got the lowest action of the bunch and the neck pickup I have in there now is absolutely to die for.

[kiramdear]

Maybe the best only to me, but I miss my '75 Ripper. It was the best, and it opened a lot of doors for me in the scene here.

[cassius987]

I like those older Gibson basses more than their current offerings (and the expensive reissues). I can see why you'd dig a Ripper, Kira. They seem worthy to me...

[kiramdear]

Thanks, it really was a great sounding and great playing bass, and I used Rotos on it. Very Rickish it sounded on one setting and like a Rick, I always got comments for outstanding tone. Homely beast it was, but pure muscle. The Vari-Tone made it very versatile.

[Danotron]

Dan Saifer's `74 4001 is pretty amazing as well. I think Joey helped him set it up. The action is crazy low and easy to play.

It's an April '73 IIRC. It's really sweet!

Thanks guys!

Yeah, Joey set it up nice and low so it's easy for us guitar players. I'm really diggin' it.

[fatcat]

I still have to stay with my '72 Jazz bass as the best.
But I'm using a 4003 JG to play out with, normally.
But until my leg heals well enough that I can play standing up, I'm making good use of a EKO viola bass which is easier to play sitting;lighter and shorter scale.

[weemac]

An RM1999 owned by the luthier that rebuilt mine, (which comes in at second best)

Eden.

[wints]

I guess I'd HAVE to say....Andy Winter's 1964 RM1999 Rickenbacker bass.

With my 1988 V63 in a close second.

Yup...me too!

I think Pete Greenwood might be me 3...

[ajish4]

I guess I'd HAVE to say....Andy Winter's 1964 RM1999 Rickenbacker bass.

With my 1988 V63 in a close second.

Yup...me too!

I think Pete Greenwood might be me 3...

OUCH....THAT'S gotta hurt!

[fabandgear]

Other than my Rick 4001V63, I'd say a Hamer Cruise Bass.

[jps]

Did that Cruise Bass have the 2Tek bridge?

[rickenbrother]

Did that Cruise Bass have the 2Tek bridge?

I think so. It might have been an option on the lesser priced imported model.