Best bass collection for playability purposes?

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:07 am

There are great threads here of bass collections. As mine grows (to 3 now...2 are Ricks), I wonder what people consider the ultimate collection of basses for playability, to achieve as many different purposes as possible. While it's great to have a collection of similar basses that have a different look & feel, what's a great combination to achieve a really wide variety of sounds?

I have my '87 4003 and now my 4003DCM, along with a P-bass knockoff. I love the way the '87 plays with the thin neck, and that may lead me to sell or trace the DCM at some point, to create a collection that is more well rounded from a player's perspective.

From a Rick-only point of view, this might be a good combo:

4003 4-string
4003 fretless 4-string
4004cii 5-string
4005 4-string

I have never played a 4005, but I assume with the hollow body it must sound alot different?

I mention the 4004 because I am interested in getting something with active electronics (I have never played a bass with active electronics but again I assume they add a new sound dimension).

For a collection that is not only Ricks, this sounds interesting...

4003 4-string
Vintage Fender Jazz (4 string fretless)
Pedulla 5-string
P-Type (4-string)

What do you think?

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:45 am

I had basses with active electronics, and it is a love/hate thing. I prefer passive humbuckers. That said, I think my cii is about as versatile as I have had, and I have had all of the above basses, although the Pedulla was a Pentabuzz.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Fri May 25, 2007 7:57 am

The V63's, combined with an Ampeg, have finally given me the sound I've been looking for all these years. They do everything I need. That said, it is nice to have an old Fender around and I'd like to check out a 4004 someday, and maybe a '63 Reissue Hofner.

This is an old picture with my '93 V63 and '65 Jazz. The '72 4001 is gone with a '92 FG V63 taking it's place.

incubus2432 · Post by **incubus2432** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:18 am

I have three 4004s and find them versatile enough to play anything I need. I only say this because I have found that I don't need vastly different tones. Slight changes in technique and the occasional stomp box get me all I need. I used to have different basses to have a different "vibe" now and then but now have become content with having a signature tone that I shoe horn in everywhere. I've found the magic tone that I've had in my head for years and couldn't be happier. Having other basses was nice but anytime I played another I always wanted my Ric back. YMMV of course.

Just throwing another view out there for ya'.

"I mention the 4004 because I am interested in getting something with active electronics (I have never played a bass with active electronics but again I assume they add a new sound dimension)."

Just to clarify......you do know that 4004s are passive? You can certainly add an Aguilar or similar on-board preamp but some routing for battery room would be required (no biggie but just mentioning it).

phlemmy · Post by **phlemmy** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:25 am

for me just a jazz and a 4001 or 4003. like brian, i can get teh tones i need out of some simple EQing and such.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:56 am

Don't know why I always thought the 4004s were active. Thanks for clarifying that!

The Pedulla Pentabuzz looks like a fine bass. There was a 5-string fretless version on eBay last week. How did you like that Charly?

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:58 am

I LOVED it!!!!!! I had an issue with an out of tune piano in a metal building and the piano guy always thought I was out of tune! HAH! That is why I eventually sold it.

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri May 25, 2007 1:13 pm

I have never played a 4005, but I assume with the hollow body it must sound alot different?

Here is an example from MARF II from the mic on a camcorder, I assume:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=4RaUBc8dSOI

Even with the less than optimal audio quality you can get some idea of what a 4005 can sound like, this particular one a '67 4005WB with 3 1/2 year old Chromes flatwound strings on it.

I hope this whets your appetite for one!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:32 pm

if you got em play em

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Sat May 26, 2007 12:43 am

"I mention the 4004 because I am interested in getting something with active electronics (I have never played a bass with active electronics but again I assume they add a new sound dimension)."

That's interesting that you would think that because the powerful pickups on a 4004 would lead you to believe that it was active if you had just unplugged a 4003/4001 and started playing on a 4004. I'm like Brian in that I used to have a 4003/4001/F*nder collection and discovered that between a Cii and a Laredo there is everything you need, even five string capability. My F*nders and 4003's are gone and I keep a few 4001's around for collection/nostalgia purposes.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat May 26, 2007 3:02 am

Basses are just tools in your toolbox. And there's nothing like the "right" tool for the job.

86kubicki · Post by **86kubicki** » Sat May 26, 2007 3:51 am

In addition to Rickenbackers, I often use Laklands. I have a 4-string, 5-string and hollowbody (all US models).

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat May 26, 2007 4:44 am

If you want to go with active electronics then get a 3 band active circuit ... get one where you can boost or cut mids ... or better yet one with sweepable mids ... 2 band active circuits are 2 dimensional ... they end up with the boomy/dinky sound with scooped out mids ... this sound is interesting for a short time but ends up being unsatisfying in the long run ... and even worse the 2 band active basses don't record as well and don't cut through the mix as well as passive basses ...

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:15 am

I have a passive Carvin B4 that Im real happy with.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:48 am

Jeff, can yo recommend any basses with the 3-band active circuit?

Thanks