I"m 66 years old. I started with a 64 p bass. I've had everything from Alembic to music man, and many others. p bass still rules. one bass to rule them all.
@JAMES MATYUS I don't have that album. Mine has a rosewood fingerboard. I had it replaned once because of wear, and it could use it again. So I personally wouldn't want a lacquered maple fingerboard.
@@77clem yep, actually I have it and a 59 that I bought later. These days I'm slowing down a little - I've started playing a 32 inch Warmoth P bass that I built - its a little easier on the stretches. Doesn't sound quite as good - but damn close. Currently have 62 pickup(s) on it.
I have a 1962 Fender Precision bass.It cost me $200.00 back in 1967 used in a pawn shop here in SF.After all these years it's now worth $10,000.But I still can't part with it.It's been my best friend all these years.
In1963 I bought a used 62 P Bass but the neck was too chunky for my small hands, so I sold it in 1965 ..... STUPID, STUPID, STUPID !!! Today I do own a 2008 USA P Bass and a 1995 "Cowpoke" P Bass, that combines features from both the P and the J..... Plus Kubicki Electronics and stacked controls !!!!!
I think It should be: 1. Fender Precision Bass 2. Fender Jazz Bass 3. MusicMan StingRay 4. Rickenbacker 4001 5. Gibson Thunderbird 6. Hofner 500/1 The rest...whatever you want
The Rickenbacker bass is SO beautiful. It's the only instrument I'd consider buying and keeping even if I never gigged or recorded with it. I'd just want one in the house.
Rick W and like a shark he never stopped swimming. From P to J to Stingray to G&L each form was a major evolution. Terrible business man but he truly got the need to keep evolving the bass, refining necks, redesigning bridges, and over and over and over he kept pursuing the best possible electronics and how to use them.
Incorrect, i’d bet that the most recorded would be a Korg Triton or smth like that. As for the most recorded bass - it’s Lee Sklar’s frankenbass with two P pickups and a Stingray control panel. Neither of the pickups is in the Fender P position. ua-cam.com/video/clGclqQR7bw/v-deo.html
I just bought an SR405 in quilted maple dragonburst for $499.99 brand new. Of about 5 basses I have owned over the years .....this is the most gorgeous and incredible playing and sounding bass I have ever owned.
It was iconic but it didn't have a huge wide influence and also kind of faded away. I did really like it but it's, oh yeah, whatever happened to them? thing.
My top 3: 3: Music Man Stingray - amazing for slap, an absolute tone monster. So many possibilites. 2: Rickenbacker 4001 - Very distinct, punchy, and who could top the Rick-O-Sound feature? 1: The Fender Jazz Bass - The one I play is an affinity series, but all of them have so much range, tone possibility, and smoothness to them. I feel like you can use this bass to play any style of music at all, it just fits in the mix so well.
perfect assessment. I have owned all 3 although my 1977 Music man was stolen never to be replaced. Currently playing Rick 4001CS, 68 Jazz and Sector Euro LX and loving all 3.
Found the L2000 be have very weak presence on the G & D strings, would never cut through the mix unless all guitars cut all their top end. No adjustment ever fixed that. Neck was always unstable too. My go to now is the insanely versatile and adjustable Lakland 55-02 (or for more money the 55-14), and for a super low cost Fender Jazz Deluxe knock off the Sire Marcus Miller V7 5ST in Ash (quite heavy though).
@@bobohara3974 Interesting. I find the L-2000 to be the most powerful bass I've ever played, across all strings and range. These days I'm into customizing Squier Jazz basses to my liking. Sires seem cool, but I hate the headstock. I still have never tried a Lakland.
@@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior Yea I was very disappointed in the G&L. Agree with the Headstock on the Sire but the sound is all Jazz Deluxe and then some. For someone on a budget that want's that Jazz sound, this is a dead ringer. I love the Lakland though after 13 basses or so this is the first that I can say can sound pretty much like any bass you choose, takes a while to get used to all the adjust-ability. Stingray 5 sound no problem, P Bass no problem, etc. Heck it even has mid-freq dip switches inside on the pre-amp board that you can play with. It's a 35" scale and it has a super sounding B string as a result. I love the 22 frets and the intonation on the upper frets is excellent to the ear and on a scope. You can also run in passive mode in case the battery goes on vacation mid song. Love the cut of the neck as well. Just a winner for me.
@@dexterc8235 Not me. I had a Ray35 that had more punch and both the Sire and definitely the Lakland have more punch than that L2000. The L2000 was honestly the worst bass I ever had. G&L replaced the neck twice, and they never could get the presence the G & D strings to come up to the level of the E & A strings. Yours may be fine but mine wasn't. I really didn't know any better until I sat in on a friend's band and he let me play his Lakland. That was a 55-14 (US version), I was in awe! Game, set, match. Sold the G & L within weeks thereafter and bought a 55-02 (Overseas version). Was looking to switch to 5 string anyway so the choice was easy.
Where’s the Ibanez at? Surely something so versatile and built with amazing craftsmanship deserves a spot on this list. Most Metals bands either prefer Ibanez over most things. Unless they play a Fender or Warwick.
@@a_yden16 The sound on a Fender is nice and All, but The neck is a pain on the hands and It's not comfortable to play on. Ibanez has a smoother neck and It feels amazing in the hands. I will say the Fender jazz bass is my fav of all the Fender basses though.
@@Roasty420 Fender necks are far smoother than Ibanez necks. Fender necks are very thick though (I personally prefer it). Ibanez necks are very slim but theyre very wide. I hate their necks. Precision bass is my favorite Fender bass, and one of my all time favorite bass. Spector NS-2 is my all time favorite bass though
I have almost every bass on this list. And no matter how nice 10-2 are, nothing sounds better and feels as great as the American made Fender P-bass. I knew Scott’s list would be on point. Thanks for the vid!
I have a 1991 P-Bass and a Reintroduction Hofner 500/1. I got it because of McCartney, but it's lightweight and has a short neck, so it's great for playing some pretty fast runs. Added to the 4001 bassist list is Randy Meisner from the Eagles.
I never bought a bass based on what my heroes played The 1st time I saw an ad in 1978 for a Stingray I knew that's what I wanted It just looked comfortable to play the 3 and 1 headstart made it look not neck heavy I spent 3 years looking for one I bought 1 in 1981 and It's the same one I still play today
Steinberger is missing. Sure it's a relic of the 1980's, but it was so different from everything else and sounded amazing for the time. Honorable mention at least. It was way more than a novelty and spawned a lot of new and creative designs from other manufacturers.
I bought an Aria P in 1983 at Silver Horland in NYC so my buddy, a new sales associate, could make his first sale. I'm really just playing now in my old age and LOVING it. Thanks for all the encouraging videos and your bright and cheery Brit demeanor.
I have the 72 Rickenbacker 4001 that I bought in 1978 and still love it to this day. The sound is like none other and it is soooo easy to play. And yeah, Chris Squire and Geddy Lee are still my favorite bass players. I also have a Jazz Bass and love it too but you just can't beat the punch and snarl of a Rick.
Thanks for including the Höfner 500/1. I got hold of a 1965 original in great condition a long time ago. Its My all time favorite instrument & feels better than any other instrument I've held or played. Some call it nothing more than a toy canoe paddle. For me that warm, woody thump still echoes back with all the rich heritage of Rock history.
Martha Melloy It was an EB 3 and I believe that he would solo the bridge pickup most if not all of the time through two Marshall stacks to get that nasty mid-range tone.
Over the years I've owned (or still do) Stanley Clarke Alembic, 4001CS, 68 Jazz, Spector Euro LX and a 77 Music Man. Fortunate to have played all and have a soft spot for each. Music Man and the Jazz were the two most versatile however the MM was so fucking heavy. The Alembic may have been the oddest bass I owned. The weight distribution made it an abortion to play onstage for if you let go of the neck the head of the bass would literally fall to the floor it was so top heavy. You spent half your effort with the left hand fingering the fret board and holding the bass up. As I was in a Yes Tribute the CS is a no-brainer and while I don't play it as much it's worth a shit-ton now so I will never sell it.
Ken Smith should also be on this list, the Rickenbacker should not be on 2-nd place, not ahead of the Jazz Bass... 1 Precision, 2 Jazz Bass, 3 Stingray, ...
Totally agree on the Ken Smith, but for popularity, I can see why it didn't make the list. Ricky's are awesome but have so many issues from the pickups to the finishes, they should be lower on the list. This list should be split into two top-10's, one being "best bass" and another being "iconic basses." Ken Smith's would end up in the "best" category, where iconic would have Ricky, Hofner, Warwick, Steinberger, etc. Probably could split the lists again with price point differences, as has been discussed on other videos here. I would suggest an MSRP split at $1500US, as that seems to be the mid-cut between solid basses & the top of the line custom basses out there.
Ken Smith is a dick. He wanted to charge me $50 for a half dozen screws for my stupid expensive bass that I bought from him personally. I sold it instead.
My top 4 (reverse order): 4.- Hofner 500/1 (a beautiful vintage and non sustained sound) 3.- Music Man Stingray (the best humbucking sound, at least the best I've played...) 2.- Fender Jazzbass (beautiful mid range articulated sound) 1.- Fender Precision (OF COURSE... but I love it more with the PJ configuration, so I can add to the mix a little extra mid-range jazzbass sounding). As you can see, I love classic basses looking and sounding...
Spector NS2 over Warwick , it was Ned Steinberger’s innovative design which influenced Warwick and numerous other manufacturers to adapt and recreate their own interpretations.
Played my Jazzbass for a long time, then stoped playing for almost 20 years, now picked up a used G&L L2000 and are wery impressed by the versitility and, well.. plain and simple, the sound.
Scott's list is a great "10 Iconic Basses" list. For what it's worth, I think a decent "10 Best Basses for Working Musicians" would be: 1. Precision Bass, split coil design (I would almost consider this 2 instruments: one with a mute and flats and the other with rounds) 2. Jazz Bass 3. MusicMan Stingray (this could also be your 5-string workhorse for gigs that require the ole brown note) 4. Rickenbacker 4003 (imho the 4003 is hands-down a better bass guitar than the 4001) 5. Precision, the OG single coil design 6. Guild Starfire (with flats and pretty much exclusively played with a pick... it's such a cool sound that sits perfectly in certain settings) 7. Jazz Bass, fretless (yes, this is somewhat of a repeat, but I think the fretless factor really makes this its own instrument) 8. Hofner H500/1 9. Fender Mustang 10. Something out of left field, like a Univox, Mosrite, or Hagstrom (because there's always that one song in a recording project that needs it) Sorry, Gibson, but I have no love for your bass guitars. I appreciate that they're iconic, but I have a real hard time with them.
Id take a Fender jaguar over a mustang. I have played both. The mustang seems a little obnoxious or middy to me...a but too in your face, but I did only play it once.
I prefer the Jazz to the Precision but taste is taste. I admit, provided you play with a pick, the Rickenbacker 4001 sounds amazing. I'm really not much of a Yes fan but man, Chris Squire's tone (and, yes, technique) is phenomenal.
Aria SB - yes! Where on earth was this?? - this is a personal list and no way definitive - so there are tonnes of missing classics because we all have been influenced by other makes...... me personally, would take the kinda knockoff Alembic, the Jaydee any day of the week - that is the definitive MK sound - which is waaaaay better than the shite he plays now - I think he has gone deaf or something because the status (and his weird set up) just doesnt kick ass...... See.... prattling on about my own faves ..... but to return - I have played Aria SB's for years and they are awesome!!!
Absolutely love this video, thanks Scott. I agree with all of your choices accept I would have put the Jazz bass second. Have a Merry Christmas, God Bless you and your Family!
Yea, I mean if it were based on my tone pallet... I don’t think any fenders or ricks would make the list. In my opinion... it seems everyone that makes “fender” copies are better at it than Fender themselves. Dingwall supers, Laklands... iduno maybe the relics have some special qualities but I’ve played a 150$ squire jazz, 600$ mexi jazz and have owned a jazz deluxe V that was 1800... besides maybe a better setup, there wasn’t a significant difference to justify the price gap. I sold the fender for a Dingwall combustion and thought it was one of the better basses I’ve ever played... that’s until my Dingwall ABii 6 came in the mail. that list felt more like a popularity contest... but with that said, wouldn’t you think Lee Sklar’s bass might have Some importance/significance to a list like this?
No quarrel with the P bass being top, though I prefer the J bass for the versatility. Very cool list🤘🏻 and thanks for giving some props to the Yamaha classic that tends to be forgotten many times. 👍🏻
G&L basses are oddly hard to get hold of over here in the UK. I'm not sure if it's the same in other countries but if it is, it might explain why it didn't make the list? I'd love to try one out.
Just curious, in your opinion, why don’t people talk much about the G&L basses, overall ? I’ve been playing the L2000 and L2500 for over 20 years now. Have I fallen into a niche or do you think the G&L basses fall under another umbrella, generally speaking?
Jonathan Batchelder my personal feeling about G&L is that they don't look as "classic" as the Precision, JB and Stingray does, They look more like the Musicman Sabre, which is also not a "classic" or popular bass too.
The Stingray should be in the top 3. Personally I prefer it over my Jazz bass. I have 2 rays, one with the standard neck which Is like the P bass and another with the thinner neck which is like the Jazz bass neck. But the stingray has more punch and cuts thru Better than my Jazz.
Despite the order, it's a good list. Personally, I'd put a Spector ahead of a Warwick, and if you got a Yamaha BB then why not Ibanez SR? Never cared for Hofners, and I can't stand a Gibson basses... But that's me. However, there's not a bass listed doesn't have a valid argument for its place. And massive cajones points for putting a rick ahead of the Jazz (as much as I like a rick...not sure I could've pulled the trigger on that?)
I think you nailed it with this list! I've been pouring over basses lately trying to decide what to add to my small collection, still toiling. Real close to pulling the trigger on the Fender J bass. I love playing different basses in the store!
I recently inherited a natural finish 1978 Music Man Stingray from my grandma that passed a few years back. I've been doing some research into playing bass and I am SO stoked to start playing it.
Hey I love your list here's why : I own 2 Fender Precisions, a Fender Jazz, a Rickenbacker 4003, and a Musicman Sterling Ray34 but my favourite is my Steve Harris Signature Fender Precision Bass
Chris Squire once referred to the Fender Jazz Bass as his "favorite", although the Rickenbacker 4001S was his signature instrument. Michael Rutherford was not most folks' idea of a bass hero, but he played a Rick, in the earlier days. I find that many of Rutherford's runs, while not up front and pushy, are really original, challenging, satisfying, and organic with the rare, ingenious character of the rest of Genesis' music. It has a haunting quality that other basses simply don't have. If you don't want to sound run of the mill when it comes to bass, you really need to at least experiment with one. I came into being the same year, 1957, and I that alone makes me glad I watched this all the way through. It is such a classic, like a '57 Chevy. McCartney really explored the romantic, rare qualities the 4001 could produce, but Squire explored passages that, to me, were like an LSD trip without the hazards.
He managed to break the sunburst Rick he borrowed, several times, he said. But, I always loved the visual statement of that double neck, in performances. If being a bassist sometimes being the back end of a pantomime horse, he did his job with amazing originality and subtlety. Like Squire, he seems to have often tried to approach each new song in something of a novel way. It may not have made me think, oh, that is some fine bass playing, but in retrospect, it certainly did make me think, wow, that is an amazing song that I can listen to hundreds of times and always notice something I missed, before. In concert, I could see his fingers hitting ten times as many notes as had registered with me, consciously, but there was some kind of alchemy going on. He looks and sounds like Saruman, yet they nicknamed him Gandalf. It all makes sense, fifty years later.
More love for Rutherford in the PG era Genesis here, although you knew something really special was coming when he moved on to the bass pedals for those totally overwhelming passages (Cinema Show, Suppers Ready, Firth of Fifth etc)
I enjoyed my ric while i had it. i ran the bass pup thru a Sunn Coliseum with an 18 cab and the bridge pup thru an Acoustic guitar amp (dont remember the model) with a 6 x 10 cab. Lordy the earth did move. I'd accept one as gift these days...heh or snag one if the price was right. But I'd not pay what they're asking these now. Fender baby.
I have a 73 P Bass as well, I completely understand your point of view! I also play a Ric 4003 and an NS Design Radius CR5, which is just about the craziest sounding bass I've ever been around.
Always wanted A P-Bass, I inherited a 73 EB-0 back in 83 and bought my first bass (SG) in 87. Still play them both today. I've considered getting a P-Bass and a Ric 4003 is my holy grail, I just can't spend that kinda bread on a bass these days =/
Lot of people hating on Rickenbacker for some reason...they're amazing! I would have been fine with it at #3 also, but it definitely deserves it's place near the top.
I guess I can only speak the experience that I've had, and every one that I've played has played and sounded great. I will admit that I don't own one and I'm not sure that I ever will. I would still take a P bass over a Rick almost every time.
@@patrickschlies6542 Most of the studio stuff was recorded with a 72 J bass. Like moving pictures. I still like Ricks though. Just sucks you have to vice the neck to do an adjustment. Not very practical.
@@patrickschlies6542 he used jazz bass from permanent waves to current. So 1977 that would be the Rick. And farewell to kings is my favorite album BTW. Doesn't matter what album though his tone is always crushing.
I love Ibanez and some of the higher end BC Rich basses. But having to choose between the Rickenbacker 4001or 4003 and the Fender Jazz Bass it's like having to choose a favorite child.
Amen brother. That Thunderbird thing made such a success thanks to its weird shape, but when it comes to tone it is a disaster (i don't mention the balance cause Scott did it). Spectors can give tons of tone and character.
Also sometimes hard to separate the bass from the player...if Victor didn't use a Fodera, how many fewer people would know about Fodera? Ditto McCartney with the Hofner. But the classics like the Jazz, the Precision, the Ric 4001, ….they transcend any of the players who use them. But lists like this are always fun because there will always be arguments about who makes the list and where.....thanks for the video, Scott!!
The P Bass is timeless. I have 2017 American Standard with SPB-3s installed and it rips. I play mostly aggressive styles of music and the P bass just sits so well in the mix and has a great growl with overdrive engaged.
Not bad a list overall, of course everyone will have their favourites depending on what they listen to! Personally, I would have put the Rick in 4th behind the P, J, and the Stingray. Also, I would have dropped the Warwick Thumb from this list and include the Wal Mk I - that's a pretty important one that was left out, in my opinion.
in my 41 years of playing i have had LOADS of basses. guild b103, shergold marathon, ric 4003, many a jazz, washburn, the list goes on..at any one time i usually have 2 or 3 basses in the house. at the moment, a schecter diamond series jazz and....i ALWAYS HAVE A GO TO BASS. A FENDER P. currently a roger waters signature.
This is list is pretty solid. I have had the luck to play the Jazz Bass, P Bass, Stingray and recently got a BBP35. All basses are amazing; however, I am surprised with the BB, have been playing it for a while now and it has become my go to bass. If I have to pick one of the basses (for me) I would go with the BB.
I'm glad you mentioned Entwhistles Fender Bird basses, as I believe he liked the feel of the P Bass neck better and the tone of the Thunderbird pickups better, teamed up with Roto Sound Strings.
Okay, you listed the Precision, the Jazz (should have been #2) and the Stingray, so where is Leo's Last Love, the G&L L-2000? if the Stingray was the ultimate update to the Precision, then the L-2000 was the ultimate update to the Jazz. With those two honking MFD humbuckers and nearly infinite number of tonal possibilities, it is by far the most underrated bass guitar on the planet.
8:30 wasn't the Stingray the first active electronics for the masses? I recall until then you had to spend Alembic money to get it? the 3/1 headstock was nice but it was the 8-pole and active tone that I thought were groundbreaking, no?
SUPER happy the thumb made it in the top 10 (for a mad demo of Ryan Martinie I would recommend March of the Cephalopods - Soften the glare ((also he's using his signature fretless thumb)), I reckon this song shows much more of Ryan's musicianship and more of the Thumb's tone). Also gotta say, that was a pretty big call putting the Rickenbaker in front of the Jazz Bass hoo boy.. Great video cheers
Ever played a G&L l2000 wasn't that Leo fenders and George Fulton? Fabulous design. I can't afford one but I've played some and they're awesome I've been playing for over 20 years.
Ibanez are to be considered; thin fast neck, fat bridge or independant bridge for each string , Bartolini and Nordstrand pickups, strong woods, excellent playability, comes stock with low action... Let's not only consider history and popularity.
The only ibanez basses I've liked were the fender copies, atks and the composite 5 string ergodynes from the 90s Everything about the Sr series feels wrong to me, skinny cramp inducing necks, horrible body shape and to me anemic tone. I really wanted to like that hybrid fretted/fretless they did too 😥 But hey, to each their own.
@@NiskRanThawll I dislike that you put this "cramp inducing neck" and "horrible body shape"as a fact, i never had cramps on the sr neck. I absolutely live for that skinny smooth neck, nothing beats it for me and many other players. Also horrible body shape, cmon man are you mad? Don't bring your opinion as a fact
@@Mr_Foeko which part of "feels wrong to me" is stating my opinion as fact? I also ended with to each their own. I prefer a real chunky neck and a solid full body like my P basses and status offer me. I find no benefit to the cramped nut width and skinny necks of ibanez Sr series. I actually find the aesthetics of Sr series basses to be disgusting also 😂 But again to each their own. If you find SR to be your go to, good for you. But for me, nope I never wanna touch one again.
Like you said everyone will have an opinion. HOW COULD YOU FORGET SPECTOR!!!!? I have a 1993 NS-2 hand made by Stewart Spector. My God! Man! Changed the sound of active basses for all time. Anyway, love you man LOL
I"m 66 years old. I started with a 64 p bass. I've had everything from Alembic to music man, and many others. p bass still rules. one bass to rule them all.
I'm 65. I upgraded to a P-fretless in '74, added a J pickup in '84, and would never trade it for anything else.
One bass to find them
@JAMES MATYUS I don't have that album. Mine has a rosewood fingerboard. I had it replaned once because of wear, and it could use it again. So I personally wouldn't want a lacquered maple fingerboard.
Do you still have the 64? If not I bet you wish you did...
@@77clem yep, actually I have it and a 59 that I bought later. These days I'm slowing down a little - I've started playing a 32 inch Warmoth P bass that I built - its a little easier on the stretches. Doesn't sound quite as good - but damn close. Currently have 62 pickup(s) on it.
I have a 1962 Fender Precision bass.It cost me $200.00 back in 1967 used in a pawn shop here in SF.After all these years it's now worth $10,000.But I still can't part with it.It's been my best friend all these years.
Oh you lucky bastard! I have a 2001 American Standard Precision. I prefer my Jag SS. I'm old and I shrunk!
If you ever do, I will happily give you your $200 back and give it a wonderful, wonderful home.
In1963 I bought a used 62 P Bass but the neck was too chunky for my small hands, so I sold it in 1965 ..... STUPID, STUPID, STUPID !!! Today I do own a 2008 USA P Bass and a 1995 "Cowpoke" P Bass, that combines features from both the P and the J..... Plus Kubicki Electronics and stacked controls !!!!!
Keep it!
I think It should be:
1. Fender Precision Bass
2. Fender Jazz Bass
3. MusicMan StingRay
4. Rickenbacker 4001
5. Gibson Thunderbird
6. Hofner 500/1
The rest...whatever you want
Stingray should be no.1!
This is true!!!
I agree
I'd put the EB-0 instead of the thunderbird.
@@you_tubeslonelyheartsclubband I prefer the EB-3.
1. Precision Bass
2. Jazz Bass
3. Stingray
4. 4001
5: reverse flying v bass with side pickups
@@SKOOBER. No! 5: Thunderbird
Severi Sukuvaara 4003sw
I totally agree!
Jazz bass 1 😭
I would give a honorable mention to Spector basses. The have a completely unique and easily identifiable tone.
I agree. I had never tried one until I took a trip to Sweetwater and it blew my mind
yeah spectors are pretty sweet
Agreed. If added to the pantheon I'd then own three of the top 10....Jazz, Rick and the Spector.
Agreed. Spectors are all about thick growl, an ideal bass sound
Totally agreed. Really great bases. Unfortunately not very pretty.
The Rickenbacker bass is SO beautiful. It's the only instrument I'd consider buying and keeping even if I never gigged or recorded with it. I'd just want one in the house.
To me, the top 3 are
1) Precision bass
2) Jazz bass
3) Stingray
Same here
i agree
@@thebassrogue Me too
Agreed
Not me
Obviously Mr. Fender knew how to put a proper bass together. The man just dominates.
Rick W and like a shark he never stopped swimming. From P to J to Stingray to G&L each form was a major evolution.
Terrible business man but he truly got the need to keep evolving the bass, refining necks, redesigning bridges, and over and over and over he kept pursuing the best possible electronics and how to use them.
Pretty impressive for an old TV repairman!
I think Leo would put the entire G&L catalog ahead of this list. I do.
@@jamesbranum1062 TV electronics are actually more complicated.
@TheYummyBurrito so the fender company kept things the same way...why mess with perfection?
The Fender "P" bass is the single most recorded instrument of ALL instruments. Something about the tone it puts out hits the ear with a perfect wave.
Incorrect, i’d bet that the most recorded would be a Korg Triton or smth like that. As for the most recorded bass - it’s Lee Sklar’s frankenbass with two P pickups and a Stingray control panel. Neither of the pickups is in the Fender P position. ua-cam.com/video/clGclqQR7bw/v-deo.html
I agree (mostly) with the video, but I'd put the Jazz Bass on #2, next to the P Bass. Just my opinion.
Obvious.
I adore the Ricky bass, but let's face it the Jazz Bass should be No. 2 right behind the Precision.
Exactly every true bass person knows the Precision and Jazz are 1 & 2. Scott got his pom poms cheer leading for the Ricky because he's a Brit.
Full agreement, behind the P-Bass, the Jazzbass is the next instant classic which influences bass playing much more then the Rickenbacker!!!!
yeah i really dont like the jazz but i still think it deserves the #2 spot
I really think that Ibanez basses are super underrated. Like roadstar and soundgear sound amazing.
I'm with you. Show me a better bass for the money than an SR300e and i'll buy it but I aint seen it yet.
Show me a better shortscale than the gsrm20.
I just bought an SR405 in quilted maple dragonburst for $499.99 brand new. Of about 5 basses I have owned over the years .....this is the most gorgeous and incredible playing and sounding bass I have ever owned.
Milo Fraser the Ibanez Talman is a great sounding bass also
Yea😁👍
The Steinberger XL2 was a milestone like the Alembic. Something new and unique.
It was iconic but it didn't have a huge wide influence and also kind of faded away. I did really like it but it's, oh yeah, whatever happened to them? thing.
Have a Steinberger and a Hohner wood copy, love them both. Double ball is the way to go
I am SO HAPPY Ryan got a mention for the Warwick Thumb. He's the sole reason I play Warwick now.
My top 3:
3: Music Man Stingray - amazing for slap, an absolute tone monster. So many possibilites.
2: Rickenbacker 4001 - Very distinct, punchy, and who could top the Rick-O-Sound feature?
1: The Fender Jazz Bass - The one I play is an affinity series, but all of them have so much range, tone possibility, and smoothness to them. I feel like you can use this bass to play any style of music at all, it just fits in the mix so well.
My Top three is 1 P-Bass 2 Jazz Bass 3 Rickenbacker 4001 (that old toaster neck pickup sound was soo deep)
perfect assessment. I have owned all 3 although my 1977 Music man was stolen never to be replaced. Currently playing Rick 4001CS, 68 Jazz and Sector Euro LX and loving all 3.
I've always been a Spector guy, none of the other basses I've tried felt as comfortable and sounded as great.
favourite rickenbacker 4001 player: Scott Pilgrim.
A_man_of_culture_as_well.jpg
@@mescalormavideos7767 you didn't get the joke, bro
@@mescalormavideos7767 Scott Pilgrim is an acquired taste, so I suggest you acquire some taste.
i think he used a 4003
Same, but my favorite is Haruko Haruhara
I love so many different basses, but the Jazz bass always makes me so happy. G&L L-2000 is pretty sick, too.
Found the L2000 be have very weak presence on the G & D strings, would never cut through the mix unless all guitars cut all their top end. No adjustment ever fixed that. Neck was always unstable too. My go to now is the insanely versatile and adjustable Lakland 55-02 (or for more money the 55-14), and for a super low cost Fender Jazz Deluxe knock off the Sire Marcus Miller V7 5ST in Ash (quite heavy though).
@@bobohara3974 Interesting. I find the L-2000 to be the most powerful bass I've ever played, across all strings and range. These days I'm into customizing Squier Jazz basses to my liking. Sires seem cool, but I hate the headstock. I still have never tried a Lakland.
@@SteveBlancoMusicianWarrior Yea I was very disappointed in the G&L. Agree with the Headstock on the Sire but the sound is all Jazz Deluxe and then some. For someone on a budget that want's that Jazz sound, this is a dead ringer.
I love the Lakland though after 13 basses or so this is the first that I can say can sound pretty much like any bass you choose, takes a while to get used to all the adjust-ability. Stingray 5 sound no problem, P Bass no problem, etc. Heck it even has mid-freq dip switches inside on the pre-amp board that you can play with. It's a 35" scale and it has a super sounding B string as a result. I love the 22 frets and the intonation on the upper frets is excellent to the ear and on a scope. You can also run in passive mode in case the battery goes on vacation mid song. Love the cut of the neck as well. Just a winner for me.
I am with @Musicians Warrior, L2000s are the most powerful bass I have played!
@@dexterc8235 Not me. I had a Ray35 that had more punch and both the Sire and definitely the Lakland have more punch than that L2000. The L2000 was honestly the worst bass I ever had. G&L replaced the neck twice, and they never could get the presence the G & D strings to come up to the level of the E & A strings. Yours may be fine but mine wasn't. I really didn't know any better until I sat in on a friend's band and he let me play his Lakland. That was a 55-14 (US version), I was in awe! Game, set, match. Sold the G & L within weeks thereafter and bought a 55-02 (Overseas version). Was looking to switch to 5 string anyway so the choice was easy.
Where’s the Ibanez at? Surely something so versatile and built with amazing craftsmanship deserves a spot on this list. Most Metals bands either prefer Ibanez over most things. Unless they play a Fender or Warwick.
Ibanez sucks ass it’s for ass music to that’s why it’s not on there.
@@josiahbraboy6863 Right? lmao Go play your overpriced Gibson or Shitty Fender. Can't play metal music with that garbage.
@@Roasty420 Ibanez is very eh. They sound good, but they never play all that great. Spector, Warwick, and Fender rule the metal tone area best imo.
@@a_yden16 The sound on a Fender is nice and All, but The neck is a pain on the hands and It's not comfortable to play on. Ibanez has a smoother neck and It feels amazing in the hands. I will say the Fender jazz bass is my fav of all the Fender basses though.
@@Roasty420 Fender necks are far smoother than Ibanez necks. Fender necks are very thick though (I personally prefer it). Ibanez necks are very slim but theyre very wide. I hate their necks. Precision bass is my favorite Fender bass, and one of my all time favorite bass. Spector NS-2 is my all time favorite bass though
My top 5:
1. Jazz Bass
2. Stingray
3. Presicion bass
4. Hofner
5. Rickerbacker
J a z z
Wal.
The best basses are the ones that fit the player and their play style the best.
Word 😎👍
I own a 5 string Yamaha BB, and couldn't be happier. Worth every penny.
I have almost every bass on this list. And no matter how nice 10-2 are, nothing sounds better and feels as great as the American made Fender P-bass. I knew Scott’s list would be on point. Thanks for the vid!
I have a 1991 P-Bass and a Reintroduction Hofner 500/1. I got it because of McCartney, but it's lightweight and has a short neck, so it's great for playing some pretty fast runs. Added to the 4001 bassist list is Randy Meisner from the Eagles.
P for a background guy, Rick for a rocker, J and Stingray for soloing..... ✌️🙂
Yes that's true
1) P-Bass
2) J-Bass
3) Stingray
4)Rickenbacker
5) Tele Bass
I never bought a bass based on what my heroes played The 1st time I saw an ad in 1978 for a Stingray I knew that's what I wanted It just looked comfortable to play the 3 and 1 headstart made it look not neck heavy I spent 3 years looking for one I bought 1 in 1981 and It's the same one I still play today
honestly surprised that no Wal basses made the cut. those have such an iconic sound.
Interesting fact : Lemmys Rick actually had Thunderbird pickups.
And Cliffs Rick had neck pickup from Gibson SG bass aka mudbucker :D
@@elcomberro123 yeah, he also had a single coil in the bridge.
@@jery3385 and a guitar pickup where the mute in the bride is
@@feverlma that's what je ry means
Steinberger is missing. Sure it's a relic of the 1980's, but it was so different from everything else and sounded amazing for the time. Honorable mention at least. It was way more than a novelty and spawned a lot of new and creative designs from other manufacturers.
Steimberger is missing, and Tobias, and Pedulla, and Ken Smith, and Spector, and Ibanez Sr, ad some others...
I bought an Aria P in 1983 at Silver Horland in NYC so my buddy, a new sales associate, could make his first sale. I'm really just playing now in my old age and LOVING it. Thanks for all the encouraging videos and your bright and cheery Brit demeanor.
I have the 72 Rickenbacker 4001 that I bought in 1978 and still love it to this day. The sound is like none other and it is soooo easy to play. And yeah, Chris Squire and Geddy Lee are still my favorite bass players. I also have a Jazz Bass and love it too but you just can't beat the punch and snarl of a Rick.
Yeah. Never had one. Always wanted one.
@@thomasskeren4425 I sign that...!!!!
Nice to see Rickenbacker recognized, pretty good list, would have liked to see the Gibson EB-3 in there though.
I sold my EB-3 it just didn't do it for me. Just a basically flawed concept. Mahogany not a suitable choice. Thin sound.
@@richardlavallee9106 Jack Bruce and Andy Fraser made it sound pretty good.
Thanks for including the Höfner 500/1. I got hold of a 1965 original in great condition a long time ago. Its My all time favorite instrument & feels better than any other instrument I've held or played. Some call it nothing more than a toy canoe paddle. For me that warm, woody thump still echoes back with all the rich heritage of Rock history.
mines pot code sep63 ;-)
Gibson EB-2 and EB-0. 2 of my favorites
I've been using my EB 0 going on four decades now. After two rebuilds it still rocks.
Wasn't the small EB-2 Jack's bass of choice during the his Cream years?
Martha Melloy It was an EB 3 and I believe that he would solo the bridge pickup most if not all of the time through two Marshall stacks to get that nasty mid-range tone.
3
@@marthamelloy8621
@@Cap683 I have a vintage EB3 ...... classic!
I absolutely love the Stingray, and it’s probably my favorite bass (Though I don’t have a real one) but the P-bass definitely deserves number 1!
If you have got a sub we're on the same boat! 👌😁. Despite being cheap I find the sound exceptional
Over the years I've owned (or still do) Stanley Clarke Alembic, 4001CS, 68 Jazz, Spector Euro LX and a 77 Music Man. Fortunate to have played all and have a soft spot for each. Music Man and the Jazz were the two most versatile however the MM was so fucking heavy. The Alembic may have been the oddest bass I owned. The weight distribution made it an abortion to play onstage for if you let go of the neck the head of the bass would literally fall to the floor it was so top heavy. You spent half your effort with the left hand fingering the fret board and holding the bass up. As I was in a Yes Tribute the CS is a no-brainer and while I don't play it as much it's worth a shit-ton now so I will never sell it.
I am a proud owner of P-Bass that I took from my Dad when I was 10 years old. Still use it after all these years and love it! Rest is history.
Ken Smith should also be on this list, the Rickenbacker should not be on 2-nd place, not ahead of the Jazz Bass... 1 Precision, 2 Jazz Bass, 3 Stingray, ...
Totally agree on the Ken Smith, but for popularity, I can see why it didn't make the list. Ricky's are awesome but have so many issues from the pickups to the finishes, they should be lower on the list. This list should be split into two top-10's, one being "best bass" and another being "iconic basses." Ken Smith's would end up in the "best" category, where iconic would have Ricky, Hofner, Warwick, Steinberger, etc. Probably could split the lists again with price point differences, as has been discussed on other videos here. I would suggest an MSRP split at $1500US, as that seems to be the mid-cut between solid basses & the top of the line custom basses out there.
1 jazz bass and 2 p bass for me
Rumba up
I gig hard. I've laid a beating on my Rick. It's never let me down. Had a Jazz...hated it...just didn't work for me. And I gig pretty much all genres.
Ken Smith is a dick. He wanted to charge me $50 for a half dozen screws for my stupid expensive bass that I bought from him personally. I sold it instead.
Precision, Rickenbacker, MusicMan, and Thunderbird, my favorites
My top 4 (reverse order):
4.- Hofner 500/1 (a beautiful vintage and non sustained sound)
3.- Music Man Stingray (the best humbucking sound, at least the best I've played...)
2.- Fender Jazzbass (beautiful mid range articulated sound)
1.- Fender Precision (OF COURSE... but I love it more with the PJ configuration, so I can add to the mix a little extra mid-range jazzbass sounding).
As you can see, I love classic basses looking and sounding...
I'm interested in the StingRay. Is your #3 the pre- Ernie Ball or any particular year that fits near the top of the list?
@@donh5794 I don't own a Stingray, I've played it in two different moments (two different basses, I mean). I'm pretty sure both were Ernie Ball.
@@lukasromerowenz9179 Ok, thanks.
Spector NS2 over Warwick , it was Ned Steinberger’s innovative design which influenced Warwick and numerous other manufacturers to adapt and recreate their own interpretations.
Bingo!!!
totally agree on the NS2
Played my Jazzbass for a long time, then stoped playing for almost 20 years, now picked up a used G&L L2000 and are wery impressed by the versitility and, well.. plain and simple, the sound.
Scott's list is a great "10 Iconic Basses" list. For what it's worth, I think a decent "10 Best Basses for Working Musicians" would be:
1. Precision Bass, split coil design (I would almost consider this 2 instruments: one with a mute and flats and the other with rounds)
2. Jazz Bass
3. MusicMan Stingray (this could also be your 5-string workhorse for gigs that require the ole brown note)
4. Rickenbacker 4003 (imho the 4003 is hands-down a better bass guitar than the 4001)
5. Precision, the OG single coil design
6. Guild Starfire (with flats and pretty much exclusively played with a pick... it's such a cool sound that sits perfectly in certain settings)
7. Jazz Bass, fretless (yes, this is somewhat of a repeat, but I think the fretless factor really makes this its own instrument)
8. Hofner H500/1
9. Fender Mustang
10. Something out of left field, like a Univox, Mosrite, or Hagstrom (because there's always that one song in a recording project that needs it)
Sorry, Gibson, but I have no love for your bass guitars. I appreciate that they're iconic, but I have a real hard time with them.
Id take a Fender jaguar over a mustang. I have played both. The mustang seems a little obnoxious or middy to me...a but too in your face, but I did only play it once.
I prefer the Jazz to the Precision but taste is taste. I admit, provided you play with a pick, the Rickenbacker 4001 sounds amazing. I'm really not much of a Yes fan but man, Chris Squire's tone (and, yes, technique) is phenomenal.
What about Aria SB? G&L L-2000? (Precision+Jazz+Stingray in one!)
+ Spector, of course!
I've got an 82 Aria it's a great instrument and my go to bass
My first bass was an Aria Pro II. Just shy of 3octave neck, Jazz bass neck, J bass pickup config. I loved that bass. Some one stole it at a gig.
Aria SB is flat out Amazing. Been trying to get my hands on one for years now.
Aria SB - yes! Where on earth was this?? - this is a personal list and no way definitive - so there are tonnes of missing classics because we all have been influenced by other makes...... me personally, would take the kinda knockoff Alembic, the Jaydee any day of the week - that is the definitive MK sound - which is waaaaay better than the shite he plays now - I think he has gone deaf or something because the status (and his weird set up) just doesnt kick ass......
See.... prattling on about my own faves ..... but to return - I have played Aria SB's for years and they are awesome!!!
I have had several Spectors, love them all! Still have 2.
you’re such a genuinely funny guy, keep up the good work dude
Absolutely love this video, thanks Scott. I agree with all of your choices accept I would have put the Jazz bass second. Have a Merry Christmas, God Bless you and your Family!
Killer video as usual, would be cool to see maybe a top 10-15 most innovative modern basses of the current music era
Dingwall
Hell yeah, got a purple swirled ng3 and its killer
@@seansouza6694 I've got a black ng2 that I'm thinking of upgrading but I think I'll go for a 3X switch instead of the dbird
Dingwall, Spector, more Warwick, Modulus, etc.
Yea, I mean if it were based on my tone pallet... I don’t think any fenders or ricks would make the list. In my opinion... it seems everyone that makes “fender” copies are better at it than Fender themselves. Dingwall supers, Laklands... iduno maybe the relics have some special qualities but I’ve played a 150$ squire jazz, 600$ mexi jazz and have owned a jazz deluxe V that was 1800... besides maybe a better setup, there wasn’t a significant difference to justify the price gap. I sold the fender for a Dingwall combustion and thought it was one of the better basses I’ve ever played... that’s until my Dingwall ABii 6 came in the mail. that list felt more like a popularity contest... but with that said, wouldn’t you think Lee Sklar’s bass might have Some importance/significance to a list like this?
No quarrel with the P bass being top, though I prefer the J bass for the versatility. Very cool list🤘🏻 and thanks for giving some props to the Yamaha classic that tends to be forgotten many times. 👍🏻
1. Jazz
2. P
3. Stingray
4. Rick
All wrong
P
J
Rick
Stingray
We have a winner !!
Stingray's are shit
P bass over jazz bass anyday
@@PillsBuryDoughBoy_ No ef u j bass over p anyday
I think the G&l L2000 and 2500 should have been there
G&L basses are oddly hard to get hold of over here in the UK. I'm not sure if it's the same in other countries but if it is, it might explain why it didn't make the list? I'd love to try one out.
@@GarethFlatlands Of course not via a physical music shop, but Thomann has quite a collection online for us Europeans.
My favorite bass to play ever. You can get almost any tone out of them and as a gig bass nothing else matches it.
Just curious, in your opinion, why don’t people talk much about the G&L basses, overall ? I’ve been playing the L2000 and L2500 for over 20 years now. Have I fallen into a niche or do you think the G&L basses fall under another umbrella, generally speaking?
Jonathan Batchelder my personal feeling about G&L is that they don't look as "classic" as the Precision, JB and Stingray does, They look more like the Musicman Sabre, which is also not a "classic" or popular bass too.
I agree that the Fender Precision Bass deserves to be number 1. Another good bassist that uses the Rickenbacker 4001 user is Bruce Foxton from The Jam
He's one of the reason I wanted to play bass. First song I learned all the way through was David Watts
The Stingray should be in the top 3. Personally I prefer it over my Jazz bass. I have 2 rays, one with the standard neck which
Is like the P bass and another with the thinner neck which is like the Jazz bass neck. But the stingray has more punch and cuts thru
Better than my Jazz.
I've had my sting ray for 19 years now. I've had USA and Mex J and P and the sting ray is by far the best playing AND sounding. I love it.
I wanted a Stingray for years....and then I tried a second hand Sterling (not Sterling by MM, a MM Sterling made in US). Never looked back!!
Despite the order, it's a good list. Personally, I'd put a Spector ahead of a Warwick, and if you got a Yamaha BB then why not Ibanez SR? Never cared for Hofners, and I can't stand a Gibson basses... But that's me.
However, there's not a bass listed doesn't have a valid argument for its place. And massive cajones points for putting a rick ahead of the Jazz (as much as I like a rick...not sure I could've pulled the trigger on that?)
I would’ve had the Ibanez Musician in there somewhere. It can also double as a boat anchor.
Joe Dart on the Fend...... on the Music Man BASS!!!
I think you nailed it with this list! I've been pouring over basses lately trying to decide what to add to my small collection, still toiling. Real close to pulling the trigger on the Fender J bass. I love playing different basses in the store!
I've always preferred the look of the Jazz to the P.
I recently inherited a natural finish 1978 Music Man Stingray from my grandma that passed a few years back. I've been doing some research into playing bass and I am SO stoked to start playing it.
How about the classic Gibson EB. Twin pick up design variable switch volume and tone. The best bass I've ever played and I've tried most
I have an American elite fender jazz bass deluxe It's a 2019 black and active and passive switch and pot tuners
Ok
Just started playing bass after 21 years on guitar. I got a 1961 Jazz reissue. I adore it. The versatility is stunning x
Hey I love your list here's why : I own 2 Fender Precisions, a Fender Jazz, a Rickenbacker 4003, and a Musicman Sterling Ray34 but my favourite is my Steve Harris Signature Fender Precision Bass
09:57 Holy high action Batman!
It might really be a "Squire"!
The thunderbird is really really underrated
I love the thunderbird, sound, thin neck, design, the BIG SOUND!
It is a Dive Bomber
Chris Squire once referred to the Fender Jazz Bass as his "favorite", although the Rickenbacker 4001S was his signature instrument. Michael Rutherford was not most folks' idea of a bass hero, but he played a Rick, in the earlier days. I find that many of Rutherford's runs, while not up front and pushy, are really original, challenging, satisfying, and organic with the rare, ingenious character of the rest of Genesis' music. It has a haunting quality that other basses simply don't have. If you don't want to sound run of the mill when it comes to bass, you really need to at least experiment with one. I came into being the same year, 1957, and I that alone makes me glad I watched this all the way through. It is such a classic, like a '57 Chevy. McCartney really explored the romantic, rare qualities the 4001 could produce, but Squire explored passages that, to me, were like an LSD trip without the hazards.
Good to see Mike Rutherford getting some love..
He managed to break the sunburst Rick he borrowed, several times, he said. But, I always loved the visual statement of that double neck, in performances. If being a bassist sometimes being the back end of a pantomime horse, he did his job with amazing originality and subtlety. Like Squire, he seems to have often tried to approach each new song in something of a novel way. It may not have made me think, oh, that is some fine bass playing, but in retrospect, it certainly did make me think, wow, that is an amazing song that I can listen to hundreds of times and always notice something I missed, before. In concert, I could see his fingers hitting ten times as many notes as had registered with me, consciously, but there was some kind of alchemy going on. He looks and sounds like Saruman, yet they nicknamed him Gandalf. It all makes sense, fifty years later.
More love for Rutherford in the PG era Genesis here, although you knew something really special was coming when he moved on to the bass pedals for those totally overwhelming passages (Cinema Show, Suppers Ready, Firth of Fifth etc)
I enjoyed my ric while i had it. i ran the bass pup thru a Sunn Coliseum with an 18 cab and the bridge pup thru an Acoustic guitar amp (dont remember the model) with a 6 x 10 cab. Lordy the earth did move. I'd accept one as gift these days...heh or snag one if the price was right. But I'd not pay what they're asking these now. Fender baby.
I'm not going to quibble... I got a used P-Bass in 1973, last bass I ever bought.
I'm no bass master but I've owned a few. I made a hot rod squier p and almost never touch my schecter now.
Joejobass where is that bass today? Is it possible to see a photo?
I have a 73 P Bass as well, I completely understand your point of view! I also play a Ric 4003 and an NS Design Radius CR5, which is just about the craziest sounding bass I've ever been around.
I’ve gone through many basses since starting in the early 70’s but the one that I have kept is a gift from my parents. A 1973 Fender Precision!!!
Always wanted A P-Bass, I inherited a 73 EB-0 back in 83 and bought my first bass (SG) in 87. Still play them both today. I've considered getting a P-Bass and a Ric 4003 is my holy grail, I just can't spend that kinda bread on a bass these days =/
Leon Sylvers (of The Sylvers) mastered that Richenbacher bass with some sweet melodic lines & funky grooves! Loved that bass sound!
Yes ! Yamaha BB ! That's a great bass.
If I ever purchase another bass, it'll likely be a BB. So cool....
Which model?
Lot of people hating on Rickenbacker for some reason...they're amazing! I would have been fine with it at #3 also, but it definitely deserves it's place near the top.
@TheYummyBurrito McCartney didn't mod his out and he got some pretty awesome tones from that badboy. He just painted it then sanded it.
I guess I can only speak the experience that I've had, and every one that I've played has played and sounded great. I will admit that I don't own one and I'm not sure that I ever will. I would still take a P bass over a Rick almost every time.
@@patrickschlies6542 Most of the studio stuff was recorded with a 72 J bass. Like moving pictures. I still like Ricks though. Just sucks you have to vice the neck to do an adjustment. Not very practical.
Daniel Smith what about a Farewell To Kings? Because that’s the tone I’m referring to
@@patrickschlies6542 he used jazz bass from permanent waves to current. So 1977 that would be the Rick. And farewell to kings is my favorite album BTW. Doesn't matter what album though his tone is always crushing.
I love Ibanez and some of the higher end BC Rich basses. But having to choose between the Rickenbacker 4001or 4003 and the Fender Jazz Bass it's like having to choose a favorite child.
I would put the Spector NS2 in there as well
Amen brother. That Thunderbird thing made such a success thanks to its weird shape, but when it comes to tone it is a disaster (i don't mention the balance cause Scott did it). Spectors can give tons of tone and character.
yes sir! I agree!
100% agree. The last true iconic bass shape IMO
I was wondering why he didn’t put this on in there.
Thank you!
Also sometimes hard to separate the bass from the player...if Victor didn't use a Fodera, how many fewer people would know about Fodera? Ditto McCartney with the Hofner. But the classics like the Jazz, the Precision, the Ric 4001, ….they transcend any of the players who use them. But lists like this are always fun because there will always be arguments about who makes the list and where.....thanks for the video, Scott!!
The P Bass is timeless. I have 2017 American Standard with SPB-3s installed and it rips. I play mostly aggressive styles of music and the P bass just sits so well in the mix and has a great growl with overdrive engaged.
Everything is up to anyone's personal taste, so here's my top 5 ( not so popular choices, i know)
1) Wal
2) Spector
3) Warwick
4) G&L
5) Music Man
Just mention : Philip Kubicki Ex Factor Bass & Steinberg - 80’s and earlie 90’s Classics !
Mário Fernando I’m surprised no one has mentioned Kubicki ex factor basses, they’re honestly a one of a kind
The Yamaha BB Series, especially the PJ ones, continue to be my favorite line of instruments out of every brand and model.
Peter Hook would agree with you!!
The Rick ahead of the Jazz is a bold choice, but I see where you're coming from. Totally agree with the PB in first place
I have thunderbirds, balance is absolutely fine with a big leather strap
The best bass is the one you have - Desmond moonbear
love the one your with
...nailed it!
Well I am glad that I have what I have.
I beg to differ atm
I'm a bass slut ....I have four and they are all my favorite
I love basses with strings 😂😂
very big ukuleles lol
I love strings with basses
Blasphemy to the jazz bass at 3 😂
Not bad a list overall, of course everyone will have their favourites depending on what they listen to! Personally, I would have put the Rick in 4th behind the P, J, and the Stingray. Also, I would have dropped the Warwick Thumb from this list and include the Wal Mk I - that's a pretty important one that was left out, in my opinion.
I totally agree with the list. But I miss the Gibson EB Bass guitar on that. Maybe the eleventh on the list? Cheers, low end master! ✌️🎸☮️
in my 41 years of playing i have had LOADS of basses. guild b103, shergold marathon, ric 4003, many a jazz, washburn, the list goes on..at any one time i usually have 2 or 3 basses in the house. at the moment, a schecter diamond series jazz and....i ALWAYS HAVE A GO TO BASS. A FENDER P. currently a roger waters signature.
Kubicki Ex-Factor deserves a spot for innovation alone.
Impossible to argue against those Top 4, although I would've put them in different order.
This is list is pretty solid. I have had the luck to play the Jazz Bass, P Bass, Stingray and recently got a BBP35. All basses are amazing; however, I am surprised with the BB, have been playing it for a while now and it has become my go to bass. If I have to pick one of the basses (for me) I would go with the BB.
I love my Thunderbird but it's so hard to play. It's huge, unbalanced and it has a really gnarly tone but I still love it
I freaking adore my thunderbird. Yeah it's heavy but boy does it bring the thunder.
Got to be Fender Jazz 1. and Precision 2. Leo Fender got it spot on. Stingray 3.
I'm glad you mentioned Entwhistles Fender Bird basses, as I believe he liked the feel of the P Bass neck better and the tone of the Thunderbird pickups better, teamed up with Roto Sound Strings.
Okay, you listed the Precision, the Jazz (should have been #2) and the Stingray, so where is Leo's Last Love, the G&L L-2000? if the Stingray was the ultimate update to the Precision, then the L-2000 was the ultimate update to the Jazz. With those two honking MFD humbuckers and nearly infinite number of tonal possibilities, it is by far the most underrated bass guitar on the planet.
No, the final evolution of the P bass is the G&L L-1000 ... KA-BOOOMM!!
honorable mention the Musicman Sabre and G&L L1000
I’ve loved the Rickenbacker bass since seeing Scott Pilgrim vs. The World and Lemmy using one in Motörhead. I wish I had one of my own.
i had one. and tradet it for a squier jazz. stupid me...
8:30 wasn't the Stingray the first active electronics for the masses? I recall until then you had to spend Alembic money to get it? the 3/1 headstock was nice but it was the 8-pole and active tone that I thought were groundbreaking, no?
Yep think i generally agree Scott, emerging classic maybe the Sire Marcus Miller V7 just for value for money perhaps
SUPER happy the thumb made it in the top 10 (for a mad demo of Ryan Martinie I would recommend March of the Cephalopods - Soften the glare ((also he's using his signature fretless thumb)), I reckon this song shows much more of Ryan's musicianship and more of the Thumb's tone).
Also gotta say, that was a pretty big call putting the Rickenbaker in front of the Jazz Bass hoo boy..
Great video cheers
What about Stingray? FNA?
Ever played a G&L l2000 wasn't that Leo fenders and George Fulton? Fabulous design. I can't afford one but I've played some and they're awesome I've been playing for over 20 years.
As a thunderbird player, its nice to see people saying good things about it. Everywhere else everyone just wants to talk balance lmao
They sound great BUT if I have use any part of my hands / arms to hold the bass in place - can’t play it.
Ibanez are to be considered; thin fast neck, fat bridge or independant bridge for each string , Bartolini and Nordstrand pickups, strong woods, excellent playability, comes stock with low action... Let's not only consider history and popularity.
I love my Ibanez
The only ibanez basses I've liked were the fender copies, atks and the composite 5 string ergodynes from the 90s
Everything about the Sr series feels wrong to me, skinny cramp inducing necks, horrible body shape and to me anemic tone.
I really wanted to like that hybrid fretted/fretless they did too 😥
But hey, to each their own.
@@NiskRanThawll I agree. The Atk series is a sleeper within the bass world. Tons of tone, play ability, and massive value over Music Man's.
@@NiskRanThawll I dislike that you put this "cramp inducing neck" and "horrible body shape"as a fact, i never had cramps on the sr neck. I absolutely live for that skinny smooth neck, nothing beats it for me and many other players. Also horrible body shape, cmon man are you mad? Don't bring your opinion as a fact
@@Mr_Foeko which part of "feels wrong to me" is stating my opinion as fact?
I also ended with to each their own.
I prefer a real chunky neck and a solid full body like my P basses and status offer me.
I find no benefit to the cramped nut width and skinny necks of ibanez Sr series.
I actually find the aesthetics of Sr series basses to be disgusting also 😂
But again to each their own.
If you find SR to be your go to, good for you.
But for me, nope I never wanna touch one again.
Greetings, bass player ( & trumpet) since 1972.. OUTSTANDING report my good sir. Thank you..
Like you said everyone will have an opinion. HOW COULD YOU FORGET SPECTOR!!!!? I have a 1993 NS-2 hand made by Stewart Spector. My God! Man! Changed the sound of active basses for all time. Anyway, love you man LOL
Carl Thompson basses for Les Claypool