tegs07

I don’t know. What makes any mass produced instrument, car or phone special or interesting? The quality of instruments coming out of Indonesia, Korea or Mexico these days is generally excellent. Take any £500 bass from say the Cort factory and give it a decent set up and it it will most likely be worthy of praise no matter what is on the headstock. Spent a couple of hundred more and the materials will be better making it even nicer to use and listen to. The shape is down to preference. Some go for a classic look, some for novelty some for something more radical. That’s down to personal taste.

Armageddon days (are here again) - The The

Dirty Harry - Gorillaz

I really need to watch that again. I think his still had the head attached?

Dirty old town - The Pogues

Not a bass but taking the taxidermy a step too far. A guitar actually made from (not by) a relative.

I suspect Flea or Nate Mendel could play any outrageous bass that took their fancy. Your average function band may raise some eyebrows in purple paisley and a Warlock though.

That’s pretty tasteful though. Always thought he was a Stingray man?

One of the advantages of a classic style is that it never really goes out of fashion and can be used with anything by anyone. If you only have one bass something like one of BC Rich more adventurous designs may not be the best choice unless you’re only ever going to play metal. A subtle (boring) P bass design whether Yamaha, Fender, Sire, G&L or whatever could be used in pretty much any band.

Sure so as as like a classic P I may as well buy one. It’s the timeless simplicity of the design that I like. Edit: As well as the sound. Particularly with flats.

Thanks that’s really useful info. Functionality and sound definitely trump looks for me.

My son was recently given one of these and it’s great fun to play. Futurama (Hagstrom)

I like the Nu-Sonic a lot. I’ve always loathed the Mustang but for some bizarre reason suddenly really want one.

With the P and J shape being so ubiquitous I just think they are what pop into my head when people say bass. Like if you say hatchback car I would think VW Golf and Estate probably a Volvo. Neither offensive or exciting just nicely car shaped! When it comes to the sound of a P or J, well othat’s a different matter. If I was looking for a P bass sound I may as well get a P bass. Edit: The exception to this for me is the Jazz. The looks neither excite nor bore me. It’s a classic shape that is pleasing on the eye, but I have had a couple and find the shape a bit annoying in use. Tempted to sell the one I have now and get a Sandberg J.

Marathon - Rush

On the bench with that one. Beautifully made. Kind of nautical…

I think everyone born before 1985 had that bass!

Explains your dislike of Fender! You are Mr Magoo.

Does anyone know what make this is? I think He-Man wants it back.

Creature Fear - Bon Iver

Fender have tried several times to do different basses from the performer to the dimension but people basically want P an J basses. Some of the 80’s HM basses were pretty good but I guess Ibanez dominated that market. Speaking of which I could learn to love most things posted here so far but never the BC Rich stuff and just about anything with a pointy headstock!

And if The Munsters were ever to form a band:

The Parker Fly was a sight for sore eyes:

Mountain song - Janes Addiction

Right place wrong time - Dr John