ezbass

Finish What Ya Started - Van Halen

I had the 4 string version and whilst it was weighty (just like every MM I’ve owned) it was perfectly balanced on the strap. With this in mind, I’d probably shy away from weight reduction behind the p/g (contour that bad boy for sure though), especially given the additional headstock weight of a fiver.

Cigarettes, Whiskey & Wild, Wild Women - Jim Croce

Closing Time - Semi Sonic

World Shut Your Month - Julian Cope

Proud Mary - CCR

When Tomorrow Comes - The Eurythmics

Time and a Word - Yes

😬. As my mum used to say, “You have money burning a hole in your pocket.”

With the one you sold 16 weeks previously.

From what I can see, you’re asking a 5 string to be a panacea bass, whereas, you don’t look for this in a 4 string, at least according to the above, bold paragraph section. However, in answer to how do you find ‘the one’ 5 stringer; try as many as you need to until you find it, remembering what it was about the previous ones that weren’t right. It may be a compromise at the end of the day (as you already realise). If sticking with a 5 is where you want to go, you’ll probably want to try Sadowsky, Ibanez, Sandberg & Yamaha at least, but I wouldn’t get hung up on the pickup configuration given how differently voiced just soapbars can be. Perhaps, as has been suggested, a custom instrument may be a way forward, but don’t count on that. I wish you luck, @TheGreek and don’t beat yourself up about the search, it’s meant to be fun surely? Finally, I have a question, albeit largely rhetorical - is there a ‘the one’ bass for everyone? I suspect not and the for sale section on this hallowed forum alone supports that suspicion. There is a ‘the one’ bass for some players certainly and they fit into a couple of types (I’m sure there are other groups, however). First, those who learnt to play back when choice was very limited, found something that worked and that bass is now like a pair of comfortable (insert clothing simile of your choosing) and change would be anathema to their being. Then there are those lucky folk have found a level and style of playing that they’re completely happy with and have a bass that suits that. They’ll occasionally dabble with new techniques and try something new gear-wise, but they’ll come back to old faithful quite quickly (NB of course some ‘fall off the wagon’ and are down the gear rabbit hole with the rest of us). Others are still finding their way as players and their gear requirements change with that evolution (I count myself in this group and I don’t think there is a ‘the one’ for me, probably more a ‘the four’ and I’m homing in on the last of that quiver). Finally, there are the bass junkies, beloved by the musical instrument industry. There isn’t a ‘the one’ for them and they’ll try anything and everything, new, old, weird, you name it. Vive la difference!

Strange Brew - Cream

Never Ending Story - Limahl

It was hearing a Serek that sent me down the short scale, rabbit hole.

Night in my Veins - The Pretenders

Come Together - The Who

When a Blind Man Cries - Deep Purple

Time is Tight(s) - Booker T

Sorry to burst your bubble, Martin has always been friendly and chatty with me also, even though he might just be passing through the shop whilst you’re served by someone else. I’ve never found him pushy (or any of the staff for that matter) and always seems eager to help. I was once trying out numerous basses and I felt one needed a truss Rod adjustment. There was no, “I’ll do it in a minute,” or, “Why do you want that done?” he just did it straight away, with no complaint. I bought that bass.

Six Blade Knife - Dire Straits

This was also my concern about actually getting one, although I only just scrape 6’. However, have done some measuring and cloning using a photo processing app, I think I can just about get away with it. Having said that, it’d probably just be for home use.

Ah, that oft asked question that opens the wounds caused by seller’s regret. At a guess, I’m going to go with a combination of GAS, ennui & the grass being greener, or a new band.

Red Sails in the Sunset - Fats Domino

Puns? So soon? Frankly, I’m disappointed.