Basses that could have played better.

[tauzero]

On 12/01/2023 at 11:05, Bassman68 said:

I lusted after a Rickenbacker bass during the mid 80’s, that was until I finally got a chance to play one…

I think the one I tried either had a twisted neck or someone hadn’t got to grips with the twin truss-rods, that and the fact that the strings have very little taper between the nut & bridge (imo) the spacing felt very narrow, coming from Fenders.

Years later, a friend of mine bought a lovely looking ‘Fireglow’ 4003, which I played a couple of times but still couldn’t get on with the narrow strings…

 

Another bass I always wanted was a Wal custom, but all the ones I tried, I couldn’t get on with the neck shape?
one particular fretless I nearly bought, had almost a ‘Vee’ neck, very uncomfortable in my hands…

 

My experience has been similar. Don't like the Rickenbacker parallel neck. Don't like the Wal neck. Also don't like the Fodera neck, or the Spector neck, or the thick Warwick neck (I love the slim Warwick neck). This has probably helped save me a lot of money.