Has your taste changed over the years?

[jd56hawk]

Once, this one used to be my favorite bass.

[jd56hawk]

Now, it's this.

Some might not consider it much of a change, but believe me, it's a considerable one.

[Steve Browning]

I've always been a Precision guy. Had (and have) other basses but a Precision is always my bass of choice.

 

I have two non-Precisions. One I inherited and the other is just for the fun of playing Pino and Tony Levin lines. 

[Lozz196]

Fender Precisions for me. In my first probably 20 years of playing bass I was always chasing a sound that I couldn`t get, pretty much all of my fave players played Precisions - dur, should have been a clue but there was me trying to get their sounds from different types of bass. Anyway, finally got one and there was what I`d been looking for all that time. I play other basses, for weight reasons, but it will always be the Precision for me.

[neepheid]

I wouldn't stay changed, more refined.  I have a definite list of no-nos (mostly based around Jazz basses and short scales).  I've always deliberately steered clear of regular Fender Precisions (apart from early on I put together a bitsa Squier P), mostly because I think they're boring.  Even when I do stray into the territory, I can't help but do it differently - a G&L Tribute LB-100 here, a Cabronita Precision there.

 

The one thing I have strayed away from is Gibson USA - they haven't done anything worth looking at in bass for years now, and I got tired of waiting.  For years I was their biggest apologist, but I'm done now.  The prices on the older, interesting stuff have gone through the roof, which I find hypocritical in the extreme considering the amount of dog's abuse they used to get.  I've been priced clean out of it.

 

TL:DR - If I like the looks of it, and it isn't a Jazz bass or short scale, I might buy it.

Edited yesterday at 08:28 by neepheid

[Cat Burrito]

I think tastes naturally evolve. They also tend to come full circle, sometimes a few times over. 

 

I think age is a factor too. In my youth, I used to look longingly at the Ampeg ads. The dream became a reality as an adult. Then my back decided they weren't such a great idea. Good whilst it lasted though. 

 

I think I hold the view, never say never. 

[HeadlessBassist]

I can definitely understand your evolution. The high spec Jazz gives you a lot more versatility.

 

I think my tastes have stayed the same, but more and more, I'm finding examples of instrument brands I'd written off that I now really like, such as Music Man. I still love Status basses, but only use them for live trio jobs where that sheer punch and cutting through the mix is essential.

 

But what really changes is the nature of the playing I'm hired to do. I'm all Jazz bass these days, basically because I play for a professional 50s & 60s multi-act tribute show. The Jazz is the instrument that fits and adapts to more music than anything else.

 

 

[BigRedX]

Not really. My early basses and guitars (before 1990) were simply what I could afford. After that I had sufficient disposable income to buy the instruments I really wanted.

 

I saw photos of a prototype Gus Guitar in a musical instrument magazine in the mid-80s and decided that if I ever had them money I'd buy one. I was lucky enough to be in the financial position to buy several in the early 2000s.

 

The bass I use most at the moment is an Eastwood Hooky 6-string, because that is what I need for the band I currently play in. Once I've saved enough money I'll be getting Gus to make me a Gus version of it.

[tauzero]

Yes. Once upon a time I wanted a Precision. Then, after getting one and playing it for a while, I happened across Warwick, and everything changed. I've had another shift since then, to 5 strings. Just deciding whether to go back to gigging fretless. Favourite basses now are Seis and Antoniotsais.

[chris_b]

Precision guy here. I bought mine in 1969 and still have it.

 

My taste hasn't changed much. After switching to 5's I played a couple of different basses, but in 2011 found a great deal on a Mike Lull PJ5, which has been my #1 ever since. A set of TI flats and a lump of foam finish it off nicely.

[Chiliwailer]

I’ve gone full circle from Music Man being my #1, then Fender, then back to Music Man. But my Stingray has evolved over time…

 

1996 version 

 

2005 version 

 

2025 version 

[walshy]

23 hours ago, Lozz196 said:

Fender Precisions for me. In my first probably 20 years of playing bass I was always chasing a sound that I couldn`t get, pretty much all of my fave players played Precisions - dur, should have been a clue but there was me trying to get their sounds from different types of bass. Anyway, finally got one and there was what I`d been looking for all that time. I play other basses, for weight reasons, but it will always be the Precision for me.

Literally THE same thing for me. P basses, the perfect one trick pony!

[police squad]

Apart from playing my Mustang these days (weight, sore shoulders etc etc) I'm a P bass guy.

I have  2 US ones , my 73 and a P bass special and a coupe of bitsas. One with flats the rest with rounds

They all sound like a good p bass should

[BassApprentice]

When I was younger, I had pictures of BC Rich, Warlocks and Buzzards as my desktop background, so was definitely in to a bit more ostentatious basses.

 

I still like to do things a bit differently. Whether it be a Yamaha BB over a Fender PJ or a Reverend over Fender, that type of thing.

[basshead56]

Went from a Jazz to being obsessed with Precisions for 15 years to Singrays and all things humbucker and then back to Jazz and super Jazzes.  And just picked up another P lol

[kodiakblair]

Started out on a P-bass, with tapes 🙂

 

80's came along. Embraced active EQ, silly shapes, heady pegheads, neck through, garish colours etc; even dabbled with 5 strings.

 

Tried the P-bass again early 2010's, this time single coil 51 style. That's me set for life 😎  

[Machines]

Always been into 5 strings since I was a nu-metal teenager 25 years ago, and this has not changed. I've had pretty much every popular 4 string going and always find myself going for something more modern (and 5/6 string), the 'traditional basses' just don't work for me overall. Although I do have a P with flats for occasional use.

[ped]

Hm I’ve gone from graphite necked midi equipped basses to vintage wooden short scales. Probably about as opposite as you can get!

[Terry M.]

Started out on passive 4s and exclusively now play active 5s. Won't even look at 4s now.

[HeadlessBassist]

5 hours ago, Chiliwailer said:

I’ve gone full circle from Music Man being my #1, then Fender, then back to Music Man. But my Stingray has evolved over time…

 

1996 version 

 

2005 version 

 

2025 version 

 

That's quite the evolution. Makes mine seem quite tame!

 

[paul_5]

Nope, Jazz bass straight down the line. I’ve got a P for the odd occasion when I feel like a change, but for me it’s Jazz bass, Jazz bass and thrice Jazz bass.

[Terry M.]

42 minutes ago, paul_5 said:

Nope, Jazz bass straight down the line. I’ve got a P for the odd occasion when I feel like a change, but for me it’s Jazz bass, Jazz bass and thrice Jazz bass.

Fender jazzes or a mix of brands?

[paul_5]

1 hour ago, Terry M. said:

Fender jazzes or a mix of brands?

Pretty much everything *but* Fender! 😄

[casapete]

Precisions for me were the first thing that floated my boat, and always will. Had a few, starting with

a ( bit of a dog ) late 70’s job, which amazingly didn’t put me off buying another , an early Squier 57

which I wish I still had. Wonderful, vibrant and fairly light - the polar opposite of the first one.

Soon after I acquired my 63 Precision which I’ve now owned for around 40 years, and I still

love it. Whilst in a function band I got into Stingrays which always seemed a logical route to follow

after a P-bass. Had a late 70’s one ( sooo heavy), then a couple of nice 80’s / 90’s ones along with a 

couple of USA Subs, one of which may have been my favourite. 

 A shoulder injury meant looking for something less heavy, so I tried a P- Lyte which I bonded with

immediately. Had maybe 5 of these over the years, and have kept my ( slightly road worn ) sunburst

mid 90’s one which I use for most gigs these days. Although not really Precision like, I still prefer

the simplicity of a standard P-bass really - had mine concerted to passive. I’ve had a Jazz and just

didn’t get on with the controls, pickups or body shape TBH! 
 

As I’ve got older I’ve got into short scales too. Started off with a Dano Longhorn which is ace,

and currently have a Sire U5, a Squier Jaguar and a Fender Kingman, all around 30 inch scale.

 

[Marvin]

I currently have a Sire V7 Jazz and a Squier VM Precision. 

 

When I first started I had a horrid cheap bit of chipboard with strings attached.

 

I always wanted a Warwick Corvette $$ when I started. Still do really. Either that or a Red Aria thru neck SB, I still would definitely have one of those. 

 

My tastes haven't really changed, but neither have my finances that would enable me to purchase my tastes 🤔🙂