Out with the old, in with something else, maybe older.

I’ve been playing a Fender Precision Bass* since 2001 even though I swore I would never buy one. They’re very plain and simple and ubiquitous. You’ve seen them everywhere. It’s the classic look that’s been around since the 50’s. Thing is, because there are so plain and simple, they always sound good, never break down, and are easy to fix.

I always wanted a Gibson Bass – either a Ripper, RD Artist, or Victory – so I could sound like Krist Novoselic from Nirvana.** Yes, it was a teenage dream. He’s basically the reason I started playing bass. I was 14. Give me a break. These Gibson basses look and sound completely different from Fenders but are hard to come by (and are expensive) because Gibson only made them for a few years, circa 1974-1983. Prices have steadily risen in the last few years because of increased exposure by other well-known Gibson users – Mike Dirnt of Green Day for one.

The time has come to sell my old Fender and get something else. Something completely different. My options are to get one of the Gibsons, a Fender Jaguar Bass (something new Fender concocted that combines 60s retro with modern technology), or what I like to call a geek bass.

A geek bass is a ‘high-end’ bass that normally comes in a natural or translucent finish that lets the wood grain show through. These basses abandon the classic Fender and Gibson shapes in favor of a more modern design that in some cases makes the bass easier to play. They may also come stock from the factory with complex electronics and an onboard pre-amp. If you don’t know what an onboard pre-amp is, suffice to say it’s like slapping a mini stereo amplifier inside the bass and wiring it up to the pickups.

I call these basses geek basses because of their new-fangled electronics – 5-band EQs, active circuitry, compression, expansion, pan, treble/bass boost/cut, blah blah blah – and exotic sounding woods – zebrawood, pau ferro, bubinga, purple heart, tiger eye, etc etc. It’s like listening to tech geeks talk about tech stuff. (Not that I’m one to talk…) These basses also don’t really exemplify the “rock” look. They say, “I sit around my apartment and practice jazz riffs” instead of, “I live a life of no rules, plenty of alcohol, I regularly trash hotel rooms, I engage in news-worthy shenanigans, and I generally live a rebellious lifestyle.” Cause, you know, that’s totally me.

Don’t get me wrong, these basses are excellent instruments that sound great. They are usually more expensive than “standard” basses because of the construction process, choice of wood, and electronics. Sometimes they are hilariously expensive. But hey, to each their own…

The point is – I promise there is one – is that I’m really thinking of replacing my old rock and roll classic with a geek bass. I wanted something completely different, and a geek bass would fit the bill. After 13 years of playing bass, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I will never need to look like a rock star on stage, because I will neither be on a stage nor will I be a star. This is the bass I’m ogling. But don’t worry, I’d find a used one. A’int no way I’m paying full price.

* Mine is a mid-80’s model made in Japan that looks just like this one.
** Krist never played a Victory, but they look cool.

addendum: i'm playing with the comments settings. i've been getting a lot of comment spam and i'm trying to make it so that only approved commenters can comment.