what are some bass guitars with distinct tone?

[Diddywah]

As bassists, we lose perspective. Almost all electric basses sound just about the same to almost everybody except the player.

No.

 

[smeet]

No.

Ok then.

 

[Phlipper]

I think this list will continue to grow until all basses are listed.

Like a post asking for the most transparent OD on TGP.

I can however say, with absolute certainty, that my Ibby SRs can sound almost distinctly like almost every other bass.

 

[armyadarkness]

I've tried so many bass guitars and most sound the same if not alike, even the ones that cost $200 in comparison with pricier bass guitars.

I do find the Ashbory bass having a distinct tone. Is it the fretlessness of it or the strings or the pickups that give bass guitars their tone?

I actually agree for the most part. I love my G&L's, my P's, and my customs... but I've heard $100 Ibanez stuff that sounds as good. Maybe before the amp market was saturated, basses had bigger personalities, because Gibsons, Fenders, and Ric's were all so different, but now, its all been done and copied.

The Dean Zone in lime green (including the fret board), is hands down one of the best precision that I've ever heard...

8 and 12 string basses are super distinct and way easier to play than you might think. I love my 12!!!

 

[patrickj]

Cort Curbow (luthite body and synthetic ebony fretboards)

 

[Crooker]

The 80's Yamaha BB300 has a nice Live tone.

 

[jasonmatthews]

Ken Smith. The mid burpy tone is very distinctive.

My Ken Smith has a unique sound due to the woods, preamp and pickups used.

Finally somebody mentioned Smith basses. Super distinctive.

Also the Kubickis, as have been mentioned.