I started out as a Bass player the journey to find the perfect bass for was not easy considering the size of my hands and the style of music I wanted to play.

My 1st real Bass was a Peavey T-40 but soon after getting that I was given a Fender Jazz bass, which Lead to a Music Man, which lead to an Alembic, which led to a BC Rich Bich with built in effects galore, Which led to a Kramer Stick bass.

I still have the T-40 but never play it its more of a collector piece for me my 1st real bass.

I wish I had never sold the the Alembic the best bass I ever played or owned hands down but sold it to fund a move out state.

The BC Rich Bich was a custom shop piece less than 50 where made. More of a WOW factor bass visually but it did have tons of great tones Sold it for 3 grand more than what I paid for it. You might think Great deal NOT they are now worth 10 to 15 grand more than I paid for it and would say it was my 2nd best bass I owned.

The music man bought I because Louis Johnson and Mark Adams played them never really bonded with the neck way to big and chunky for my hands sold for what I paid for it so nothing ventured nothing gained.

The Fender Jazz bass was a gift from my Dad's best friend a white Larry Graham copy. Sounded great but once again never bonded with the neck. since it was a gift I held onto it for a very long time eventually sold it to a collector friend of mine who was the sound dude for the Stones he stills has it and gigs with it back in Chicago.

The Kramer Stick a Steinberger copy was strictly an impulse buy it was on sell 60% off so why not. Honestly not a bad bass at all but it just lacked something sold it to kid in LA in 91 who knows what happen to it after that.

Then in 2007 after about 15 years of not playing music I decided I need to play again to feel whole if you know what I mean.
I try out an Ibanez SR-500 and it was love at 1st thump the neck outside of my Alembic was the best neck for my hands I ever played. Active pickups could do all genres of music. The 1st time I played "Lady Cab Driver" by Prince on that sucker I knew I had to have it. sure I tried other manufactures but none came close.

Not sure if it makes me a better bassist but I do know for certain if your playing an axe you love you'll woodshed more which in turns improves your playing thus you become a better player/musician.

I still have that SR-500 its not going anywhere there are 4 Ibanez SR series basses on my gas list one will be bought this year for sure.
On the list is:

1a. http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR1200E the wood on this axe and big fat pickups take me away to funk Heaven.
1b. http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend....tar?sku=H08782 I think this axe is discontinued (no longer on the Ibanez site) so as soon as the price drops I'm all over it. Neck-thru with Active EMG'S droll droll droll.

Both of these Prestige Basses I want badly but only if Mama smiles on me big time!!
Honestly if I buy either of the other 2 these are more "I've always wanted one" type thing nothing I need Honestly but BOY OH BOY DO I WANTED THEM!!!
2a. http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR5000E
2b. http://www.ibanez.com/BassGuitars/model-SR4500E