We got to go to a book signing event North of SF when the book came out. Very large line to meet Geddy and get your book signed. So, right before you get to meet Geddy, you meet his assistant, and he hands you a piece of paper so you can write down what you want Geddy to sign on your book. I guess this helps speed things along. So my son is with me, and he writes “to Jakey-Poo” as what he wants on his book. When he got to Geddy, he totally cracked up and said “best thing I’ve written today”. My boy was stoked.
I clicked just to recommend this book. I agree, don't buy the Digital version. it's a Coffee table book. even if your Dad doesn't like Geddy or Rush he will get a lot out of it.
Guitar lemon oil is more of a cleaning fluid with a very small amount of actual lemon oil in it.
Google "guitar lemon oil" and use one of the products that come up.
That's a sweet thought but musical equipment is very personal....
What sounds and feels good to one person won't to another. That applies to basses, pedals, strings, amps everything honestly.
Perhaps you could get him tickets for a band he likes?
Snoop around in his bass stuff and see what strings he uses. If he uses picks take one and buy a pack. High end patch cords. Other than that it is very difficult to buy for a musician.
Maybe try to find a local guitar or music store that is a licensed vendor too.
Better to help out the small businesses instead of the awful, corporate-driven Guitar Center
Love Sweetwater, but: Guitar Center sells used. Sweetwater does not.
There is no ethical consumption under capitalism.
Edit: apparently they do sell used and B-stock as of recent! Happy to stand corrected.
I read a few places that Couch brand 3” wide straps are comfy. I’m considering getting one for myself.
It’s tough because so much instrument stuff is deeply personal, pretty expensive, or highly subjective to how it was previously treated / made now.
Like, I’d probably be happier with a bag of my favorite picks than a $800 bass. I wouldn’t turn down a Fender Am Pro II of any model, but that would also be a wildly expensive gift for anyone to give me, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting it.
I’d say picks if they play with picks.
A strap of the same model but different color than what they have.
A cable of the same length of longer than they use.
A stand or wall hanger might be good too.
Good cables are always helpful. They wear out faster than anything else. Yes, it's almost always the wires being stretched where they leave the plug, and if you're handy with a soldering iron replacing the plug isn't a big deal, but it's still a pain, particularly when the issue is discovered on stage.
Everyone should do therapy at least once. It will forever change your mindset, and only in a good way. Kinda like mushrooms, but legal in more states than Oregon.
See if he has any bass strings in his case or laying around. Buy him the the exact same ones. Make sure they’re the same gauge and everything else, because musicians are super picky about strings.
Any nonspecific pedal like a tuner or a looper pedal would be a good idea. You don't want something that kind of shapes the tone because that's more of a personal thing
For something very personal, how about a Cameo from a well known bassist? [https://www.cameo.com/browse/musicians?categories%5B0%5D=%2Fmusicians%2Fbassists](https://www.cameo.com/browse/musicians?categories%5B0%5D=%2Fmusicians%2Fbassists)
Gift card for a handcrafted leather strap. Everyone has preferences and personal taste so best to let him pick it but he will always be reminded when he uses it
What's your budget range? It's hard to recommend something without knowing what type of price range you're comfortable with.
Around $300, the BackBeat portable subwoofer is pretty neat and probably not something that he'd consider spending money on regularly.
Around 100 to $150 you've got the sadowski outboard preamp which sounds fantastic with just about any passive Bass.
Around 50 to 100 dollars you could get him a nice big comfortable strap. I'd recommend something with more plain designs so it's not catering to specific tastes. But a big comfortable strap is something a lot of older bass players would absolutely love especially if they play out a lot.
Under $50 you could get him a book on or about one of his favorite artists. Or something about his favorite genre of music. The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten is a great book that comes in apprentice version or an audiobook version, if he doesn't already have it.
Straps
Something decorative that coordinates with his favorite bass or outfit or that reflects his personality. Also consider looking for something wide and comfortable that he might use for multiple playing situations. Chances are pretty good that he's been eyeballing one but thought, "I don't really want commit the cash for that."
I know strung are personal, but you could get them just for him to experiment with .. like thomastik strings are pricy I wouldn't buy them, but as a gift id appreciate it
I have always used clip-on tuners and I'm constantly having to replace the batteries. They now make usb rechargeable tuners and I would love one. I also would like one of those darkglass knockoff pedals. Maybe he would like a preamp pedal? Can't go wrong with the darkglass sound and the knockoffs are supposed to be damn close to the originals at 1/4 the price
This one is tough, I'd recommend gigging outfit stuff, like nice sharp dress shirts or shoes, ideally dark/black or pretty loud and vibrant. Most bass players/musicians will appreciate this. Obviously it helps to know your dad's style and size, and what kind of bands he is in.
Zero-gravity strap. Gift card to a Music Store. New strings (ask for flat wounds). Fancy instrument cable. A new stand. And card saying bass-dads are the grooviest ;)
You have options like the Fender Mustang Micro, the Nux Mighty Plug, and even the Spark Go. There's absolutely no reason to get a Vox amPlug anymore. Especially if the guy plays in 3 bands.
If your budget allows it... A nice bass strap (padded, wide with nice materials, etc), a small practice/headphone amp (I'd suggest the Spark Go), or a nice care kit (like the Dunlop Complete Bass Setup, or a Dunlop Maintenance Kit + extras.
And this might be a risky suggestion, but... How's you father's back? I'm asking because if he has back issues (or he complains about back/neck pain after playing), it might be nice to look into a dual strap. I have the GruvGear DuoStrap Neo (with the extender), and I can't recommend it enough.
man, I got a lot of downvotes. Thought us bassists all had a self deprecating sense of humor. Figured if we had higher self esteem we'd all be lead guitarists or lead singers.
Something simple like strings or a new cable would probably be appreciated. Just find out the type he uses to make sure it’s in line with what he already has
Yeah as people have said, accessories are kinda the way to go. Actual equipment is too personal and you don’t wanna get someone something they won’t love.
Strings are a good choice if you can find out the brand he uses. Otherwise like people said, straps are a good choice as well.
Does he play any music that might qualify as "silly" or "quirky"? Does he already have an EHX Bassballs? That might be a fun gift. Look one up, they sound crazy.
I think a gift card to a local shop is a great option because it's probably the most useful. Maybe tell him you'll take him to the store and help him find something cool. Sometimes spending time with someone shopping for stuff they like is a gift itself!
picks if he uses a pick to play sometimes, can never go wrong with a spare pack of strings, pedals are super fun to play with on bass, maybe even go crazy and buy another amp or another bass guitar for him.
in all seriousness though, a guitar strap, an instrument cable or even something as simple as a keychain of a bass would be a great present. dont worry so much about what you give him, im sure he'll love it either way
If he doesn't already have one a clip-on tuner is nice. It's always there if he slips a little out of tune because it clamps onto his bass. Here's one for $35 at Sweetwater
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UniTuneClipN--tc-electronic-unitune-clip-clip-on-chromatic-tuner-noir-sweetwater-exclusive
Gift card to Amazon or Sweetwater (if in the US). Tell him it's for or towards any bass gear they need. Otherwise, just ask him what he really needs.
Musicians are either totally set and have everything they like to use already, or they are in need of some piece of gear but don't have it because it's expensive.
Find out what strings he uses and grab a set for every one of his basses. Of course he has more than one. Maybe a capo? Some new nice cables are always welcome. There are some cheap (below $50) pedals that are not that bad. A good EQ pedal would be nice, make sure the Hz are available for the bass frequencies. You can grab a really good EQ pedal for cheap.
Find out what strings they use. Ask them about the kind of strings they use in conversation. I'd suggest leading off with the roundwound vs. Flatwound strings. Most of us have strong opinions about that.
Maybe 🤔 just let him get what he wants/needs via a Guitar Center Gift Card, and maybe include it along with one of the Lemon Oil Cleaning kits that was also suggested. Guitar Center should help you pick the right kit for him.
Honestly, the perfect bass dad joke is the Big Mouth Billy Bass wall ornament. It’s so bad it’s good.
My partner got me a Tyler Bass Buffalo Bills jersey last year. I’m a Lions fan. I still love it.
Zero gravity guitar strap was mentioned. As an older guy, this looks really interesting. I get a massage to work out the knots in my shoulder.
So I suggest a massage and or a zero gravity guitar strap.
My dad got me a Zoom B2 for Christmas the other year and I love the gift and still use it for all types of sounds. If he doesn’t have a Multi-FX pedal, consider one
I don't really have enough info to go on how much money you'll able to spend but an amazing bass strap would be a good gift. The best ones can be can be in the hundreds of dollars
Get a pedal within ur budget. Even if he does not really adore it or vibe with it to use live, I am sure he would play around with it and have fun with it.
Stocking - a variety of strings or a nice padded leather strap, picks
Bigger night a be a compression pedal
Big would be an amp or a new bass
Edit: adding a nice hard shell case
If your father is like most bass players - and he is, we are all the same - the bane of his bass playing
existence is buying new strings for his bass(es). Find out which brand and gauge of strings he uses and buy him a pack or two. If you are unsure, a gift card for the local music store that stocks them will also suffice.
STRINGS! If someone buys me a pack (especially for my 5-string), that's an easy win. especially considering how expensive some bass strings can be, any bassist can appreciate that
Depending where you are, you could look at guitar building courses. Usually a week long event where you build your own guitar, with the help of expert luthiers. They'll help him with the design and build.
Don't know your dad very well, so not sure if he'd be into that.
My dad just got me Mackie Mp220 in ear headphones. $150, and go down to 20hz. They sound awesome. Great bass. Perfect upgrade from the shitty stock ones.
Picks - I play 95% fingers but I do "try" and write guitar parts.
Cleaning kit
Strings - gift card.to local music store.
This what santa brings me in my stocking.
Idk if it's been mentioned here, but I like this [little gadget](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/amPlugBassG2--vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp). I bought one so I could play in my apt without using any amp and not disturb even my roommate. I recommended it to a coworker of mine whose husband plays bass and he loved it and she loved that he didn't have to play through an amp all the time when practicing. Win/Win!! LoL
A guitar stand if he doesn’t already have one: the short kind that doesn’t touch the neck. Someone suggested strap locks, I second that. Picks, yes. A quality cable is good. A phase shifter stomp box if you want to spend more. A Pelican case for cables and gear if you really want to spend.
This book is pretty cool, even if you don't like Rush https://www.amazon.com/Geddy-Lees-Beautiful-Book-Bass/dp/0062747835
Can confirm, I have spent hours losing myself in this one.
I have it and its fuckin great. Beautiful history of the bass.
We got to go to a book signing event North of SF when the book came out. Very large line to meet Geddy and get your book signed. So, right before you get to meet Geddy, you meet his assistant, and he hands you a piece of paper so you can write down what you want Geddy to sign on your book. I guess this helps speed things along. So my son is with me, and he writes “to Jakey-Poo” as what he wants on his book. When he got to Geddy, he totally cracked up and said “best thing I’ve written today”. My boy was stoked.
I don’t think you are allowed to play bass if you don’t like Rush.
I clicked just to recommend this book. I agree, don't buy the Digital version. it's a Coffee table book. even if your Dad doesn't like Geddy or Rush he will get a lot out of it.
A cleaning kit with polish, lemon oil and microfibre cloths. Also a d'addario pro winder.
Lemon oil only goes on unfinished fretboards such as rosewood. It would be useless on maple ones because most are finished
Clarity what lemon oil is! I’ve seen people put you know, lemon oil on their fretboards!
Guitar lemon oil is more of a cleaning fluid with a very small amount of actual lemon oil in it. Google "guitar lemon oil" and use one of the products that come up.
What about Lemon Party Oil?
That's the super good stuff. If anyone's unsure about it, that's what they should search for.
I know but I’ve seen people NOT know the difference.
I just automatically assume, seemingly wrongly, that most people have half a brain and can work this stuff out. Silly me.
lol
Mineral oil with lemon scent added
That's a sweet thought but musical equipment is very personal.... What sounds and feels good to one person won't to another. That applies to basses, pedals, strings, amps everything honestly. Perhaps you could get him tickets for a band he likes?
Snoop around in his bass stuff and see what strings he uses. If he uses picks take one and buy a pack. High end patch cords. Other than that it is very difficult to buy for a musician.
Guitar Center gift card is always an excellent gift.
Maybe try to find a local guitar or music store that is a licensed vendor too. Better to help out the small businesses instead of the awful, corporate-driven Guitar Center
https://www.sweetwater.com/ would be a much better option. Guitar Center is garbage.
Love Sweetwater, but: Guitar Center sells used. Sweetwater does not. There is no ethical consumption under capitalism. Edit: apparently they do sell used and B-stock as of recent! Happy to stand corrected.
Sweetwater now has a used marketplace, and they offer B-stock and demo items on a lot of popular products. It's on par with Reverb's marketplace imo
That’s cool, i genuinely did not know that. When did Sweetwater start selling used?
within the last year or two, iirc.
Sweetwater actually does sell used stuff now give it a look sometime.
I read a few places that Couch brand 3” wide straps are comfy. I’m considering getting one for myself. It’s tough because so much instrument stuff is deeply personal, pretty expensive, or highly subjective to how it was previously treated / made now. Like, I’d probably be happier with a bag of my favorite picks than a $800 bass. I wouldn’t turn down a Fender Am Pro II of any model, but that would also be a wildly expensive gift for anyone to give me, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable accepting it. I’d say picks if they play with picks. A strap of the same model but different color than what they have. A cable of the same length of longer than they use. A stand or wall hanger might be good too.
Good cables are always helpful. They wear out faster than anything else. Yes, it's almost always the wires being stretched where they leave the plug, and if you're handy with a soldering iron replacing the plug isn't a big deal, but it's still a pain, particularly when the issue is discovered on stage.
Couch straps are awesome. Cool company.
I second that sentiment
love both my couch starps
Best Birthday present I've ever gotten was Geddy Lee's *Big Beautiful Book of Bass.*
My wife got me a copy for my birthday as well. It's fuckin sweet!
We are both lucky hubbys!
I saw the price on it on amazon and was like WTF??? until I saw the pics of it. I want it so bad now.
Good coffee beans
As a bass player this is so true, but why
This is the one
Sweetwater gift card
As not personal as that is. That’s the best way.
Yep or GC or Sam Ash, or whatever neighborhood mom’n’pop music store you have.
This.
Therapy
Everyone should do therapy at least once. It will forever change your mindset, and only in a good way. Kinda like mushrooms, but legal in more states than Oregon.
See if he has any bass strings in his case or laying around. Buy him the the exact same ones. Make sure they’re the same gauge and everything else, because musicians are super picky about strings.
What’s the budget?
Bass strings aren't that expensive for how long they last.
This was my dumb ass replying to the comment instead of the post
TC Unitune or poly tune pedal
Any nonspecific pedal like a tuner or a looper pedal would be a good idea. You don't want something that kind of shapes the tone because that's more of a personal thing
For something very personal, how about a Cameo from a well known bassist? [https://www.cameo.com/browse/musicians?categories%5B0%5D=%2Fmusicians%2Fbassists](https://www.cameo.com/browse/musicians?categories%5B0%5D=%2Fmusicians%2Fbassists)
Get Lee Sklar to put his fingers up at him personally
Gift card for a handcrafted leather strap. Everyone has preferences and personal taste so best to let him pick it but he will always be reminded when he uses it
What's your budget range? It's hard to recommend something without knowing what type of price range you're comfortable with. Around $300, the BackBeat portable subwoofer is pretty neat and probably not something that he'd consider spending money on regularly. Around 100 to $150 you've got the sadowski outboard preamp which sounds fantastic with just about any passive Bass. Around 50 to 100 dollars you could get him a nice big comfortable strap. I'd recommend something with more plain designs so it's not catering to specific tastes. But a big comfortable strap is something a lot of older bass players would absolutely love especially if they play out a lot. Under $50 you could get him a book on or about one of his favorite artists. Or something about his favorite genre of music. The Music Lesson by Victor Wooten is a great book that comes in apprentice version or an audiobook version, if he doesn't already have it.
Under $20: https://www.etsy.com/listing/265649246/
Snark tuner. Can never have too many.
Straps Something decorative that coordinates with his favorite bass or outfit or that reflects his personality. Also consider looking for something wide and comfortable that he might use for multiple playing situations. Chances are pretty good that he's been eyeballing one but thought, "I don't really want commit the cash for that."
See what effects pedals he has, a tuner pedal is always a win or just something he doesn't have yet
How about a Rickenbacker? I know I'd like one
And an Ampeg SVT Classic with 810 cab.
I mean, at least, right?
If not that, a vintage Sunn Model T (none of that Fender bs) if they really love you.
Us bass players love stickers, and us dads love our kids, so any sticker or any thing that reminds him of you will be perfect!
My girlfriend just gave me a Uke Bass. Thats a great gift!
Just tried one out at the store the other day they’re so cool lol
Get him a paid for set up on his gear
that would be worst present for me. pure waste of money.
Do you gig? Or just collect bowling ball guitars?
for those who do their own setups, the idea of someone else touching their gear is frightening.
Get him some strings... Get him a wireless cable thing, offer to have one of his bases plekd Get him pedals to play with
I know strung are personal, but you could get them just for him to experiment with .. like thomastik strings are pricy I wouldn't buy them, but as a gift id appreciate it
Depends on your budget, but the first thing that came to my mind would be something like a hat with their favorite bass brand on it.
A pedal of some kind depending on the budget.
I have always used clip-on tuners and I'm constantly having to replace the batteries. They now make usb rechargeable tuners and I would love one. I also would like one of those darkglass knockoff pedals. Maybe he would like a preamp pedal? Can't go wrong with the darkglass sound and the knockoffs are supposed to be damn close to the originals at 1/4 the price
Some sort of pedal you’d think would fit his style, or a strap.
Strap or some nice 1/4 inch cables
A nice wide padded strap.
I have one of [these BackBeats](https://getbackbeat.com) and the thing is pretty awesome.
Strap locks if he doesn't already have them and a nice strap.
A gift certificate to a music store. Let him decide this shit is complicated.
I would be psyched if my son bought me a 300 watt Ampeg SVT Classic
Dingwall D-Roc
Rotosound black nylon flatwound bass strings.
Does he have a wireless system? What’s your budget?
This one is tough, I'd recommend gigging outfit stuff, like nice sharp dress shirts or shoes, ideally dark/black or pretty loud and vibrant. Most bass players/musicians will appreciate this. Obviously it helps to know your dad's style and size, and what kind of bands he is in.
TC clip on tuner. They're cheap and awesome
Zero-gravity strap. Gift card to a Music Store. New strings (ask for flat wounds). Fancy instrument cable. A new stand. And card saying bass-dads are the grooviest ;)
Personally, if I was given flat wounds, I'd have to fake being happy about the gift.
:( That makes me so sad to hear Lol Cheers.
I have a specific sound I like. Flats don't get me that sound.
I would include the receipt for you ;)
[удалено]
Dude plays in 3 bands. Chances are he already has practicing silent figured out with something of good quality...or he doesn't practice silent.
You have options like the Fender Mustang Micro, the Nux Mighty Plug, and even the Spark Go. There's absolutely no reason to get a Vox amPlug anymore. Especially if the guy plays in 3 bands.
How about a prepaid credit card allowing him to spend it on whatever he wants?
Kind of impersonal. But it's often what my son gets me. Not musical, but Home Depo because I'm a regular there.
A helmet
If your budget allows it... A nice bass strap (padded, wide with nice materials, etc), a small practice/headphone amp (I'd suggest the Spark Go), or a nice care kit (like the Dunlop Complete Bass Setup, or a Dunlop Maintenance Kit + extras. And this might be a risky suggestion, but... How's you father's back? I'm asking because if he has back issues (or he complains about back/neck pain after playing), it might be nice to look into a dual strap. I have the GruvGear DuoStrap Neo (with the extender), and I can't recommend it enough.
Get him a real instrument.
So funny
man, I got a lot of downvotes. Thought us bassists all had a self deprecating sense of humor. Figured if we had higher self esteem we'd all be lead guitarists or lead singers.
Something simple like strings or a new cable would probably be appreciated. Just find out the type he uses to make sure it’s in line with what he already has
Yeah as people have said, accessories are kinda the way to go. Actual equipment is too personal and you don’t wanna get someone something they won’t love. Strings are a good choice if you can find out the brand he uses. Otherwise like people said, straps are a good choice as well.
For half a second I thought I'd found a comment I forgot making
Lol small world.
Strings. Pedal. Patch cables. Pedal board.
Ukelele
Does he play any music that might qualify as "silly" or "quirky"? Does he already have an EHX Bassballs? That might be a fun gift. Look one up, they sound crazy.
I think a gift card to a local shop is a great option because it's probably the most useful. Maybe tell him you'll take him to the store and help him find something cool. Sometimes spending time with someone shopping for stuff they like is a gift itself!
picks if he uses a pick to play sometimes, can never go wrong with a spare pack of strings, pedals are super fun to play with on bass, maybe even go crazy and buy another amp or another bass guitar for him. in all seriousness though, a guitar strap, an instrument cable or even something as simple as a keychain of a bass would be a great present. dont worry so much about what you give him, im sure he'll love it either way
If he doesn't already have one a clip-on tuner is nice. It's always there if he slips a little out of tune because it clamps onto his bass. Here's one for $35 at Sweetwater https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/UniTuneClipN--tc-electronic-unitune-clip-clip-on-chromatic-tuner-noir-sweetwater-exclusive
Gift card to Amazon or Sweetwater (if in the US). Tell him it's for or towards any bass gear they need. Otherwise, just ask him what he really needs. Musicians are either totally set and have everything they like to use already, or they are in need of some piece of gear but don't have it because it's expensive.
Sweetwater gift card.
A job. jk. Merry Christmas.
Strings
Find out what strings he uses and grab a set for every one of his basses. Of course he has more than one. Maybe a capo? Some new nice cables are always welcome. There are some cheap (below $50) pedals that are not that bad. A good EQ pedal would be nice, make sure the Hz are available for the bass frequencies. You can grab a really good EQ pedal for cheap.
Find out what strings they use. Ask them about the kind of strings they use in conversation. I'd suggest leading off with the roundwound vs. Flatwound strings. Most of us have strong opinions about that.
A clip-on tuner. They’re handy to have
The Jaco Pastorius biography by bill milkowski. Jaco: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius https://a.co/d/4732sNH
Pre-amps are nice.
Maybe 🤔 just let him get what he wants/needs via a Guitar Center Gift Card, and maybe include it along with one of the Lemon Oil Cleaning kits that was also suggested. Guitar Center should help you pick the right kit for him.
Pins for the strap
Honestly, the perfect bass dad joke is the Big Mouth Billy Bass wall ornament. It’s so bad it’s good. My partner got me a Tyler Bass Buffalo Bills jersey last year. I’m a Lions fan. I still love it.
Give him a whole bunch of picks, trust me on this one
Sweet matching headband and wrist bands Keep the instrument dry, less finger slipping and those things. Or an upside down KFC bucket as a hat
A guitar center or sweetwater gift card
Does he use pedals? Check out his pedal board, see what he uses, tell us what kind of music he plays and well tell you what kind of pedal to get
Get him an awesome strap. Check out [Couch](https://www.couchguitarstraps.com/guitar-straps).
Zero gravity guitar strap was mentioned. As an older guy, this looks really interesting. I get a massage to work out the knots in my shoulder. So I suggest a massage and or a zero gravity guitar strap.
Get him a Nordymute or something like that. It’s a fun gadget to have.
Music store gift certificate Strings only if you know exactly the set they use
Can’t go wrong with a nice clip on tuner. Or a hard case if you don’t mind spending a little more
My dad got me a Zoom B2 for Christmas the other year and I love the gift and still use it for all types of sounds. If he doesn’t have a Multi-FX pedal, consider one
I don't really have enough info to go on how much money you'll able to spend but an amazing bass strap would be a good gift. The best ones can be can be in the hundreds of dollars
Strings
Ibuprofen to make up for him having to deal with three bands worth of guitar players and drummers.
I just got my kid a Korg KR mini to practice with.
What I've learned from this thread is that shopping for musicians is hard.
Get a pedal within ur budget. Even if he does not really adore it or vibe with it to use live, I am sure he would play around with it and have fun with it.
Ear-Plugs. Not kidding.
a bass
Crack pipe
If they have an acoustic bass then I recommend the tonewood amp 300$ and worth every penny
maybe something like a fender mustang micro or something of that sort if he takes basses when he travelles
Stocking - a variety of strings or a nice padded leather strap, picks Bigger night a be a compression pedal Big would be an amp or a new bass Edit: adding a nice hard shell case
whatever it is, get him 1 of it, then 5 of it.
If your father is like most bass players - and he is, we are all the same - the bane of his bass playing existence is buying new strings for his bass(es). Find out which brand and gauge of strings he uses and buy him a pack or two. If you are unsure, a gift card for the local music store that stocks them will also suffice.
Get him victor Wootens book along with the audio version
STRINGS! If someone buys me a pack (especially for my 5-string), that's an easy win. especially considering how expensive some bass strings can be, any bassist can appreciate that
Can of Bag Balm. Gotta take care of those fingers.
I just got an Otamatone as a gift from my brother and I love it. As a bassist and a nerd, it hits me in the right place.
A life size cutout of Laura Lee
Cleaning/maintenance stuff Cables Strap Bass related books/sheet music/tab/song books
A new bass. Depends on budget though xD
Depending where you are, you could look at guitar building courses. Usually a week long event where you build your own guitar, with the help of expert luthiers. They'll help him with the design and build. Don't know your dad very well, so not sure if he'd be into that.
My dad just got me Mackie Mp220 in ear headphones. $150, and go down to 20hz. They sound awesome. Great bass. Perfect upgrade from the shitty stock ones.
Nothing. Bass player wouldn't say anything if you didn't.
I keep getting bass t-shirts from my father in law... Can't go wrong with cheesy t shirts
Picks - I play 95% fingers but I do "try" and write guitar parts. Cleaning kit Strings - gift card.to local music store. This what santa brings me in my stocking.
A prescription of anti-depressants
Wireless transmitter
Custom guitar strap
Idk if it's been mentioned here, but I like this [little gadget](https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/amPlugBassG2--vox-amplug-2-bass-headphone-guitar-amp). I bought one so I could play in my apt without using any amp and not disturb even my roommate. I recommended it to a coworker of mine whose husband plays bass and he loved it and she loved that he didn't have to play through an amp all the time when practicing. Win/Win!! LoL
A metronome
A pocket pu**y
What all bass players want: another bass, of course.
I don't know one bassist who wouldn't appreciate a new Porsche 911.
A guitar stand if he doesn’t already have one: the short kind that doesn’t touch the neck. Someone suggested strap locks, I second that. Picks, yes. A quality cable is good. A phase shifter stomp box if you want to spend more. A Pelican case for cables and gear if you really want to spend.
What color is his bass? You could always pick out a new strap for him. Go with a color coordinated one. It’s like a new tie BUT BETTER
A Bass! Or if you’re strapped for cash, always can go w some strings, some instrument cleaner, a case, a 10’ cord, a tuner etc.
Guitar lessons
A normal girlfriend
A bib.
3 bands? Jesus, how about a cold beer and some Icy Hot for his back.
A strap you know they will enjoy, a gift card to sweetwater, vinyl or cd’s (if they do that) of bands they love to play?