Definitely a bassist, because of the following scenario:

(You approach a gorgeous chick in a club).
You: Hey, I'm a bass player.
Chick: So you play with your bass?
You: Yes. I'm quite good a fingering it.
(Chick slaps you and leaves).

Or, it could be this:
You: Hey, I'm a bassist.
Chick: Oh, so I guess you're deep and strong.
You: Yup.
Chick: I want you.
Joey

hahaha!!!!!!

I like to tell the audience as I am introducing the group, that the guys on guitars are jealous of me because mines bigger, thicker and longer than theirs!

oh, behave!

Haaa haaaaaaa. That was so corny it was REALLY funny. That was my big laugh for the day.

I am refered to as The Bass Player,but I think of myself as a bassist. Bassist sounds as if i have studied the instrument.I have played both upright bass and electric.Bass Player sounds as if I got stuck with the instrument and I'm not really into it.

I GUESS I AM A LITTLE OF BOTH. I HAVE TO BE HONEST AND SAY THAT I DON'T KNOW OR SHOULD I SAY THAT I DON'T CARE WHAT THE DIFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE TWO WORDS. ALL I KNOW IS THAT I ENJOY PLAYING THE INSTRUMENT AND THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS TO ME!!

I'd prefer to be a bassist, as that makes it sound like an art as opposed to a talent, but I am currently a bass player

I could care less what people call be, but I prefer the term "bassist". I HATE the term "bass guitar". I think that a bassist should be able to play numerous styles and be somewhat proficient in both the electric (including fretless) and double bass. Then again, I look at guys like Chris "Mad Dog" Tarry who play primarily electric and blow everyone away. So whether you are a bassist, bass player, or bass guitarist it's up to you to play something that the audience likes. Worrying about terminology eats into practice time anyway. :)

A Bassist,probably.A Bassist to me seems as if you are covering all avenues of being a Bass Player,Fretless,fretted,Upright four string,five,the combinations are endless.

P.S Great question.
Stay in Tune,
Russ Carreiro