How many bass guitars do you need? - Page 11

Bossco · #**201** 12-04-2012, 08:46 PM

Need at the very least:
One of my modern fretless 5 stringers, '69 Jazz, 73' Ricky 4003 and my custom 12ver. Sooooo, that's four for minimum coverage.

As for wanting ... I'll know when I've stopped buying. LOL :-p

klejst · #**202** 12-04-2012, 08:46 PM

I agree you only really need just one bass, however a second as a backup is never a bad thing either.

Einherjar · #**203** 12-04-2012, 08:52 PM

As far as the p bass goes... Anyone suggest the squier matt freeman sig? It's basically a CV, but I love matt freeman (he was the reason for me learning bass in the first place) and that is the first p bass I have owned since I got rid of the one I learned on 10 years ago. Great quality and only about $380. and they come with a maple fretboard. (Though I did swap out the pup for dimarzio dp127)

bradjonesbass · #**204** 12-04-2012, 08:54 PM

The correct answer is always N+1. N = # of current basses.

For me, N currently = 2; a fretted 7 and a fretless 6. Immediate additions when I have the money will be, in order a 5 string NS CR series double bass, a 5 string MusicMan Stingray HH, fretted and fretless 5 string ABGs, a Jazz style 5....

moonshinegtrs · #**205** 12-04-2012, 09:00 PM

I collect; Currently have 30 - 50 instruments on hand (I buy & sell constantly). I have some nice old stuff that does get played out from time to time, but I also just purchased a Epi T-Bird Classic and have an SX Jazz that is LPB & has 80's Dimarzios in it & it Rocks.

Mostly I play my own stuff as well as a Road Worn fender P bass that I am in love with.

The new Epi T-Bird Classic is pretty impressive...

Moonshine

NYCbassist · #**206** 12-04-2012, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcm

just one - p with flats baby

That's about where I'm at

My new band is the perfect band for a P-Bass with Flats. But Noooo, I gotta be different and Play A RIC 4003. Or some days I bring My Jaguar MIJ. Or my Fender Bullet MIJ with 1975ish USA P-bass P'ups. It's really cool to be able to play every song on a P-Bass but as stated above some Bassists have a multifaceted Song list requiring Fretless etc...

NecroticImbecil · #**207** 12-04-2012, 09:07 PM

NEED?

Zero.

Einherjar · #**208** 12-04-2012, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NecroticImbecil

NEED?

Zero.

Um, I'm a noob here and all, so I hate to correct you... But... I think you meant to say "one".

Baird6869 · #**209** 12-04-2012, 09:15 PM

Really hard to answer....

Simple answer IMO:

1 bass if you just play alone and 2 if you gig... as a backup bass is just being professional.

If you are a studio musician... A fretless, a 5er, an ABG and others may be "needs".

Personally, I have 9 basses with #10 on the way. Why so many? They all (mostly) sound different and buying, selling and trading basses is a cool hobby.

M. Owen Santy · #**210** 12-04-2012, 09:17 PM

IMHO - I still believe three is the Magic Number - especially for cover players.

1. One "Hi-FI" bass (MTD, Lakland, Pedula) for skilled, articulate work.
2. One" Lo-Fi" bass for basic rock/blues tones (Fender J or P, Spector, Music-Man)
3. One fretless for ballads & jazz numbers (Throw a Warmouth neck & good pickups in a Squire)

And no matter what you play - make sure you find the correct amp for you - not what some magazine tells you is good or the "vogue" amp-of-the-week". Go to a dealer and play thru heads until you get a great idea of what you want.

Having bottom end issues? - Add a rackmount BBE Sonic Maximiser or BBE Sonic-Stomp to your rig. Very quick fix that makes all the difference in the world.

staurosjohn · #**211** 12-04-2012, 09:19 PM

TolerancEJ · #**212** 12-04-2012, 09:27 PM

Exactly 154 - lol

66Atlas · #**213** 12-04-2012, 09:58 PM

155.

Jeff Mills · #**214** 12-04-2012, 10:05 PM

You need at least 7 one for every day of the week but if your like me you just keep building them till you have one for every day of the year. And yeah I admit it I'm addicted ok? - is there a bassbuildersaholic group I can join? I really think I might need some help. So I might not be a good person to ask how many basses you need.

Diesel Kilgore · #**215** 12-04-2012, 10:23 PM

I go based on tonal qualities. I only have 2 right now. My Jag with flats is like my classic P bass. My Ibanez is a good rock or funk bass.

I would like to have 3 more. Something with a humbucker, possibly also active. Like a G&L L2K(which some say is universally tonal) Maybe a Jazz bass and definitely something hollowbodied.

If I had a Tele and a Gretch on top of what I have already I would be happy. So that makes 4.

NYCbassist · #**216** 12-04-2012, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Kilgore

I go based on tonal qualities. I only have 2 right now. My Jag with flats is like my classic P bass. My Ibanez is a good rock or funk bass.

I would like to have 3 more. Something with a humbucker, possibly also active. Like a G&L L2K(which some say is universally tonal) Maybe a Jazz bass and definitely something hollowbodied.

If I had a Tele and a Gretch on top of what I have already I would be happy. So that makes 4.

Hi Diesel, Any more info on the Jaguar? Is it MIJ? Was it a big difference going to Flats? Thanks.

aus_bass · #**217** 12-04-2012, 10:40 PM

I NEED = 1
I HAVE = 2
I WANT = more

Diesel Kilgore · #**218** 12-05-2012, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCbassist

Hi Diesel, Any more info on the Jaguar? Is it MIJ? Was it a big difference going to Flats? Thanks.

Hey NYCbassist. My Jaguar is a VM Squier short scale, made in Indonesia. Really a great bass. I grew up on Fender P's and this is about the only P pickup bass I need.

I dont know if these pickups are voiced for a vintage sound. But the flats give it exactly the tone of what one would want a P bass with flatwounds to sound like. I had stainless rounds on it before which were very twangy. I have GHS Precision Flats on it and its a big difference. Very percussive, deep and a nice vintage thump.

The P pickups are a real gem on this bass. The J pickup leaves alot to be desired.

NYCbassist · #**219** 12-05-2012, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diesel Kilgore

Hey NYCbassist. My Jaguar is a VM Squier short scale, made in Indonesia. Really a great bass. I grew up on Fender P's and this is about the only P pickup bass I need.

I dont know if these pickups are voiced for a vintage sound. But the flats give it exactly the tone of what one would want a P bass with flatwounds to sound like. I had stainless rounds on it before which were very twangy. I have GHS Precision Flats on it and its a big difference. Very percussive, deep and a nice vintage thump.

The P pickups are a real gem on this bass. The J pickup leaves alot to be desired.

Thanks Buddy, I have the MIJ Hot Rod Red but want Flats on it. I also have a '84 MIJ Bullet with Vintage P-bass Pickups that I'll be putting Phlats on. I think Fender should start putting Flats on their basses in the factory. I have so many sets of new Fender round wounds(Take offs) its' not funny.

capncal · #**220** 12-05-2012, 10:02 AM

of course you need an American P. they are expensive, and overseas i'm sure it's even more! my American P was 1200 bucks three years ago! Paid on that sucker every month and was thrilled to do so. We've a local music shop that rents gear and I about fell over when I saw an American P hanging on the wall!

If you can find a rent to own, do it! Otherwise check out the Japanese or Indonesian Fenders. They are a bit more consistent as far as build quality goes over the Mexican's but I really don't know. I know sometimes you can get a MIM that is just as good as anything else, but it's more of a crap shoot.