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A bass player with only one bass...
- Thread starter martybernal
- Start date
I couldn't just have one bass for the same reason I can't just play one CD or stick with only one genre of music.
I usually have between 6 and 10 basses in my possession at any given time due to how many projects I get into. When recording I might go through them and figure out which one I think sounds the best and use it. When playing live or even just at band practice, I only use one bass 95% of the time, so I'm pretty sure I could get by with only having one.
I have had as many as seven at one time, but I always seem to go to the same one. It just feels "right."
I only have 2 basses at the moment, Jazz bass and a P bass. This pretty much covers anything I need gig wise, jazz is 5 string P is 4.
I kinda want another bass that's more on the modern side - but the jazz can pretty much cover that. I plan on keeping my P bass forever, my jazz I may or may not part with one day but I hope I hold onto it too!
I kinda want another bass that's more on the modern side - but the jazz can pretty much cover that. I plan on keeping my P bass forever, my jazz I may or may not part with one day but I hope I hold onto it too!
I have two electric basses. A franken-fender (60s or 70s ash body, 80s emg p/j pu's, warmoth jazz neck, badass II bridge) and a deluxe P-bass special (which is close to the same thing, but with dimarzios in it). In theory, I could easily just have one bass (currently gigging 2-4 times a month), but I told my wife I needed a back up bass (relieved some GAS and served to learn how to install pick ups, bridge, set ups, etc) and I really like having both basses because I tend to get stuck in ruts in my playing and the differnent feel and tone, even in such similar basses lets me hear and play new things. I am sure that if I wasn't as lazy and worked on theory more I wouldn't need the extra bass a crutch for new playing, but I am and they look freakin' great together hanging on the wall.
Very similar experience. I've played bass for 30 years, and for the past year+ I have owned a single 4-string fretted bass. My practicing has been more focused & effective. Those 2 facts may be related or not, but that's my experience.
P.S. I've also spent WAY less time on TB... Down from 1-2 posts/day to 1 post every 4-8 weeks. See you again in 2 months
JazznFunk
Supporting Member
What works live may not work in the studio and vice-versa. I own 7 basses, and they are all unique in their application. Some have flats, some have rounds, etc. etc. If you have any aspirations to work (or currently DO work) as a studio musician, one bass is never enough in most cases. My Lakland 44-02 is as close to a 'one size fits all' bass as I can get, but my 44-01 and 55-01 basses are my main live players. I have a Jazz and Precision as well for those times that a 'Fender Bass' is actually required or just seems most appropriate. So many tones, so little time (and gigs). haha.
I just use my p bass. If I could afford a ric they would share a spot, but for now I'm in no hurry.
i keep threatening to sell all but one bass, but i never do. it's not that i couldn't do everything i do on one good fender, but it is nice to have a little variety. i only bring one electric bass to a gig but i like to rotate them occasionally.
My sentiments exactly. I think my problem and the reason I have so many basses is that I love so many sounds.
I currently have a truly stupid number of basses, but during the entire decade of the '80s I only had one. It was a late '70s (I bought it new) Rickenbacker 4001. Sold it in the '90s, but recently picked up a 2005 Ric 4003. It's like coming home, and I'm seriously thinking of selling off some of the clutter.
I have never broken a string.. but do you worry about that.. I am the same way.. but I bring two.. I keep one in a case sometimes.. other times, I simply keep it to the side..
a lot of people grow bored with their sound.. or bass.. and buy stuff.. others like variety.. I personally have come to have a Drop-D bass and EADG bass.. that's where sometimes have two basses comes in handy.. but I generally keep my 2nd bass locked up during shows.. not once have I needed it.. I just know if I don't bring it, a string might break.. and that will be a bad situation.
nah blah, it's been 10 years since i last broke a string. i used to bring two, but then i realized that i just don't break strings like i used to, so i stick with one. if i break a string i can still continue playing without it until the set's over, but it hasn't happened for a very long time so i will continue to tempt fate.
I can't relate to that even a bit. Maybe it's because I play in multiple musical settings and find that different kinds of basses work better in one setting than another ... For instance, my ABG - a style of bass written off by like 90 % of TB - works way better than any of my Fenders when I'm doing my main gig. My Fenders work in the Alt-Americana setting and the ABG won't. The Barker can kind of go both ways ... I'm still adjusting to playing it while singing though. I expect is will be a main player some time in 2011.
For the unknown acoustic stuff - where I'm backing up a singer/guitarist through stuff that I rarely play - the Godin Acoustibass is an easy choice as it has the playability of a great Fender and a better than workable acoustic sound or vibe. The user friendly nature of that bass makes it a really important part of the stable.
Whichever one I'm playing - it's still me, playing the music in front of me, or along side of me ...
If I were doing one band, then I could get by - I will always have a spare for the setting though ... and I really prefer to be busier than just one band will generally allow without hitting the road again.
I never broke a string in a long time either but my main bass now has a Kahler on it you break a string on that, and your done
so for me my backup sits in the case just in case.
lol! yeah, the last time i broke a string, it was on my bass that has a kahler. i would def bring a backup if i still used it as my main bass.I never broke a string in a long time either but my main bass now has a Kahler on it you break a string on that, and your done
so for me my backup sits in the case just in case.
I peaked at ten, sold six, thought I'd hold there, but picked up a couple more in the past year. At one point I considered getting rid of it all in favor of two American made Fenders, but there are times when I want different things depending on what music I'm playing, short scale, long scale, hollow body, etc.
