• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

A bass player with only one bass...

#121
I've been a one bass guy for a long time and now own two - but I might go back to owning one at some point here. I have a G&L L2000 Tribute which has humbucking pickups. I'm going to be modifying it by removing the preamp (which doesn't do much, to be honest) and installing two switches that will give me series, parallel, inner coils, and outer coils options. With all of that and the tone changing I can get with the volume, treble, and bass controls I should be able to get all the tones I would need.

My other bass is an SX Jazz which sounds simply stunning with D'Addario Chromes and I might just keep it or gift it to someone I know. (locally :D)
 
#123
I had one bass for many years and I think it just put you more into learning and practicing instead of ... well that bass is for that sound or that technic only etc ... I do all with one bass I know how to obtaint what I'm looking for.

Now I have other bass but for the past 3 years I'm looking for selling them and get the "one" for me ... like on the double bass I only only have one and I can't see myself with another.
 
#124
I Think "THE ONE" is just tooooo strong a word. I like to use the phrase "feels like home"
when it comes to my basses.

I have 7...'Home' for a 4 is the Jazz..'Home' for the 5 is the MM Stingray...If I'm reading a chart for the first time, or working on new toons...I bring one of those that I'm not fighting at all.. Doesn't mean I don't love the others..I love the fight I get from my Fender Sting..or my 5 string Fender P..but..I like to go home from time to time.
 
#125
I'll always have a 4 and a 6 strings... now as I play with a band that uses non std. tuning, I like to keep one more to play std. tuning songs, without relearning all the stuff...
I had a fretless once and surely someday I'll get an other too... But for now I try to keep my warwick SSII, my warwick corvette bubinga active and my custom made Crête XB 6 strings...

I used to be a "gear slut" too but now with the new house I bought recently I can't be anymore... So I have to sell 3 of my basses... lol
 
#126
Old saying: BEWARE the man with only one gun (he knows how to use it!)

That said, I like having multiple basses simply because I like to use a bass same as or similar to that used by the original artist for 60s & 70s classic rock covers. Also fun just to collect and own historical basses.
 
#127
My day job keeps me too busy to currently play in a band. I too am a gear slut. Help!

'76 P
'78 Jazz
Lakland JO USA
MM SR5
Ric 4003
Squire Jazz VM Fretless

I love the P and Ric. The others....eh...

Need to thin the herd.

It's hard to part with any of them though.
 
#128
I currently have four basses, but due to some financial distress, I'm going to have to sell all but one. I'm going to keep one of my 5ers. Just have to decide between the Lakland 55-02 and a US G&L L-2500. Man, that's a tough choice. Kind of like choosing your favorite child.
 
#130
I typically keep only one Bass at a time (Though I do keep one as a backup)
It drives me nuts having multiple basses, I just don't know which one to play. I find one that I play best with, thats my primary, then a suitable backup in case something happens live. If I find a better one, I sell my secondary and save up for the new one to be my primary. "Booting down" by old primary to a secondary :)
 
#134
Mayers said:
I had one bass for many years and I think it just put you more into learning and practicing instead of ... well that bass is for that sound or that technic only etc ... I do all with one bass I know how to obtaint what I'm looking for.

Now I have other bass but for the past 3 years I'm looking for selling them and get the "one" for me ... like on the double bass I only only have one and I can't see myself with another.
Click to expand...

Agree with this. The bass players I know around here who are true working musicians have only a couple of electric basses and a DB. They, a) don’t have the income to acquire a lot of gear, and, b) don’t require it for their situations.

The DB reference is very relevant. DB can cover a lot of territory. It’s all in the fingers. Most bassists, amateur or pro, could use one bass for 90% of needs. YMMV….
 
#136
I've got 8...but in reality I've not even TOUCHED 5 or 6 of them within the last 4 years - I always go for my Jaguar or my Jazz, I've got a squier P which needs strings/setting up but WAS used in my rotation for ages, and until I've got the money for the strings I can't really do anything. I used to sometimes use a CIJ Mustang, but its got a scratchy/dodgy knob ATM which I'd like to get sorted before using it...

Generally I know what I like - having some variety is brill, but recently I've been thinking "I COULD just get rid of the ones I don't use...but knowing my luck I'll need one of them soon afterwards" besides, I don't wanna get rid of a perfectly decent bass just because I could do with the room! There's ONE I'd happily sell...otherwise no way!

Also - that guy who was on about "fighting" with a bass...I DO fight a little with my Jag, but generally he's a good lad...but my first bass (the jazz) is soft as anything and just feels like home, y'know what I mean? The neck is satin, but is somehow warm to the touch even in -5 temperatures
 
#137
My main work horse is a 01 MIA Jazz, should have bought one these babies years ago. I bring two basses to a gig just in case. My Jbass and my first bass a 72 Ric 4001 and she sounds great when we crank it up for the rock at the end of the night. I'd like to bring in my Squire fretless as well surprisingly she plays and sound s great for a $350.00 (new) bass. Having said all that my Jbass still plays a good 75 to 80% of a gig.
 
#138
I started playing in 95 on a borrowed ibanez blazer. Two years later I bought my first bass, an american standard p fender.

For ten years it had been my only bass. When I turned 25 I had some money to spend and decided to get a Ric. I didn't need it but I thought it was better than spending the money on booze and cigaretts.

Now I have the problem that I recently tried flats for the first time (thank you TB!) and now I want to have one p strung with flats and one with rounds. The same goes for the rick.

I tried a lot of p basses before I bought my baby, but I had to buy the rick from the internet so I am lucky that i like it that much.

Bottom line is that I still own every bass I ever bought and still love playing both.
 
#139
I can call dittio on what the OP posted. I currently have only one bass now too which has also always been my main player. Many basses have come and gone with me as well, however I always know I can trust my main because it is so solid and never let me down yet. I know eventually I will try out another bass to act as a backup, however never have had to use them before so I sold them. Guess I am looking for another "diamond in the rough" or just lucky.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back