Am I nuts? Thinking of simplifying

I go in stages. Sometimes I own $35K in gear and then I will sell down to a couple of basses and one neat rig. Then I will buy back up and then I will sell back down. Just ride the wave. Sell down now and then you will feel better if you see something you like and want to buy it later.

Have fun!

 

The hot rod is a pj, right? That's enough.

 

No, I don't think so. I'm at that point myself. I have five total and slowly working my way down to only two or three. (I have one on consignment, and another that I'll likely sell in the spring.) I think the biggest revelation for me was deciding that I don't really need a 5 string (at least for now) after playing 5's for years. Once I realized that, it became easy to decide which ones to keep and which ones to sell. I like my life simple as well.

But everyone's different. Some folks only ever want or need one, and some want/need dozens. It's all about what works best for you.

-Alan

 

Everytime I think along similar lines, I decide to keep my 3 basses.

The MIA P is the one I play every day. But I want to keep the MIM P to put flats on it. And I can't get rid of my 3rd bass coz it's a MIM Jazz and i like the different sound it gives.

I'd sell the Takamine ABG as soon as I stop with the acoustic trio, I hate the ABG. Too quiet, I need to use a pick to get any volume acoustically,and then it just sounds like a guitar. And if I'm gonna need an amp or DI I may as well use my MIA P that , well, SOUNDS like a bass.

 

I am the exact same.

In the last few years, I went from 3 basses to 10 back to 3 then to 17 back down to 5 and by the end of Jan, I will have 10. I also went from 3 rigs to one and sold almost all of my effects last year.

Except for an older Fender signed and previously owned by a famous bassist (it hangs on my wall), I am only keeping basses that get regular gig time moving forward.

I am not a collector by any stretch and I wish I only needed two basses. I would be totally happy with that. Unfortunately, for the gigs I have I need (IMO) and am comfortable with a P with flats, a Jazz with rounds, a fretless, a 5er, etc.

 

I have five basses but only goes to gigs. The Fretless P will be worked in soon for a new project.

I did a big downsizing last fall amp wise. I got real about what actually goes to gigs and what stays home getting older and less desirable. I consolidated down to one super portable great sounding amp. Felt good.

I suggest you just sit with it. If the feeling persists, you'll do the right thing.

 

I've been simplifying my arsenal for the last year. I just sold one of two basses I had up for sale. After this next one sells I will be be down to my '75 P and an FBB fretless. I hardly ever use the fretless, but it is such an exquisite piece, and sounds totally amazing, that I just can't part with it (kudos to luthier Matt Schmill). Sometimes less is more.

 

I only stick to what I strictly need. If I buy a new amp, I will flip the previous amp the next day etc. Stops me from hoarding gear I'll inevitably neglect. The only thing I'm reluctant to flip is my MIM Jazz despite my Stingray being my #1 for the last two years now. Despite not using it much anymore, my Jazz has a lot of sentimental value.

 

Been there done that. I sold off my higher end basses to help buy a boat last year. I like you took out 1 or 2 workhorses all the time and the other 8 stayed in cases at home.
I was down to my highly modded late 80's E series Squier and one amp rig. I told to myself I need nothing more than a P and this one Kills, so why buy more? Well I now have a modded MIM, an 80's Iby Roadstar II and a Squier VM Tele.

Now all of them were pretty cheap even got the VM 20% off cost. Of them all the E series Squier and tele get the work with the 80's Squier seeing almost all of it. I doubt I will buy another unless its a good one and cheap.

 

I would like to think I've simplified, but there's always that one bass..

I play mainly P's, but early last year took in a Ibanez BTB that's an enigma in my collection. I keep planning to trade it away for another P, but it's such a different animal I haven't been able to justify getting rid of it.

I have my main P that's not going anywhere, then my backup P that has dual humbuckers.

And then there's the BTB. In its purest form, it's a 35" scale active Jazz bass (of sorts). Every time I'm nearly convinced to trade it, my conscience kicks in and I just can't do it.

Luckily, there's no such thing as too many basses.

 

If I needed the money, or easily buy a similar bass in the future, I would sell them. Otherwise, I would keep them.

 

It's a simpler matter for me, with my being a pro player anyway, I can rationalise and only keep the instruments I actually play and which earn me money.

I would say that you need to ask yourself rationally, "Will I actually play them?"

That way you'll know - Otherwise sell and find one extra bass that you love and will compliment the other two.

 

I'm sticking to a pair of Roscoe 5er's - on fretted and a fretless that's being built.

I can cover any gig I have with these.

 

two fingers nailed it. Keep what you play. Sell the rest and... get more stuff. Sell...buy...sell...buy. This is the life for those that suffer G.A.S.!

 

Simple is almost always better.

 

Nothing wrong with it, unless you are the type that will want one of them in the future, and then will be spending more to buy one.

 

I'm down to one P (with a J Neck)and it does everything I need. I kinda want to try a roadworn P neck so I'm keeping my eye out for a good deal on a neck to try out to see if I dig it. But really I am loving the simplicity of one bass(and a simple bass at that). I play a regular P/W gig and then mostly blues and rockabilly so a P covers my needs quite well. I sometimes think a Jazz in the arsenal would make sense, but no need at all for it at my level of hobby playing. I like to target shoot and hunt as well, and I've really simplified in that arena as well. 2 rifles do everything I need. I had 14 at one time.