Anyone ever have a problem "thining the heard"?

[lowfreqgeek]

Yep. It's a conundrum.

Some are primarily tools, some have great sentimental value, and most share some aspects of both categories. Only a few are tools with no sentimental attachment and no real function at this point in my "career", and those are the ones currently slated to go up for sale when I'm not too lazy to endure the hassle. The rest are either my primary tools for specific jobs I still do, or they have too much sentimental value to let go of, despite having been displaced by more functional tools.

And now my son plays bass and has grown up with most of my basses for as long as he can remember, so it's only natural that he also has some attachment to them and hopes to some day own a few (or all) of them.

 

[nonohmic]

Where the hell do you put 40 basses

 

[Mastermold]

You are not alone. I only have 7 basses and recently went through this. I finally just gave up and decided to keep it all. At least for now .

Jaco only needed 4 ...

 

[Marc DLarosa]

I'm doing this, as we speak. I "got rid" of everything that "kinda" mattered in the past few years. Now... my "babies" gotta go to good homes...

Yeah... it SUCKS. They will be missed.

 

[Marc DLarosa]

Where the hell do you put 40 basses

In storage, and the guest room. Over 100 have left. When I'm down to 30(1sh) of the +60... all in hard cases... My house will feel less cluttered.

UGH.

 

[Rojd]

I have 4 basses and that's more than enough for me.

I would like an unlined fretless though.....

 

[MrAB4003]

I was trying to sell my 2022 Ric 4003 a few months ago, but I got no traction whatsoever. So I decided to keep it, put flats on it, and love it. I'm glad I did.

I otherwise have 4 basses in total (the 2022 Ric and 3 others) and they all get played. My collection is thin enough. I want to add a fifth, but I just don't know what I would add because I love the tones that I'm getting from my collection.

 

[elgranluis]

Ha ! It’s very complicated. However , what’s worked for me is I post everything for sale. Like a huge FS ad with 20 basses and prices, perhaps 20 ads on facebook.

People will reach out on the stuff that they are interested in, which sometimes is not what I wanna sell.

generally , this will make me reconsider if I wanna sell the items or not. It also gives me an idea about what people are actually ready to purchase.

I hope any of this helps.

 

[DrBnz]

I have had 60 in my life. I'm "down to" 20 now. But I think the experiences I've had by owning them all has been a pleasant journey and I still will buy if its really nice (to me). I have thought about thinning out often, but I do play them all regularly as I like the variety. And nobody out there is waiting on me to sell these, so I stumble over the question of "why should I". I have a walk-in closet full of fun. I don't see the problem here.

 

[andare]

I have heard thine basso profondo plucking and methinks it would indeed befit you to acquire a novel theorbo rather than selling off your extant stable, my liege.

 

[Groove Doctor]

1. Decide to sell it.
2. Actually sell it.

That’s it.

if you had all your basses stolen and insurance gave you exactly what you need to replace them, would you spend it all on getting the same ones again?

This I find helpful. Mentally detaching is essential, otherwise you may regret the sale.

Once I made the decision, it was easy to let them go.

Exactly. Until then, you’re just flirting with the idea. You have to commit.

I've owned roughly two dozen basses over the years, and when it was time, I sold them off to others who could enjoy them after me. They'd tell me and teach me what they wanted me to know, then it was time to move on. They were great fun in their time, but that time passed, and I don't miss them.

Great point. Keep growing and you’ll move beyond it. Too many people stay stuck mentally stuck at a previous high point in their life and thwart new things & experiences coming into their life.

Just do it.

 

[Groove Doctor]

I’m not a hoarder…. I’m a saver !!

Invalid Link Removed

 

[hamertek98]

I've heard of it.....

Is it true?

 

[chris_b]

If I wanted to reduce the number of basses I owned, I'd start by selling the bass I played the least. . . . . and keep doing that until I arrived at the required number.

 

[Relsom]

You can only play one at a time.

Bases that get played sound and feel and function better.

Hope this helps...
Take them to Atomic Music in Beltsville, MD. They'll sell fast.

Armybass and I made the trip to Atomic a few weeks ago. It was kind of sad seeing all those instruments gathering dust in their racks. I couldn't help think that at one time each one was the answer to someone's hopes and dreams when they were sparkling new.

 

[pepj]

I've got too much stuff and I've narrowed which amp can go...even though I like it it's not going to get any gig time.
I am doing that with basses and have ear marked one for the same reasons. I have in mind which one might follow it too.

The problem with basses that spend too much time in the rack is the maintenance required to keep them in playing condition. Its also why I don't store them in cases ..which takes more remedial
maintenance... and so you stick with basses you can jump on.
This system also keeps the numbers down because of house space issue. I really see no point keeping musical stuff that I dont use.

My ideal to get down to would be 5 basses, 3 amps and 3 cab configs and they all need to make the gig rosta.

 

[woodyng2]

I’ve never owned more than 12 at a time.
A few years ago I decided to downsize, wanted to get down to 3, but only managed to sell 5. And I really miss those 5…..but I’m no longer playing in bands or recording, so the 7 I still have are just sitting around unplayed.
But I really don’t think I can part with them, because of how I feel about the ones I did let go of.

 

[woodyng2]

If I wanted to reduce the number of basses I owned, I'd start by selling the bass I played the least. . . . . and keep doing that until I arrived at the required number.

I’ve got 2 basses that have 1.5” nut and super slim 7.5” radius necks. I find them both uncomfortable for my left hand, but I really like the way they sound!

 

[Relsom]

Man, I know this sounds pathetic, but I'm really having problems with this.
I'm at the point in my life where I'm fortunate to own every bass I've wanted. I'm also at the point of my life where I'm simply not going to play them all and don't gig nearly as much as I did. And I could also use some space.
So... I have 40(ish) American basses of various vintages.
Each one chosen carefully. Some for specific projects, others just cuz I always wanted one.
So now here we are, a rainy day in Maryland and I decide I'm going to list five. I pick a few out of the rack clean them up, plug them in, make sure they work as they should. And each bass reminds me while I chose it in the first place. "Can't get rid of this one" I keep repeating. Back it goes into the damn rack.
I was only able to choose two today I'd be willing to let go. And that was like pulling teeth.
So... Has anyone else had this problem?
Or am I just f'n nuts?

I'm only at 30ish, so I guess I have a little catching up to do...lol.

But seriously, your situation and process is a lot like mine.

I've only gigged the same 2 Kubickis over the last 10 years, but love to play all the rest at home or occasionally to rehearsals.... In fact, those 2 Kubickis pretty much stay in their cases at home except for their bi-annual truss rod adjustments and battery changes.

I don't have an answer for you as I got it just as bad.

 

[chris_b]

I’ve got 2 basses that have 1.5” nut and super slim 7.5” radius necks. I find them both uncomfortable for my left hand, but I really like the way they sound!

I understand, but what's the use of a great sounding bass if you can't hear it because it isn't being played? Sell what you don't play and use the money to buy a great bass that ticks all your boxes.