Are you a one bass guy, or not?

[basslicks]

You know what they say, I only need one more.

I believe the proper number of basses to own is where the following conditions are met:

n + 1

s - 1

where n is the number of basses you currently own and s is the number of basses that will cause your spouse to leave you.

 

[Kro]

I am.

My first bass was a Soundgear that I used for 5 years.

My second bass was a StingRay 5 that I used for around 10 years.

In January of this year I picked up a Precision.

While I still have each bass in my possession, each one was my "the one" from the time I got it until the time I got the next one.

 

[DirkP]

I own about 11-13 basses, mostly Fenders with the exception of a Musicman and a Warwick Starbass. But during the last 4 years I've played a 2014 AVS Series Jazz on every single gig. During rehearsals and practising I change instruments more often or I leave one at the city where I have most gigs, but even these are mostly the same 3 instruments. But I like to own the other ones, because I can.
For me the rational in not having as many basses as I own, but in having maybe 4 basses are STRINGS. They are the most significant part of the sound of a bass, esp. if you're into traditionell Fender designs with the pickups on the same location. And I'm to lazy to change the strings so I just switch to a similar bass with rounds insteads of flats. But live I always play flats 'cause I'm too lazy to bring 2 basses to a gig.

 

[msb]

Not .

 

[FugaziBomb]

For clarification, do you have a bass that you use for basically every gig, or not? Personally, I do, I only have 1 bass, but I play Punk, so...go figure, right? If you don't (or do), why?

I play punk and have about 15 gigging basses I use. I cycle them out monthly. I bought them all, might as well play them all. One month the same bass might be my fav, but the next it'll be at the bottom of my list. I'm constantly swapping parts and rewiring them, so they tend to evolve... And devolve sometimes.

 

[Ostie]

I have five, but I can only play one at a time....

 

[micguy]

not

 

[Bassmike62]

I have 4 basses, all Jazz models (2 Fenders and 2 Squiers) and looking to get a TBird back in my humble stable, just 'cause I'm totally enamored with the sound and looks of it. I bring the 2 Fenders to gigs and use only one, keeping the other as back-up. My main bass is a white Fender American Special acquired in 2011.

 

[msb]

Quite a range of basses from upright to Ashbory . Old Pbass guy that appreciates a nice old Ric , main gigging bass is a shortscale Dano Longhorn . Geezer with some classic basses , recently bought a Flying V . Can't think of anything more pathetic than some old geezer in jeans and chucks playing a V , but I'm ok with that . I enjoy having a nice variety of instruments and appreciate the differences between a short scale set neck hollow body bass and a Pbass .

 

[Axtman]

I have a few basses but really only play my Fender Precision. It's like effects pedals. I have a few but really don't use any.

 

[flyingfinbar]

Goofing around at home, I'm bouncing around bass to bass...active with rounds, P with flats, fretless, J, etc.
Live, I pick one and stick with it. It just helps me to standardize my live setup/sound...but I ALWAYS have a backup!

 

[pappabass]

Yep, what ever cheap bass I have! I have 2 other nicer basses, my current go to is a Sterling sub4!!

 

[BakedMaple]

If I don't have multiple basses to modify I might practice more.

 

[fermata]

Yep, one bass for me. With one pickup. But I'm more decadent with strings--I have four.

For most of my musical life, which is now the better part of my whole life, I've preferred one of whatever instrument. I like to get to know it really well, so that it's an extension of my musical mind and part of my musical voice.

 

[thisheregiraffe]

Currently only have one. I'm looking to buy a fretless right now; if I choose the expensive option I'm looking at then I will definitely be a one bass guy for a very long time-- gonna take a while to pay off that credit card and I'll have to sell things-- but if I decide to be responsible and go the less expensive route then I will get to be a more-than-one bass guy. Can't make up my mind

 

[Admiral Thrawn]

Currently only have one. I'm looking to buy a fretless right now; if I choose the expensive option I'm looking at then I will definitely be a one bass guy for a very long time-- gonna take a while to pay off that credit card and I'll have to sell things-- but if I decide to be responsible and go the less expensive route then I will get to be a more-than-one bass guy. Can't make up my mind

I'll bite—what is the expensive one?

 

[thisheregiraffe]

I'll bite—what is the expensive one?

The BFR StingRay fretless. I guess it's not that expensive compared to custom builds and boutique brands that some folks buy, but it's expensive on my budget :-/

 

[B-Mac]

For clarification, do you have a bass that you use for basically every gig, or not? Personally, I do, I only have 1 bass, but I play Punk, so...go figure, right? If you don't (or do), why?

Well, at 75 basses of all kinds I'm gonna have to say no, just sayin

 

[CoffeeLove]

For clarification, do you have a bass that you use for basically every gig, or not? Personally, I do, I only have 1 bass, but I play Punk, so...go figure, right? If you don't (or do), why?

I own two, an all white Stingray 5 and Custom Roscoe 5, yet the only one I take to gigs is the Stingray. So, for the most part, yes, I am a one bass guy and it covers a wide range of genres.

 

[CallMeAl]

Yup! P bass with a Jazz neck.

. I like to get to know it really well, so that it's an extension of my musical mind and part of my musical voice

^this pretty much sums up how I operate. I find switching basses to be distracting. I make enough mistakes as it is!

I own a second PJ bass, but it is strictly an emergency backup.