As much as I'm a nerd for gear....

I've been playing the same bass since about '84, but I did replace the electronics, so I guess that counts as a change! I keep looking at new basses, but as yet I haven't picked up one...

 

I have a good friend that has had the same 2 Fenders (a Jazz and a P) and no other electric basses for 15+ years. He will likely never buy another bass.

P.S. He blows me away technically as he spends his spare time practicing, not on the TB forum like I do!

 

As long as my bass still plays i dont ever plan on buying another one.

 

There's definitely a camp that says: find "the one" and marry it.

Same goes for firearms - the old saying is "Beware the man who only owns one gun - because he knows how to use it."

 

To be honest, I know a few people like that but I'm not jealous of them. I know people who order the same thing at restaurants all the time as well, and I'm not jealous of them either. It's just one of those things, everyone likes their comfort zone and it doesn't reflect on the people around them one way or the other.

 

Herbie's bass has had a number of changes over the years... and given the time period and when he got a fender, you can imagine it was pretty difficult to get low-priced Fenders back then in the UK - so as a session muso, if you had a fender you were well sought after...

 

Chris Squire has the same Rick that he bought when working in a music store as a kid. It's been worked on over the years, but it's the same one.

I agree, find one that fits and don't look back.

 

I think he thinned the body down quite dramatically... and he's changed out the pickups as they've died...

 

Removed wallpaper and other cosmetics that ultimately altered the thickness and shape. I saw a pic of him with it recently and he looked like Andre the Giant holding a normal Rick.

 

I wish i could just buy one bass and stick to it, though i've at least found the manufacturer i plan on sticking to for some time (musicman). In the almost four years i've been playing i've had 7 basses, four of which i still have, two of which i'm selling so i can buy another... ah well!

But how many other basses does he have/has he used?

 

Dozens, no doubt. He's not a player I consider in the same league or of the same temperament as Herbie Flowers...Squire generally aimed to be a lead riff player on his bass... with a far more progressive attitude towards the instrument. Flowers was very backline-oriented and spent most of his career backing up big names and, as he calls them: "thirteen thousand flops"...

 

Exactly, anyone can keep A bass for years. But keeping and playing only the one bass ever is something totally different. I know i've seen chris squire playing at least 3 different basses other than his rick. Not that there's anything wrong with that, i'm the same. I wish i could find the perfect bass for me.

 

Although it was retired for many years, Sir Paul still plays the 500/1 every show. I think he's had that one almost 50 years.

 

Yes, there was an interview where he explained, while producing the "Flowers in the Dirt" album that he had given the bass over to Mandolin Bros. to get it setup. When it came back it was better than it had ever been. He claims they were able to make it in tune with itself above the 5th fret for the first time ever.

 

Ah, he's just an inefficient relicer.

JK

I got a buddy who "wore out" an original J-bass, touring his butt off thru the '60s and '70s. (Apparently a new axe seemed more expedient than a refret. ) Now he's happily playing out some inconspicuous off-brand.

 

You know, there's something to be said about this. I've always wondered as guys who have +3K$ basses set themselves up on stage, stand their basses and then walk away and buy a beer. Then for a good half an hour to 45 minutes their bass is on stage while everyone is gawking at it before they go on.