basses (and guitars) - how many is too many?

[SunByrne]

I must be pretty close to the right number for me because I keep almost buying basses and then not doing it.

It's gotten to the point that when I decided I needed a second fretless I had one of my current basses de-fretted rather than buying a new one. Admittedly, I also didn't love the neck on that bass (G&L L-2000, just a little too chunky for me) and this was also an excuse to get it sanded down a little and going satin rather than gloss, but still.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I have 6 . I seem to like odd numbers when it comes to basses. I can see myself going up or down 1 and being content.


There was a time that I would have said I'm good with either 2 or 3. That all changed once I got into Fretless.
So now I will say that between 5&7 is enough for me.

 

[SharpCat]

If you're a musician, I think it's about your ability to give them attention. If you start thinking "Gee, I haven't played X in a while.", you have too many.
If you're a collector, buy whatever. You're not buying them to play.
Only you can decide where you fall on this spectrum.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I have 4 that I'm pretty happy with. They cover a lot of ground and are not duplicates of each other. I could see having maybe 2 more, one being a fretless which I currently don't have and a Sabre.

 

[flannel cat]

Ummmmmm? dont think there is a limit is there?

 

[pcake]

The correct amount should be 4. 2 electric guitars, 1 acoustic guitar, 1 bass. I have 3 times that. Probably never happen.

i haven't had 4 in many years...

Sounds like you're at least at Stage 3:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/bass-hoarding-personality-disorder-bhpd-you-are-not-alone.1027851/

been there for quite a while - the last time i posted on the "how many basses do you own?" thread, i thought i had 14, but it turned out i missed a couple...

I have four small wardrobes in my man cave of two different depths. If my man cave had been 7 feet across rather than six, they'd all be the deeper depth. They are on top of shelves. There is also a full height built-in cupboard. They are all Eames with instruments, amps, cables, cases, etc. And there are still two electronic drum kits in the attic. I'm full bar maybe space for one instrument.

i have a roland drum rack with L rods folded up under the bed, the snare stand is... somewhere... and the electronic cymbals and drums are in the closet for now

12. 12 is too many because I own 11. Three weeks ago 11 was too many.
Please don't tell my wife, she doesn't know about the latest bass...

my husband, the guitar player, is SUCH an enabler. if i say "i'd like to get back into 5 string", he pushes me to find one and buy it. what can i saw - i did the same with his latest strat

If you're a musician, I think it's about your ability to give them attention. If you start thinking "Gee, I haven't played X in a while.", you have too many.
If you're a collector, buy whatever. You're not buying them to play.
Only you can decide where you fall on this spectrum.

i make a point of playing them all regularly. the ones that get played the least are the glarry - that baseball bat of a neck slows me down like crazy, but it's fine for blues - and the squier CV jazz as playing it for long hurts my shoulder.

 

[Snakeman1066]

I have 10 electric basses 1 Acoustic/Electric and one Upright bass...

6 electric guitars i acoustic guitar

2 theremin

2 acoustic drum kits one in maple the other in birch and 1 electric drum kit

don't get me started on amps and cabs...lol

 

[MaxSpinrun]

@pcake Beautiful that you two are on the same page! I hear all sorts of reasonings. Hiding purchases from significant other, one in,one out rule for purchases. Be honest, open and transparent about purchases. Works for me and my wife.

 

[lomo]

6 is right for me....at 6 they'll all get played. Now I have 8 and 2 are FS....

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I think the real correct answer is you know you have too many when it becomes a problem.

The problem could be space. The problem could be many never get played. The problem could be it's a financial burden or the problem could be it's causing issues with the significant other.

 

[One_Dude]

You only have too many when you run out of space. I'm thinking about renting a climate controlled storage space, so where does that put me?

Thump on,

One_Dude

 

[MaxSpinrun]

If you don't label your cases and it takes more than a moment to locate an instrument, then maybe it's time to reflect on how many you have. Just a thought. I have a couple of friends that have 20+. I can't imagine realistically having and USING that many.

 

[red_rhino]

Guitars are like goldfish. The number you have will grow to the size of the bowl you live in.

 

[jimmydean]

I'm not sure if I really know , let's count......one,two ,three...........to infinity ?

 

[Jxff]

I've been selling off gear for the last few years. I tend to play a bass for a while, then switch to a different one. In the last 6 months a problem with pain in my finger tips is going away after 17 years and I'm playing guitar more. I admire those with a single instrument, but the magic number looks like it will be 4 basses and 5 guitars (do ukes count, +1, +1 acoustic guitar). Each one has a story, plays well and was a good deal. I sold off the higher priced guitars first. As I was making the list I realized I forgot one bass and one guitar, lol. Earlier today I was comparing Boss phasers, as I have been selling off pedals lately. I did learn from guitar pedalboards to limit my bass pedals to a single board and a modest 3 pedal backup. I think it makes sense to have one nicer instrument, those that can do it, hats off!

Peavey Gen 1 Fury
Parts Jazz
Parts P
LTD 1006
Epiphone MIK LP
Gibson LP
Fender Jaguarillo
Fender Duo Sonic
Fender MIJ '62 RI Tele
Uke
Acoustic

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Let me just say, i have too many. Left to my own devices i would get more. I will also say i haven't paid for another bass in close to 3 years, a record for me.

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Oh, how many? I dunno, 15, maybe 16.

 

[Killing Floor]

As long as we have space below the bed, in the childs closet, under the couch or in the attic - there is room for one more.....Cheers!!

This!

too many is when you can't keep up with them.
I have 2 hooks on my wall. I have a couple stands but only use them out.
On each hook is a bass or a guitar if some kind. Maybe 2 basses or 2 guitars. Everything else is stacked in closets or under a bed. So I feel completely in control of them. It's just 2 out.

 

[five7]

I have 2500 sq ft for my two cats and myself since my wife passed. Only two basses. Send those extras over here

 

[ebo]

I have 5 currently and they all get played. I don't see a reason to have a bass I never play. I almost got into double digits at one point. I opted for quality and not quantity. I DO have my eye on about 10 different basses so double digits are always a possibility.