Basses You want versus basses you need.

[logdrum]

Needed for what? Need to own collect or make music. Want is limitless. Rationalizing the want into need sometimes gets in the way of music.

 

[40Hz]

I want virtually all of them.

I only need one.

And when you get right down to it, it wouldn’t matter to me which bass that one bass ended up being.

Because that’s exactly where I was on the day I first started playing bass. And it‘s all worked out pretty well for me so far.

 

[klejst]

Need...want...I want them all! I need them all!

 

[Gyver]

I want a Rickenbacker 4003.

I need (and have) a Fender Precision.

 

[commonplayer]

The best bassist in my local scene has one electric bass (at least that I've seen him gig with) - a humble MIJ jazz bass. Joe Dart plays on a MIM standard jazz from when he was 15. Can't imagine anyone needs more than that.

 

[mattj1stc]

I agree with your assessment on fretless. When I took up the fretless challenge, I had read somewhere that playing fretless would improve my playing on fretted bass as well. I think that's true in one sense - today, the fingers on my left hand do fret more consistently and precisely when I play fretted. Still, I feel like the biggest benefit was intonation and really hearing what notes sound like. It's now much easier for me to hear a bass line and play it more or less correctly. Previously, I would be about to work out some of the intervals but I wouldn't necessarily be anywhere close on whether the riff started on an F, a C or an A. Now, I can usually work out the whole riff and get the starting note right most times (when I'm wrong, it's usually just by a half step). I'm far from a fretless master, but I do feel like fretless was time well spent.

 

[singlemalt]

We only go around once, it’s ok to have nice things. Moderation is the key.

That said, buying used at or below the going price means you don’t take a hit when you sell.

Buying on credit is not happening. If you have the cash in your sock drawer, cool. If a purchase could pinch you, it’s not time.

I try to keep it to one or two basses at a time. More, and something is just collecting dust.

Buying used, I’ve been able to explore a lot of fine basses. As I learn and accept what really works for me, I’ve traded, sold, and bought basses more suited to my playing. Recycling the same pool of funds. Sometimes, I even make a little profit. And I know I won’t take a hit when I sell.

I know my needs, and my wants are more focused, less scattershot.

Light weight, four string, fretted, 19mm string spacing at the bridge, slim neck, passive electronics, fanned fret, and it’ll most likely say Dingwall on the headstock. If it checks all the boxes, and the price is right...

 

[Chasarms]

I have owned a few basses that I believe made me a better player. Most recently, my Valenti PJ5. That bass has really small frets that are pretty unforgiving if if your left hand gets sloppy. It also has a very dynamically sensitive preamp in it, which means you better pay attention to what you are doing. It is an absolutely outstanding instrument in every way, but you have to give it the attention it deserves as a musician.

I only have to EBGs now, and it is plenty. I only had one for a few years and I was fine. I think my GAS days may be over.

 

[FrenchBassQC]

I got the basses I needed first and then I bought the bass I wanted and I do not regret it one second...

 

[Billoney]

The term “need” is thrown around as subjective in this thread. With that aside, though, a good fretless would round out my tool box well.

I've got a couple of basses that I really like--an almost zenlike connection, so I've got what I need. I want a Guild Starfire reissue bass and a Gibson SG bass.

 

[Charlzm]

On my way to my bass lesson today, I thought about my Pedulla. It is easy for me to forget that Pedullas are a very highly regarded boutique bass brand since I lucked into buying mine instead of wanting one for years before getting it.

The bass I have wanted, but never bought, since I have been on Talkbass is a Sadowsky. I recently have decided that I am going to get one, hopefully this summer.

The funny thing is that I believe my Pedulla Pentabuzz has made me a better player in a way a Sadowsky would not have done. When I realized that I could get a Pedulla for under $1,200, I knew I needed to jump on the deal, but I also knew that if I bought it, I would have to commit to seriously improving my overall musicianship in general, and developing my intonation in particular. This has happened, my musical knowledge, reading, and intonation have much improved in the year or so since I bought my Pedulla.

If I had bought a Sadowsky, it would have been fretted, and I would have done what I did with other fretted basses: play along with music, and engaging in bad Marcus Miller or Bernard Edwards imitations. Playing along with songs is valuable, but more formal study is very important for being more complete knowledge.

I still want a Sadowsky, but my Pedulla is a special bass, and a game changer for me as a musician.

I don't need any basses. After all, playing bass isn't a requirement for life. But as for basses I want... I think I'll finally have scratched that itch for good when my Dingwall Combustion finally gets built and shipped. It will be my third Dingwall but the only one with stock (three) pickups.

That ought to do it. Until the next bass I fall in love with, anyway.

 

[vvvmmm]

I await NBD on the 8 stringer (4 courses of 2) I just ordered - it's "out for delivery" as I post ...

 

[Moe Hickey]

For me, it always begins and ends with Rickenbacker.

 

[dr doofie]

On my way to my bass lesson today, I thought about my Pedulla. It is easy for me to forget that Pedullas are a very highly regarded boutique bass brand since I lucked into buying mine instead of wanting one for years before getting it.

The bass I have wanted, but never bought, since I have been on Talkbass is a Sadowsky. I recently have decided that I am going to get one, hopefully this summer.

The funny thing is that I believe my Pedulla Pentabuzz has made me a better player in a way a Sadowsky would not have done. When I realized that I could get a Pedulla for under $1,200, I knew I needed to jump on the deal, but I also knew that if I bought it, I would have to commit to seriously improving my overall musicianship in general, and developing my intonation in particular. This has happened, my musical knowledge, reading, and intonation have much improved in the year or so since I bought my Pedulla.

If I had bought a Sadowsky, it would have been fretted, and I would have done what I did with other fretted basses: play along with music, and engaging in bad Marcus Miller or Bernard Edwards imitations. Playing along with songs is valuable, but more formal study is very important for being more complete knowledge.

I still want a Sadowsky, but my Pedulla is a special bass, and a game changer for me as a musician.

There’s need, want... and simply can’t have... I don’t trust myself with top shelf anything. I know I would somehow trip over it, spill something on it, or get “creative” in a sad attempt to modify it.
And I play left handed, so the circle of “can’t have” is completed.

 

[Sam Dingle]

Basses I want:

Fender jazz bass pre 1964
Fender p bass pre 1960
Custom passive 5 string
Plywood upright
2 carved uprights
A vintage upright.


Basses I need:

A quality fender jazz OR p that’s gonna last a long time
A 5 string bass that doesn’t have a poopy B string

A great sounding carved upright
A backup upright for ***** gigs

 

[Rebel Bass]

On my way to my bass lesson today, I thought about my Pedulla. It is easy for me to forget that Pedullas are a very highly regarded boutique bass brand since I lucked into buying mine instead of wanting one for years before getting it.

The bass I have wanted, but never bought, since I have been on Talkbass is a Sadowsky. I recently have decided that I am going to get one, hopefully this summer.

The funny thing is that I believe my Pedulla Pentabuzz has made me a better player in a way a Sadowsky would not have done. When I realized that I could get a Pedulla for under $1,200, I knew I needed to jump on the deal, but I also knew that if I bought it, I would have to commit to seriously improving my overall musicianship in general, and developing my intonation in particular. This has happened, my musical knowledge, reading, and intonation have much improved in the year or so since I bought my Pedulla.

If I had bought a Sadowsky, it would have been fretted, and I would have done what I did with other fretted basses: play along with music, and engaging in bad Marcus Miller or Bernard Edwards imitations. Playing along with songs is valuable, but more formal study is very important for being more complete knowledge.

I still want a Sadowsky, but my Pedulla is a special bass, and a game changer for me as a musician.

I had a NYC P/J that I bought used for $ 2800, a great deal. I sold it for $4200 later, so they hold their value well, which is a plus. The bass sounded great, but I wasn't thrilled with the way it played, for me (it was the "vintage", but the "Will Lee" plays better IMO). It really does come down to what you want and what you need. If you want a fretless, and you're sold on the Sadowsky, you'll have to get the full on NYC 5-7k. Their NCY Satin basses are well built, in the same factory by the same guys for around 3k. If you are going to wait a while, sign up for their email notices, they have 20% off around Black Friday time.

Of course I would recommend checking in with Mike Tobias, and see if you could get him to make you something for around the same money, maybe less. Mike and Roger are both the elders of bass building. Your Pedulla is cool too.

Good luck!

 

[bassbrad]

You certainly have a point @Dr. Cheese there have certainly been basses that once in my hands have challenged me to up my game including a PentaBuzz I was fortunate to have for a few years. That bass was my nemesis challenging nuances in my playing that other basses never picked up, not my first or last fretless and I had actually started on cello and later played upright to a pretty high level but that Pedulla was an electron microscope compared to the other instruments I had played spotlighting my every tiny flaw. I spent every spare moment polishing, filling and repairing every one of those flaws to craft my playing to the tarnished gem that it is today.
The Gibson EB 2014 5String is once again putting some challenges to me and it is wonderful, now to really learn the notes on the hiC string.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

You certainly have a point @Dr. Cheese there have certainly been basses that once in my hands have challenged me to up my game including a PentaBuzz I was fortunate to have for a few years. That bass was my nemesis challenging nuances in my playing that other basses never picked up, not my first or last fretless and I had actually started on cello and later played upright to a pretty high level but that Pedulla was an electron microscope compared to the other instruments I had played spotlighting my every tiny flaw. I spent every spare moment polishing, filling and repairing every one of those flaws to craft my playing to the tarnished gem that it is today.
The Gibson EB 2014 5String is once again putting some challenges to me and it is wonderful, now to really learn the notes on the hiC string.

Sounds like another breakthrough is on the way!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I agree with your assessment on fretless. When I took up the fretless challenge, I had read somewhere that playing fretless would improve my playing on fretted bass as well. I think that's true in one sense - today, the fingers on my left hand do fret more consistently and precisely when I play fretted. Still, I feel like the biggest benefit was intonation and really hearing what notes sound like. It's now much easier for me to hear a bass line and play it more or less correctly. Previously, I would be about to work out some of the intervals but I wouldn't necessarily be anywhere close on whether the riff started on an F, a C or an A. Now, I can usually work out the whole riff and get the starting note right most times (when I'm wrong, it's usually just by a half step). I'm far from a fretless master, but I do feel like fretless was time well spent.

That has been my experience too.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The best bassist in my local scene has one electric bass (at least that I've seen him gig with) - a humble MIJ jazz bass. Joe Dart plays on a MIM standard jazz from when he was 15. Can't imagine anyone needs more than that.

I never needed more than the Rickenbacker 4000 that I bought after high school in 1978. I wanted different things, so I tried them out.