Basses You want versus basses you need.

[Dr. Cheese]

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.

Sometimes, but some wants will deliver something different and good .

 

[Dr. Cheese]

For me as a hobbyist bassist, expensive basses are a good example of what economists refer to as a 'positional good'. They're in limited supply and their superior quality conveys a sense of relative high standing within the bass community.

To argue that purchasing such a bass motivates buyers to dedicate themselves more purposefully to improving their skills is, I believe, a stretch. Most often it's how we rationalize the purchase in our own minds. Let's face it: if our goal is to improve our playing then we can do that with time, willpower and a $300 used Ibanez just as well as with a $5,000 bass. I admire and want a high end bass as much as the next guy, but I don't kid myself into thinking it will make me a better player.

The equation is different for professionals. They should have the best tools they can afford.

You don’t have to believe. We all have different lives and different experiences.

 

[Tom Gallo]

I only "need" two. One strung with flats and the other rounds. I have more instruments than I need. .

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I only really need one bass. For what I do, that would be a decent 5-string.

I have long ago separated wants from needs. I have no illusion that another bass will make me a better player. What will make me a better player is working on my own playing, regardless of the instrument in my hands.

But, part of the joy of being involved in music is reading about and checking out new equipment.

 

[MichelD]

I have an upright, two Japanese "sort-of" Jazz basses and a real Fender Jazz.

I'm itching for a Precision bass of some kind. There is a Squire locally for $150 and I should go see it, but realistically, how many basses can you play at once? Played a freind's Ibanez last night in which he had replaced the pickups with aftermarket Pre-bass and jazz bass pickups. Wow! so easy to play and the sound was enormous. I just think the bass itself looks like a toy.

 

[Jehos]

I love my fretted sixer. A fretless sixer is the only other bass I'd like to add to the stable.

 

[Ric5]

I have more basses than what I need … but I want one of these