I’m in that situation. I have a Stingray I don’t play and have been thinking of making a trade. It’s a great bass just don’t want to regret it.
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Crazy trade idea
- Thread starter esbanke
- Start date
Not crazy at all, I have 6 basses now and play only one on a regular basis. Everybody has to downsize eventually. Just make sure that Sadowsky is really The One, or..... it's back to GAS.
If all of your work requires that particular sound and you’ll be set with one be-all then why not?
I pretty much play one bass but I've had it while having other basses and then I get rid of the others. I also owned the same bass twenty years ago and is the only bass make/model I've purchased twice.
Banking on a dream bass that you haven't owned for a while to replace other basses sounds like a gamble - it might work out or it might not.
Banking on a dream bass that you haven't owned for a while to replace other basses sounds like a gamble - it might work out or it might not.
In sports, they say the team who got the best player in the deal always wins the deal.
I mean, there's definitely some diminishing returns to consider. But overall, I'd say if you traded three bases that you rarely use for one that you'd use all the time, I think you'll come out ahead.
I mean, there's definitely some diminishing returns to consider. But overall, I'd say if you traded three bases that you rarely use for one that you'd use all the time, I think you'll come out ahead.
As much as I try to whittle down the numbers, I'm just not very good at it. I just sold off 4 basses, but kept 4. And I'm driving to Memphis tomorrow to pick up a custom built that just got finished up for me.
Gotta have my acoustic
Gotta have my 5 string
Gotta have my American PJ with CTS, Switchcraft, and Vitamin Q components as well as Aguilar's hum canceling PJ pup set.
Gotta have my MIM P with FCS 62 P pup and Hipshot Extender?
Not really, but it was a bass I took in on trade, 5 years ago to resale and I got home, played it and never put it up for sale.
Good luck in whittling down the number of basses you own.
I’m celebrating my golden years with an MTD Norm Stockton. It’s awesome.
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If there’s a particular Sadowsky that you’ve played enough to know it’s the one for you, then sure. If you’re thinking Sadowsky because they’re really nice basses and lots of great players use them and it seems like they’re the ultimate (J/P/whatever) then tread very carefully.
I ordered a Sadowsky Ultra Vintage Jazz more than 20 years ago, as a present to myself for a milestone birthday. I had been through a bunch of jazz basses and thought this would be the one. It was beautiful, played great, but I never really bonded with it and traded it away after a few years. As others have said, don’t get stuck on the name, particularly if you have other basses you really like.
I ordered a Sadowsky Ultra Vintage Jazz more than 20 years ago, as a present to myself for a milestone birthday. I had been through a bunch of jazz basses and thought this would be the one. It was beautiful, played great, but I never really bonded with it and traded it away after a few years. As others have said, don’t get stuck on the name, particularly if you have other basses you really like.
It’s not a bad idea. Minimalism in this regard can be a strong benefit as you focus on one main instrument. This is TalkBass so the guidelines are definitely keep a backup for emergencies, travel, and sketchy venues.
I just got me a new fender am pro 2 five string that’s nice and light. Also keeping my fender P w/ jazz neck with flats.
I do also regularly play an upright and I’ve got a Ubass for late night practice.
And a coupla guitars since I’m a teacher. Maybe someday I’ll travel lighter!
I just got me a new fender am pro 2 five string that’s nice and light. Also keeping my fender P w/ jazz neck with flats.
I do also regularly play an upright and I’ve got a Ubass for late night practice.
And a coupla guitars since I’m a teacher. Maybe someday I’ll travel lighter!
I support the idea of leaning out but would suggest having two as a back up is always a good idea if you're gigging
If quality means more to you than variety, then it’s probably a good idea. I like having different styles and sounds to choose from, and so far I’ve been happy with import basses from boutique brands. They hit a sweet spot of price/performance for me.
Are 2 birds in hand worth the one in the bush? That's always a tough choice for me, whether it's basses or something else. I've never owned a Sadowsky, but I've tried a few now and then and always realized that what I have is on par. I'd have to sell much to get one NYC Sadowsky, and there might be good reasons to do that overall, but the many I have are capable of doing what I need and the single Sadowsky would be more limited than the variety I have. That said, I do have a Sadowsky preamp that I use often.
If I could only have one bass it would be a 6-string fretless, brand unknown. I currently own four basses, which I rotate every day for practice in this sequence; 6-string fretless, 5-string fretless, 6-string fretted, 5-string fretted. It is cross-training on bass.
I only gig with fretless.
I only gig with fretless.
this one I understand. I have had basses I regret getting rid of that weren't very expensive but just had the mojo. I've got a nice small collection again and I've realized that I have a sound, it comes through on most the basses regardless if they are jazz, p or stingray. I realize I won't ever have just one. But we all have that one or two that we lean towards all the time and none of my basses feel like that one. And they are all very nice. USA Peavey Cirrus, got it cause I wanted to get one back from years ago, it's beautiful, but 35" scale isn't for me. Stingray is amazing, just not the end all be all and the list goes on. I think that's where the struggle is. I get called for a lot of gigs and nobody is asking me to bring a certain bass, they know the tone will be good. it's that search for the perfect one. hahahah
A lot of us have wanted to find "the one". Some have been successful some not. For some one bass is very practical and for some they feel like they need more tools in their tool belt. I've sometimes thought about packing it all in and just using a P bass with flats and sometimes I think I'll just play my upright and get rid of all my electric basses but then I come to my senses.
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You want something better than you have. If you get rid of everything you have to get something you think is better at the moment, how do you know you still won't want something better than that? I think the want will over power the logic of what you're proposing.
If I had to get rid of all but one bass it would be a Sadowsky, no question. The PJ can make almost any tone I want, the neck is perfect, it's built like a tank, looks great, sounds great live or recorded. It's just a great tool and always a joy to play.
I rotate basses too, but I have no plans to move past 4 strings. I agree totally with you that if I could only have one it would be a fretless, but I'd still have to have a good fretted bass as a back-up. What I'm wrestling with right now is whether to keep my ABG, a '91 Ovation Elite Acoustic, which at times in the past has been one of my most played instruments. I haven't taken it out of its case in 16 months, but I have deep attachment issues to it, and it is rare, probably irreplaceable.
I need some variety - playing gigs every weekend, I get bored if I only have one bass to play, so I need a few - not a lot, just enough that when I get bored, I can pick up one that's a bit different. As I have learned to make basses that I like as well as (OK, better than - when something is made exactly the way you like it...) a Sadowsky, I have a few "dream" basses. And I am starting to ride out my "golden" years already.
So the tough question is:
Can you find one instrument that is what you REALLY want, and can you live without variety?
If you can, a Sadowsky is a fine choice. Whatever bass it is, make sure it's one that inspires you to play enough that....you'll practice a lot. It' snot really the bass that makes you sound good, it's the practicing a lot that does it.
So the tough question is:
Can you find one instrument that is what you REALLY want, and can you live without variety?
If you can, a Sadowsky is a fine choice. Whatever bass it is, make sure it's one that inspires you to play enough that....you'll practice a lot. It' snot really the bass that makes you sound good, it's the practicing a lot that does it.
