^Just went through this experience myself. Now I’m down to my Stingray 4 and my PBass as a backup. I just don’t want to lay hands on any other basses. They’re fun to play and listen to the tonal differences on, but when I walk to my rack, I 100% go for the Stingray.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Dedicating yourself to only 1 Bass
- Thread starter phillipkregg
- Start date
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Dedicating yourself to only 1 Bass
I used to be that way …
now I have 16 basses
I used to be that way …
now I have 16 basses
This thread would probably only be one page if it was really just the folks who use only 1 bass, instead of all the folks who feel the need to boast 
Yes, using only one bass all the time has helped me improve faster.
Some things are just better when they remain the same:
fret-board radius
spacing between frets (scale length)
shape of the neck
string spacing (nut width)
action (location of strings)
Yes, using only one bass all the time has helped me improve faster.
Some things are just better when they remain the same:
fret-board radius
spacing between frets (scale length)
shape of the neck
string spacing (nut width)
action (location of strings)
This is kind of where I am at. I’m dedicating myself to one 5 string and to one 4 string.
I do have a 3rd bass but it’s mainly a backup, beater bass in case of emergency or when I shouldn’t bring out the nicer stuff.
I do have a 3rd bass but it’s mainly a backup, beater bass in case of emergency or when I shouldn’t bring out the nicer stuff.
Thanks! It's actually called a "Bich", probably the nicest thing I've ever owned
I've had many basses over the years from Fenders to Gibsons to Alembics. Now I have only 2 basses, one a fretted 6 string and the other a fretless 5 string. I built both of them. I play my 6 string 90% of the time. IMHO there is no better playing or sounding bass than my 6er. I built it to be what I wanted and it is. I have no interest in any other basses. The only reason I built the 5 was for the occasional need for fretless and it fills that void.
I go for stretches where I'm monogamous to one bass, and I really don't care one way or another, to be honest. I'll play whatever you give me. But I prefer using only one on a gig if I can get away with it. Too bad I can't anymore...every band and their brother are doing Uptown Funk now, and I have to have a 5 for it. So that means two basses. Ugh!
D
Personally I don't find it that hard to adjust between different basses, even if different scales are invloved, but I always need some time to "re-calibrate" myself when going from high tension/stiff strings to low tension/floppy strings. Like going from Roto flats to Thomastik Jazz flats. I personally find that a lot more difficult than going from one bass to another.
One bass????? Lol!!
I don't enjoy changing strings that much, even though I always equip my basses with 'quick release ' bridges whenever possible.
One for flats, one for tapes, one for rounds.
TIS THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS...
I don't enjoy changing strings that much, even though I always equip my basses with 'quick release ' bridges whenever possible.
One for flats, one for tapes, one for rounds.
TIS THE NATURAL ORDER OF THINGS...
Ive gone back and forth. Having only a MIJ SCPB for a while noticeably improved my finger style.
I have a few different basses that I enjoy playing but when it comes to gigs and recording I will always reach for my '92 Fender MIJ '62 Reissue Jazz bass (lefty). Nothing else comes close to that classic vibe!
I played primarily one bass for over a decade and mainly the same series/body style as my main bass for 15 years or so. They were Warwick thumb basses. The bo5
This nt5 was the one I had for over a decade
And most recently the NT6
It’s debatable I guess. My perspective on it is sure you can get super comfortable with one instrument but unless you’re playing progressive music that’s very technically demanding I don’t really feel that level of “comfort” with one single bass is actually necessary. The music I play isn’t very technically demanding. The demanding part for me is remembering how many times I repeat different parts lol. For me switching mindsets really boiled down to eventually I just felt uninspired playing those basses or really any one bass in particular. Getting the NT6 was pretty fun for a while because it was the only 6 string bass I’ve owned so it was fresh in that way. But after mostly just playing these thumb basses over a 15 year span I’ve started becoming more of a multiple bass type of guy. These are the basses I currently own
Gigging breakdown (time used)
95% Dingwall
5% fender acoustic
0% so far on the fender jazz but to be fair Its the newest addition and its basically my backup for both the acoustic at acoustic shows and the dingwall at normal shows. So it’s really just in case there’s an issue and I haven’t had any bass issues since getting it.
Practice time is very different though. At home lately I’d estimate that i spend
50% of the time on the acoustic
40% on the dingwall
10% on the jazz
The acoustic is just so easy to grab and start playing.
Although since I picked up the Mesa D-800 which has a good sounding headphone out
I’ve been spending more time on the dingwall at home.
It’s debatable I guess. My perspective on it is sure you can get super comfortable with one instrument but unless you’re playing progressive music that’s very technically demanding I don’t really feel that level of “comfort” with one single bass is actually necessary. The music I play isn’t very technically demanding. The demanding part for me is remembering how many times I repeat different parts lol. For me switching mindsets really boiled down to eventually I just felt uninspired playing those basses or really any one bass in particular. Getting the NT6 was pretty fun for a while because it was the only 6 string bass I’ve owned so it was fresh in that way. But after mostly just playing these thumb basses over a 15 year span I’ve started becoming more of a multiple bass type of guy. These are the basses I currently own
Gigging breakdown (time used)
95% Dingwall
5% fender acoustic
0% so far on the fender jazz but to be fair Its the newest addition and its basically my backup for both the acoustic at acoustic shows and the dingwall at normal shows. So it’s really just in case there’s an issue and I haven’t had any bass issues since getting it.
Practice time is very different though. At home lately I’d estimate that i spend
50% of the time on the acoustic
40% on the dingwall
10% on the jazz
The acoustic is just so easy to grab and start playing.
Although since I picked up the Mesa D-800 which has a good sounding headphone out
I’ve been spending more time on the dingwall at home.
Attachments
Last edited:
Bass monogamy had no effect on my playing other than increased focus on practicing.
I have three basses, an acoustic, and two electrics (fretted and fretless). I've gigged less and less over the past few years, and over that time my electrics have mostly collected dust. My acoustic is MY instrument, as in I feel like it is the vehicle for my voice and I feel at home whenever I play it.
I'd love to just sell my electrics, but I know as soon as I do that I'll get a call for some gigs that require them. So for now I hold onto them. I don't like collections, I hate the feeling of having something sitting around that isn't being used. Whether it's basses, or stamps, I've never understood the appeal of collections.
I agree that there is a sense intimacy that comes from playing a single instrument. For me it almost feels like over time the wood, the strings, and my hands began to meld into one. It's like the familiarity leads to heightened senses of touch and sound, my playing became more intentional because I know intuitively how my bass will react to every subtle touch.
I'd love to just sell my electrics, but I know as soon as I do that I'll get a call for some gigs that require them. So for now I hold onto them. I don't like collections, I hate the feeling of having something sitting around that isn't being used. Whether it's basses, or stamps, I've never understood the appeal of collections.
I agree that there is a sense intimacy that comes from playing a single instrument. For me it almost feels like over time the wood, the strings, and my hands began to meld into one. It's like the familiarity leads to heightened senses of touch and sound, my playing became more intentional because I know intuitively how my bass will react to every subtle touch.
I only use one bass which I have had for five years my Warwick Corvette $$, I'm very happy with it and don't feel the need for another bass gigging wise. I have a 77 Fender P and a 350B Kramer which I tinker with every now and then, so for me one gigging bass is enough and I can get whatever tone I need from it.
Last edited:
I suppose I've "dedicated myself" to the one bass I own, although I can't describe how it differs from any other arrangement.
Even more so if you keep the same strings on it.
I wonder if Labella technologies have advanced to where they can now repair a string...
I do own two other basses and a bass vi, but I don't even know which closet I stashed them in anymore.
I wonder if Labella technologies have advanced to where they can now repair a string...
I do own two other basses and a bass vi, but I don't even know which closet I stashed them in anymore.
I have tried many different brands and models, and after many years of looking I've found what works best for me: Dingwall. I sold off every single non-Dingwall bass I owned, and I stick now to 1 design. It's for me always the same scale, string-spacing, neck geometry, etc.
