Do we really need more than 1 bass (why the GAS)?

[Boombass76]

Oh... and I do agree with those of you who argue for the fact that each bass could serve different purposes such as: a 4-string J type fretted, a 4-string J type fretless, a 4-string p type (fretted and fretless, a 5-string.... etc., etc.

...and then you have rounds and flats and scale lenghts...and... (again)

 

[lawsonman]

The most I've ever owned at a time has been 2. I guess I'm just the type of person who doesn't like to have things laying around and not use them on a consistent basis. It's not that I wouldn't like to have more but common sense tells me in my case it would be a waste of money.

 

[D.Don]

Hmm, define need..

If you'd ask my since long ago late grand mother she'd say "you can't play more than one at the time anyway" ..

But are we hanging on TB coz we are interested in playing one bass and only do that..

Don't think so ..



D.Don

 

[Boombass76]

If you'd ask my since long ago late grand mother she'd say "you can't play more than one at the time anyway" ..



D.Don

I don't even have to go that far back - my mother actually pulled that exact line on me no more than, say, 12-15 years ago when I brought home an old Gretch guitar (I mostly played guitar back then)!

 

[Alex van Funk]

Compared to all the other vices in this world, collecting basses is fine.

 

[Darkstrike]

I don't even have to go that far back - my mother actually pulled that exact line on me no more than, say, 12-15 years ago when I brought home an old Gretch guitar (I mostly played guitar back then)!

I hear it every damned week...................................

 

[Boombass76]

Compared to all the other vices in this world, collecting basses is fine.

+1 hear, hear!

 

[mkrtu9]

I'm not sure that greed is the reason behind having more then 2 or 3 basses. To me, it's about finding different voices, about hearing different ways of expressing the music in your head.

And basses ARE works of art - functional art. I find them inspiring.

Guess everyone's different. To me it doesn't take a bass to find a different way of expressing myself. Maybe I should have said material possessions infect us all.

Ok, that doesn't sound much better.

 

[Honk'n_down-low]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it but you do need a 6'er

 

[mkrtu9]

addiction fits a bit better

 

[Boombass76]

Don't know if anyone mentioned it but you do need a 6'er

Hm... I actually had a MTD 635-24 that I sold just last month because I couldn't get used to that 6th string... So, I have actually been down that road, and decided that I didn't have the time nor the discipline to actually learn it properly.

 

[alexei]

I'm in the road of reducing my 4 basses to just 3, the essential ones:
1. Fretted electric (the most standard one)
2. an acoustic one (when no amp is found, or park playing is planned)
3. a fretless one

IMHO those are the exponents in the whole bass world and I plan to just own 1 of each. All 5 strings, because that's what I've chosen after having owned 4, 5 and 6 stringed instruments.

The plan is to sell both of my 4 stringers and buy the fretless 5 to complete my life
(already have a woman, a PC, an amp, a fretted 5, an acoustic 5...)

I don't see the point of having a lot of basses, but at least 2 or 3 variations is a lot of fun... IMHO.

Mathematically:
you buy your 2nd bass and you'll have 200% of the basses you had before.
you buy your 3rd bass and you'll have 150% of the basses you had before.
you buy your 4th bass and you'll have 133% of the basses you had before.
you buy your 5th bass and you'll have 125% of the basses you had before.

now we can see that if we keep buying basses, the increment is even more tiny.

anyway...

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I have stopped trying to rationalize my bass equipment habits/addiction a long time ago. I buy bass stuff because I like it and it makes me happy and I am fortunate enough to be able to afford some nice stuff (for now).

I could get by with one good fretted 5-string.

 

[Alex van Funk]

I bought my 4 string Stingray this summer. I'm aiming for two more basses and I think I'm done. Rob Allen Deep 4 or 5, and '78 Jazz Bass.

Is that GAS ?

 

[Boombass76]

I'm in the road of reducing my 4 basses to just 3, the essential ones:
1. Fretted electric (the most standard one)
2. an acoustic one (when no amp is found, or park playing is planned)
3. a fretless one

I see your point... Only, I have found that a P-bass works great for me in some situations whereas a J-bass is much better suited for others... So I need at least 2 different fretted (and lets not get into the issue of the number of strings or the strings themselves - rounds, flats, etc.)

 

[Boombass76]

I bought my 4 string Stingray this summer. I'm aiming for two more basses and I think I'm done. Rob Allen Deep 4 or 5, and '78 Jazz Bass.

Is that GAS ?

....let's say that maybe it's only be a deep rumble in your belly - that just might develop into a serious GAS attack (beware, before it's too late !!!)

 

[Mcfunkinstein]

Does a woman need more than one pair of shoes? Does a bear poop in the woods?

no a bear does not poop in the woods he poops on the road and throws it into the woods.why you ask? well to make you ask of course!

 

[SteveC]

It really depends on how you define the word "need" I think. I was playing with one bass for a long time. Then I got a decent job, no kids, no wife, no house and wham - GAS. I had up to 8 at a time, and have probably gone through 50 or so in the last -6 years. Then I started to get more fiscally responsible, then I got bought a house, got married, had a beautiful daughter, and I was down to one bass. Not that having those other things in your life exempts you from lots of gear, but for me, I re-thought my priorities, that's all.

For a long time I had one bass, an active fretted 5 string with Bartolini electronics. I played jazz, funk, pop/rock, church, etc. No one said anything but nice sound and nice playing. It was me who thought it would be nice - and a little more fitting - to have a fretless for the jazz gigs. Still not a "real" upright, but the best I can afford right now.

If I brought just one of those basses to any gig, I would be fine. A couple people I play with might make a quick comment or two, but then we'd start playing and that would be that...at least I'm fairly certain that's the way it would be.

All that said - I still look and drool and dram of other basses. I am lusting after a Stingray 5 right now. A nice back-up/alternative to my Yamaha. I may pick it up if I can get the right deal. If not, I know my trusty Yamaha BB6505 with Barts will get me through any gig I will have in the near future.

 

[pallino]

well,if you have money enough,what's wrong in collecting basses?Better than spend it on other much more nasty things that are around...
BTW I think this forum amplifies the GAS also in people than didn't had it so BAD...it's wonderful to have instant knowledge of what's on the market today but ooooh...dangerous!!!
BTW I think now I will stay calm for a while...I have a P-bass with flats,a 5ver with Nordstrand electronics,a wonderful Fender 70's reissue jazz bass and a Squier jazz fretless + a double bass and a NS Design CR4 EUB...what else do I want???

 

[Mcfunkinstein]

different basses are good for different things just like tools,if you ask an auto mechanic if he has enough tools then of course he will say he doesnt however you ask another mechanic the same question and he has the same tools well maybe he can get the job done with those tools different ppl are different so they need different basses and different amounts of basses and read my qoute if you dont like how i post my posts