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

#42
SteveC said:
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.
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Hi, Steve

I understand you completely. Only, I have actually done it in reverse.... Back when I was single, lived in a cheap apartment, and played tons of gigs, I only played one electric and one upright.

Now that I have got the "full package" (wife, kid, house, car, etc.) I suddenly get the GAS :rollno:

Anyway, most of the basses I buy will go for approx. the same amount and the ones I keep are mostly vintage Fenders that I know for sure will only increase in value over time - at least that's how I justify my bass purchases these days...:hmm:
 
#43
GeneralElectric said:
The real question is, why do I need more than one P-Bass?

:(
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I've been thinking about trimming back to just my P and my five string fretless. I think I could be happy with just those two. Then again, at the moment the Godin A4 fretless is in my lap. I'd love to see the Lakland 55-01 project through as well. And the Ibanez Artcore must get the Darkstar pickup that I am planning on putting in it. The Yamaha BB300 has most of the parts to become a really, really cool bass, too.

One day I'll get all Zen-like and trim it back to the P-Bass and the fretless five, the Shuttle 6/NeoX 212T and the Traynor Bassmate 20 watt tube 1x15 combo amp. Not for at least another year.

Best of luck on your Zen.

KO
 
#44
Hi

If one's playing out regularly you probably should have a second bass that can be used for backup. Beyond that it's questionable whether it's need or want. I currently own 2 basses, both Fernandes' A jazz with Fender pups and a PJ that was modded with a set of DiMarzio passive pups. At some point I'd like to get a straight P style and I'd love to find another Fernandes "the Function" Jazz and put a set of the DiMarzio humbuckers in it. One of those I'd like to set up with a lower tuning.

I can see if you play in multiple bands doing very different types of music or do a lot of session work having different basses set up differently. For us weekend warriors a main and a spare bass is probably enough. There is nothing wrong in owning more if you want them and can afford them, it's just not need IMHO.
 
#45
X Wolf said:
I'm actually thinking of adding a fourth bass at some point which will be a small hollow fretless "couch bass" something like the Kinal Kompact.

George
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Consider a Godin A4 or A5 fretless, used. Not terribly expensive, an interesting alternative and a great couch bass.

I've got a love/hate relationship with mine (depending on whether I can deal without having a thumb rest that day). Today it's love, I guess.

I like it, I've wanted one for years and we'll see if I still have it in a year. Cool though that an instrument is unusual and useful enough that it provokes that range of reactions from someone. It's got to have something going for it.

KO
 
#46
Backup basses are very important to have. I think EVERY serious bass player should own at least two basses.

Different basses create different tones. They have different pickups, different woods, different necks, different string tension, different strings, you could go on forever. You cannot get every tone out of a single bass, and therefore if your bass cannot achieve a tone you want, you get one that can.
 
#47
I've been playing around 30 years.

I've never tried to do a full count, but I imagine I have owned between 40-50 basses at one time or another.

I think the most I ever had at one time was 6 or so.

Now I have two.

I GAS more for amp and effects gear than actual basses at this point, though it would be cool to have a fretless and a hollowbody strung with flats.

But I can live without that. The fretlesses I've had in the past got played only rarely, and from experimenting and spending tons of cash in the past, I know I am not interested in anything but passive 4-bangers really.

As a matter of fact, when I was gigging and recording the most, I owned only one bass-- a Tokai P-copy. And never found a need to have more than that.

If I was gigging regularly again, I'd want to have two, just to have one for a backup.

But then you get into the whole "Well, I got a bass backup, but what if osmething on the amp fails?"

Am I gonna haul around two sets of heads and cabs as well?
 
#48
PS-- as far as multiple tones, I firmly believe that a universe of tones can be attained from just different hand placement and string attack, as well as a good amp with good EQ capability.

I personally don't believe you need a dozen basses to get a dozen different "sounds" or tones.
 
#49
I thing I have noticed is picking up another bass, especially one you haven't played in a while, will often inspire you to play differently.

I agree though; my GAS has been greatly increased since joining TB and having easy access to information on the internet. Before, you had Bass Player once a month and your favorite players and band playing their stuff. Now, sky's the limit and everything is a click away!
 
#51
Certainly no disrespect meant to the OP, but shouldn't the person asking this topic question be a player who owns only one bass because that's all he/she can afford, or a person who could afford more but has a long track record of owning only one bass? Sorry, just wondering out loud. :hmm:;)

M. M.
 
#52
Muddslide said:
PS-- as far as multiple tones, I firmly believe that a universe of tones can be attained from just different hand placement and string attack, as well as a good amp with good EQ capability.

I personally don't believe you need a dozen basses to get a dozen different "sounds" or tones.
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I agree that you can get a very wide variety of tones by using you hands only, BUT I don't think anyone can make a J type bass sound like a P type bass and vice versa no matter how much they use their finger-skills and/or amps, EQ's, effects, etc... IMHO, the very core of the tone is just too different.
 
#53
blowinblue said:
Certainly no disrespect meant to the OP, but shouldn't the person asking this topic question be a player who owns only one bass because that's all he/she can afford, or a person who could afford more but has a long track record of owning only one bass? Sorry, just wondering out loud. :hmm:;)

M. M.
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I must admit that I fail to see the point here... anyone can suffer from GAS :D

Anyway, I do have a long record of only owning one bass. For many years I considered my J-Update 5 my only bass. I only kept my first bass (a MIJ Fender Jazz) because I couldn't bear to sell it even though it was just hanging on the wall... My GAS "problem" is indeed a very recent one. :)
 
#54
Definitely more than 1, but not 12.

I have 3 basses: A 4-stringer Geddy J that I used for most of my gigging days, my old 5-string Yamaha BBG5S which is my main bass now, and a Dean Edge 6-string Fretless if I ever want the fretless sound. All my basses are pretty much covered.

I've wanted other basses really badly, but then I realize I have everything I'll need for my sound and I hold off on getting them. I'll probably stick with these 3 until I die. Or get signed/sponsored. But seeing as how I don't play professionally, let's just go with 'until I die'.
 
#59
I just started playing bass again last year, got an el cheapo P/J for a christmas party performance, then decided to continue. Last May, I got a Peavey Milestone BXP (jazz config) and continued jamming with friends and other bands (sold the P/J). Last month I got a MIM Fender Jazz and last week got a Ramble 60W. Next month, I'm eyeing for a P-Bass. Is it GAS?

Only problem is, my wife wants to have a stuff of similar price. That's why my limit is $500 in every purchase to limit my wife's spending too :D
 
#60
kimb76 said:
I must admit that I fail to see the point here... anyone can suffer from GAS :D

Anyway, I do have a long record of only owning one bass. For many years I considered my J-Update 5 my only bass. I only kept my first bass (a MIJ Fender Jazz) because I couldn't bear to sell it even though it was just hanging on the wall... My GAS "problem" is indeed a very recent one. :)
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The point is, ummm...I'm not sure :D. Many of us are fortunate to own several basses at one time. I was showing some fellow feeling for those who are unable to own more than one. That was my point. I guess it took me aback when I saw the thread title and then saw your massive stable of way cool basses. As many have stated, TB is a great source of GAS. Even if we never visited forums, bass and gear makers would get to us through advertising. It's truly hard to hide from the sources of GAS. Thank goodness I have a sensible wife that prevents me from running totally amuck. ;):)

M. M.
 

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