Do you buy duplicates of things?

[No Malarky]

I always buy two of the same drink at a bar. One for me, and one for my imaginary friend!

 

[Sam Dingle]

Get a 2nd with rounds to justify it

 

[Jefenator]

Identical duplicates, no.
Axes that are somewhat different but with some overlap in functionality, yes.

 

[ToneMonkey]

See rule #6


Mike's Music Gear Rules

1. No white elephants
2. When something isn't working, don't double-down; move on
3. Have an exit strategy
4. Don't buy an expensive cover until you need to actually move it
5. Restlessness is usually a false trigger
6. You don't need a backup/spare anything
7. Don't buy something because you might need it in the future
8. A good deal on something that won't stick is a bad deal

 

[chadds]

Covers are essential even inside and unmoved.
Duplicates as backups. Yes. I'm a pro and have to sound the same at the next gig. Excuses aren't a substitute when people have brought others to our gigs and told others about our uniqueness. That's my commitment.

 

[Wasnex]

See rule #6


Mike's Music Gear Rules

1. No white elephants
2. When something isn't working, don't double-down; move on
3. Have an exit strategy
4. Don't buy an expensive cover until you need to actually move it
5. Restlessness is usually a false trigger
6. You don't need a backup/spare anything
7. Don't buy something because you might need it in the future
8. A good deal on something that won't stick is a bad deal

There are some backups and spares that I think can be a good idea; batteries and strings for example. I don't always carry them though .

 

[OregonJim]

See rule #6


Mike's Music Gear Rules

1. No white elephants
2. When something isn't working, don't double-down; move on
3. Have an exit strategy
4. Don't buy an expensive cover until you need to actually move it
5. Restlessness is usually a false trigger
6. You don't need a backup/spare anything
7. Don't buy something because you might need it in the future
8. A good deal on something that won't stick is a bad deal

This only works for a bedroom musician.

 

[DirkP]

Bought a second '64 American Vintage Series Jazz Bass, but in another color, although both are rare, 'cause the first one became my dream come true bass since 2014 and I think these are the best production basses, Fender ever did.
After they stopped this series after just 4 years and the successors were build cheaper, I even thought it might not be the worst investment.

 

[Alexis Duntov]

Yes, when I find something that I really, really like I buy dupes especially if it's a consumable. I have done this with basses that I really, really like and were on tremendous sale and were soon to be unavailable. Funny this though, I wound up selling the dupes. Maybe I'm a dupe. Who knows!

You made a dupe of your reply!

 

[rogerbmiller]

All the time. If something is great, why not have at least two?!

 

[DirkP]

All the time. If something is great, why not have at least two?!

I try to explain this to my girlfriend since years, but she seems to not be susceptible to my arguments. No matter if it is about her or one of my basses.

 

[wmhill]

2 MTD Saratogas. and 2 MTD Artists- similarly appointed, but still different.

 

[5andFretless]

I don't even have 2 basses made by the same company. A Yamaha, a Carvin, a Fender, and a Glarry.

 

[smarthound]

I might have two or three of the same bass, but that's because I get the four string/five string/fretless variants of the model. Usually I try to buy basses with dissimilar looks and character.

 

[chris_b]

. . . . . . Do others suffer from this delusion that we need a backup in case lightning strikes?

In over 50 years of gigging I've needed a backup 3 times, 2 x amp and 1 x cab. All of them when I was too poor to own two of anything. Since owning SS and D class I've never needed a backup, but I bring them anyway.

The only time I bought a duplicate, when I bought a backup Aguilar TH500 for my Aguilar TH500. I was so impressed by the sound of the TH500 thought my Berg CN212 that I thought it was a good idea to have a duplicate as a backup. Of course I never needed a backup, but I used to alternate between the amps to even out the wear and tear.

 

[MikePlaysBass]

When I find slacks or shoes that I really like with a perfect fit, I buy a couple extra pairs because they may never be available again as styles change and the same slacks in the same brand a year later may fit totally differently. Those are really inexpensive purchases and they do wear out, so I'll need some new ones at some point anyway.
The only way I'd buy a duplicate bass is if I wanted both a fretted and fretless of the same model. Otherwise, I'd either save the money for something else or add something to the stable that is totally different and offers me tone or options that other models I have don't. Most basses are replaceable on the used market. The few very rare vintage ones that really can be quite hard to find are just too expensive to plunk down just to have a spare.

 

[nixdad]

 

[bassliner50]

Duplicates all the time.

 

[lomo]

Yes. If I find something I reeeaaaaally like that I believe will be difficult to replace I will grab another., or even multiples of. I have done this numerous times with clothing/ shoes. On a related note, it took me years realize the folly of not using stuff that I felt was somehow special or designated only for use in a particular (rare) situation because I didn't want to break or wear it out.

 

[GretschWretch]

Nope. More like quintuplets or septuplits.