EDIT: I can understand if you're creating very different sounds, like an electric bass with brass wounds and an acoustic with nylon flatwounds, but in the ordinary course of rock 'n' roll......
Last edited:
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.
Do you ever actually NEED more than one bass?
- Thread starter Newer Dave
- Start date
EDIT: I can understand if you're creating very different sounds, like an electric bass with brass wounds and an acoustic with nylon flatwounds, but in the ordinary course of rock 'n' roll......
Since you ask, yes.
Fretless - 90% of the time
Fretted - 8% - 'cause sometimes you need that slappy, tappy, plucky sound
Electric Upright - 2% - keeps the bluegrass and jazzy folks mostly mollified if not actually happy like a real upright would.
Fretless - 90% of the time
Fretted - 8% - 'cause sometimes you need that slappy, tappy, plucky sound
Electric Upright - 2% - keeps the bluegrass and jazzy folks mostly mollified if not actually happy like a real upright would.
Yep, I need 5. And if I see another one I like, I might need 6.
Yep, different tunings etc...
The preamp on my B10 fried last week - I was glad to have a backup if needed.
How often do you need different tunings in a gig? Genuinely curious - not a wind up.
Not really that often, but nowadays, there are enough bands using down tunings that if you’re in a cover band, it might be more convenient to have a bass dedicated for those tunes (no pun intended).
This post is an outrage!! Such questions should not be asked!!!
[Seriously, though, two of any piece of gear is reasonable for players, since things can break, etc. I just took an axe to the shop yesterday for some tweaking and the tech asked, "do you have another or do you need this back right away?" It was a proper question]
[Seriously, though, two of any piece of gear is reasonable for players, since things can break, etc. I just took an axe to the shop yesterday for some tweaking and the tech asked, "do you have another or do you need this back right away?" It was a proper question]
Need = [benefit from having] - [cost from not having]
Do you need a lawn mower? Do you really need more than one pot in your kitchen? Etc.
Do you need a lawn mower? Do you really need more than one pot in your kitchen? Etc.
Yes, I need main player and a backup. Because tools need maintanance, and I can't cancel gig or concert because my only bass is being fixed or refretted.
So a pro player might want a backup. How often do you need to take your guitar to the shop for tweaking. Once a year and leave it for a day or maybe two? Twice a year. Once every five years?
Don't get me wrong. I've just started playing the bass and I want to have a houseful. I know I can only play one at a time and that some of them will probably get a bit neglected but I still want them. I don't even really know why, but I do.
EDIT: Not "a bit neglected". More likely "unused".
Instruments are tools, and some of them are very beautiful tools that inspire us! There's certainly nothing "wrong " with having more than one; if you're fine with one, good.
I only need one but I prefer having a few, and I can...so why not?
I need however many I have, which is currently 3 electric basses, a U-Bass and an upright. But that number will adjust when I buy another one ;-). Seriously though, I only really *need* one EB and my upright.
One needs what one needs.
If a P, Jazz, StingRay, mudbucker, soap bar, hollowbody, etc. tone is important, then one needs an appropriate bass to do that. If multiples of those tones are important, then multiple basses are needed.
Plus, it’s just fun to have a bunch of basses.
If a P, Jazz, StingRay, mudbucker, soap bar, hollowbody, etc. tone is important, then one needs an appropriate bass to do that. If multiples of those tones are important, then multiple basses are needed.
Plus, it’s just fun to have a bunch of basses.
