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Do you ever actually NEED more than one bass?
- Thread starter Newer Dave
- Start date
I need two because having a spare at a gig is wonderful. Sure the number of times I’ve needed it is small, but when I did it was pretty awesome having a spare. Same for a backup amp.
The infrequency of which a backup is actually needed is of no significance if the number of times I’ve needed a backup is > 0. And it is > 0 as I’ve relied on both a backup bass and a backup amp, both more than once.
Waiting 1 minute while I tune a backup is way better than waiting 5 or more while I restring a bass. In fact, it’s the difference between continuing and having to take a set break. And if a tuner or bridge broke or some electronic issue developed in a bass that would be difficult or impossible to fix on a gig.
The infrequency of which a backup is actually needed is of no significance if the number of times I’ve needed a backup is > 0. And it is > 0 as I’ve relied on both a backup bass and a backup amp, both more than once.
Waiting 1 minute while I tune a backup is way better than waiting 5 or more while I restring a bass. In fact, it’s the difference between continuing and having to take a set break. And if a tuner or bridge broke or some electronic issue developed in a bass that would be difficult or impossible to fix on a gig.
In answer to the actual question, 1 bass is sufficient to get through a rock cover gig.
That being said, I was in a project where I was using three basses (I tuned to D, 1 fretless with flats, and 1 5 string with BEADG tuning. Did I need all three? Not really, I just wanted to take tone shaping a bit further than I could do with just one.
Similarly, with my fusion project I've been using 2 fretless fivers (one with rounds for a little rocky growl and the other with flats for swing and mellower tunes.
Frankly, it got to be a PITA carrying multiple basses around and having to deal with instrument swaps during a set, so I've changed my philosophy to have just one bass per gig when I can get away with it and really work on building tone from my fingers, plucking position (bridge to neck), plucking style (fingers/pick) and a few pedals.
If I'm in a project that really benefits from the subtlety of a different basses, then I'll doo what I have to, but will try to stay to one bass gigs.
NOw, that doesn't; mean I don't have a little stable (7 basses right now), but other then the two fretless fivers (one fore flats and one for rounds), they were all purchased for specific needs (first bass, first fiver, first fretless, first fiver fretless, first acoustic and first 6 string). Some of these are on CL for movement, but I do have my eye on an electric upright.
That being said, I was in a project where I was using three basses (I tuned to D, 1 fretless with flats, and 1 5 string with BEADG tuning. Did I need all three? Not really, I just wanted to take tone shaping a bit further than I could do with just one.
Similarly, with my fusion project I've been using 2 fretless fivers (one with rounds for a little rocky growl and the other with flats for swing and mellower tunes.
Frankly, it got to be a PITA carrying multiple basses around and having to deal with instrument swaps during a set, so I've changed my philosophy to have just one bass per gig when I can get away with it and really work on building tone from my fingers, plucking position (bridge to neck), plucking style (fingers/pick) and a few pedals.
If I'm in a project that really benefits from the subtlety of a different basses, then I'll doo what I have to, but will try to stay to one bass gigs.
NOw, that doesn't; mean I don't have a little stable (7 basses right now), but other then the two fretless fivers (one fore flats and one for rounds), they were all purchased for specific needs (first bass, first fiver, first fretless, first fiver fretless, first acoustic and first 6 string). Some of these are on CL for movement, but I do have my eye on an electric upright.
I didn't think I did, but I sure like having a nice versatile bass (the Jag), an acoustic bass guitar (for unplugged situations), and now a light, headless instrument that can take a beating for outdoor gigs.
I like how every one of your basses has its own matching strap
Doesn't everybody?I like how every one of your basses has its own matching strap
I'm not happy with the 3-5 poll selection. I definitely need three but don't want to get lumped in with all those hoarders that have different needs than I do.
I have seven basses.
My 1963 Precision that I bought used in 1968. This was my only bass for Nineteen years.
My Hofner Violin Bass that I was given. The joints are coming apart but it does give that “sound.’
A Warwick Streamer that my wife bought me for my 40th birthday. Currently strung B E A D.
A Carvin LB76 she bout for my 50th birthday.
A Carvin LB76F Fretless, my favourite bass, I got for my 52nd birthday.
A Carvin LB76WP for surviving a stroke.
Finally a five string I built from Carvin parts which I mainly use for practicing.
All are wonderful instruments that I feel blessed to own.
Edit: I met my wife whilst playing the Precision!
My 1963 Precision that I bought used in 1968. This was my only bass for Nineteen years.
My Hofner Violin Bass that I was given. The joints are coming apart but it does give that “sound.’
A Warwick Streamer that my wife bought me for my 40th birthday. Currently strung B E A D.
A Carvin LB76 she bout for my 50th birthday.
A Carvin LB76F Fretless, my favourite bass, I got for my 52nd birthday.
A Carvin LB76WP for surviving a stroke.
Finally a five string I built from Carvin parts which I mainly use for practicing.
All are wonderful instruments that I feel blessed to own.
Edit: I met my wife whilst playing the Precision!
I've got used to Dave the third's style (helps that we play the same notes from a small island). I thunk he meant phosphor bronze
which I associate with acoustic (Dave was running the gamut of possible tonescapes) but they have a steel core, so... I had phosphors on an EAB but they made my fingers smell like I'd been scratching my bottom or sticking them in my ear. Handy for folk music.
I've been considering nylon coated flats for a while. I have some D'Add flats and they don't have that "old" sound yet. Plus, it's a de-fretted and I'm not sure the rosewood's enjoying it.
I'm a minimalist, so I get by with 1 bass, 1 amp, and 1 pedal.
Wouldn't mind expanding a bit and bringing in a fretless though, heh
Wouldn't mind expanding a bit and bringing in a fretless though, heh
No less than two basses accompany me to every gig. Usually to jams/rehearsals, too. Things happen.
Funny.
When I was playing out, regularly... I owned 4 basses.
Over the years, I have acquired a bazillion. I've recently sold over 40 of them. Still have ALMOST a bazillion, and am letting a few more "GO."
If it came down to NEED, I'd probably be back down to around 10.
When I was playing out, regularly... I owned 4 basses.
Over the years, I have acquired a bazillion. I've recently sold over 40 of them. Still have ALMOST a bazillion, and am letting a few more "GO."
If it came down to NEED, I'd probably be back down to around 10.
I don't understand this question. This has been solved scientifically. The basses you need can be expressed with the formula n+1 where n equals the number of basses you own and n+1 is the number of basses you need.
In all seriousness, I currently have 4 basses. Two fretted, one fretless, and one acoustic. They each serve a different role and have vastly different tones. I could see getting a second fretless and I'd really like an electric upright... but finding one with 7 strings is a monumental headache.
In all seriousness, I currently have 4 basses. Two fretted, one fretless, and one acoustic. They each serve a different role and have vastly different tones. I could see getting a second fretless and I'd really like an electric upright... but finding one with 7 strings is a monumental headache.
Nailed it. I'm thinking about buying one today and I've hardly started playing.
Yes....both of them. The top left is a 61 law suite Univox Les Paul copy autographed by Ted Nugent in 1998.
All I play is fretted five string. So, all I really need is two basses -- it's foolish to gig without a backup.
That said, I own nine basses, because I have more money than talent.
(More serious answer: Because Variety)
P.S. I keep flats on one of my P-basses... but I don't ever need to use flats, so that still falls under Because Variety
That said, I own nine basses, because I have more money than talent.
(More serious answer: Because Variety)P.S. I keep flats on one of my P-basses... but I don't ever need to use flats, so that still falls under Because Variety
LOLAll I play is fretted five string. So, all I really need is two basses -- it's foolish to gig without a backup.
That said, I own nine basses, because I have more money than talent.
P.S. I keep flats on one of my P-basses... but I don't ever need to use flats, so that still falls under Because Variety
