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Do you ever actually NEED more than one bass?

How many basses do you need?

  • None

    Votes: 11 2.3%

  • One

    Votes: 92 19.1%

  • Two

    Votes: 145 30.1%

  • Three to five

    Votes: 164 34.1%

  • Six to ten

    Votes: 22 4.6%

  • More than ten...

    Votes: 47 9.8%
  • Total voters
    481
#241
When I used to gig regularly I had only my beginner's bass and I couldn't afford another. Now after 20 years I don't gig regularly (only at parties for fun) and I can afford more. So instead of going to the GC every day to try different basses, I buy the ones I wonder and try them out. If I don't like them or I play them out and grow out of my curiosity, I can always return or later sell secondhand. For non-pros basses are toys. We buy them to satisfy the child in us. That's all and that's why my wife doesn't agree with my spending habits.
 
#242
I grew tired of schleping an eight space rack, two cabs, three basses. I settle for an Ibanez 375SE and a TBC RG 450 and Carvin 2x10 cab. If I can't play local club dates with that and go to the studio occasionally with that gear, I don't go!!

I DO pack along an old foreign made P-bass...no mods, lousy bass but will fill in a pinch (and have, in 12 years, never needed it!)
 
#243
buldog5151bass said:
@BassCliff - about the busiest country bassist here, plays a Carvin 6.
Click to expand...

I'm sure you mean the hardest working, and not busiest. ;)

I debate this all the time. I love my collection of basses but I envy the players with that one bass that you can just tell is an extension of their mind and body. Perhaps some of us can get that with any instrument we pick up but I know I have a hard time transitioning from one bass to another week to week. I specifically have 2 pairs of basses to take to gigs: two Fender Js one USA fretted and MIJ fretless, and two Carvin 6s one LB76A fretted and "vintage" (Sperzels and Wilkinson) LB76F fretless to have the sounds I need on the instrument that suits the gig.

Then a small pile of Lakland, Shen Upright, Taylor GS minibass...two Deans, a Godin... I do kinda wish I could just have one great Jazz or Fodera or something that I felt was all I ever needed. Perhaps I just haven't found "the" sound yet.
 
#244
If you are gigging a lot, two. Your principal instrument and a backup. I now own two: a good bass made by Samick with some player I never heard of as an endorser, really well made (and yeah, I paid too much for it) and an electric upright which is a bear to transport. However no one wants a 66 year old bassman, so essentially, what the hell? I own them and there you go. You could make a case for a fretless long scale bass guitar too or one of those small portable basses with the silicon strings, but unless you play constantly for others, get real.
 
#246
As I look into my spare room full if basses,I wonder that ? Myself, but I play in 2 different bands one rock one more blues country.On that note,I have 2 of the same basses for each,for the rock I use spector ns2a,1 reg tuning,1 drop.As for country I use 2 spector coda pro4 basses. I used to use lots of different basses,but found when I'm on stage and switch I have different sounds from each,so decided to get 2 the same for consistent tone,nothing new,look at all the big players usually stick to one brand
 
#247
I have had a couple Fender jazz basses and a new 1967 Hofner violin bass. Sold all of them over the years. Still kicking myself over the ‘67 Hofner. 1967 is the year I started playing bass.

Now have two bass guitars. I have a 28 lbs Kramer Dmz 4001 aluminum neck that I used for recording. Great sustain easy to play. For jamming and live gigs I use an 8 lbs Hofner Comtemporary violin bass.
I also play 6 string and have several different Gibson Les Pauls, both sold years ago and now own a black EPI Les Paul custom
The Kramer bass just seemed to get heavier over the years so the 8 lbs. Hofner has replaced it for jamming and gigs.
 
#248
If you gig for a living, two basses of the same type would be a good idea; perhaps three or more, if you tour and rely on roadies or anyone else for load-out/load-in. If you play different styles, you may need more than one bass to cover the different styles. If you're a studio pro, you probably need a P and a J, minimum. If you just play for fun at home or with buddies, you may need just one -- but it doesn't always have to be the same one.

Same philosophy goes for amps, more or less. Plus different wattages and cabs for different-size venues, of course.
 
#249
wluffman said:
If you gig for a living, two basses of the same type would be a good idea; perhaps three or more, if you tour and rely on roadies or anyone else for load-out/load-in. If you play different styles, you may need more than one bass to cover the different styles. If you're a studio pro, you probably need a P and a J, minimum. If you just play for fun at home or with buddies, you may need just one -- but it doesn't always have to be the same one.

Same philosophy goes for amps, more or less. Plus different wattages and cabs for different-size venues, of course.
Click to expand...

Do you really need all that stuff or is it just a load of extra crap to worry about? If you tour and you have one favourite, loved bass then surely you don't leave it to roadies to carry about - and let's face it there aren 't many of us who have the luxury of roadies anyway.
 
#252
I voted just one. I made due with one during 15 years of gigging. I could never afford to have more than one at a time. Now I'm retired with a little disposable income and lots of time. I have 3 right now and not sure where the final number will stop.
 
#255
Newer Dave said:
:whistle:


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......
Click to expand...

For me, the ordinary course of rock ‘n’ roll is (at minimum) a 4-string and a 5-string for both fretted and fretless. Yes, anything that can be done on a 4 can be done on a 5, but repairs/maintenance can take weeks, and in the meantime you get to play with the varieties of feel and tone that add to the pleasure of the craft.
If, however, my 37” scale 5-string has a problem, there’s certain sounds I just can’t make until the repair is done or I break down and add another such beast to the collection.
P.S: Beware of writing songs inspired by the capabilities of a specific instrument.
 
#257
You NEED enough basses to ensure you have one when you need it. That number is determined by a number of factors, if you play nowhere but at home, with no-one but yourself, one is certainly sufficient.

If you play out, two becomes the number.

If playing music is your daily bread, three or four seems more reasonable.

The frequency of needing them isn't the key, the impact of having none and needing one...is.
 
#258
Definitely - I learned the hard way. I was in the middle of playing a show and bamm, I popped my E string. Maybe a more advanced bassist could have carried on substituting low notes on higher strings but not me. So the whole show stopped while I removed the string, ran to get a new one, put it on, and then tuned the string. If I had a backup bass I could have just switched it out there and then.
 
#259
I play 3 to 5 times a week. Plus fill in for others. As in other ones two to five times a month. Use 2 five string basses and a four string. Flats on the active five. half rounds on the four and round on the other five. one bass active others passive. Play through Mark 500 watt combo or a puma 900 watt all with 12 cabinets. If you play always have a backup and the gear for the job. Yes if you want to play you need more than one bass.
 
#260
For me it is music genres that dictate, that and the fact I can not play them both with the same technique. I have a 2x4 string and a 1x6 string. The 6 is for more prog oriented genres, the 4 is for the usual things.
However my main instrument is a 4 string Double Bass, for classical /contemporary, so that is 3 basses.
If I had keep 1 it would be the Double Bass.
If I had to sell 1 Electric Bass it would be the 4 string.
xxT
 

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