Do you ever actually NEED more than one bass?

[BtaylorTheRogue]

A good musician practices regularly.

A regularly played guitar occasionally needs work.

Work sometimes takes time.

For these reasons, I say 2. It's literally A-OK if the 2nd one costs, like, $100 as long as it's had a proper setup job.

This is my opinion, but I feel it's well warranted.

 

[Leo Thunder]

but in the ordinary course of rock 'n' roll......

I don't care for rock'n'roll.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I have a lot of basses and honestly every one of mine are different. I like the variety of having different sounds and different feeling basses. I feel like given different situations I will play differently or come up with something different given the bass that I am playing. Not saying that one bass can’t be done, it can, has been and will always be able to be done, but it’s inspiring for me to be able to have a piece of music in my head and be able to look at my basses and say “that tone sounds like this one” and grab that bass.

 

[TheMute]

Yeah at least one fretted and fretless. Ideally two of each and different string types on each. Just my humble opinion.

 

[Turbo Sparky]

Whether an industrial painter or a commercial artist, each has different needs at different times for a different brush. Cutting-in or feathering, both should have a vast quiver to ensure the "right tool for the job." Otherwise, IMO, the "job" will look like any other "government" job. 2 at a minimum for working players; a 4 and a 5. ...butt a relative considerable amount of money involved, then just one is acceptable LOL. Richard Branson, got my number ? LOL.

 

[whero]

I'm sure I answered this exact same question in another thread a month ago. What's the usual thread recycle time?

For the music I play, and how often I play, I can pretty much get by with a single 4 string. But if I was a full time pro, I would certainly want to make sure I had the most probable bases (pun intended) covered. A 4, a backup 4, a fretless 4, a 6 (probably don't need a 5 if I've got a 6), a hollow body and/or ABG, an upright. Should do. Of course, the best thing is that if I was a full time pro, they'd be tax deductible!

 

[JRA]

Do you ever actually NEED more than one bass?
many of the reasons for "needing" more than one are appealing to me and easy to agree with, but i'm sure that i actually NEED but one instrument.

i have more instruments than i "actually NEED."

 

[FusiveBass]

Yes Three.
Sadowsky MV5 for most gigs
Sadowsky M5-24 for the modern sound
Fender 4 string with a Sadowsky outboard preamp when I need a 4 string

 

[Kro]

A good musician practices regularly.

A regularly played guitar occasionally needs work.

Work sometimes takes time.

For these reasons, I say 2. It's literally A-OK if the 2nd one costs, like, $100 as long as it's had a proper setup job.

This is my opinion, but I feel it's well warranted.

This, for this reason.

 

[oZZma]

Playing in just one band I don't have a need for a "range" of different sounds, so for me two is enough, one at home for everyday practice and one at the band practice space

 

[KohanMike]

I say two because there will be a time when one bass will need repair or such so a second is necessary. That's how I started my collection, I'm up to 21 now, just in case 20 have a problem at the same time (oh good, another opportunity for me to post this image).

 

[Deleted member 261632]

I voted 3 to 5. Playing mostly 5 and 6 strings basses, I found that all of my basses are developing a certain character that works in my band(s) or not.

ATM, I am having and playing my 4 basses in constant rotation. (except the 4 string beater bass, which is used solely in my coverband).

 

[Joebone]

I say two because there will be a time when one bass will need repair or such so a second is necessary. That's how i started my collection, I'm up to 21 now, just in case 20 have a problem at the same time (oh good, another opportunity for me to post this image).

View attachment 3174082

TMI! TMI!!

 

[RattleSnack]

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?

I have never had a luthier hold my bass less than a week, even if it is a minor operation. Yes, that happens once or twice a year, but inexpencive backup pays itself for those couple of gigs that I would othervise miss.
One more reason to have backup if your main guitar is expensive - playing in a crowded bar, or in the open at winter time. I will have an afternoon open-air gig on 1. january 2019, with a possibility of snowing...

 

[cnltb]

Need(but hardly ever on the same gig): 3.
Fretted 4
Fretless 4
Fretted 5

 

[nilorius]

I own 2. The first Ibanez gwb1005 is the main one, but if something suddenly happens and next day i have a gig, i have always the second one - D'alessandro custom 5. That is all i need.

 

[pedroims]

I like to match my bass with the clothes that I am wearing, just like my shoes, I need to have them in different colors.

 

[Robscott]

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.

I could never get a decent sound out of my lawn mower

 

[Mili]

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

I own one main bass, and one "stunt" bass. Both are interchangeable maple P basses with flats.



I need my stunt bass for the following scenarios:

• Practice when main bass is packed for gig
• Main bass in maintenance
• Risky gig (airplane, beach sand, trunk, etc)
• Lending to friend