Double Bass Do you name your bass(es)? Why/why not? DB FORUM THREAD

[Ed S]

I often see where bassists refer to their instrument by name - generally female. I used to experience this in the classic car culture, and never really understood it there either. I recall bassmonkey used to assign names to all of their basses. And other instrumentalists have done the same.

Was wondering if folk would be interested in sharing their opinions/experiences on this. Have you named your basses? Why or why not? I'm not intending to criticize anyone who likes to name their bass for whatever reason - just trying to understand (and bored w/ work today! ).

 

[210superair]

I'm also bored with work. Usually actually.

I don't name my basses, but refer to them by maker, so people probably think I have one named Kay and one named Eastman. I also have a hot rod, unnamed. Referred to as 'the ford' or the shoebox....

 

[Don Hergert]

I've found a perfect solution to boredom at work: retirement.

The previous owner of my Alcoa double bass had dubbed it the feminine short name for Allison, "Ali". I've just not been able to bring myself to continue that. I usually just refer to it as my double bass or my Alcoa, or if I'm in a rush, my DB.

 

[Ed S]

I've found a perfect solution to boredom at work: retirement.

Yeah, but I bet my checks are bigger! The checks are the ONLY thing keeping me from joining you, my friend!

 

[GretschWretch]

Basses are like cats: once you name them you have to keep them. There is no flipping of "named" basses.

 

[Don Kasper]

Naming one's bass has always struck me as a bit "creepy...." i.e., Norman Bates "creepy...".
IMFO, of course, as always.
Gotta go....
(Coming MOTHER!!!!)

 

[Briton]

I could never understand why people name their Basses,I just refer to mine as my P Bass, Jazz Bass,Stingray etc! I think it is more of an American thing.

 

[Flashback Bass]

Personally I've always thought that the naming of anything male of female is ridiculous! Basses. Boats, Cars, they are all inanimate object and therefore just tools. (Although I have a friend whole used to be a framer and his hammer was named Bertha!)

 

[JRA]

i once named an ax "betty." it ended up getting me in trouble ( ) so i stopped naming them.

current names:

- "the black one"
- "the red one"
- "the burst"
- "the blond one"
- "the ugly one"
- "the one in pieces"
- "the other one in pieces"

 

[Dabndug]

I haven't named my upright. It told me it prefers anonymity.

 

[Watchootognbout]

My fretted TWB.
My G Style.
My fretless TWB.

 

[dolanmolan]

The upright I play most often was named by someone else. One day they just started calling it Megan and I thought that was such an absurd name for the bass that I couldn't stop thinking about it. Eventually I started calling it by that name! Now it's stuck. My upright's name is Megan!

 

[dave64o]

I don't name mine.

I call some by their model name - Stingray, Precision, Jazz. The other two have model names that are kind of numeric, so I usually say "L" when taking about my L-2500 and usually say "hollowbody" (even though it's actually a semi-hollow) when talking about my Ibanez AGB-205.

But giving them names? Nah, can't imagine I'd ever do that.

 

[Biggbass]

I don't name my instruments or any other inanimate objects. Puzzles me why people do that.

 

[Sooner Boomer]

I've got a Harley Benton P-bass I jokingly refer to as "Bach"

 

[PBandJazzBass]

Yep, I name all my instruments. My main DB is named Oscar.

Many people have mentioned above that they view this as weird and, to be fair, I'm a weirdo

 

[Guild B301]

I have multiples of a few different types & brands of basses. (A couple of the same type backups on the side of the stage, in case something goes wrong). Naming three look-alike basses seems to be better than numbering them, like Pete Townsend did.

 

[Ed S]

Yep, I name all my instruments. My main DB is named Oscar.
...

I don't want to comment on weirdness or not - just asking WHY you name them. What emotion or whatever does it evoke or satisfy in you?

And DANG - what brought all these slabheads over to the classy side?

 

[210superair]

Yeah, but I bet my checks are bigger! The checks are the ONLY thing keeping me from joining you, my friend!

Here here. As soon as the checks stop I'm out too! Lol.

I don't find it creepy if people name their stuff. I do think there are a few intimate objects that naming goes without saying, like wood boats. My glass boat came with a name on it already, and it did suit me so I kept it. I get guys naming dragsters and certain cars, it's like branding/merchandising and the wife does that for a living, so I have a small amount of understanding of it.

 

[Wasnex]

I named my first car Nell after a spaceship from a crappy Sci Fi movie.

Other than that I don't think I have successfully named any of my possessions. I did try to name one of my motorcycles Norbert after Hagrid's dragon, but it didn't stick. The bike is a Honda Valkyrie which some calls a dragon.

Maybe a picture will explain the dragon reference:

This is not my bike, but it's the same model.

Since you asked why or why not. Why indeed? I simply don't find it useful. Maybe in few years.