I have many Basses but there's usually "One" for the project and thats what i stick to. Dont let you ego convince you that you need to play several different basses at every show, when you have roadies and techs then you can let your ego run wild, until then, keep it simple and use the one Tool that gets the job done best.
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Ever wish you only had one bass?
- Thread starter punkjazzben
- Start date
That's another matter, I always take a backup to a full night gig.
In my case single set jobs only warrant one bass unless you need a different instrument for a particular song.
I also take spare strings and tools no matter what.
It's no fun to play half a set with a broken A string, trust me, I've done it too many times (had an underpowered amp and was very hard on strings).
If you have a backup bass, it's a fast and easy switch after one song finishes and the guitar player intros the next tune. Then change the string during break.
I haven't had to do it in a long while, but it really messes up your enjoyment when you have to play around a flopping broken string.
In my case single set jobs only warrant one bass unless you need a different instrument for a particular song.
I also take spare strings and tools no matter what.
It's no fun to play half a set with a broken A string, trust me, I've done it too many times (had an underpowered amp and was very hard on strings).
If you have a backup bass, it's a fast and easy switch after one song finishes and the guitar player intros the next tune. Then change the string during break.
I haven't had to do it in a long while, but it really messes up your enjoyment when you have to play around a flopping broken string.
Nope.
I like having more than one car, more than one pair of jeans, and more than one type of food in the 'fridge.
Don't NEED more than one, but life is a moving target, and sometimes I just want tp play something a little different.
I like having more than one car, more than one pair of jeans, and more than one type of food in the 'fridge.
Don't NEED more than one, but life is a moving target, and sometimes I just want tp play something a little different.
No. Ive certainly got my faves, but never agonize over the decision of which two to take to a paying gig.
Ive managed to successfully downsize my herd over the past few years by liberating the ones that didnt get played much sort of like a wildlife conservation program where you have to euthanize the unhealthy ones so that the remaining vibrant ones have a better chance at survival.
Im now at the point where in order for something new to be added, something else has to go, and that eliminates any sellers remorse for me. But I couldnt imagine going back to just a single instrument at this point.
Ive managed to successfully downsize my herd over the past few years by liberating the ones that didnt get played much sort of like a wildlife conservation program where you have to euthanize the unhealthy ones so that the remaining vibrant ones have a better chance at survival.
Im now at the point where in order for something new to be added, something else has to go, and that eliminates any sellers remorse for me. But I couldnt imagine going back to just a single instrument at this point.
Yes.
I came into bass after many years of playing the sax. Generally, wind players will have one instrument (although a tenor player might also have a soprano or a trumpet player might also have a flugelhorn). But more likely than not, it's just the one.
When I got into the bass, I devoured every online forum researching the various basses. Being an ex-audiophile, I know that unless I get I get the very best I can afford (and also something either at the top or near the top tier of whatever it was I was looking to get) I would always itch to upgrade.
So I started buying either boutique or higher end basses in the various forums (all used). My idea and intent was to acquire many basses, then narrow down to "the one".
Unfortunately for both my plan and wallet, each new bass brought a different sound and feel that I ended up liking just as much as the last. It seems each bass I pick up to practice is my current favorite, which really mucks up my plan to get down to just one.
Just yesterday I put away all my basses except the latest entry into the stable. I got this from GC and have two weeks to decide on whether or not it's a keeper. (Who am I kidding...it's a keeper).
But I plan to concentrate on this one for as long as possible (I've already considered taking out one of my other ones but was able to fight the urge). If I can keep the others in their cases or gig bags for any real length of time, then just maybe I can start to sell them off.
Wish me luck.
I came into bass after many years of playing the sax. Generally, wind players will have one instrument (although a tenor player might also have a soprano or a trumpet player might also have a flugelhorn). But more likely than not, it's just the one.
When I got into the bass, I devoured every online forum researching the various basses. Being an ex-audiophile, I know that unless I get I get the very best I can afford (and also something either at the top or near the top tier of whatever it was I was looking to get) I would always itch to upgrade.
So I started buying either boutique or higher end basses in the various forums (all used). My idea and intent was to acquire many basses, then narrow down to "the one".
Unfortunately for both my plan and wallet, each new bass brought a different sound and feel that I ended up liking just as much as the last. It seems each bass I pick up to practice is my current favorite, which really mucks up my plan to get down to just one.
Just yesterday I put away all my basses except the latest entry into the stable. I got this from GC and have two weeks to decide on whether or not it's a keeper. (Who am I kidding...it's a keeper).
But I plan to concentrate on this one for as long as possible (I've already considered taking out one of my other ones but was able to fight the urge). If I can keep the others in their cases or gig bags for any real length of time, then just maybe I can start to sell them off.
Wish me luck.
Y'know...you don't have to wish...
You could always...gee I dunno...sell the others?
Stop me if I'm rocking your world here...but when it's dark they have these things called matches you can light too. I KNOW IT'S SHOCKING.
You could always...gee I dunno...sell the others?
Stop me if I'm rocking your world here...but when it's dark they have these things called matches you can light too. I KNOW IT'S SHOCKING.
I'm down to three 4-strings, but I don't think I'll go any more or any less. Sure it would be fun to have a 5-string fretless......but, naaah. I may exchange one for yet a different one, but I can justify what I have. COULD I get by with only one? It's certainly possible 
No need for a second bass. Maybe if I gigged I would get a backup. One versatile bass covers everything I need, and I don't even play enough to justify to myself having a second.
Only one guitar, as well.
Only one guitar, as well.
Same here, mang. The only other instruments I really want are an acoustic guitar & an acoustic bass.
No I don't because I only have one and if it something goes wrong ill just pick up a decent replacement.
My hands have alot to do with sound so I won't worry about owning a precion, jazz, musicman, etc. At this point comfort is most important to me.
My hands have alot to do with sound so I won't worry about owning a precion, jazz, musicman, etc. At this point comfort is most important to me.
One is not enough for me; I need at least one 4-string, one 5-string, and one of somthing else bare minimum.
No. I don't.
This has been another exciting installment of "Simple Answers to Simple Questions." Stay tuned for next week's thrilling episode.
This has been another exciting installment of "Simple Answers to Simple Questions." Stay tuned for next week's thrilling episode.
I have 4 basses but I use only 2. 1 is sentimental value and I don't use it anymore and the other is ny second fretless so I have one lined and one unlined.
If i'd have to narrow it down to one, i'd have no problem choosing which to keep.
Currently i own 4 basses, one is my 90% of the time player, a boutique 5 string.
I have a second 5 string that sits at my desk and gets played when i'm browsing youtube and such, or looking at scales on the internet, but i don't take it out of the house anymore. It has been my main gigging bass from 1996 to 2012 - and it's just not possible for me to sell it for sentimental value. The other's a fretless and the last one a Steinberger copy made by Washburn. I got it off the internet for cheap and it came in a super stylish leather bag. It sounds and plays OK, so this is my backup i bring to gigs. I brought a backup to most gigs i played but never needed it. So i went for the smallest and lightest bass i could find to do this job.
Currently i own 4 basses, one is my 90% of the time player, a boutique 5 string.
I have a second 5 string that sits at my desk and gets played when i'm browsing youtube and such, or looking at scales on the internet, but i don't take it out of the house anymore. It has been my main gigging bass from 1996 to 2012 - and it's just not possible for me to sell it for sentimental value. The other's a fretless and the last one a Steinberger copy made by Washburn. I got it off the internet for cheap and it came in a super stylish leather bag. It sounds and plays OK, so this is my backup i bring to gigs. I brought a backup to most gigs i played but never needed it. So i went for the smallest and lightest bass i could find to do this job.
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