More seriously, I play with bands who are in different tunings, which I wouldn't really be able to do if I only had one bass. Also, accidents happen, and have happened, so I like having a backup.
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Ever wish you only had one bass?
- Thread starter punkjazzben
- Start date
For many years of working full-time I only had one bass (no extra $$'s). I never worried about it - played passive and just kept a spare set of strings in the case. ...rarely even needed them. You can get by with one bass if you're not covering upright gigs, but why would you want to?
I've owned two basses since last summer which is the first time I've ever owned more than one bass at a time. I honestly have no practical reason to own more than two.
I own 2.
1 with passives, 1 with actives and a pre-amp EQ.
One is for playing, the other is for playing around.
1 with passives, 1 with actives and a pre-amp EQ.
One is for playing, the other is for playing around.
I'm in the middle of downsizing. I had an Ibanez SR500 that I only used for gigging because I preferred my cheaper basses for home and rehearsal. My go to was a Ibanez SRX300. I bought and sold many others. I got a Squier Jazz Standard and leveled the frets and loved it. Sold the SR500 for a MIM Jazz that is now the only bass I play. The Squier is a really good back up/alternate tuning bass. I have a pbass I'm selling because I don't like the wide neck and a couple Ibbys. But when the others are sold, I may be looking for a 5er j bass.
I don't gig any more. I play at church a few times a month. I have one active 5 string fretted bass - a custom Roscoe. For any gig I would ever have around here, that is all the bass I would need. It's actually more bass than I need.
In many ways I think having one bass is a good thing. You really get to know it and how to make it work for any gig. Yes, if you are a session guy or something you probably want/need a P bass, a fretless, an upright, etc. But I think honestly, for many - maybe most - of us, one good bass can cover a lot of ground.
In many ways I think having one bass is a good thing. You really get to know it and how to make it work for any gig. Yes, if you are a session guy or something you probably want/need a P bass, a fretless, an upright, etc. But I think honestly, for many - maybe most - of us, one good bass can cover a lot of ground.
I have more than one bass (4) for a reason. Different styles and situations call for different sounds. My 5 string covers most of it, but sometimes, I like to play classic rock on a classic Fender 4 string. Some stuff calls for fretless too, so I have one of those.
I've got just one and I'm good with that , very satisfied . I've had two or more for over 10 years so I always have a backup but don't really need one . The Carvin B50 I have sounds like a great Jazz bass and can be used passive or active and has a really good feeling neck . I did a refinish on it and it just feels too right to change , I've bonded with it more than any other bass .
