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Fewer Basses but you know them better?

#141
Dr. Cheese said:
I know there is no one answer, but I am thinking that owning fewer basses means that I can learn about out of each one instead of owning a bunch of basses I rarely touch. Frankly, most folks who have multiples, have one or two favorites that get most of the playing time.

As I said there is no one answer. Some people love to collect. Some may have a few basses for very specialized uses. As for me, I only have one gig, and I suspect anything that stays in tune will work for me.
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I'm sure it's been said, but...

Depends on the goal. If you need to push your chops to the absolute eXtr3m3 limit, then I suppose it would be useful to focus on a single bass. That ain't me! All I play is 5 string with wide spacing... but outside of that, I have basses with neck profiles that range from "slim'n'fast" to baseball bat chunky. I like to stay fluent on all of 'em... first because why not? Second because every so often I do a sit in and use someone else's bass. And yeah, I can still find my way around four string OK when I have no choice, even though I haven't owned one in a decade. :D
 
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#143
I've just whittled my stable down to 23. In the "before time" I co-hosted and open mic for years. At the beginning of each year I'd bring a couple of different basses to each open mic until I'd played them all (or almost).

Since covid-19 I've developed a routine of practicing about 8 songs/day in an 8 day cycle, retiring and adding songs as I learn them. Every 9th day I switch to a different bass and practice the same cycle. It's been very rewardind, challenging, and enlightening.

I'm amazed how different basses make me play and experience music differently.
 
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#144
The more I play the MPV, the more I think it might be the only one I need. It sounds way different on different parts of the neck, and also where my plucking hand sits. It's probably the most versatile and playable bass I've ever owned. And it's beat up just enough to deter most thieves...kinda like a good street rod.
 
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#145
Fewer Basses but you know them better?
i'd agree.
darwin-bass said:
To a full time pro a bass is a tool and she wants more work.
To a hobbyist a bass is a toy and he wants more toys.
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i'd agree with this, too. when i retired from music full-time i became a hobbyist, apparently. :D from one ax to six.
Dr. Cheese said:
I am keeping more than I actually need.
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same.

i think i can identify with almost every distinct POV in the thread! i only needed/had one for a long time, but i got into assembling/modifying axes to make better instruments, and so i've ended up with more than i need --- but i really like having a few differences among them, and i agree with both the 'knowing one intimately' group and the 'they're all about the same' POV. eclectic? confused? noncommittal? 'open' and engaging? :laugh:

i have six available to play. i tried to have seven and found out that didn't work for me (too much time attending to them, more or less, not enough time playing them). i have bodies and necks for 5-6 others but if i put one together (and if it plays super well) i'll have to take another one apart! :jawdrop: rigid and limited? focused? practical? :laugh:

i don't think my experience is necessarily any good for others, but i think having a few is fun --- compared to the days i only had one...which was more about work! ;) FWIW: both the work and the fun have contributed to my version of "happy."
 
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#149
I have 4 unique basses but they all cop the expected tonal ranges. The Precision V gets the most gig & rehearsal time because the tone and feel is always there. Dimension Dlx V is also busy and feels/sounds great. The garbage parts Jazz Bass is next and I think this one is now about as good as it's going to get. DanElectro Longhorn after that and it always sounds fine, toy like at times but, holds its own.

I practice, rehearse and gig for extended periods on all of them. I go through phases and just like a change but, they're all used for the same material. Bass tones are low, bar/festival/party crowd isn't out there with a db meter. It's just about songs and changing instruments occasionally adds a variety and leads to discoveries. Rotating which bass is about maintaining the creative process.
 
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#150
To me owning multiples is more about fluency and function rather than minor tonal differences. Being comfortable on them does require some discipline to play every single one once in a while and not let them rot on the rack for months. But I don't feel I'm limiting my playing by not 100%ing just one all the time.

I started on a 5er and proceeded to embarrass myself with a borrowed 4 on a live stage. Bought a 4 string Jazz next day and started to rotate between the two. Now I have one general purpose 5er, one 4 J that gets slapped a lot, and a multi-scale 5 because doing 200 bpm on the B string in a metal gig is annoying af on anything else. Don't have a use for a 4th instrument, yet.
 
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#152
I've owned many basses in my life, but I've settled on ONE bass the last few years - my custom G&L M2500. It's insanely versatile (especially modded with full control over coil splits) and I can basically get any sound I want from it. The neck feels like it's moulded for my hands, it looks great and the controls are perfect. The only thing I miss sometimes is a fretless, but that is being taken care of soon. I've found my first custom G&L L2500 which I stupidly sold many years ago, and it's going to be bought back and be defretted.

After that, I'm all good and honestly not even tempted to try anything else. Option of fretless vs frets is the only thing I have missed for the last 5-6 years, as far as basses goes.

Other instruments, pedals etc? There I do have a problem, and it's growing! :roflmao:
 
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#153
Been many years buying selling, dreaming of and searching for basses, I have to say I learnt a lot and appreciate the craftmanship in their construction.
I have now two main basses, being a Lakland 44-94 and a Warwick Infinity, love them both. Its now time like so many have said in this thread to spend time with them and understand them well.
The Infinity is a recent purchase, a bit of a beast to play, but am loving getting to know it. I think its time to stop reading the for sale threads and spend time learning.
 
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#154
scallster said:
Been many years buying selling, dreaming of and searching for basses, I have to say I learnt a lot and appreciate the craftmanship in their construction.
I have now two main basses, being a Lakland 44-94 and a Warwick Infinity, love them both. Its now time like so many have said in this thread to spend time with them and understand them well.
The Infinity is a recent purchase, a bit of a beast to play, but am loving getting to know it. I think its time to stop reading the for sale threads and spend time learning.
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Good luck on your transition in focus.
 
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#155
Fewer Basses but you know them better?

Excellent idea! And that kind of goes for all material possessions. Especially realized as/when we get old.

I have too many basses (nearly 30). I have too many Lps and Cds. I have too many tools. Too many coats. Too much stuff!

When I was young, I wanted all of this crap but could not afford it. Little by little over the years, I acquired most of the stuff that I wanted. Now I am 69 yrs old, own most of what I ever wanted and I have a mess.

When I die, I can easily see much of my stuff going to a Goodwill Thrift Store. Or my wife and kids faced with a major problem of selling bassdude51's pile.

Yep, a few basses. Know them better. Don't make a "nightmare".

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#156
I've just got the 2. 2006ish Gibson SG bass & 2019 Fender Mustang PJ. I did have an ibanez ergodyne, but sold that a few years ago, as I prefer short-scale. If I were to add a 3rd it would likely be one of the recent SS Sterlings
 

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