For those of you with more than two bass guitars, why?

[PokeyPrasch]

I hate these posts. Why do you care what someone does that causes no ill in the world?

 

[obimark]

I own two and that seems to be enough for me. Maintaining more than two basses properly is also more work than I want to spend. (Not to say I might not go up to 3 at some point).

 

[bass.slinger]

I had up to six at one time (Stingray 5, Roland GR-77B, Fender Geddy Lee, Fender fretless jazz, Ashbory, Tacoma acoustic - so all very different instruments) but found that I only played the two Fenders. So, I downsized. I am starting to think about getting another Jazz to have a rosewood fingerboard and standard pickup spacing which I prefer for finger style (my other fretted is maple and has 70s pickup spacing).

While I don't feel the need for a ton of basses, if people can afford it, why not? Like the old joke about why the dog licks itself - because it can.

 

[InnerBass]

Is this a rhetorical question? : )

 

[lpdeluxe]

I have played a wide variety of material over the years: folkie, gospel, top-40 Country, rock of different eras and currently '30s-'40s pop in a small combo backing up singers. So there's a Godin A5 Fretless for the folkies/gospel (their guitar players use capos a lot, and a 5 makes it easier to play in odd keys, and they generally prefer a less-aggressive bass sound); a couple of split-coil Precisions for the Country and some of the rock (I don't really need two, but I came into some money and bought an AVRI '57 to go along with my Classic '50s); a StingRay 5 for the more modern rock, and currently I play my Classic '51 single-coil, which integrates very nicely with my guitarist's 335.

So it's just practicality. I think of myself as a kind of utility outfielder, rather than specializing in just one style...and I also play electric guitar, Dobro and harp, so I'll never settle on just one or two instruments.

 

[Antisyzygy]

I hate these posts. Why do you care what someone does that causes no ill in the world?

I feel like they were just asking. I don't see where they really said they think less of us because of it.

 

[WRM]

...So our instruments don't get sucked into that massive black-hole in the center?

I take exception with that "Black Hole in the Center of the Milky Way" Theory! (Sorry, couldn't resist)


Back on topic, I would have been fine with one J Bass, until I discovered TB. Now I have two Js and an active PJ, with GAS for a passive P!

THANKS, TB!

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

I have 6 basses (fairly hi-end) soon to be 7... that qualifies me I guess, so I've been thinking about the answer for a while. Here goes.

They're all different but alike in certain ways. I have 2 Rick Turner Electroline 5-strings, a fretted & fretless, 2 Rick Turner Renaissance 5-strings, again a fretted & fretless, a Gibson Thunder Series 5-string, and an Alembic Persuader 5-string, which in turn prompted placing an order with Alembic for a Custom Fretless counterpart with specs based largely on the above model.

Every one is a unique work of art. Less expensive than a Rembrandt or a Lamborghini, and much more useful to me. As in all things - YMMV.

 

[Deleted member 269102]

Lets's see.

A P/J with rounds for all-purpose goodness and a wide enough range of tones for most situations

A five string J - Dual purpose. First for when I need more J growl. Second for when I very occisionally need that B string

A P strung with flats and tuned half a step down. Good for times when I need the mellow sound of flats and for (god help me) covering every Smithereens song

So it works for me. Not a unitasker in there

 

[FerruleCat]

I have three held back for sale once the weather is mild. But I have four active players: 1) a 34" P/J with rounds, 2) a 34" Jazz with rounds, 3) a Rogue violin bass with LaBella flats, and 4) a heavily modded Bronco (shortscale) with Chromes. I have one and an alternate at each scale, and each one does have a distinct voice.

 

[Altitude]

I hate these posts. Why do you care what someone does that causes no ill in the world?

Not much of a conversationalist, then?

 

[singlemalt]

I have two, because one hasn't sold yet.

Anybody need a fretless Kramer 450B? Check out my ads for this vintage aluminum neck beauty.

Lots more great gear for sale, I'm down sizing to a minimum gear of:

One bass.

An outstanding rig of two fEarful 12/6 cubes, and a Genz Streamliner.

My Zoom B3.

And the RC 300 looper.

It's been fun, but all the other gear has to go.

Less is more.

 

[shawshank72]

Why not?

Couldnt have said it any better.

 

[VWbug]

I can see why you would want a good backup just in case but why three or more? Why not just get a really good one that you love? Just curious.

As I'm sure it's been said Many times, it's up to the individul, it's their money.

I think it's almost considered "normal" to have a handful and remember there are folks that are born with six digits, so there's technically wiggle room with the numbers.
I think that belief is borne out in the sticky of the majority of members here reporting they own a handful.

I am paring down to that line of thinking myself. I'm awfully tempted by natural wood finishes on basses. I loved the way my Warwick Thumbs looked, they were pieces of art. I just couldn't make them work for me ergonomically and sound wise. The sound l liked the best was a very narrow dial in that as it turns out in retrospect was the sound of a Jazz bass. Bummer. If I could get the Thumb bass look and get it to sound and feel as a nice Fender Jazz it would be my dream.

Personally, I've gotten a new lightweight Fender AMS P bass from Sweetwater that I'm using exclusively. I feel my playing has gotten better and I'm spending more time practicing but I don't think it's just new bass "Honeymoon". I feel empowered and free sort of, it's weird, didn't think a plain old good solid P would have this effect on me. I've owned some in the past.

So for me personally, I'm getting what the OP is getting at whether it's a phase or just a good conscious decision to bond with one good bass and be a better player and simplify.

I do also have a new nice lightweight Fender AMS Jazz bass too as a backup, I can't see not having a backup and it's a different spice option if needed/wanted.

My other nice basses will be showing up in the classifieds soon I think.

 

[Selios]

Why do I own more than two? Because my first bass was cheap and didn't offer much room for growth since it didn't sound or feel that great. So I got a second bass and used that first cheap Jazz copy as a modding platform. Then I got a third bass because neither of the first two were a P Bass! You all know you need a P Bass...

Seriously though, I like having the three I have because they're more or less the "Holy Trinity" of bass tones; a Jazz-type, an Ibanez ATK for a very convincing MM vibe, and a Precision which is my favourite. That covers a lot of sonic territory and gets all the classic tones in there.

 

[Eilif]

For the most part all of my bases have quite different tones.
The exceptions might be my T-45 and P-bass and even those will be quite different once I string the P-bass with flats.

This is not to say that I don't have many more basses than I need. The truth is...
-I could probably play every gig I ever needed with one one of my fretted 4 stringers
-With 4 string fretted and fretless I could be more than content.
-With a fretted 4, fretless 4 and fretted active 5 I'd count myself a blessed man

Yet I have somehow wound up with 10 because I enjoy playing them far more than the relatively moderate amount of money I would get by selling the 5 or so instruments that would be first on the block.

 

[gpx1200]

because guitar center keeps having sales on hangers

 

[Acoustic356]

That's kind of like asking "why do you need a whole bunch of wrenches or a set of socket wrenches when you have one of these:"

Each bass is slightly voiced differently to fit the right job.

 

[slagbass]

Every one is a unique work of art. Less expensive than a Rembrandt or a Lamborghini, and much more useful to me. As in all things - YMMV.

That's a sentiment I haven't seen yet on this thread and one I concur with. I have 3 P's and 2 J's. All strung with rounds. If I bring a second bass to a gig, it's usually for a backup as I like to find a sound that works and stick with it. Any variation I need song to song can be had with technique, eq and the tone knob.

So why 5 basses? Like the quote above, they look great on a wall. Each one has subtle differences that only I would notice while playing, but that will make me approach a part a little differently when writing. Also, it's a lot of fun to pick up a bass you haven't played in a few months and fall in love all over again.

 

[zon6c-f]

I currently own 5: '78 Rick, '99 Fender AB-4, '99 Fender Precision, 2001 Zon Sonus6 Custom Fretless and 2009 Squire Jazz-5 Active.

Can one bass "do it all" ? Not in my opinion. Each bass has its' own character and voice.
'78 Rick strung with flats in 1997, after tiring of the "ting-n-tang-zing of rounds", and I was playing more electric blues than prog.
After years of owning a Rick, I wanted an acoustic bass for folksier gigs or to play without an amp, so I bought the Fender AB-4. Although it serves the intended purpose, a more expensive acoustic/ electric bass would serve better, as the AB-4 does not stay in tune and costs to upgrade don't serve me. I seldom play that bass.
I bought the Precision, because it is an all-around bass. Stays in tune better than all of my other basses. I tell people that I tuned it in 1999..amnd never again. Occasionally I tweak it a few cents but never re-tuned. Has same factory rounds as when purchases; still sounds bright enough. With no paying gigs, I obviously don't change strings.
Bought the ZON, because I always yearned for a fretless. Most [radio top 40 ]music since the ' 80's employs a 5'er for the deep, low-B. The ZON has a high -C, as well. Strung with rounds.
My wife gifted me with my 2009 Squier, which is a fretted 5'er and has become my main-go-to bass. Strung with rounds. Quality of Squier is surprisingly better than in previous decades; offering a great bass at more affordable price range. I prefer a 5'er for most needs as I prefer NOT to det-tune or tune flat.
If I had the $$$, I would buy a fretless 5..brand to be decided and perhaps a Thunderbird..Gibson preferred or Epi if quality and sound were satisfactory.
If I could "save just one bass"..I would be torn, but the Precision stays in tune..always sounds as it should and no batteries required. Remains workhorse of the industry.