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Getting the 3 Bass GAS balance right.......

Tendollarcat

Tendollarcat

Aug 19, 2005
767
14
Brisbane, Australia
#1
I have a theory on my gear acquisitions over the years -

1) Some players spend years finding the "one". This is the bass they live with, sweat all over and keep forever. I've tried this when it was what my budget permitted. Unfortunately, I became "unfaithful" when I got some extra cash :D

2) Some bass players spend their lives looking for the "other one". They own 5 basses plus all of the time and continually flip basses because something else looks good. I've done this as well. I find that 5 basses are more than I can really play.

So my theory is to land between the two. I have a question for you all.

What is your perfect 3 bass combo? Why 3? Because 2 is too much of a number one plus backup scenario :)

I believe that 3 basses should cover any situation a gigging musician can find. My 3 bass combo plan is the following -

1) A great 4 string vintage PBass. (Check)
2) A great 5 string modern jazz bass. (Check)
3) A great hollowbody. (The final piece to my latest puzzle).

I know that there are threads like this one but I'm interested to hear if anyone has gotten the "more than one bass" balance perfect. Is there anybody out there who has 3 basses and no desire to keep flipping one every few months?

Can it be done? :D
 
#3
1. P Bass (4 string passive)
2. Jazz (4 string passive)
3. Active 5 string (even though I'm not into them at all)

This isn't my 3. This is just what would cover just about anything you would encounter. All of the other stuff (hollow bodies, short scale, long scale, fretless, etc) would just be extra flavors you could pull out if needed for a change and shouldn't replace any of the other 3. This is just my opinioin.
 
#7
For me, I have:

-A nice, good-toned and versatile 4-string (My Traben Neo Limited)
-A good 6-string (My Schecter Stiletto Custom-6)
-A sleek 4-string customized project fretless (I'm working on this one....hehe...)

I have 2/3, and the last one is one that will have my own personal touch along with the other two that are relatively mainstream. This way I don't GAS for something that seems like my "personality", I already have one i rigged myself. I also get a good 6-string for some cool octave/harmony sounds, and a comfortable 4-string for familiar riffs.

Hope it helps.
 
#8
For me, I find a four bass balance works best.

1)High end 5 string ( USA Curbow)
2)Fender Jazz (‘nuff said)
3)Gibson G3. This bass was a present from my wife. It’s currently strung with flats and fills the “old school tone” dept. With the middle pickup dialed down to the pickguard, it does a pretty good J bass impression.
4)Fender Precision 5. This is the utility player. It serves as a backup 5, and the “everyone needs a P bass” role.

The first two have been with me for 15 years, and the Gibson for almost 5. The fourth seems to fluctuate based on current gig requirements
 
#12
I have tried for years to get it down to 3 or 4, but it's hard cutting down from the 6 or so I usually have around.

My 3 would be:
P with flats
Active 5 String J with rounds
4 or 5 string fretless

Now, this completely shuts out the "change of pace" bass I feel everyone should have for variety's sake. A Ric, Stingray, Dano, or hollowbody fits in here. My magic number would be 4, then I guess.

How about a backup that is exactly (or close to it) to the number one bass in case it's in the shop? Need that. Up to 5.

And so it goes...
 
#13
My 3 would have to be this...
1. my btb456qm (6 string)
2. my atk750ka (when I don't need 6 strings)
3. my sr506 (another 6 string as backup)
I love the range and versatility of my btb. The tone of the atk is amazing. The sr doesn't have as much low end or balance the same as the other 2 but is a good bass as well that I still use durring practice sometimes.
 
#18
Three may be the perfect balance.

I own 4 basses, but only 2 are part of the three and I'm not sure if one of the other two will be the third or if I will keep looking.

I think of them as:

Main bass - reliable, good quality, 4-string fretted (USA Millennium)

Old School - my T-40, not as comfy to play but a great look and sound.

Something else that I would want to pick up instead of the above two - right now it would be either my Peavey P/J or my USA Millennium Plus 5-string or it may not be either. The P/J neck is thinner than the Millennium and I haven't had the 5-string long enough to know whether I'll ever get the hang of it or feel the need for it.

Other basses that tried to hold this spot but got sold are my first bass an SX Jazz (not sure if I'm just not a Jazz guy or if I was feeling a little snobby toward the SX), a Fender Mustang RI (short scale wasn't working for me), and a 80's Vantage P that had terrible neck dive.

Perhaps a P-bass built around a Millennium neck might be the right #3 for me.
 
#19
1) ESP 5 String; I can use it in smoky bars and not worry about it getting knocked around with my cover band.

2) AntonioTsai 7 String; I record and use it for "decent" shows with my original band.

3) AntonioTsai 7 String fret less; Because even with extended range the jazz player beckons to be let loose and I have more than enough room.

I am allergic to Fenders so that one went to my son. I think it is under his bed somewhere, (the best place as far as I am concerned). Don't worry y'all...it's an MIM.
 

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