Herd Thinning?

[Dr. Cheese]

I could be perfectly happy with these two, I know I am keeping my Super 5 and my SBMM was gift from my wife. To top it off, I sold my Carvin SB5000 to a shop, but the shop can’t sell it and they will sell it back pretty cheap. That would give me a heavy, but high quality J5. As much as thinning the herd makes sense, five high quality basses that total less than a one new Ball Family Reserve Stingray or Sadowsky Metroline is worth means making room for five.

 

[metron]

Ive bought and sold dozens and had up to 6 or 7 at one time. I have two now and find I’m happier with less

 

[KohanMike]

In the years since mid 2014 when I started playing bass uke/mini bass, I went through 53, now down to 6, with a possible 2 more, so to me, 5 is no big deal.

 

[sleddogn]

I went 20 years with only 2, then in last 6 or 7 years i've gone thru at least 60, down to 4 right now, its fun and i wouldn't change a thing, other than selling a few i wish i had back.....

 

[beatdatthang]

Right now, I have a dozen basses and the parts to probably put at least one more together. I kinda wish I could downsize some but, except for my Spectors and Dingwalls that are regular players/gig basses, they probably aren’t worth much to anyone but me.

Most are projects and parts basses that I like, but probably aren’t worth anywhere near the money I sunk into them to make them “mine”. Not to mention, but if I freed up space, I know I’d just do the same thing over again and start building more project/parts basses.

 

[arbiterusa]

I’ve got ten, the band is ceasing operations July 1 and I doubt I’ll be playing out again anytime in the next few years. Two gigs a week to zero.

I both need and want to get utterly ruthless with the stable. Would like to get it down to four.

 

[neddyrow]

Down to 3 electrics and 2 uprights. All 3 have different uses and the second upright is my backup. I’m good with 5.

selling a bass and parting out another as they are no longer needed or used.

let it go…

 

[swink]

View attachment 5054079

I could be perfectly happy with these two, I know I am keeping my Super 5 and my SBMM was gift from my wife. To top it off, I sold my Carvin SB5000 to a shop, but the shop can’t sell it and they will sell it back pretty cheap. That would give me a heavy, but high quality J5. As much as thinning the herd makes sense, five high quality basses that total less than a one new Ball Family Reserve Stingray or Sadowsky Metroline is worth means making room for five.

It's not all that bad you have to look at it from the right point of view....(in side view they already look much thinner to me.)

 

[ELG60]

If you're asking which of those two I'd keep, the one on the right, although, I admit to a significant Jazz bass form factor bias.

 

[micguy]

I would rather make a parts bass.

I’ve got ten, the band is ceasing operations July 1 and I doubt I’ll be playing out again anytime in the next few years. Two gigs a week to zero.

I both need and want to get utterly ruthless with the stable. Would like to get it down to four.

That's simple: One bonfire and you're done. If you're after ruthless, that's about as ruthless as it gets.

 

[Killing Floor]

You just need to put a few in cases. It always looks like I only have 2.

 

[Discount Bassy]

Soon I'll be up to 3...but may well sell one when the new member arrives. I can't fathom needing a 5 when there is a fretted and fretless 6 to be grabbed, but that doesn't account for sentimentality or future investment value. My cymbal herd, on the other hand, has broken free of the fences and started to take over the neighboring pastures. If I thin any herd, it will be the bronze one.

 

[nonohmic]

One quality instrument (as in as high as I can, or want to afford). Then a beater to leave out around the house for practice. That's my sweet spot. YMMV.

Although I really don't understand how people can have multiple cheaper basses, when they could sell up and get something spectacular instead. Again YMMV.

 

[StyleOverShow]

Went most of my long career with one bass. In my sixties I expanded to include fretless and 5-6 strings. After a couple of years or so I am settled on two 4 stringers, one active and one passive and always my old upright.

 

[RattleSnack]

I never went over three, no matter how intensive I would gig, or how big or important gigs were.
Two work for me at the moment, as I am only doing covers in local clubs.
I always felt it's easy to quickly buy new bass if some occasion asks for something specific.

 

[REV]

Most of my basses have been modified by me to suit my tastes. They are all unique in their own way. It's hard to imagine getting rid of any of them. But never say never.

 

[Gaolee]

I have ten at the moment. I think. Avoiding counting is the key to happiness. The upright and two Thunderbirds are what I usually play. The others are going nowhere for a variety of reasons. I just bought another for the first time in years. It is a nearly verbatim Japanese copy of a Ric 4001. Except with one truss rod so even an idiot like me can figure it out. It is pre-lawsuit, so I figure it is morally OK. And it looks like a 4003 I had a while ago and swore I didn't miss. But kinda did. And the copy was about 1/4 the price of a 1970s Ric in pristine condition. Maybe less. I expect to have it in my hands in a week if all goes properly.

So there is justification. Cost and space are small enough to not make much difference. I keep saying time to cut back, not add. Oh, well.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Each of mine have something about them the others do not.
It might be something I am not currently using, but still I like having the option.

 

[Grinderman]

You just need to put a few in cases. It always looks like I only have 2.

Yes, out of sight, out of mind, indeed.

 

[bassballs27]

I currently own 3. So few believe me but don’t understand how often I buy / sell / trade. I’ve cut back considerably. I’ve easily owned 300 basses in the past 10 years. Most I’ve had on hand is 5 to 12 at any time. Ironically before the past 10 years I owned the same 3 for about 12 years. 3 might be my number but I’m still after a fretless! Lol!