How does one justify owning several basses?

[PocketGroove82]

Let me ignore 9 pages and just post my thoughts.
I own many basses because I am a working professional who loves the instruments. I love the sound and the feel of the different basses I own, and playing them gets me laid.

Is there anything wrong with that? I don't think so.

 

[davedamage]

i haven't seen any others that i remember, but if they're all in the same class as that one, you've got my nomination.

 

[KsToaDangr]

1 needs to be used for firewood.

now you've got me curious. PM me a pic of this one if you can.

 

[Niff]

my reasons:

- different amounts of strings
- different tunings
- different tones
- different feels
- because i can

 

[Chebass88]

Public school has nothing to do with the necessity of art. The role of public school is to teach kids the basic skills and backgrounds of our culture (math, reading & writing, history,) so they can function better in it.

I think this post was referring to the point how the "art" programs are the first to be cut back in size when there is a lack of funding, demonstrating the so-called necessity of art in a public school. Of course, music is one of those programs as well. The scaling back of art programs is not necessarily true for ALL districts, however, it is a fair observation.

 

[mark beem]

How does one justify owning several basses?

I want them.... I can afford them...


All the justification I need...

 

[iriegnome]

My reasons for owning a bunch of basses is very simple. Because I can. All the basses I own currently, I bought, played and loved. I don't ever sell those. My "collection" is down to just 10, but I am looking to increase that number within the next couple of months. I know everyone here has their own opinions on this and I am sure that most of us have several basses because we can afford to have them and those who only have 1 or 2, haven't gotten to that point yet.

 

[AMJBASS]

I currently have 4. A Fender Jazz bass, Hofner Violin bass, Carved top Double Bass, and a Fretless PJ. I also have a Lakland Hollowbody on the way to replace the Hofner for live playing. All of them are so completely different, that I would rather not be without one of them. I freelance, as well as play in a Pop Acoustic band, and I need the versatility. Any more(other than maybe a P-Bass ) would probably be excess...

 

[Flintc]

Having multiple basses causes some dissonance: No matter which one I'm playing, I hate to put it down because I'm enjoying it so much, yet I feel I'm neglecting the others. To do them ALL justice means I neglect the rest of life's valuable activities.

Now, for my next bass...

 

[Mikeyd74]

I have several basses because I have an addiction to wood products that feature four metallic strings and produce low frequencies.
....and yes I play all of them.
Ibanez SR800
Ibanez SR500
Schecter C-4 XXX
Schecter Devil/Tribal
Charvel Fusion IV
Dean Rhapsody 12-String
Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray
ESP LTD Viper 404

 

[nad]

I wish I owned less basses than I do.

However, as of up to and included today, I have more money than sense. Oh well.

 

[cosmicevan]

I wish I owned less basses than I do.

Your wish is my command. Send me any and all excess basses. I will give them a good home and I will play them daily. Heck, I'll even cover postage to send them to me. PM me to finalize the details.

 

[Dertygen]

Justify?
Who's the judge?
I can have as many as I want.

I can buy (XYZ product) and store it away never ever seeing it again.

I'm morally outraged anyone believes that I haven't benefited the world by purchasing said product(s).

not to turn this into a drive for social justice, but i can see a grand getting dropped on my next bass going to incredible use for world aid, towards orphanages or mission trips, or even towards a home deposit, an engagement ring, paying off next years car insurance and rego....

And I can see me not eating to help someone hungry... but it ain't gonna happen.

 

[Dertygen]

that's a flawed argument. what is a painter with no brush?

Still a painter. He can use his hands.

what is a photographer with no camera?

A lifestyle painter.

what is a musician with no instrument?

A muscian without an instrument, hands, feet or mouth.

what's a jedi with no lightsaber?

A nerd's nightmare.

the tool is what defines our trade and makes it possible. being able to hum basslines doesn't make you a bassist. it makes you a guy humming a bassline.

No, you're still a bassist, one that hums basslines.

the argument is why does that painter, photographer, musician, and jedi NEED more than one tool?

Backups. And each tool serves different functions. Wide brush/thin brush/ type of brush.

buying for the sake of buying is rampant consumerism. the idea that small, infintessimal differences in tone somehow justifies excessive materialism is simply that. justification.

Or someone who doesn't understand economics. This isn't some modern capitalist argument. This is how humans began civilization.

and for you Worship Band bassists who suffer from this, I suggest you research the colonial America concept of "Madame Bubble".

I suggest you research "smug" and "self-righteous".

 

[JimS]

It's fun




.

 

[BassShifter21]

Justification-That's easy! They make me very happy

 

[MNAirHead]

They make me more valueable and all serve a different need.

I'm probably one of the few TB folks that's come to the conclusion that a direct box and bass setup (strings, active/passive, technique) are what make the sound.

I have everything from 4,5,6 to acoustic.. to fretless.. some passive.. some active.

In any given weekend I can be playing folk, jazz, church, Casinos.. many times I'll keep all the gear there at setup while I'm playing accross town.

I love playing my RJ-IV.. unfortunately it doesn't fit with the Jazz or Casinos.

Having a stable makes me more valueable to some of the gigs... example... I'll get an email that says "please note the fretless part on song #2" .. this is the hint that he's requesting a fretless.. this weekend I have a quick session doing 6 string chorded stuff... sometimes just a plain looking bass is what's needed.

I've owned up to 40 at a time.. have had as few as 3.. seems as if 10 is the magic number.

I also own a Stadium sized rig.. small venue amp.. bar sized rig... direct box/headphone monitor.. and headphone only 5 watt amp... I have an assortment of cabinets to fit the venue.

I always have my eyes open for a good quality value bass gear... it normally bumps one off the list.

Chances are most folks playing in a bar cover band can pick a good feeling bass with good strings and just learn how to play it.

This said, by a guy always perplexed at the "mysterious inaudible tone" TB folks are striving after.

Tim

PS the only stuff I struggle with are my botique basess.. they're really not as great as everyone says.. I'd take hit in the huevos if I sold them... for soem nutty reason I keep praying they'll be worth something.

 

[Din Of Win]

I'll usually own 2 or 3 at a time. 1 will be my main bass and the other 1 or 2 will be backup primarily for live shows that i can switch out really quick if a string breaks or something (which happens more often than i would like...).

The "back-up basses" get switched arround a lot and get bought and traded often.


Pedals on the other hand......

 

[megadan]

I end up with new basses, maybe intending to sell the old ones, but then I can't... I like them too much. I like the new ones too.

 

[fender_funk_man]

I've got a couple of basses in my collection. My P-bass is set up with really bright round wound strings that I use to play funk or anything that requires slap techniques. I have an Elias custom set up with flatwounds I use for blues, jazz and standard rock. My warwick is set up for Drop D and I have a dean 8 string that is just a hobby instrument that I'm working on.