• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

How does one justify owning several basses?

Status
Not open for further replies.
#81
Well, no matter what bass I play on, I still sound like me. So it's a matter of comfort, clean loud electronics, and consistency. I want all my basses to feel the same and play the same, so my tastes don't waver much at all. After that, it's multiple tunings. We always play our material a half-step down, but I still want a bass in standard tuning. That way when I jam along to discs or play a gig with others who are in standard tuning, I can jump in without sending my action to hell by retuning.

I have one standard-tuned Ibanez Soundgear 5-stringer, one half-dropped Ibby 5-stringer, and my project bass half-dropped 5-stringer as a stage backup. I'd like to have one more bass in standard, and that's really it.
 
#82
A9X said:
That's just sad.
Click to expand...

Such is life with a control freak - assuming you let it be that way. There was a time when I did, thinking I was being a good partner by discussing and negotiating everything. Trouble was, it took a while for me to admit to myself that I was the one doing all the compromising all the time. Though it has still not gone over well at all, I've since cured myself of that and am much happier.

Just letting the single guys learn from the mistake MANY of us old married guys have made, whether we care to admit it or not. ;)


Getting back on topic ..... I see no problem buying whatever you can justify *to yourself*, and to your immediate family if applicable. There's certainly no need to justify anything to anyone here.
 
#83
We always play our material a half-step down, but I still want a bass in standard tuning.
Click to expand...
Why not just use a fretless, which has half-dropped tunings already built in, just finger it there? When I practice along with something on CD or on the radio, it's a pain to try to tune the bass to the music, so I go with the fretless. Never quite in tune, never quite out of tune...

I see no problem buying whatever you can justify *to yourself*, and to your immediate family if applicable.
Click to expand...
Yeah, that's one reason I go for lots of variety. My immediate family (my wife) always asks, "Why do you want another bass? What's that one got that you don't have already?"
 
#84
DSCF0683.jpg

the '51 i bought because a band i was in needed a p-bass sound when recording. it's my rock bass. growly and slightly rude.
the Lakland was my first nice bass. great jazz tone. feels, plays and sounds like butter. it's my go-to.
the fretless is my latest baby. i wanted to explore the fretless sound, and maybe join a Bad Company cover band :D
the 5er is my only active bass. i bought it because i joined a metal band that tuned to drop C and didn't want to put any of my other basses through that horror.
i keep 'em all because i love my 4's pretty equally and use all of 'em at different times, enough that i can't imagine getting rid of 'em. and i keep the 5 just in case, though i'm honestly thinking it may go soon.
there you have it.
 
#86
:cool:
Different Basses, different tone.

1-P-bass / flats.
2-Jazz bass /rounds.
3-Fretless bass / Nylon strings.
4-5-string / rounds.

I can get pretty much any tone I need with the above basses.
 
#89
Bass is my hobby, so I own more than one. People who are into computers and programming usually have more than one computer. People who are into cars usually have more than one car. People who are into smoking pot have more than one pot smoking device...

See where I'm going with this?
 
#91
My main reason for multiple basses is because I am a recording artist first and foremost. As for whether they are high end or low end, that's mostly a matter of income. I don't see how buying a high end bass is a sin. It supports the independent luthier and is a good thing in the face of mass production. But my stuff is all low end.
A Vantage P/J with rounds is the workhorse
A Turser hollowbody with flats for the sound of god
An ABG with bronze for that aggressive acoustic sound and baritone lines
and an unknown upright for the true acoustic boom

In gigs I mostly use the Vantage and the upright. I've always justified multiple basses and guitars by the fact that they are all radically different, and that in recording they all get their moments.
 
#93
My reasons are just the fact that you get different sounds, feel, looks, plus its just fun to have a different bass all the time, I usually switch my basses out whenever i Play somewhere, one week i'll play this one, and this one the next.

And sometimes I'll just be like man this one sounds really great, and then in two weeks I may feel like a different one has the better sound.

I don't know about buying a bunch of the same model though, I try and keep mine pretty varied
 
#94
I've had my only bass for the last 10 years. It sounded good and it got the job done, it never broke down and I never abused it. I've only recently acquired a Pbass. It does things a little different, the neck is a big difference and it does make a tone that my jazz could not. It also brings to light how badly my jazz needs a setup. :p I really like the P and I do see it as being my new main bass there are just a few things I want to do with it before it becomes #1. Better tuners, better bridge, and just to go over the electronics with a soldering iron. (it has some cut out) Oh, some flats also.
 
#96
different instruments for different things

my P Bass has flatwounds and my Jazz roundwounds and it really is a world apart.

My Wife is very supportive...she knew I was serious about playing before we met... she says thats part of the charm.

Which is good because I really don't have much else going for me.

It's also the requirements of the job too. If the guy that hired me wants fretless what to I do? You need to have options so thats another reason they call you.
 
#97
1.-73´Jazz....nails the old school vibe so good.....so warm that sometimes makes me want to cry.(Ultimate choice for Blues, Classic Rock)

2.-Spector Euro 4....superb slapper,awesome playability, growls like the baddest at my request, this one is the designated mix cutter.(Weapon of choice for my covers band)

3.-Spector Legend Custom 5....when in need for a low B for the metal band i play in, this puppy showed it´s head and i snatched it, brutal attack due to bolt-on construction, snappy response, pretty tight low B for the money, good playability, 3 band EQ.( The guys in the metal band keep smiling when i pound this screamer so it cuts through a little more, specially my pal the drummer!!!)
 
#100
I have 7 of them. It's funny too because I haven't earned a penny playing in years. My wife whines about the amount of space they take up though. She's got a point. I'll be damned if they end up in our garage or the attic. At least I don't have a huge rig anymore.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back