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How many bass guitars do you need?

P

Peter S

Nov 27, 2008
57
20
Northern Ireland
#1
BACKGROUND
I am aged 59 and have been playing for 3 years. Prior to this I played for 10 years up to age 25 and then took the break. I live in Northern Ireland and have just retired and I play a lot - scales and play along to songs etc. I am in 2 bands and would join another if they would take an old fart. I have a Marcus Miller Jazz, a Yamaha 5 string which is brilliant and a Squire fretless with a Gotoh bridge which is also great.

THE PROBLEM
I want an American Fender Precision - just one of the new ones not vintage stuff. I can't sell the Marcus Miller Jazz for personal reasons and although it's a bit Marcus Millerish the Messa walkabout scout can add the necessary bottom. Point is do I need a P bass? I think "yes" because every bass player should have a P bass at one time in their life and I love the thump! And say I die without getting one - what then? I put a pillow over wife's head and she said she would go halfers if I took the pillow off. Thing is I don't think old blue lip's (as I now call her) heart is really in it. Am I being silly? Needless to say with the economy and all, bands here make Jack at gigs but I don't really mind that. I am going to look up mim comments on this site but I really want a US one. Any views on do I need another bass? Of course I can't afford it - goes without saying. Pete
 
#5
If her heart's not really in it, I presonally wouldn't want the help. It might come up later.

I had a recent MIM P bass, Fiesta red, that picked up for around $300. If I were you I'd strongly consider one of them vs. a US model since cost is a factor. I didn't feel like it was a compromise over a US bass. Excellent fit and finish and it played and sounded like a nice P.

I own one P bass type bass and it's a parts bass I picked up for next to nothing.
 
#6
SteveC said:
You really only NEED one. Everyone will chime in with this and that, but really, one.

Flame away, but deep down you know I'm right.
Click to expand...

No, you just think you are. It's understandable but everyone is not you.
:)

No flame, just sincere disagreement. I like and get paid playing fretted AND fretless. I only need one if I'd just stop playing the other. But I'm a musician and IMO that's counterproductive and unecessarily restrictive. So for my needs...
:cool:

So if the OP wants a P bass vibe that's what fits. Maybe he does only need one bass but again, everyone is not in the same situation.
 
#13
How many basses do I need?

Well, one, for sure. With less than one, I would have trouble playing bass at all, and there is no way I could play bass in my band. I mean, the guitarist let me borrow his brother's Washburn, but BOY DID THAT SUCK!!

So I definitely need one.

But I kind of need two, because for some songs, I use the five string, plus, having two on stage helps me get more girls. (that's a joke)

So I probably need two.

But both my basses are Fender Jazzes, and I wish I had a Rickenbacker too, just so I do, so I might need three.

I think with three, I'd be good, but a Gibson SG style bass would really add a lot to the collection, plus I've never even played a designer bass, and I've always wanted to get a really beat up one and refinish it, plus I've always wanted to try and build one.

So I think if I had about nine, I might be getting close.

What was the question, again?
 
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#19
I have more than I need and not as many as I want.
As the old saying goes, "when your outgo exceeds your income your upkeep will be your downfall". I have a long way to go before my outgo exceeds my income so for now I'm still buying basses, needed or not.:bassist:
 
#20
SteveC said:
You really only NEED one. Everyone will chime in with this and that, but really, one.

Flame away, but deep down you know I'm right.
Click to expand...

You know, when you talk about your average, everyday Joe like myself I couldn't agree with you more. While I'm a decent player I'm no pro and my only gig these days (due to lack of free time) is at church. But I have three basses that I use there. Not all for the same service, but depending on what kind of set or what songs we play determines what bass I'll use.

If I feel a 5 string bass will add to the song(s) then I'll use it. Turns out that this Sunday the songs we're playing really don't need a 5'er so I'm using my P bass. We also play acoustic sets on occasion and for those my fretless bass really seems to hit the spot. All very handy tools to have.

But if forced to pick one? Tough one because I play them all when I can.

Can I keep two?
 

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