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How many bass guitars do you need?

#41
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, maybe YOU only need one, but those of us that play in different bands - in different genres - probably need more than one...

Some people waffle back and forth between different basses, and don't actually know what the heck they want or need - I'm just sayin'...


- georgestrings
 
#43
Throughout the long history of these types of threads, I've noticed a consistent attitude of disdain among some, who seem to regard owning more than two or three instruments - or even owning more than one instrument - as being somehow unseemly, or even immoral. It's just one of the various hyper-orthodox viewpoints here on TalkBass that I just can't wrap my mind around. :rollno:

Is it a lingering vestige of Puritanism? Guilt? Envy? :confused:

If you can afford to buy and keep four or six or 12 or 20 bass guitars, and if doing so brings you joy, then by all means do so. You don't need any more reason, and you don't need anybody's permission.

If you can put several of them - or more - to discreet, specialized use, even better. That's what I do. (But AFAIC, you should keep them and enjoy them - whether you own specialized instruments for specialized purposes, or not.)

MM
 
#46
MysticMichael said:
Throughout the long history of these types of threads, I've noticed a consistent attitude of disdain among some, who seem to regard owning more than two or three instruments - or even owning more than one instrument - as being somehow unseemly, or even immoral. It's just one of the various hyper-orthodox viewpoints here on TalkBass that I just can't wrap my mind around. :rollno:

Is it a lingering vestige of Puritanism? Guilt? Envy? :confused:
Click to expand...

None of the above.
Answer: Genuine heartfelt monogamy...and it's not completely unknown among great players. Linley Marthe, Anthony Jackson and Steve Swallow are one instrument players who come emmediately to mind.
 
#47
In The Beginning, there was just one. Then I bought another, then another and so on and so forth. I believe I was happiest when I had The Mapleglo Ric 4003 and the 1972 or '73 Sunburst Precision with the Rosewood fret-board I picked up for $325 back around 1979. I installed the Badass II bridge and it sounded even better when I replaced that cracked and broken white plastic nut with a brass nut...awesome sustain! It also had no lamination (line) on the back of the neck, which more resembled a J-Bass in the way it was nice and thin at the bottom, and really meaty at the cutaway. Then I got greedy and bought a 1974-75 Maple Jazz Bass. The Bass gods then punished me by allowing some junkie to sneakily rip off the Precision, and leave the case so I wouldn't realize it was gone for a couple of days. I'm still traumatized and truly miss the sound of that bass, and its playability. Ironically, none of the other P basses I've played since then can compare. So in my case, I would have been fine with just the Ric and the Precision!
 
#48
Pete, apparently you need 2 basses: the Marcus, and a new American Standard P. (Mine is the new Jade Pearl Metallic with a rosewood 'board. I put Fender 9050 flats on it and it is AWESOME!) Time to say goodbye to the Yamaha and the Squier. . .
 
#54
Nobody needs more than one bass. I myself threaten to sell everything but one bass at least once a year. But I never do. It's fun to have the variety, and it beats buying crack. But don't let anyone tell you that you need more than one.
 
#56
JimmyM said:
Nobody needs more than one bass. I myself threaten to sell everything but one bass at least once a year. But I never do. It's fun to have the variety, and it beats buying crack. But don't let anyone tell you that you need more than one.
Click to expand...
If you play live, you NEED more than one.
Unless you drive a car with no spare, have no insurance on anything(car, residence, life, etc.), and so forth. If other folks depend on you as their bassist and an audience spends money at your gigs....you NEED 2 basses so you have a spare and don't let down a LOT of people all at the same time if your ONLY ONE bass fails at a gig.

Answer to OP: as many as you want to afford. If you play out, 2 is the minimum number.
 
#59
jeffbonny said:
None of the above.
Answer: Genuine heartfelt monogamy...and it's not completely unknown among great players. Linley Marthe, Anthony Jackson and Steve Swallow are one instrument players who come emmediately to mind.
Click to expand...

Naw, there's something else going on here... :eyebrow:

I'm not referring to the guys who love their one and only so much that they could never bear to put it down long enough to try something else. As I already explained in my prior post, I'm referring to those who seem to feel that owning multiple bass guitars is somehow morally objectionable... but they either can't or won't come right out and state exactly what's wrong with it. They just keep repeating "you only need one" or "you don't need more than one" - over and over. As if we should all be persuaded by sheer force of repetition... :eyebrow:

MM
 
#60
Why does a man has more than one car, bike, bass, guitar or any thing else of pure enjoyment?
Because he can affort them.
The only restriction is the almighty will of your lovely wife.

I adopt a nice rule to get every 2-3 years a new bass and since 3 month, I have to wait another 2 years :D
The force will guide me to pick up the right bass or as Yoda would say: "Decide you must".
 

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