How many basses are too many?

[Ric5]

How many basses are too many?

I TRY TO STAY UNDER 20

Less than 10 would be a challenge for me ...

 

[sxwr]

This list is going to include more than just my basses because i play more than just bass but here it is.
I have
two fretted 5 strings, an acoustic guitar, a classical guitar and i have a fretless five string coming in the mail soon.

 

[Bassa Nova]

Thanks. Some of my favorite responses so far....

It's different for each of us. But your wife knows the answer.

I suppose it's like that line reformed alcoholics say, about how many drinks were sufficient back in their boozing days: "One was too many, and a hundred wasn't enough."

I have a formula:

TM = B+2

Where TM is too many and B is the number of basses I have when asked.

One observation, there is a lot of support for having one of each, i.e., P, J, P/J, Active, fretless, Hollowbody, upright, ABG, variations of basses strung with flats or rounds, but I didn't see a reference to the need for a short scale bass.

 

[static0verdrive]

I never understood having more than one if they're the same. Mine are all different: Fretted J, P, and 5, and a fretless J. That's plenty for me and I strongly doubt I'll ever have more than that, but that doesn't mean I'll never get another bass - it just means I'll likely self-impose a "one in, one out" rule.

(I don't count my active PJ because the truss rod is popping out so it just sits at my parents' place for my nephew.)

 

[Nev375]

One observation, there is a lot of support for having one of each, i.e., P, J, P/J, Active, Hollowbody, upright, ABG, variations of basses strung with flats or rounds, but I didn't see a reference to the need for a short scale bass.

I'm a big guy so I don't really need a short scale.

Of course, I have a few ...but that's entirely not the point.

 

[static0verdrive]

One observation, there is a lot of support for having one of each, i.e., P, J, P/J, Active, Hollowbody, uprights, variations of basses strung with flats or rounds, but I didn't see a reference to the need for a short scale bass.

I think most play the scale they're comfortable with. All mine are 34". I don't see a 32" fretted J as any 'different' per se from my 34" fretted J. If I preferred short scale, all my differing basses would be short scale. YMMV and all...

 

[Nedmundo]

It's different for each of us. But your wife knows the answer.

My wife knows that it's best for her not to know.

 

[groooooove]

once you have more than you think you realistically need, or more than you can afford to hold on to.

i have 3 electric basses and 3 upright basses. one of the electric basses is redundant, but i still like having one as a spare since you never know- it's bailed me out before.

 

[birminghambass]

The answer is 8. You're welcome.

 

[bassdude51]

There is no such thing as too many basses but IMHO over 10 basses is probably getting into ridiculous territory.

 

[bobdabilder]

Blasphemy!

There is no such thing as too many basses but IMHO over 10 basses is probably getting into ridiculous territory.

 

[pcake]

Only limiting factor should be $

and space!

Thank God I'm not married.... no limit. And I'm only at 4 (+1 in parts waiting to be assembled one day, +1 neck that will become a parts bass after I teach myself to re-fret).

married isn't always a deterrent. my husband and i together once had 32 basses and guitars in a one-bedroom apartment... and we were very happy

 

[Sav'nBass]

Who knows.
Personally, I believe that every gigging musician should own at least two basses. Beyond that, it becomes a matter of preference. If three basses is your comfort zone, that's perfect. If it's thirty-three basses, that's perfect, too.

My take....

 

[bassdude51]

There is no such thing as too many basses but IMHO over 10 basses is probably getting into ridiculous territory.

OK, OK.............over 10 basses and it is becoming a case of concern.

 

[jonnybass1]

It's all about money (or lack thereof ) for me. But at the same time I am happy with my 3 regularly used basses and my 2 that are up for sale and trade to try different basses out so that I have real world experience to make comments about them on TB

 

[EMoneySC2]

Just 2 for me right now. My reasoning for getting a new bass largely relies on tunings. My band plays in drop C so I need something that can play in that range, and I like to keep a bass in standard for when I want to jam to other bands. A third may be in my future at some point, so I can have a bass in drop A or Ab.

On top of that I've been a one in one out kinda guy for a while. It keeps things in check for now.

 

[Feralhog]

What is this thing you call "too many"???

 

[InhumanResource]

I have two. One of them hardly ever gets played (another of my "hey, I want a 5 string!" experiments), so I have to say that 2 is my max.

 

[chadds]

Are you paying your bills, feeding the kids/pets, saving? Then who cares? You do have to play them once and a while so whatever you can keep maintenanced and healthy.

 

[BoogieZK]

I had up to 5 basses, it was enough.

Now i'm the "1 Bass per band" type of guy. I still have one wich i cannot sell because "too rare" but yeah.

Like it was said just before: If it's not unreasonable, then do it!