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How many basses are too many?

#161
I tried seriously to pare down to ten about a year and a half ago, I think there's even a thread on here. It was silly to think that I could do that, now I have more than ten P basses alone! Not to mention, Modulus, other Fenders, Gretsches, a Dano, Gibsons, so on and so on...

I will say that part of my justification is that I share them with some of the guys who play at my church, especially some of the younger guys who can't really afford something good. I've even given a few away or sold them at a loss to someone who really needs a good instrument.

"bass karma", that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!
 
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#162
Bassa Nova said:
No judging by me or anyone else, and this is subjective, but how do you know when you have enough?

I own two -a MIM Fender FSR Jazz and a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision. Both have upgraded pickups and strings but are otherwise stock. They cover as much sonic ground as I need to or want to cover. I play each of them equally -trading off just about every other week.

I enjoy following TB and have GAS as much as anyone, but every time I see something I want to buy (and that is often), I question whether it would get enough attention.

I think I have enough room in my stable for maybe one more bass, but it really has to be special - either a 1973 Precision, a nice American Standard, or even something custom (and by custom, it could be a frankenbass).

What is your cutoff?

Thanks for the rant
Click to expand...

If you can comfortably afford a new or another bass, then it's not too many. Like anything else the problem comes when you have to put yourself in hock to satisfy your GAS. I don't have that problem...my wife let's me know when I have too many.
 
#165
For me it depends on the wife's mood and whether or not I have kid's college tuition to pay for. I have 3
1) 2015 Fender Deluxe Jazz 4 string
2) 1947 Kay Bass Upright
3) Ibanez GSR 200 4 string.

I rarely play the Ibanez but I kept it since it is worth more to me as a bass than the $100, if that, that anyone would give me for it.
 
#167
my problem is that i play several instruments ... so it's hard to get really carried away in just one area ... since my keyboards cost as much as several average priced basses ...

then there's other toys and recording stuff ... plus a 88 key Korg Kronos , Yamaha MOXF61 , PRS SE semi-hollow , Yamaha elec/ac , Yamaha elec/nylon , 2 Warmoth modded up 5vers , antique Trumpet & Gibson UB-1 ....

i'd say if i was single , every room would be full of gear ... !!! luckily the wife likes my giant TV and A/V system ... ! and since me met while i was playing ( she was the lead singer's girlfriend - ha ) she likes my musical toys .. !!

actually , i'm pretty happy with my gear right now .. ! might want to build a 4 stringer ... sold my 4 banger to my younger cousin last year ... another Warmoth mod ..
 
#168
The majority of my life I have had one (and an Ampeg Baby Bass), occasionally I have had two. Only a few years was my only income from music. As a weekend warrior type guy that has always gotten me by very well. Seldom carried a spare even when gigging 120-150 nights a year.

Currently it is three (no Baby Bass any more), 1 beautiful machine that I love, 1 wall hanger to remind me of 1968, and 1 functional beater bass that is my “loan out” bass.

I would kind of like a Burst P with a tort guard and tapewounds. I always want a Burst P with a tort guard and tapewounds, I just never keep them for some reason.

YMMV,
Best of Luck,
Wesley R.
 
#171
I've gone from 10 basses down to 4. My thing is, is there a use for the bass that makes it unique? Can it be consolidated down by another bass that does that function as well? The basses I have are Matt Freeman P w/ rounds and DiMarzio Area P, 50's franken-P with flats and an area P, 5'er Ibanez CTB5 w/ real EMGs, Ibanez SRX3EX with a Bart preamp.

I'm considering a jazz, but I really feel like the P's do just fine anyways. Aside from something super unique (Rickenbacker, Hofner, or something crazy like a Wal MK3) I don't have much need for another bass. Amps on the other hand...I could spend some might fine dough on those. Orange AD200B + 2x15s, Mesa Strategy 8:88 and 4x12s, Ampeg Heritage SVT and 8x10s, Acoustic 360/361...the list goes on lol.
 
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#172
No arbitrary number.I have gotten to the point where I visit my 3 local music stores regularly and there is not one thing I see that I consider as good or better that what I have now.
Also, when I begin thinking of selling or trading, I cannot imagine parting with any of those that I have. (I will probably have to part with at least one or two eventually)
My stable is stable - for now.........
 
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#176
I've just come to the conclusion that over 31 is too much. If you just play one of your basses every day, you should be able to play them all in a month. So that's my flawless logic.
Over 31=too much
31 or under=Just right

(I just realized that this can be applied to women as well)
;):thumbsup:
 
#178
Bassa Nova said:
No judging by me or anyone else, and this is subjective, but how do you know when you have enough?

I own two -a MIM Fender FSR Jazz and a Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision. Both have upgraded pickups and strings but are otherwise stock. They cover as much sonic ground as I need to or want to cover. I play each of them equally -trading off just about every other week.

I enjoy following TB and have GAS as much as anyone, but every time I see something I want to buy (and that is often), I question whether it would get enough attention.

I think I have enough room in my stable for maybe one more bass, but it really has to be special - either a 1973 Precision, a nice American Standard, or even something custom (and by custom, it could be a frankenbass).

What is your cutoff?

Thanks for the rant
Click to expand...
1 when you're sacrificing quality for quantity

2 when you have basses you never play

3 when you like fresh strings but are tired of restringing basses.

4 when you're tired of carrying around multiple basses.

For me personally I like having a main player, a similar but ussually less expensive backup then atleast one oddball for fun. I'm not like a session player who needs a bunch of variety. I'm often going for the same sound,aka my sound.

In over 20 years of playing bass I've never owned more than 5 at a time. And in the majority of that time have had only one or two at a time. I would like to get another erb. I miss the fun I had jamming by myself with the 7 string Conklin I had. It was more fun playing solo sitting down at home but less fun playing with the band because of the weight.
 
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