I have many 
and I gig all but the Acoustic Electric on a regular basis 
That one I practice with.
and I gig all but the Acoustic Electric on a regular basis That one I practice with.
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I like the wilder looking bases. I own 9 total, 2 BC Rich (Beast & Warlock,) 2 Epiphone T-Birds, 1 flying V, 1 ESP Explorer, 1 Gene Simmons Axe and a 5 string that I never play. The BC Rich's are cool to use in October with Halloween themed shows. The others I rotate in & out but I always have 3 at a show. One tuned to drop d and the other 2 I'll trade out each set. I've broken 2 strings in one show, so I'm a little paranoid about having a spare - spare.
I bought a used Squire for $200. Put a nice set of flat wounds on it, period! Maybe if I had a rock star's money, I would buy more bases. But playing in bar bands doesn't make you wealthy. I just can't understand why I should spend more money buying more basses when the Squire works fine and by balancing the two pickups just right, can get a wide variety of tones. I did buy an electric upright used for cheap and have been getting half good playing it. Took it to a lot of open mics thinking I would get lots of gigs because it is kind of unique, but didn't happen.
I disagree. Different basses have different tones, sure, but you're right that we can get around that. But different basses also have different numbers of frets (including none), different numbers of strings, different fretboard radiuses, and so on. They play differently. Some things are more easily or just better done on one instrument than another.
I owned/played one bass at a time from 1971 until 1988. Then I owned two but only played the newer one until 1998, when I went GAS-crazy and started swapping, buying, selling. Today I own - hmm lemme think - 6 I believe and gig mostly with one of the two Rickenbackers but occasionally use one of the others as the situation dictates (like fretless for a mellow gig, Ibanez Mikro for a very cramped setup.)
Yamaha TRBX304 Candy Apple Red 4 String fretted, and a
Squier 4 String Jazz Bass fretless <------- favorite, and
an NS WAV4 Cello that I use like an upright.
Squier 4 String Jazz Bass fretless <------- favorite, and
an NS WAV4 Cello that I use like an upright.
I use my TF bass exclusively, but I am curious about the flexibility that low B string would give me on a 5-string. I've looked at both MIM Jazz and MM Ray35, 5-string options. Lots of fun, but not the tone of my TF!
I have one primary bass, a custom 4 string P-style bass with a Jazz neck (Mike Lull) but I'll use my custom Nichols short-scale for clubs that are tight on space. I also have a 5 string which I don't really need in the classic rock genre although I used it heavily when playing in bands that covered today's pop or modern country. So, situation-ally I'll vary what I play. I also have a couple of others as spares, you know, just in case. 
Besides, it's fun to switch up every now and then.
Besides, it's fun to switch up every now and then.
I went to a Supertramp arena concert in the 70s and after about 3 numbers the bass player switched from his P bass to a (very in vogue black with chequered binding etc) Rickenbacker 2001. It made the band sound absolutely awful so ever since then I've been very careful to use.........one!!!
My question is how many does one need to express your musicality and do your thing? I have 60 vintage basses from 60s P bass to 1940s upright incl an 8-string (4pairs), bass VIs, baritones and many vtg projects. Theyre all pretty sexy. I sold 20 so far that I didnt need with another 20 for sale... so will keep 40. I actually use half of them and could probably get by with 12 in truth, especially with quite different amps. I play in bands, songwrite, produce, compose and do sessions in: protopunk, glam, post-punk, psych, artrock, noise rock, funk, jazz-punk, dub, trip hop, hip hop, classic 60s-70s rock, reggae, dance punk, mod-comp, kraut, space rock, disco, film music, pop, neo / retro soul, prog, rockabilly, industrial, blues, etc. so I love different sounds, say Motown or Beatles or Stranglers, Wetton, Ox etc. I admittedly have gas addiction and love these objects of beauty, desire and pleasure... like a car collector. Most used: 75 P rounds, 68P flats, 73 P soft rounds, Ovation Magnum II half rnd, fretless J flats, Fretless P rounds, Meazzi Hollywood flats, Magnum 3 rounds, Gretsch (Kay) upright, Bajo Sexto, Eko ABG, Framus hollow, Aria SB1000, Peavey T40, Dinette Spacebass (T-bird config), Aria Starfire, Riverhead Unicorn 1/2 rnds, 73 Tele flats, 1961 Burns Bison. Dano bass 6, Dano baritone. Kinda over the gas now (he says) but I fancy a Ric, EB3L, Guild B301 as well. Help Me!!! haha XX Projects Id keep incl PV midibass, Hayman 4040, Teisco EB200,
JacobMiranda
Freelance Bassist in Southern California
As a busy session musician, it really does depend on the gig. If I have a one off with a band with say a certain sound, and a 45 minute set, I will choose the appropriate bass for sound and look. Now when I am doing my corporate work, I don't have time to change basses. We are in a sense a DJ, so the music does not stop, meaning I need one bass for the whole set. My G&L L-2500 5 string bass has a great sound that mocks just about any sound needed on those setlist. As a minimalist, I think owning a: 4 string passive bass, 4 string active bass, and a 5 string active bass is all you REALLY need. Now get yourself some work.
I have 6, play 3 regularly- all passive 4 stringers. Lakland Bob Glaub, Fender roasted J and Music Man Caprice with flats. Good stuff
I own 11 but really only use 2 now, my Brice 5 string Fretless and my 5 string Dingwall
Gratuitous photo:
Gratuitous photo:
