How many basses do you WANT versus NEED?

[bassballs27]

Maybe the title post question actually defines G.A.S.. At least anyone who answers this question, you’re doing some self reflection. Please answer honestly.

I was once told an interesting phrase once which is “be careful with the things you own because one day they could end up owning you.”

A bass guitar at the end of the day is a tool to create music. I justify my bass needs / wants by the fact that not all basses are created equal, so having a bunch is like a painters pallet of colours. But how many colours does one need? What if just one bass is the only pallet you really need?

I think the battle of needs and wants is what makes life interesting. I’ve had up to 13 basses in my house at one time but knew a few were on their way out. It’s crazy how much money and time one can spend on this battle.
At the moment, I’ve got a closet I use to gauge what “too many” basses is to me. If the closet is full or there are basses sitting outside of it because they can’t fit...time to re-evaluate.

I’ve even thought of limiting myself to one bass per brand, but I seem to be stuck at two at the moment. At this point in time I have 5 incredible instruments that have taken me 7 years to find. Some you might know that I’ve done a tone of buying, trading, and selling on this site. The Classified section on this site has been my bain at times! LOL

Anyway, enough about me for now...let’s hear from others!
Why do you own the basses that you have?

 

[buldog5151bass]

Unless you are gigging consistently multiple times a week, there is no justification for "needing" a second bass. But we like shiny things...

 

[shawshank72]

I only need one but I’d like a roomful.
Used to have the roomful but over the years have given them away.
Single bass user nowadays.

 

[chris_b]

A bass guitar at the end of the day is a tool to create music.

This.

My wants and needs are exactly the same. The best sounding bass, that takes no effort to play. Oh, and a similar backup.

 

[Bob_Ross]

A long while ago I composed a lengthy and detailed dissertation for justifying the basses I owned. The consensus at that time was that for the music I do in the situations where I do it, I needed 4 or 5 instruments. At that time, I owned 6.

Now I own 8.

If money were no object, I'd probably own >20. But I don't think anything's changed drastically about the music I do or the situations where I do it, so I can't really justify owning more than 4 or 5.

 

[lz4005]

Unless you are gigging consistently multiple times a week, there is no justification for "needing" a second bass. But we like shiny things...

You're wrong. Frequency of gigs has nothing to do with it.

I have gigs and studio projects that specifically call for fretted, fretless and electric upright basses. One instrument can't make all three of those sounds.

 

[saltydude]

I’m good.
I had 10.
Just sold 2.
Now I’ve got 8.
I realistically need 4.

 

[WillieB]

A daily twelve step program for me! I've owned up to 15 but most went unused.

currently: 2 fender P's(rounds, flats) 1 fender jazz, 1 mutt PJ (swiss army) 1 fretless.
To complete the list will be a short scale and a fender '51 P.

so .... with help .... from a higher power I will keep the number to 7 or less.

amen


unless ...... a 5 and or 6 string .... hmmmm

oh crap chad reminded me ..... a hofner, hollowbody, ric, tbird

thy number shall be 13 for WANT

Need one

 

[chadhargis]

If you are a working musician you need “tools” to do any job you’re asked to do. That may be a hollow body for one gig and a P bass for another.

If you are performing, you may have an image you’re trying to portray. If you’re in a KISS cover band you may need a Punisher or axe bass. If you’re tributing the Beatles you may need a Hofner or Ric.

Then there are bedroom rockstars like me. I have several basses. They all sound and feel different. I enjoy them all just like a woman enjoys 30 pairs of shoes and earrings.

There is no correct number. Buy as many as you want.

 

[Anachronism]

This sort of question has no place on this website.

 

[Groove Doctor]

When you finally get a music room but can’t sit in there because it’s stuffed full of music gear.

 

[Kro]

Unless you are gigging consistently multiple times a week, there is no justification for "needing" a second bass. But we like shiny things...

I disagree. A backup bass is an insurance policy. I've had basses start exhibiting weird problems before a show. It's been a very long time since I've had to call up my backup, but I'd say that any amount of actual paid gigs on the books necessitates having a backup on hand.

I find it also helps one make better decisions when it comes to repairs, as there isn't quite as much urgency to address the issue.

After two though... then I'd say it comes more down to wanting to have more specific tools for specific jobs.

FWIW I just picked up my 3rd bass a few weeks ago. Before that I made due with 2 for over a decade of gigging.

 

[sikamikanico]

I need at least 3, but I want to do it all with just 1

 

[jaco944]

I have bought and sold multiple times usually getting up to 14 or 15 then selling down to 4 or 5. The stress I feel is real when the number gets high and I know I can’t play them all. I just got my Geddy Jazz and after a few weeks put these up for sale
Epi Casady
Gibson Money
Fender RW P
Lakland 5
Fender Flea
Ovation Magnum
Today my intent is to keep
Refin RW P
Gibson G3
Carvin
EBMM Stingray and the Geddy.
For the first time I feel like this may be it.....except for a Ric and maybe a Geddy USA Jazz......hahaha it never stops.

 

[garp]

The number that I want is steadily decreasing with time. Another TBer recently posted that he had culled his herd down to three nice instruments, and I was actually jealous.

 

[ppiluk]

I currently have 5 which is a soft limit for me.

I don’t gig often but if I did I would likely only need my P-Bass and my Jazz bass.

I like playing all my basses and do so frequently. I will get rid of any bass I feel will not get played much.

Saying that, if money and space were less of a problem I would increase my soft limit to something that still made sense.

 

[Stranger Danger]

You only need one

 

[Scottgun]

I need only one. I want a backup which can be reasonably justified. Everything after is pure want.

 

[TheReceder]

Need = 0
Want = All of them.

 

[Rabidhamster]

All of them / one