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How many basses do you WANT versus NEED?

#201
Short answer is one...

Current Stock:
Fender American Pro Jazz
Lakland Skyline 44-02
Rickenbacker 4003
Fender '54 Reissue Flower P

I currently want another fretless, as I miss having one around. It's not a deep burning GAS situation though. If I only could have one, it'd be the Lakland. It's been with me the longest and really can get you 90% of the way there for any sounds I'd want. The Jazz/Lakland are redundant though, they sound different, but only in a way people obsessed (looking at all of you all) would notice. I held back the jonesing for a Jazz for three years before finally buying one. Big Rush/Yes fan, so I had to have a Ric. It's more wall art then anything though. I do enjoy playing the '54 and it really fills the need for a proper "P" in my mind, but I would never seriously consider playing the thing because of the bridge. Two saddles is two too few.
 
#203
If you are gigging, it’s two. At least. Because something can go wrong with your old reliable and you need a backup. It’s that simple. Now, if buying more makes you happy, then the right amount is n+1, where n is how many you currently own. It’s that simple.
 
#206
nostatic said:
Actually your assumption is somewhat flawed out of the gate. A bass guitar isn't just a "tool to create music" - it depends on the person. By the broadest definition, it is a physical object. It can be used to make music. It can be viewed as sculpture. It can serve as an investment. While the original design was to make music, like all objects, it can serve multiple uses.

That assumption aside, since you ask about needs, perhaps we should invoke Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:

View attachment 3280309

The bottom represents the critical human needs, and "Psychological" refers to survival needs - food, water, shelter, sleep, sex. Not clear a bass falls into that level of "need" unless you're *really* friendly with your bass.

The second level refers to security (personal, emotional, financial) and health. I could argue that playing bass is good for my health, and that it is a security blanket, but when push comes to shove there probably are other objects that are more mission-critical.

The next two levels are probably the true sweet spot of need concerning basses - social belonging and esteem. If you're on TB posting about basses, then you're fulfilling these two levels of Maslow's hierarchy.

The self-actualization level is where many aspire to, playing music to realize our inner goals and needs. Above that, I aspire to transcendence, but it is elusive. Thankfully it isn't that necessary according to Maslow.
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You are correct Todd and of course any statement can be argued, I just made a blunt generalization to finish my post.I'll also admit I have tons of flaws! :)

Coming back to bass, isn't a bass built to be enjoyed after all. I suppose enjoyment can be ownership.
It can also be the potential the bass has while it sits in its case (Like the anticipation of playing it, what one plans on doing with it, etc....no friendliness I hope! haha)

What is instrument enjoyment after all. I suppose some individuals don't mind hanging a bass on a wall to collect dust for decades and are just as happy with that. I have heard the phrase that human beings tend to want what they don't have.....but ultimately...once they get it....they won't want it anymore!
So, what's the point of 'wanting a bunch of basses'? We should all appreciate what we have!
And that goes with everything in life. :)

Sorry Todd....took my reply a little further than I expected too.....but I liked this response on psychology, it's fascinating stuff!!!
 
#207
bassballs27 said:
You are correct Todd and of course any statement can be argued, I just made a blunt generalization to finish my post.I'll also admit I have tons of flaws! :)

Coming back to bass, isn't a bass built to be enjoyed after all. I suppose enjoyment can be ownership.
It can also be the potential the bass has while it sits in its case (Like the anticipation of playing it, what one plans on doing with it, etc....no friendliness I hope! haha)

What is instrument enjoyment after all. I suppose some individuals don't mind hanging a bass on a wall to collect dust for decades and are just as happy with that. I have heard the phrase that human beings tend to want what they don't have.....but ultimately...once they get it....they won't want it anymore!
So, what's the point of 'wanting a bunch of basses'? We should all appreciate what we have!
And that goes with everything in life. :)

Sorry Todd....took my reply a little further than I expected too.....but I liked this response on psychology, it's fascinating stuff!!!
Click to expand...

People are odd and interesting ;)

I had two main points to make. One was that bass guitars may have been built for a task, but like many objects, their existence touches different people in different ways. So if we're going to talk wants/needs, then we probably need to narrow the playing field a bit or define terms. I think you were asking if we *need* more than one for playing. I intentionally broadened it because after 15 years on TB, the TB community certainly has a wide variety of motivations and situations involving the bass.

The second was to bring in Maslow because people (sociologists/psychologists/anthropologists) have thought rather deeply about the underlying issues and have come up with frameworks that allow us to work through questions in a somewhat rigorous fashion. Not everyone wants to get all existential, but thinking a bit about why we do what we do can be enlightening, and sometimes save us money :D

There is a fundamental reality that many humans still channel their ancestral tendencies and get excited by "the chase." Very common on TB (and common with me) - we look around for "the one" or something intriguing, stalk our prey, then, overcome with the thrill of the chase, pull the trigger (courtesy of PayPal). Then a few days later we lay our hands on the prey, and are either let down (dings on the headstock, stripped trussed) or thrilled ("best bass ever, I'm done looking"). Then as time wears on, we get cabin fever, and start longing for the hunt, as our captured prey has now become somewhat boring and stale.

Same as it ever was!
 
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#208
buldog5151bass said:
Unless you are gigging consistently multiple times a week, there is no justification for "needing" a second bass. But we like shiny things...
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right because mechanics only need 1 wrench...artists only need one paint brush, photographers only need one lens, and women only need 1 pair of shoes...

There are a myriad number of reasons why a player would need more than 1 bass

Having done a lot of studio work over the years I could easily say you need at least two...A P and a J...

Having played live in lot's of less than perfect scenarios over the years I could also add you need at least 1 active bass (and a back-up just in case)...(that's three total so far)

with the newer trends in country and pop music over the last decade I could also add that you need a least 1 5 string bass (now we are up to 4)

one could also argue the benefits or reasons for an upright double bass and or an acoustic electric (that's 5 or 6 now)

we can't generalize the needs of other players and make blanket statements

I personally have 13 basses which include an Acoustic electric and an upright electric...(I'm trying to get down to 10)

after 35 years of playing I rotate at least three on a consistent basis ( P, J, and P/J) and on my metal gigs I toss in my RIC (as nothing sounds as good as a distorted RIC)

so to answer the question I need at least 4...(and each of those 4 has a back-up in case of emergency) but I don't want more than 10 as they take up too much room and are difficult to maintain (strings, set-up's, maintenance etc..)
 
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#215
I kind of agree with the "be careful with the things you own because one day they could end up owning you" quote.

I used to have a room full of guitars and basses (upward of 20) and a bunch of vintage Fender tube amps, lap steel, an old Sho-Bud pedal steel, etc. I almost felt obligated and pressured to play everything. Funny to say, but it was a bit stressful in it's own weird way (first world problem, I know). I've since paired down a ton, and sold of a lot of guitars, and still have two more nice Martin acoustics I've recently also decided to sell to thin the herd even more.

For a while I had only one bass (Classic 50's P with flats) and yesterday I picked up a really nice '08 American Standard that the previous owner had professionally setup, frets dressed, and had an NP4 pickup installed. The thing punches and grinds, and my Classic 50's with flats thumps.

I like simplicity and less is more for me, and 2 basses is more than I'll ever need. I honestly really have no desire for more basses, and probably only really ever need one, but it is nice having two basses. Anything more than that though will probably stress me out again and I'll start feeling guilt!
 
#216
Vinnie Boombatz said:
I kind of agree with the "be careful with the things you own because one day they could end up owning you" quote.

I used to have a room full of guitars and basses (upward of 20) and a bunch of vintage Fender tube amps, lap steel, an old Sho-Bud pedal steel, etc. I almost felt obligated and pressured to play everything. Funny to say, but it was a bit stressful in it's own weird way (first world problem, I know). I've since paired down a ton, and sold of a lot of guitars, and still have two more nice Martin acoustics I've recently also decided to sell to thin the herd even more.

For a while I had only one bass (Classic 50's P with flats) and yesterday I picked up a really nice '08 American Standard that the previous owner had professionally setup, frets dressed, and had an NP4 pickup installed. I like simplicity and less is more for me, and 2 basses is more than I'll ever need. I honestly really have no desire for more basses, and probably only really eve need one, but it is nice having two basses. Anything more than that though will probably stress me out again and I'll start feeling guilt!
Click to expand...
it dont really matter just keep on rockin :bassist:
 
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#219
Vinnie Boombatz said:
I kind of agree with the "be careful with the things you own because one day they could end up owning you" quote.

I used to have a room full of guitars and basses (upward of 20) and a bunch of vintage Fender tube amps, lap steel, an old Sho-Bud pedal steel, etc. I almost felt obligated and pressured to play everything. Funny to say, but it was a bit stressful in it's own weird way (first world problem, I know). I've since paired down a ton, and sold of a lot of guitars, and still have two more nice Martin acoustics I've recently also decided to sell to thin the herd even more.

For a while I had only one bass (Classic 50's P with flats) and yesterday I picked up a really nice '08 American Standard that the previous owner had professionally setup, frets dressed, and had an NP4 pickup installed. The thing punches and grinds, and my Classic 50's with flats thumps.

I like simplicity and less is more for me, and 2 basses is more than I'll ever need. I honestly really have no desire for more basses, and probably only really ever need one, but it is nice having two basses. Anything more than that though will probably stress me out again and I'll start feeling guilt!
Click to expand...

Bah! I just bought another bass this afternoon! IT never ends! Unless of course, you want it to end. LOL!

Interesting though isn't it that you felt stressed to have to play all your basses? Well, maybe you were just finding out what you wanted / needed.....and those basses that stayed with you....are still with you!
 
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#220
bassballs27 said:
Bah! I just bought another bass this afternoon! IT never ends! Unless of course, you want it to end. LOL!

Interesting though isn't it that you felt stressed to have to play all your basses? Well, maybe you were just finding out what you wanted / needed.....and those basses that stayed with you....are still with you!
Click to expand...

Its was predominantly guitars at the time, but same thing I guess. I tend to focus more on playing and creating when I have less to work with. Might sound strange, but it's what I found works for me over the years. Same thing with guitar pedals. For me less is more, and the less knobs the better, otherwise an hour has passed and all I've done spent that time turning knobs and trying to get a better sound. When I limit that I tend to be more productive. Not knocking anyone else who thinks differently of course.
 

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