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How many basses do you WANT versus NEED?

That hasn't happened to me for over 25 years but an incident traumatized me back then (I think!). :-D

I know that feeling. Back before I bought a proper stand and stopped leaning my bass against my amp, I once knocked my bass over at a gig and broke a string, without having any replacements or a backup bass.

I was able to rescue the situation only because I happened to have a heavy guitar string in my gig bag, and the break was above the nut, so I have able to tie a knot in the two strings, reattach it, tune, and play. It actually held so well, I played like that for months before bothering to replace the whole set.

That's the only time I've broken a string, though, and it was at least 16 years ago, because I only owned one bass before 2002.
 
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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.


How does the Gibson Money compare to the G3? I like my G3 but got stars in my eyes when I saw a Money Bass. Very curious. Thanks!
 
Want? Around 20-30 should probably cover everything I want.

Need? Two top quality P-basses, one with flats, one with rounds + one great sounding short scale hollowbody.
 
How does the Gibson Money compare to the G3? I like my G3 but got stars in my eyes when I saw a Money Bass. Very curious. Thanks!
My G3 was my first “real” bass and I learned on it so it’s hard to compare. The body on the Money is smaller and the neck is thinner but the sound is all Gibson, pretty versatile tone palette. I have a blue Money for sale in the classifieds for a steal right now. I’m trying to fund a US Geddy or a Ric.
 
Need = your favorite brand of P bass goes here.

Want = 5 string StingRay, Custom built bass such as P or J style bass (with a tasty roasted Warmoth neck, for example)

That's it, that's the list.

Anything else is going to be like frosting on a brownie. You can do that, but why destroy a perfectly good brownie like that?
 
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I'm sure that each one of us plays only one bass at a time. One bass. One wife/husband/spouse. One house Okay, I know some people have more than one house but almost always they are in different locations. However, I am considering getting an electric bass but, even though it's called a bass, I don't really consider it a bass. It's more of a bass guitar so it's a different instrument.
ok, what?
 
I draw the line not accurately mind you but close enough to all I can manage . Right now that is at 20 . They get played on a slow rotation but if I get anymore then some will sit and that is when I have too many . Instruments must be played to stay in this herd .
 
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I suppose I agree with many when I say I only "NEED" one bass to be able to play bass.

But as we all know, they all sound and feel different. And different applications call for different setups.

I currently have 4. All different pickup arrangements, woods, neck radii, weights, etc. At this point, I feel like a JBass would complete my "needs" list, but my want list would never end. I want em all, but that's obviously not practical. So I try to make the basses I DO have vary pretty greatly so I can make the most of my "wants to needs" ratio.

I'm far from rich, but I like options.
 
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I need a good short scale - Gibson SG, EPI, Mustang, Lakland HB-30, various Reverend...

And I love owning Fretless 34 (Rob Allen), 5 String (Ken Smith), old school (EB-2) and accoustic (Taylor Mini)

And I'd like to add a Fretless 30 (Rob Allen Mouse), and.... Changing to a new good quality bass is like being able to sing with a great new voice.
 
Need = your favorite brand of P bass goes here.

Want = 5 string StingRay, Custom built bass such as P or J style bass (with a tasty roasted Warmoth neck, for example)

That's it, that's the list.

Anything else is

There has never been and will never be a Precision Bass in my life. Don't need one, don't want one. Precision Basses are ugly to my eyes and boring to my ears.

Jazz, StingRay, and Warwick are my taste. Anything that appeals to me is going to be a variation on one of those.
 
Im exactly the opposite I even love the back side of Pbass
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My problem is, I'm super picky about basses.

In Fender basses, I only like the small body American Deluxe Jazz Bass V (1998-2009). I might like the Steve Bailey 6-string, but I haven't been lucky enough to find one to demo, and 6-strings are a bit intimidating.

In Music Man basses, I only like the 4-string StingRay.

In Warwick basses, I can't stand their 16.5 mm 5-string spacing, so I'm limited to either their 4-string models or their Broad Neck models.

Somewhere among those three are the four basses I need: One fretted, one fretless, one backup for each.

One fretless, I'm comfortable with four strings. I don't really feel the need for a low B on fretless. But on fretted, I want the low B, and I've never regularly played a four string fretted bass, so I'm a little bit afraid of them.

My first bass and my main bass for 20 years, my only fretted bass, was a Fender Jazz Plus V.
 
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My problem is, I'm super picky about basses.

In Fender basses, I only like the small body American Deluxe Jazz Bass V (1998-2009). I might like the Steve Bailey 6-string, but I haven't been lucky enough to find one to demo, and 6-strings are a bit intimidating.

In Music Man basses, I only like the 4-string StingRay.

In Warwick basses, I can't stand their 16.5 mm 5-string spacing, so I'm limited to either their 4-string models or their Broad Neck models.

Somewhere among those three are the four basses I need: One fretted, one fretless, one backup for each.

One fretless, I'm comfortable with four strings. I don't really feel the need for a low B on fretless. But on fretted, I want the low B, and I've never regularly played a four string fretted bass, so I'm a little bit afraid of them.

My first bass and my main bass for 20 years, my only fretted bass, was a Fender Jazz Plus V.
i like all bass guitars. i play 4 5 6 string. and fretless. aswell havent really came across a bass i really disliked my main bass is my six string its a chepo but i like. it its best not to get intimidated by the big 6 after all they are useful rockin tools :thumbsup: :bassist: