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How many basses do you WANT versus NEED?

#41
Savage_Dreams said:
doesnt matter if its 1 show a day or 1 show a year, your bass doenst know the difference, it can happen anytime without warning. the day your bass fails.... youll wish you had a backup.

i need 3, my main 4 string and a backup, and my 12 string. i currently have 10. i want more!
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I would bet there are more of us with a backup bass than a backup car. What does that say about it? I'm guessing transportation is more important
 
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#45
Obviously, you need one bass, if you are going to be a bass player. Zero wouldn’t cut it.

Based on past polls, there is a somewhat skewed Gaussian distribution, with a max around 7 bass guitars for the TB active respondents. So, many of us end up with 6 or 7. Which tend to fit in one closet. So, using a closet as a gauge seems about “normal.”

I’m past the age where I feel either the inclination or necessity to explain my bass related possessions to anyone, other than my spouse. I will admit that as I’m getting older, I’m getting more interested in having less; or, to be more accurate, having the right stuff and no more. Some of my basses are intended for gigs that I may never get to play again. Progressive Jazz type stuff, for example, seems to have fewer opportunities. And, with no new forms on the horizon, I certainly don’t see more basses in my future. Fewer would be more likely.
 
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#47
Coming to the end of the exploration of what I need, I can finalize my plan and move the rest of the herd. For three years I've been exploring different things (fretless/five string/6 string/P/acoustic, etc) and have come to the conclusion that I prefer the passive Ps. 11-12 basses have passed through my house (some have stayed longer than others) not to mention having played countless hangers in music shops to get to where I am.

I run 5 string fretted for my rock cover band stuff and 5 string fretless for my jazz stuff. I have my fretted needs covered : MIA Fender P 5 (main player) and a Squier P 5 (Backup). Right now I use an LTD fretless 5 as my go to with my old friend a Carvin LB75 fretless as the backup. Both are jazz active clones.

I still want to try a fretless with the P pups, but need to find something to play on before I can make the final call. May have to buy a cheap 4 string to defret for the test. Once I can see if I like it, I'll either convert my current jazzes to PJs with a passive mode or try to find some more 5 string Ps (not going to buy all new!) and defret them. In addition to that I have a fretless acoustic that I hoped to use for my jazz project, but can't control the feedback, so it is just my acoustic bass.

Once this is settled, and I have moved the ones I'll no longer use, I should be at point that I have what I NEED, which is what I really WANT - to put n end to the GAS! I don't tend to lust after basses just "because". I spent a vacation's worth of money on basses last year - necessary to get where I am, but a little regrettable when I quantify it like that....
 
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#52
I fall into the category of constantly gigging/recording, so I need at least 4 or 5. A good J bass, a good P bass, a bass tuned down a half step, a hollowbody, a five string, plus backups. For example this week I have two sessions...one that requires a standard tuned bass AND an Eb tuned bass, and the music is hard rock/metal. But the second session is bluesy/roots rock, standard tuned, so probably bring my vintage Jazz bass.
 
#56
sstillwell said:
Maybe there's a good rule of thumb there: own as many as people will give you. Corollary: Never turn down a gift bass.
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...but I'll have to say my L-2500 is lucky #13 for me. Two Alembic Epics (4 & 6 string), two Jazz, two Precision Specials, one Precision, two SBMMs (Ray34, SUB Ray5), Steinberger 5 (cheap modern one, not carbon fiber), Hofner beatle bass, Schecter C-4, G&L L-2500 Tribute.
 
#57
I am widdling it down from 5 to 2.

Will probably always keep a Fender product around because people recognize the jazz and P, and occasionally ask for one (right now it is a Jazz 5 Deluxe with blocks). And also planning to keep my Custom Roscoe LG3005 because it is amazing in every way.
 

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