How many basses do you WANT versus NEED?

[alaskaleftybass]

man i would take my bass and amp on a motor scooter if i have to but there again i am an old git

I would need one of those tricycle mopeds!

 

[rollie 55]

I have two built in regulators: 1. I live on an island in Alaska with no music store. 2. I play left handed strung righty. For every 1,000 basses I look at 1 might possible accomodate my weird playing style. Not enough good lefty basses out there! You righty's don't know how spoiled you are!

have i got this right you play a left hand bass strung for right hand players if so RESPECT

 

[alaskaleftybass]

have i got this right you play a left hand bass strung for right hand players if so RESPECT

Thank you. Most other musicians just call me weird! LOL

 

[SBassman]

I'm definitely not someone who gets joy out of Collecting. There are those types in the universe. I have an old friend who literally rents storage space for his "Collection" - of almost 300 guitars. He's out of his mind, and to add insult to injury - he doesn't play anymore.

I'll never get into that. But I Do enjoy picking up a different bass. I would never want to be at just 1.

I find even having a pair of the same model instrument is inspiring - because every bass is a little different.

 

[rollie 55]

Thank you. Most other musicians just call me weird! LOL

what do musicians know all they ever talk about is string gauges

 

[kittywithabanjo]

4 would do, but I have more.

 

[rmayer]

Short answer...25 vs 1.

 

[rollie 55]

4 would do, but I have more.

and why not lets join the party of i have more than 1 bass

 

[Nephilymbass]

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?

I have three.wouldnt mind another Dingwall to bring balance to the force lol.

It’s all “want” at this point. As far as balancing overall wants/needs I try to look at the big picture. Family always comes first but I’d rather buy another Dingwall than a fancy car that loses half of its value when you drive it off the car lot and basically all of its value after 6 years. I’d rather buy another Dingwall than a giant zombie apocalypse mansion that will have outrageous taxes and utility bills FOREVER even after the house is paid for. I think I’m pretty reasonable about my gear though. It’s not like I work at mcDonalds. I work At one of the busiest hospitals in the country and my wife has her masters degree and makes more than I do. Most of the money I’ve spent on gear lately is actually money Ive saved after I quit smoking. Seriously folks. GAS was a huge positive motivator for me to quit smoking. I wasn’t really set on quitting until my wife said “if you quit, you can spend all the money you save on gear.” I quit smoking and my wife kept her word. I think a new bass amp will by me next buy. Can’t wait to see what new at NAMM.

 

[rollie 55]

what do musicians know all they ever talk about is string gauges

horace panter bassist out of the specials a band from coventry in the uk. thought me this lesson about musicians

 

[rollie 55]

I have three.wouldnt mind another Dingwall to bring balance to the force lol.
View attachment 3280411
It’s all “want” at this point. As far as balancing overall wants/needs I try to look at the big picture. Family always comes first but I’d rather buy another Dingwall than a fancy car that loses half of its value when you drive it off the car lot and basically all of its value after 6 years. I’d rather buy another Dingwall than a giant zombie apocalypse mansion that will have outrageous taxes and utility bills FOREVER even after the house is paid for. I think I’m pretty reasonable about my gear though. It’s not like I work at mcDonalds. I work At one of the busiest hospitals in the country and my wife has her masters degree and makes more than I do. Most of the money I’ve spent on gear lately is actually money Ive saved after I quit smoking. Seriously folks. GAS was a huge positive motivator for me to quit smoking. I wasn’t really set on quitting until my wife said “if you quit, you can spend all the money you save on gear.” I quit smoking and my wife kept her word. I think a new bass amp will by me next buy. Can’t wait to see what new at NAMM.

cool

 

[RBrownBass]

Yeah , he only supported his family for well over a decade, playing about 8 hours a day, six days a week, and played on more hits than any bassist of his time. Just think what he could have done with a second bass...

The string issue had exactly nothing to do with a second bass.

Well, let's see... food, clothing, shelter, medicine...

You're right. None of us needs a bass at all, not even Jamerson. He could have supported his family doing something else, whether he owned one bass or ten.

 

[GIBrat51]

How many basses do I want? Well... I'm currently missing only one bass that I want. Which - assuming I can ever find it - will make 25. As for how many basses do I need? If push came to shove, the answer is - none. As I've said before; I'm not a musician who likes bikes; I'm a biker who likes basses. What I need is a new one of these..

 

[rollie 55]

View attachment 3280662 How many basses do I want? Well... I'm currently missing only one bass that I want. Which - assuming I can ever find it - will make 25. As for how many basses do I need? If push came to shove, the answer is - none. As I've said before; I'm not a musician who likes bikes; I'm a biker who likes basses. What I need is a new one of these..

man im a biker as well i love bikes and i love basses

 

[NOVAX]

Need: 1
Want: 1 more

 

[MD]

Three basses...
1 regular play/gig ABG.
1 camping/on a stand 24-7 to grab anytime ABG.
My first bass, '67P - back up gig/grab when I'm just sitting in for a few tunes.

Don't want or need anything else.

 

[jharms80439]

Need = 3 (Upright, one do it all bass to play most anything and a fretless - as a backup to both)

Have = 6 (the 3 above, a Precision with flats, a PJ with rounds and a backup to my DIA bass, but the DIA backup is a 5 string)

Depends on who I’m playing with as to what I bring - well that and the season as my upright doesn’t leave the house during Winter.

Either way, I normally just bring two - but which two depends on who I’m playing with or subbing for...

John

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I have seven and am not in a band. So maybe one more.

 

[Hevy T]

All of them / one

Ditto skipper!

 

[npbassman]

For the purpose of needing a tool to do the job at the gig, I need one. For the purpose of collecting basses to add to my stable as a bass guitar enthusiast to look at, admire, and take general pleasure in simply owning a particular model, I want it all!