How many basses have you ever owned?

[Nedmundo]

FWIW I know of guys that have larger $ amounts in their guitar collections than any bassist I've ever known, who can barely play.

My current band's previous lead guitarist was sort of like this. He had 15 guitars, including a few $2,000+ Gibsons and PRS, and yet had never played a gig until this band (at age 39), and he literally couldn't play chords! His bizarre sense of melody and harmony produced some cool Fripp-like leads though.

Anyway, I've owned 13 basses over four periods of playing, which add up to about 13 years. I've had up to seven at a time. I'm now at five, and will probably be down to four by year's end.

 

[Vic Winters]

I am 25. Been playing since 1999 and have owned 11 basses. I still have 9 of them.

 

[Tom Howland]

Have 6 right now.

Over the last 30 years I've owned close to 60 basses.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

This thread has been an eye opener for me. I knew I was on the high end of the spectrum, but I am guessing that I am in the top 5% or so.

One thing I have learned is that I do certainly have a tone, and if I buy a bass I like, I will get my tone. I tend not to like basses that won't let me get my tone, so my sound will not vary that much. Although I plan to get my collection back up to two, I probably will not ever go past three. I also am much less inclined to spend much money for anything because my gigs are volunteer, and I don't see where spending a lot of moeny really gets me much extra benefit. Mind you, I am talking about me!

 

[bassplayer1494]

playing since '07 and i currently have 5 but i only play 2 of them 99.99% of the time

 

[Rockin Mike]

11

 

[malthumb]

?....... I probably will not ever go past three........

I remember making that same statement...think it was 2003......I'm holding tight at 6

 

[lpdeluxe]

I voted for 10 but I miscounted. I think I've owned 12. The first one was a Montgomery Ward special, $120 in a cardboard case in 1981. That got me started, and I didn't own a decent bass until 2000, when I got a Carvin LB20. Somehow that got me a full-time bass gig, and I rapidly acquired (frequently sold/traded) a G&L Tribute L2K, a Fender '51 P RI, a Squier II P, a Classic '50s P, a fretless Jazz, an Ibanez AB305, a Martin B-1, a Fender Standard FSR with a fretless Warmoth neck, an AV '57 P and the latest, a Godin A5 fretless.

It's been a matter of finding my own sound, and most of the basses have been a step up tone-wise. I have five right now: the '51 and Classic '50s, the FSR, the AV '57 and the Godin. The Classic '50s will be sold to a friend, the FSR will probably get traded off (for a non-bass item)and that leaves three: The '51, the AV '57 and the Godin. I probably will never buy another one.

I learned an important lesson in all of this: be critical when buying, avoid bling, and don't be afraid to spend the money for the right bass. Had I had these three instruments back in '81, they would have been the only ones! The total I spent on them was $630+$1500+trades and another $150. Not bad for killer axes that have gigged many times with me.

 

[Testing_123]

I'm 36 years old. As a bassist, I have been active in bands since 1996.

I have owned a few amps, but only one bass in that time, a MIM Fender J.

Lately, I've been thinking about adding a P to my arsenal, but I haven't found the right instrument yet.

Clearly, I'm w a y behind most other TB'ers in the numbers game...

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I remember making that same statement...think it was 2003......I'm holding tight at 6

Dude, I may want to have six, but I gotta get them past my wife!

 

[blackba]

Been playing since 1994. Only owned 6 basses, currently own 2.

 

[foderaman]

Been playing since 1969 would guess at about 150 basses now have 12.

 

[fullrangebass]

I've owned more than 200 basses and definitely more than 50 basses in my hands at some point. Still I'm nowhere close to 20 or 30 still... Will count and report back

 

[renobassman]

I started in 2002 and have had 5 total and still have 4 of them. The only one I don't have anymore is the cheap Peavey I started on. That bass is actually on its third owner now and still going strong!

Basses I still have:
Ibanez EDA 905
Geddy Lee Jazz Bass
MIM fretless Jazz
MIA standard Jazz

I don't use the EDA 905 anymore, but I like having it because it's kinda unique.

 

[Ken J]

Horn player converted to 4 strings looking to fit it with the local garage bands.
Taking professional lessons and getting better.
I did see a quote that makes me think though.
“Easy to play but a life time to master”
I just hope I have enough life left to master.

 

[nurnay]

Pretty tame total for me - 11 since 1989. Currently own 4 (2 5-bangers and 2 4-bangers).

 

[bassinplace]

My starter was an Ibanez. Then got a Stingray used. Then bought an old Washburn beater so I could defret it. Couple weeks ago just bought a Squier CV P bass which I like better than all of 'em. The Washburn is still just sitting there untouched. I should sell it and the Ibanez cuz they're gettin no love from me.

 

[Timmay on bass]

I might have been able to put 5-10 basses if I didn't live in the same town as Bass NW!

 

[Sbociol]

19.

 

[Flaked Beans]

More than 10! (something like 150 basses, to be more precise ), since late '70s. 70% of them were vintage fenders and 30% hand made/boutique basses. Right now I own about 25 basses.