I think too many is 1 more than you can afford. If you have the financial means to own 200 basses and want 200 basses, go for it. If you can't pay bills because you're buying basses; you have too many.
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How many is too many?
- Thread starter KrisH
- Start date
I have too many... some day I will downsize... but why now when I am enjoying it? 
If and when I start a family I will likely start a downsize.. and gladly. If I never do then I might never downsize.
If and when I start a family I will likely start a downsize.. and gladly. If I never do then I might never downsize.
Unless I misunderstood, I don't think the OP was asking how many was too many to OWN. That's up to everybody's personal preferences and financial situation. I think he was asking how many was too many to take on a gig so as not to appear "ostentatious".
I agree with many of the previous posters that 2 basses is normally sufficient for a gig. I guess there are exceptions; but for most of us "barroom" or "party" giggers, a main bass and a back-up should work. If you're out on tour, that's a different story. Personally, I'd feel pretty foolish having 3 or more sitting on stands at a normal gig. But yes, that's just my opinion...
I agree with many of the previous posters that 2 basses is normally sufficient for a gig. I guess there are exceptions; but for most of us "barroom" or "party" giggers, a main bass and a back-up should work. If you're out on tour, that's a different story. Personally, I'd feel pretty foolish having 3 or more sitting on stands at a normal gig. But yes, that's just my opinion...
Way back when... (Maybe in the 80s.) I decided that less is much better than more.. Less is easier to haul.. Less is easier to keep track of.. Everything I need for any gig will load on a Magliner and in one trip. One bass. One amp. One rack. One cab. One mic stand. It has worked for me all these years. But just like everything else, it's all about what makes it fun for you! If you want to take 10 basses to a gig, go for it! It sure looks cool if nothing else!
Cc.
Cc.
More than I have!
Seriously, I am not sure if you are asking how many basses is too many, or how many basses at a gig is too many.
For the first question, I own 13, and hope to sell a couple of my four bangers and one of my fivers to buy a seven. That will reduce me to 11, and get rid of some things I don't play and replace them with something I will.
For the second question, these days, I play strictly at church. I always have two basses, mostly out of habit. On Sunday morning and evening, I have my main basses, my Nordstand SC5, and my Zon Sonus Custom fretless 5. That way, I have a backup, and I will use the fretless on the softer songs, during prayer, etc, and the Nordstrand for our lively Urban Gospel influenced stuff.
On Wednesday night, I will take either my Cirrus 6 or Lakland D55-01, and one of my four bangers, using the four much the same way I use my fretless on Sundays.
If that makes me pretentious, so be it!
Seriously, I am not sure if you are asking how many basses is too many, or how many basses at a gig is too many.
For the first question, I own 13, and hope to sell a couple of my four bangers and one of my fivers to buy a seven. That will reduce me to 11, and get rid of some things I don't play and replace them with something I will.
For the second question, these days, I play strictly at church. I always have two basses, mostly out of habit. On Sunday morning and evening, I have my main basses, my Nordstand SC5, and my Zon Sonus Custom fretless 5. That way, I have a backup, and I will use the fretless on the softer songs, during prayer, etc, and the Nordstrand for our lively Urban Gospel influenced stuff.
On Wednesday night, I will take either my Cirrus 6 or Lakland D55-01, and one of my four bangers, using the four much the same way I use my fretless on Sundays.
If that makes me pretentious, so be it!
