• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

If I can only have 2 (or possibly 3, max)....

tmckenn2

tmckenn2

Mar 15, 2014
58
111
#1
Wife and I are getting ready to downsize our lives (smaller place, less stuff). I have to make some bass related decisions. I am not actively gigging anymore, just one offs and fun stuff with old bandmates now - and playing around the house for my own enjoyment. I am no longer going to have a "bass room" so I have to thin the heard as they say. Thought I would take some votes here and see what you guys think. What 2 to 3 basses to I keep:

2010 Fender 51 MIJ reissue bass
2008 Squier Vintage modified TB bass
2014 Fender Cabronita bass
2019 Epiphone Thunderbird (silverburst)
Eastwood EB-1 bass
2008 Squier Jazz bass
2011 Squier Classic Vibe 51 bass
 
  • Like
Reactions: CallMeAl and Araya
#4
Gosh, are you getting a “tiny” house?…😳😁

If it were that many cars, boats, pianos, or a pile of antique furniture, I could see the need to scale back some.

But that would be a tough call with that collection.

Not making light of your situation by any means.

Good luck with whatever you decide.
 
#7
I have a couple of basses I like to keep hanging on the wall. They look so cool, it warms my cockles to see them every time I come home.
I wouldn't keep them if I didn't play them out occasionally. But, if I were going to mostly retire from playing, then maybe the wall art metric would become a higher priority.
 
#8
tmckenn2 said:
Wife and I are getting ready to downsize our lives (smaller place, less stuff). I have to make some bass related decisions. I am not actively gigging anymore, just one offs and fun stuff with old bandmates now - and playing around the house for my own enjoyment. I am no longer going to have a "bass room" so I have to thin the heard as they say. Thought I would take some votes here and see what you guys think. What 2 to 3 basses to I keep:

2010 Fender 51 MIJ reissue bass
2008 Squier Vintage modified TB bass
2014 Fender Cabronita bass
2019 Epiphone Thunderbird (silverburst)
Eastwood EB-1 bass
2008 Squier Jazz bass
2011 Squier Classic Vibe 51 bass
Click to expand...
Given that all of those basses are of modest cost I'd sell them all and buy one (maybe, two) upscale basses with the proceeds.
 
  • Like
Reactions: funkinbottom, Jmac603, MasterBrianD and 10 others
#9
I don't know all of those basses, but maybe you have a lot of overlap or redundancy. I have three precisions that are all basically the same but different colors. Why I keep all three I don't know.

The Thunderbird is a good candidate to ditch since that is not exactly a comfortable bass to sit around with. You could also just consign them at a store for a lot of money. If they sell for a stupid price, win for you. If they sit there, the store wins from some free inventory. Win win.

Less stuff for the new abode...win for you and the spouse.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
#10
If I were in that situation and not specifically planning to do any heavy gigging or recording in the future, I would pick (1) whichever bass was my favorite overall, and (2) a second bass that provided the most fun and/or useful change of pace from the main one. From your list, my most likely choices would be the MIJ jazz bass with rounds as the main bass and the Cabronita or Classic 51 with flats as the second, although it really depends on vibe of the actual individual basses as some of the others sound fun too.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crusher47
#11
Try out each bass and try to determine which ones are redundant. Then, give those redundant basses a good evaluation and see which among them feels/plays/works best for you. Keep the winner and move the others on to someone who, hopefully, will get better use out of it.

tmckenn2 said:
2010 Fender 51 MIJ reissue bass
2011 Squier Classic Vibe 51 bass
Click to expand...
These two, overlapping basses might be a good starting point. Of the two of them, which one "does it" for you the most? Just let your hands and ears be your guide, 'cuz your eyes might deceive you.
 
#12
tmckenn2 said:
Wife and I are getting ready to downsize our lives (smaller place, less stuff). I have to make some bass related decisions. I am not actively gigging anymore, just one offs and fun stuff with old bandmates now - and playing around the house for my own enjoyment. I am no longer going to have a "bass room" so I have to thin the heard as they say. Thought I would take some votes here and see what you guys think. What 2 to 3 basses to I keep:

2010 Fender 51 MIJ reissue bass
2008 Squier Vintage modified TB bass
2014 Fender Cabronita bass
2019 Epiphone Thunderbird (silverburst)
Eastwood EB-1 bass
2008 Squier Jazz bass
2011 Squier Classic Vibe 51 bass
Click to expand...
Keep the:
Fender reissue
Squier vintage modified
Squier classic vibe
But, choose ones that the neck is stable
 
#13
One process is to sit down and put on a blindfold - really, as in, “no cheating”. Have a friend hand you one bass. Play it acoustically - no amp needed - no shoulder straps, no reaching for knobs, no tuning (have it done in advance) - cause those will clue you in …

… and narrow your choices. A couple will speak to you - remember you are NOT to know which is which. A couple others will simply Not speak. You can make a clear first cut that way … the second round will be much harder
 
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
#15
This is just me, but I would sell off the Squiers and the Epiphone.

The three remaining will have more resale value some day if you kick the bucket, and your wife has to get them sold.

I have taken the same approach around here (I'm 65 now), and I have a small list of my instruments in my firesafe for my wife, detailing the cash value of each guitar or bass.
:confused:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Blue
#18
tmckenn2 said:
Wife and I are getting ready to downsize our lives (smaller place, less stuff). I have to make some bass related decisions. I am not actively gigging anymore, just one offs and fun stuff with old bandmates now - and playing around the house for my own enjoyment. I am no longer going to have a "bass room" so I have to thin the heard as they say. Thought I would take some votes here and see what you guys think. What 2 to 3 basses to I keep:

2010 Fender 51 MIJ reissue bass
2008 Squier Vintage modified TB bass
2014 Fender Cabronita bass
2019 Epiphone Thunderbird (silverburst)
Eastwood EB-1 bass
2008 Squier Jazz bass
2011 Squier Classic Vibe 51 bass
Click to expand...
What do you like playing the most? What has the most sentimental/personal value? None of us could ever know the answers to these fundamental questions.

Take time. Think hard. Nobody's opinions on what gear YOU should keep should matter one iota. It s a tough thing but you AND ONLY YOU can do this. Good luck.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back