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I'm settled: I only need 2 basses
- Thread starter Raman
- Start date
I have had to settle for one bass for years at a time. What I can do and want to do are not the same thing.
i only have one "fundamental" instrument = 4-string, 34" scale, unlined fretless.
i have a couple of killer P-basses, but i'd have to choose a two-pickup ax for the hard work. maybe these two:
or, maybe these two:
These two are the ones that I couldn't be without. Painted by my two older kids, put the thinnest and smoothest SS necks on I could find in reference to "old hand arthritis", painted the headstocks to match the paint work, assorted other changes/upgrades. Love how they look and how they play. All I need though there is a Squier Musicmaster that I haven't parted with. 
Weighing in before I read the rest of the thread:
I, too, came to a similar conclusion last year. I had more music-related "stuff" than I was actually using or needed. Being satisfied with what you have is possible and a great place to be. Some here will disagree. GAS will come and go, but I recognize it for what it is: a desire or want, not a need. You are also free to change your mind.
Now that I've given my Old Fogey® speech. I have one P and one J. They are enough.
Best to you on your decision!
Yea, no, not for me.
I'm at 3 and daily fighting the temptation to add a 4th and 5th. So far, I'm winning the battle to add because I really only need one but the one I need changes every time I have a gig
Oh, and yes, I would love to add a custom Tele guitar (not bass) with 1.75" neck and a strat body. I have an empty e-gtr case just waiting for the guitar. Another purchase battle I'm resisting and winning.
I'm at 3 and daily fighting the temptation to add a 4th and 5th. So far, I'm winning the battle to add because I really only need one but the one I need changes every time I have a gig
- P with rounds
- Fretless P with flats
- Stingray
- (want to add Fretless Stingray)
- (want to add P with flats)
Oh, and yes, I would love to add a custom Tele guitar (not bass) with 1.75" neck and a strat body. I have an empty e-gtr case just waiting for the guitar. Another purchase battle I'm resisting and winning.
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I hear you @Dr. Cheese, and hope you understand how fantastically engaging and entertaining your posts and videos are.
Based on these, the thought of you settling on "one bass" cracks me up - I mean no disrespect.
You are my Guru of GAS!
Keep up the great work!
Wow! Dumbest thing I’ve ever done is sell my ExFactor! Best playing and best sounding bass ever made.
I paid for an entire semester of college tuition and books with that bass and I still sometimes regret selling it. Beautiful.
Simple choice for me. 2 of these.
Mount to the wall and “2” basses. Or guitars. Or 1 of each. The rest are out of sight so they don’t count. Maybe it’s the Duesenberg and the P. Maybe it’s the Ovation Balladeer and the Tele. Maybe it’s a fretless and a baritone. Maybe it’s a Jazz and a Ray. Maybe it’s 2 P. Either way, it’s never more than 2 in my quiver.
Mount to the wall and “2” basses. Or guitars. Or 1 of each. The rest are out of sight so they don’t count. Maybe it’s the Duesenberg and the P. Maybe it’s the Ovation Balladeer and the Tele. Maybe it’s a fretless and a baritone. Maybe it’s a Jazz and a Ray. Maybe it’s 2 P. Either way, it’s never more than 2 in my quiver.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I have 15, and 3 more being built, and I still want to buy another.
I seem to like whichever bass has a fresh set of strings and a new setup
This has been tough for me, I keep my limit to 3. But a long answer to 2:
I wanted to love a Fender P bass, replaced the pickups, different amps, cant get a clean sound. Just too muddy. Finally sold it.
I bought a Fender Jazz, thought it would be my life-long bass, played it at my gig Friday night, just does not sound good to me. Lacks punch. I during the break I swapped back to my Sterling Ray4. Guitar player said "i like that one better" so Jazz going back to GC.
So to answer your question:
1. LTD B205- old Korean made version - killer bass. Dont play it much.
2. Sterling Ray4. yeah, sounds better than my Fender P (sold) & Fender jazz, (going back to GC)
3. ( I know you said 2) Undecided (May try a Yamaha TRBX 504 or 604??)
I wanted to love a Fender P bass, replaced the pickups, different amps, cant get a clean sound. Just too muddy. Finally sold it.
I bought a Fender Jazz, thought it would be my life-long bass, played it at my gig Friday night, just does not sound good to me. Lacks punch. I during the break I swapped back to my Sterling Ray4. Guitar player said "i like that one better" so Jazz going back to GC.
So to answer your question:
1. LTD B205- old Korean made version - killer bass. Dont play it much.
2. Sterling Ray4. yeah, sounds better than my Fender P (sold) & Fender jazz, (going back to GC)
3. ( I know you said 2) Undecided (May try a Yamaha TRBX 504 or 604??)
Two basses to play... 15 basses to keep my wife from putting stuff in my music room.
i just need a P and a backup P. The rest are not essential.
yea I have a 5string ibanez sg w flats for a real low tone
and a warwick $$ 4 string which has a lot of upper end
neither of these are very expensive and could use some work on the electronics
I had anouther yamaha i bought just because it was a really good bass for a really good price that fit my finger span but Im lending that out because Im really just playing the warwick,....3 basses was too much
i need the sg for rap or r@b or blues though
whats ironic is i cant play fenders which is what i consider the 'typical bass sound'
i always need an "alternative"
and a warwick $$ 4 string which has a lot of upper end
neither of these are very expensive and could use some work on the electronics
I had anouther yamaha i bought just because it was a really good bass for a really good price that fit my finger span but Im lending that out because Im really just playing the warwick,....3 basses was too much
i need the sg for rap or r@b or blues though
whats ironic is i cant play fenders which is what i consider the 'typical bass sound'
i always need an "alternative"
I think I'm narrowing it down to 4. I don't like to have excess basses....especially nice ones that won't get played. So I have one really nice bass as my main Player...my '73 Ric. But I use my modded Bronco as my standby bass at gigs. But I also sub in a 80's/90's band where the 5string comes in handy....and a Frankenstein P bass....because everyone needs a P bass.
I've never had a need or want for more than 2. My fretted 6 and my fretless 5.
