I'm settled: I only need 2 basses

[Peterson]

...

 

[travatron4000]

Really loving my Kilo now, I'm basically only playing that and my PJ atm. Toying with getting an SB-2 Tribute in the Green and pearl and just ditching everything but the Kilo and just being a 2 G&L bass guy

 

[micguy]

I'll be 49 this year. Soon 50! Time to reconsider some things...

I think I'm settled on my bass arsenal.

Dear OP:

You think you're mature, you're done, ready to go with what you have for "the duration".

Sorry, not even close - at least I hope so. At your age, I had 2 basses. I was set. I didn't need another bass ever. I hadn't bought or sold or given away an instrument in 25 years. What could possibly change that?

At 52, I started practicing in earnest again, and now I have...OK, not a lot of basses, but more than 2. I'm not hoarding or collecting - I use every bass I have on a regular basis; ones that I don't use have been donated. The basses I had when I was your young age (the ones I was set for life with)? I no longer have them - they have been donated. I've played many more gigs after 55 than I did before I was that age. And I'm a much better musician than I was at your age.

We're not done until the last nail is in the lid.

 

[wazzel]

With the way I am wired I could get by with two basses. I play my primary unless it has to go in the shop. Of my 4 basses, only 1 of them I could part with.

 

[TrevorR]

For me it’s my two Wals. These have done umpteen gigs with me over the last (almost) quarter of a century…

 

[J Robert Hilt]

[QUOTEWhat are your 2 fundamental basses?[/QUOTE]

Two?
I keep 7 EBs

 

[bassbrad]

I hope I never [again] have to choose only 2 basses, but I have had to do so in the past. If necessary I would most likely choose two of my Carvin LB50 basses Taz my original from 1982 and Toney with EMG HB pickups ~ so much ground covered and both a breeze to play.

Taz has been my constant partner in rhythm and groove since he was delivered, travelled the world and for a while he and my retired '67 Precision 'The Unknown Blonde' and the fretless of ill repute were my only basses.
s

This bass plays so beautifully and records very well. You can really hear it on this track.


Honorable mentions would be my Peavey basses Dyna 5, Verdine White and Unity LTD.

 

[nostatic]

What are your 2 fundamental basses?

I likely would be three because of very specific gig requirements that come up:

my YYD 4-string PJ for most things
my Monarch 6-string for when I need extended range
my Rob Allen Deep 4 fretless

For example, my current active gig requires the Rob Allen. I literally would not have gotten the gig if I'd shown up with any of my other basses. In a pinch I suppose I could drop the 6'er but pedals aren't the same as real extended range.

 

[WillyW]

I keep two basses by the bed, sometimes three...

 

[jamro217]

That's what they all say.

 

[tvbop]

I don't do much now if anything. My early years were all about pushing for the best bands, shows, music and scene...now I play with a bunch of guys who to some extent are pretty awful but I'm too old to care much and have other musical interests which keep me busy. Sold everything and now play a solitary CV 70's P bass with a beater VM P bass for bk up. Feels good.

 

[Flamingo21]

@CPplaysBASS We'd like you to show these two in the Red & Maple Club:

The Official "Red 'n' Maple FB" Club

 

[SteveC]

I don't do much now if anything. My early years were all about pushing for the best bands, shows, music and scene...now I play with a bunch of guys who to some extent are pretty awful but I'm too old to care much and have other musical interests which keep me busy. Sold everything and now play a solitary CV 70's P bass with a beater VM P bass for bk up. Feels good.

I think if/when I get to this point, I'd probably go with my P bass as well. My 5 is probably more versatile, and plays great, but the basic P bass seems to just work every time I use it. Less strings, less knobs, less to deal with. Perfect for crotchety old guys.

 

[Ballin'bass]

My ideal arsenal includes about 5 basses... But my Fender Roadworn '57 P bass and my Sadowsky Will Lee signature bass are the two most important ones.

 

[SteveC]

It took me years, but I do appreciate a nice P bass these days. They really do work for almost anything I need to do.

 

[tvbop]

It took me years, but I do appreciate a nice P bass these days. They really do work for almost anything I need to do.

My little theory is this. It takes a lifetime to learn how to make a P bass please an audience. I shudder to think what Ive spent on basses over the years chasing tone, the 80's bark and what not. But now when I strap on my P bass wearing it's dead ole flats and crank the mid range on the amp....I think why did I ever bother?..haha.

 

[Dave Siff]

I could boil it down to my 5-string Jazz and my 4-string Reverend Rumblefish.

 

[Smooth_bass88]

I wish I could get away with playing only two instruments! I do so many different gigs these days across a broad spectrum of music, coupled with a bit of travel that at minimum I need five instruments. At least three of the groups I work with tune down a half step, so there's that. I find it easier to just leave two basses tuned that way.

 

[Ballin'bass]

For me it’s my two Wals. These have done umpteen gigs with me over the last (almost) quarter of a century…

View attachment 4646769 View attachment 4646770 View attachment 4646771

Man, you've got one of my dream basses. I've always wanted a Wal. They're just so hard to come by.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I only need two basses too, but I have lots more!