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Just one single bass?

#41
Speaking only for myself , I will always bring a backup on a gig or even band practice because I've been caught with my pants down without a backup more than once.. I've learned from my past mistakes.
After experimenting over the years with the number of different bases I keep 4 at my disposal.

Old Fender P (retired except for studio or home recirding)

Modded SX P Copy ( main gigging workhorse)

Fender Am. St. P (back up)

Epiphone Jack Cassidy ( back up to my back up should main bass be of service)
 
#42
Most of my playing years (over 50), I only had one because I was basically penniless. When I eventually could afford to buy whatever I wanted, I would up with about six. Now I have three. I enjoy playing them while recording but at this point I think I enjoy admiring their beauty more than anything.
 
#44
I think the reason that some players end up with more than one bass is that many of us tend to play different kinds of gigs. For example, if I am playing in orchestra and also playing in a cover band, then I will prefer to own at least one upright and one bass guitar. Captain Obvious, right?

Then, I might land a jazz gig, and want more than 4 strings for playing solos; or maybe I want a fretless bass guitar, just because they have a different kind of voice.

So, to some extent, the tool depends on the gig. A cat CAN just get that ‘58 Precision and soldier on through all of the gigs; but you won’t play it in orchestra, it won’t be fretless, will make some amount of transposing on the fly a bit sub-optimal etc etc.

There is no cut and dry definition of the difference between a player and a collector. I try not to accumulate any duplication, play every instrument I own on gigs, and try to minimize flipping or purchasing instruments. But, still there is probably a little collector or tool preference in all of us, even if a bit vicarious.

Of course, I’m well past thinking that I need a unique instrument to define “my voice,” and well past feeling like I need to justify anything I do in life. Anything I do is for my own reasons. Every one else has to figure out their path. Best wishes to all.
 
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#45
I currently only own one bass, and the most I have owned at a time was two. I have been thinking about getting a backup, but since I'm not playing out (and it looks like it will be a while before I do again), I'm content with the one. It covers all of the sounds I use and I couldn't be happier with it!
 
#48
klejst said:
I know you'd look silly if you have an issue and have no other bass and perhaps some may look at it as unprofessional.

... I'll say and then knock-on-wood, I have never broke a string yet nor had an issue with a bass on stage...knock-on-wood.
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That. Right there. When you have been on stage and have had something go wrong and you are doing this for a living, it not only looks unprofessional, it is unprofessional. It may not happen often, but it does happen. And I won't tempt fate ever again after doing it once.
 
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#50
klejst said:
Perhaps something along these lines has been discussed before, but recently it had me thinking a bit about it. How many of you use just one bass? Reasons being but not limited to that you own just the one, it's your favorite, gives you all the functions and tone you are looking for, etc. Thinking about it, really in theory all you need is one (unless the obvious if you do different tunings or play in a tribute band of numerous acts and use different basses for the show or something). Now of course I never would say it's a bad thing to have at least one spare, even if it's a "lesser" bass like a Affinity Squier Jazz to your MIA Fender Jazz for example. I know you'd look silly if you have an issue and have no other bass and perhaps some may look at it as unprofessional.

But all that considered, one is really all you need and some actually do use just one. I'll say and then knock-on-wood, I have never broke a string yet nor had an issue with a bass on stage...knock-on-wood.

Maybe it's just cabin fever or boredom from having to be inside most of the day these days due to the pandemic, but thought it interesting to at least share my thoughts on and pick the brains of other bassists on here.
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I've thought about this a number of times too.

For me I find that when the end of my reasoning only concerns the number of basses I have/want/need, I'm missing the point.

The music is the point.

One of the many tired sayings on TB is that basses or gear in general are just tools to get the job done. The 'job' is to get the sound one hears in one's head out into the world, whether that be an arena or one's own hobby room.

For me to get the 'job' done, I need a fretted, a fretless, a 5 string, at least one bass with flats and one with rounds. I'm getting that done with three basses right now and I don't think I could do less. As always - YMMV.
 
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#51
If you're a regular gigger, I would say have a backup. I had a single bass for many moons, had an always trusty '72 P bass stop working mid gig, lucky enough to use another bassist's bass (at my knees w/unadjustable strap, not ideal).
I got a second instrument, never go to a gig with only 1 bass since then.
MJ
 
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#55
klejst said:
Perhaps something along these lines has been discussed before, but recently it had me thinking a bit about it. How many of you use just one bass? Reasons being but not limited to that you own just the one, it's your favorite, gives you all the functions and tone you are looking for, etc. Thinking about it, really in theory all you need is one (unless the obvious if you do different tunings or play in a tribute band of numerous acts and use different basses for the show or something). Now of course I never would say it's a bad thing to have at least one spare, even if it's a "lesser" bass like a Affinity Squier Jazz to your MIA Fender Jazz for example. I know you'd look silly if you have an issue and have no other bass and perhaps some may look at it as unprofessional.

But all that considered, one is really all you need and some actually do use just one. I'll say and then knock-on-wood, I have never broke a string yet nor had an issue with a bass on stage...knock-on-wood.

Maybe it's just cabin fever or boredom from having to be inside most of the day these days due to the pandemic, but thought it interesting to at least share my thoughts on and pick the brains of other bassists on here.
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  1. a 5 string with split coils
  2. a 5 string with single coils
  3. a fretless 5 string
  4. a 4 string with drop tuner on the E string (for songs in Drop D)
Those are my mains. I have only played one full (30 minute) set of my band's original material in the past few years, but I took #1 and #4. If we were to play certain other songs, I would also bring the fretless.
 
#56
In my days in the Alembic community, I was fortunate to learn about Jimmy Johnson, the master bassist who's been with James Taylor on the road now for over 20 years, as well as Allan Holdsworth, and many, many recordings. More than a few here are aware of the Flim and the BB's projects, and his current role in Steve Gadd's band when James is off the road.

Jimmy has always played the same Series 2 five strings (of which he was one of the prime movers in the development of the five-string electric bass) with GHS Boomers since the late 70's. He has several, essentially all the same axe, same strings. Totally different than most guys who have steamer trunks full of who knows how many different axes.

He approaches it (I believe) the way a symphonic musician would, playing the same master-grade violin or other instrument for years and years: It allows him (or them) to intimately know their instrument and utterly refine their technique as nothing ever changes.

Completely contrary to most guys, but it certainly seems to work for him.
 
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#58
I’ve been gigging as a drummer for 30 years. The overwhelming majority of bassists I’ve played with have only owned and used one instrument. The few who own two or more are full-time studio players and/or hired road guys, but even then they tend to use their #1 bass for most things.

Once you get past world famous bassists/artists, in my experience, it’s the hobbyists, weekend warriors, and collectors who tend to own the most basses. I play bass strictly for fun, and as a way to become a better drummer, and I own eight, so... :roflmao:

After this many years, I can sit down at almost any drum kit any play well. I’d probably be a much better bassist, though, if I’d stuck with only one bass and really gotten to know it inside and out.
 
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#60
In the first five years I was playing, I owned zero basses. The student uptight I took lessons was rented. And the first electric bass I gigged with belonged to my cousin who loaned it to me so I could play bass in his band.

Then I went off to college. I bought my first bass in my sixth year of playing and added a second one (a JB) a year later when I resumed gigging. And that was all I owned or felt I needed for the next fifteen years. After that, my main player from ‘74 still remained my main bass while my backup bass changed every so often and was now usually supplemented by a third bass which I picked for whatever else I was involved with musically. And that’s the way it stayed for the next eight or so years before I added my second permanent bass (a fiver) to my assemblage. That shared equal duties with my first bass which was (and still is) my main player. The third bass continued to periodically change around.

Starting around 2001 I the the money to start buying some of the basses I always wished I could own. So now I own six I consider keepers, and varying number of around ten, give or take, that are subject to change as my musical interests move in different directions, or my curiosity about them gets satisfied.

So…given all that, exactly how many basses do I feel I actually need? Just two. My main player which I’ve had forever, and my fiver for backup and for a different sound. How many could I get by with if I absolutely had to? Just one. Doesn’t matter which. Can’t play bass without a bass. Hand me anything (within reason) and I’ll make it work for me. But why restrict myself to just one if I don’t have to? :)
 

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