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Just one single bass?
- Thread starter klejst
- Start date
Yeah, I have one bass that can pretty much do it all, but I have yet to see anyone give me a reason why I should only have one bass...or should I say a good reason?
Hey, I even have two of these!
And do you know why?
Because something could happen to one of them, and then I'd only have myself to blame for not having a backup.
| Bass | Main Use |
| 2001 Ernie Ball Music Man StingRay 5H | If I could have only one bass, this would be it. Has that awesome thump/punch. |
| 2009 Fender American Deluxe Precision Bass | Lightweight and great sounding. Strung with black nylon strings. |
| 2001 Ernie Ball Music Man Sterling 4H | Alnico pickups mean it’s great for slap and aggressive rock tones. |
| Traveler TB-4P | Headless design great for tight spaces, tiny stages. Fits in overhead bin on a plane. |
If one of my basses is lost, stolen, damaged, or under repair, it’s nice to know that I have three spares.
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It happens.
One bass for some.
Many basses for others.
And always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom!
I agree totally, yes if you have one versatile bass that’s all you “need”. If I had to choose one of my basses it would be my 72 Precision. I also like the idea of bonding with one bass. I feel like that instrument really becomes an extension of you when you only play one bass all the time. But I just love basses in general and although I only own 4 basses I love the way each one makes me play differently.
To everyone who responded I thank you, especially with their own experiences and/or thoughts in regards to their own bass(es) and situations. To those of you who were pissed or annoyed by this thread...thanks I guess...I mean no one forced you to read and/or respond. I have noticed TB always seems to have those people just inching to pounce...seriously why? Either respond if you have something productive to contribute or don't regardless. Threads from years ago are not always relevant to today and not everyone's responses are the same. There's a lot of repeat questions on here, it happens all the time and at times a lot, seriously get over it. Ok, enough soap box.
This just had me wondering the other day but something I have wondered more recently. Truth be told I had owned and used just one bass for numerous years before. I gigged with it without a backup (I know I know, I to this day thinking about it consider myself very lucky nothing happened). I'm amazed other people are doing that. Having one bass you love and use all the time where perhaps it is not needed to have more than one or at least more than just a spare of some kind to use only when you're in say a pinch. I know there are bassists out there who what seems use one bass now, but I know they have to have others, perhaps just one that they use exclusively live or just love that it's their first choice perhaps. I know due to pandemic some people are needing money and selling off things, I kind of had me wondering if I had to sell off what I would if need be.
This just had me wondering the other day but something I have wondered more recently. Truth be told I had owned and used just one bass for numerous years before. I gigged with it without a backup (I know I know, I to this day thinking about it consider myself very lucky nothing happened). I'm amazed other people are doing that. Having one bass you love and use all the time where perhaps it is not needed to have more than one or at least more than just a spare of some kind to use only when you're in say a pinch. I know there are bassists out there who what seems use one bass now, but I know they have to have others, perhaps just one that they use exclusively live or just love that it's their first choice perhaps. I know due to pandemic some people are needing money and selling off things, I kind of had me wondering if I had to sell off what I would if need be.
This is a retread topic for sure, but I don't mind them. It's fun to revisit preferences like this.
I personally play one instrument for long periods of time. I don't really have a reason other than I get used to it and it feels comfortable to me. Eventually, I end up switching to another, again for reasons that are not entirely clear, which I then play for a while.
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I play in a few bands, and each band evolves as new members are brought in. Myself.. once we start doing tunes again, I'll be playing Large Marge and a D tuned Jack Casady with one band, and a '62 CIJ PBass Reissue with a Drop D tuner in the other, and maybe a Rick 4001.
Robin
Robin
...when I just had the p bass I can truly attest to the notion that one is able to learn and get to know an instrument intimately...knowing all its quirks etc...that proved to me that a bass can be more than just a tool.Apparently one has to have an opinion here 
so, I play one bass at a time 
I haven't gigged since the 90s. When I did (originals), I didn't have a backup bass. Since joining TB, I seem to think that a backup bass is essential, but it never crossed my mind when I was gigging. The only reason I got a backup bass (my avatar) was because it was lighter than my vintage parts P. The JP90 (avatar) became my #1 but the BL preferred me playing the Precision in the studio (demo).
Right now, I use whichever is sitting out: the Ibanez SRX 400 (super low action, weak active eq) or Burning Fire precision (aka Glarry bass, feather light, high action but killer sound).
One bass just doesn't seem enough, to enjoy the full palette of bass sounds. Is it possible? Absolutely, in my opinion. When I was gigging, all I had was one bass: a vintage parts Precision.
so, I play one bass at a time I haven't gigged since the 90s. When I did (originals), I didn't have a backup bass. Since joining TB, I seem to think that a backup bass is essential, but it never crossed my mind when I was gigging. The only reason I got a backup bass (my avatar) was because it was lighter than my vintage parts P. The JP90 (avatar) became my #1 but the BL preferred me playing the Precision in the studio (demo).
Right now, I use whichever is sitting out: the Ibanez SRX 400 (super low action, weak active eq) or Burning Fire precision (aka Glarry bass, feather light, high action but killer sound).
One bass just doesn't seem enough, to enjoy the full palette of bass sounds. Is it possible? Absolutely, in my opinion. When I was gigging, all I had was one bass: a vintage parts Precision.
You don't have to, yet it does help with a discussion thread/boardApparently one has to have an opinion here
I have been gigging mainly in Club's for over 40yrs and always had just 1 Bass. Last 2 years I added a AEB to noodle without plugging in.
I can see more than 1 Bass for Pro/Session Players who play with multiple artist & record frequently or those who collect, can afford or play in top level Cover/Corporate bands playing multiple genres.
I can see more than 1 Bass for Pro/Session Players who play with multiple artist & record frequently or those who collect, can afford or play in top level Cover/Corporate bands playing multiple genres.
Recently went down to one fretted and one fretless and I feel so liberated. It was a great feeling not having to choose what comes to the gigs with me. No hate on those who have a small (or large) collection but I am absolutely one of those people who feels bogged down by extra material items so I try not to have non essential things around that don't bring me happiness.
For me the hardest part was finding an instrument that did all of the things I want and need in one package. I would say I'm semi pro, gigging in an A-level cover band, a few original projects and do side/session work regularly enough to bump it past a serious hobby. I would be justifying all of these basses around my house with "I need flats, I need rounds, I need a 4/5/6 string" when in reality I need a single super flexible, ergonomically-crafted and reliable instrument. For me, that came in the form of a Roscoe Century with a PJ configuration. Was more money than I would every have liked to spend on any single instrument, but if it did everything I wanted, it would be worth the cost of 3 mid tier instruments and the storage, maintenance, strings, etc. associated with owning a bunch.
For me the hardest part was finding an instrument that did all of the things I want and need in one package. I would say I'm semi pro, gigging in an A-level cover band, a few original projects and do side/session work regularly enough to bump it past a serious hobby. I would be justifying all of these basses around my house with "I need flats, I need rounds, I need a 4/5/6 string" when in reality I need a single super flexible, ergonomically-crafted and reliable instrument. For me, that came in the form of a Roscoe Century with a PJ configuration. Was more money than I would every have liked to spend on any single instrument, but if it did everything I wanted, it would be worth the cost of 3 mid tier instruments and the storage, maintenance, strings, etc. associated with owning a bunch.
I recently started to think of the pros and cons of going to one bass. I currently have 3 - USA L2500 Custom, Fretless Jazz V, and Frankenstein Jazz V with MM pickups.
I put together the Fretless because it’s been a while since I had one.
I did the Frankenstein Jazz with MM pickups because I wanted kind of a lesser-expensive version of my L2500, since the L2500 doesn’t leave the house.
Seems to kind of cover it.
Cons for having these 3:
Seems like I was once better on fretless a long time ago than I am today. Makes me wonder if I wasted time and energy on trying fretless again.
I don’t have, and probably won’t ever have gigs again, so there’s no sense in having a lesser-expensive version of the L2500...it doesn’t leave the house and, in essence, neither do I...
So, it is tempting to just have the L2500, as it is a truly remarkable instrument. But I also kind of don’t want to sell the others since they aren’t “cookie-cutter” off-the-shelf instruments. I did a LOT of work to these to bring them into existence.
I’ve also been wanting to put together an active Jazz V and have collected everything I need for it hardware-wise...but a year and a half later still never bought a neck and body. Who knows if that will ever happen, and I wonder if I should just scrap the idea altogether.
I put together the Fretless because it’s been a while since I had one.
I did the Frankenstein Jazz with MM pickups because I wanted kind of a lesser-expensive version of my L2500, since the L2500 doesn’t leave the house.
Seems to kind of cover it.
Cons for having these 3:
Seems like I was once better on fretless a long time ago than I am today. Makes me wonder if I wasted time and energy on trying fretless again.
I don’t have, and probably won’t ever have gigs again, so there’s no sense in having a lesser-expensive version of the L2500...it doesn’t leave the house and, in essence, neither do I...
So, it is tempting to just have the L2500, as it is a truly remarkable instrument. But I also kind of don’t want to sell the others since they aren’t “cookie-cutter” off-the-shelf instruments. I did a LOT of work to these to bring them into existence.
I’ve also been wanting to put together an active Jazz V and have collected everything I need for it hardware-wise...but a year and a half later still never bought a neck and body. Who knows if that will ever happen, and I wonder if I should just scrap the idea altogether.
I need at least 3. A 60’s style Precision Bass with Flats.
A 70’s style Jazz Bass.
And a Super Jazz 5.
A 70’s style Jazz Bass.
And a Super Jazz 5.
