Playing ability remains the same. Those with lots of basses either cant decide what their main tone is or they are collectors as well as players to some degree.
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more basses = less skill?
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I have 3:
- a 4 string 34" fretted with medium-high action and 19mm spacing
- a 5 string 35" fretted with 17mm spacing
- a 5 string 34" fretless with 17mm spacing, flats and a ramp
Different techniques are possible on each - so up to a point, having more basses makes you a better player, because you can learn more techniques!
I do also see the logic of getting used to and finding 'the one'... in fact I've been thinking of focusing on one 'type' of bass... but even then, how can you find 'the one for you' if you don't try a few?
- a 4 string 34" fretted with medium-high action and 19mm spacing
- a 5 string 35" fretted with 17mm spacing
- a 5 string 34" fretless with 17mm spacing, flats and a ramp
Different techniques are possible on each - so up to a point, having more basses makes you a better player, because you can learn more techniques!
I do also see the logic of getting used to and finding 'the one'... in fact I've been thinking of focusing on one 'type' of bass... but even then, how can you find 'the one for you' if you don't try a few?
Don't forget Allan Woody.
He collected basses and was pretty good at playing them too!
Beautiful!!!
I guess if you are of a somewhat limited ability, you might want to stick to one bass and get as good as possible on it. Although different basses might lend themselves to different things, a good bassist will play good on all of them.
Don't forget Allan Woody.
He collected basses and was pretty good at playing them too!
That one at the front has a really warped neck.
(sigh) Why am I drawn to participate in some of these discussions?? Oh well.....My two cents:
[2] Whenever I have a couple of different styles of basses, I tend to play each one a little differently depending on the feel of the bass (I play 4 string exclusively).
When I was doing lots of studio work, I usually carried a Jazz and a P, for that reason as well as tonal differences.
But did I play one better or worse? I don't think so!
Right now i have two. A Jazz and a short scale Squier Jag with a P/J pickup configuration.
[1] Agreed!
[2] Whenever I have a couple of different styles of basses, I tend to play each one a little differently depending on the feel of the bass (I play 4 string exclusively).
When I was doing lots of studio work, I usually carried a Jazz and a P, for that reason as well as tonal differences.
But did I play one better or worse? I don't think so!
Right now i have two. A Jazz and a short scale Squier Jag with a P/J pickup configuration.
I think the idea is that you should worry about practicing more than gear. A concept that is lost on some folks.
jazzyitalian
Supporting Member
Gee Whizzzz...What do you think???
Billy Sheehan Gear
Billy Sheehan - bass player from Mr. Big, Niacin, Talas and DLR
Victor Wooten's
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Point is this... There is absolutely no correlation between ones ability and the number of guitars or basses that you own. It's absurd to think that it does. It's absurd to think that there it even has a modicum of impact. One has nothing to do with the other.
It's about the rehearsals the study of music and practice. How often you do it and the quality of them. Are you really studying material? Or are you just jamming through an effect to hear "cool" sounds.
Billy Sheehan Gear
Billy Sheehan - bass player from Mr. Big, Niacin, Talas and DLR
Victor Wooten's
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Point is this... There is absolutely no correlation between ones ability and the number of guitars or basses that you own. It's absurd to think that it does. It's absurd to think that there it even has a modicum of impact. One has nothing to do with the other.
It's about the rehearsals the study of music and practice. How often you do it and the quality of them. Are you really studying material? Or are you just jamming through an effect to hear "cool" sounds.
I remember hearing jaco practiced on p necked basses but gigged on j necks. so even jaco owned more then one bass. I have 4 and play them all.
It all upon the player. Jaco had one bass, he managed fine. Other such as Eintwistle had plenty and did just as well.
I like the inspiration of changing between basses, the challenge of going from the Geddy with the thin neck to the thick neck on the Rick.
I like the inspiration of changing between basses, the challenge of going from the Geddy with the thin neck to the thick neck on the Rick.
That's just the thing. Jaco did not have just one bass. He had a jazz with a maple p-bass neck that he played fairly often, and some custom built scroll headstock bass that I can't recall who manufactured. He's just best known for his main bass.
No, it's really true. Just last week I got rid of all but one bass and I was instantly the best player in the world. This week I've been taking off one string at a time and noticing a similar improvement with each removal. I think once I've removed the last string I'll have achieved perfection...
No number of basses will make you a better player, but multiple basses give you a broader palette of sounds. The "best" bass for a specific song may be a five-string, a fretless, a P-bass or a MM. Having two identical basses only makes sense to me if one is your primary bass and the other serves as your backup.
