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more basses = less skill?

will only 1 bass make you a better player?

  • Your playing will be the same no matter how many basses you own.

    Votes: 582 94.5%

  • Playing more than one type of bass will hinder your abilities.

    Votes: 27 4.4%

  • if you have more than one bass they should be the same brand so they feel the same.

    Votes: 7 1.1%
  • Total voters
    616
#83
There are certainly basses you'll be more comfortable on and perhaps play better with. You see many professionals with killer chops who play multiple basses and don't seem to be hindered by it.
There's a story I heard about Will Lee who borrowed a bass for a job. The bass was pretty rough and didn't play in tune but he was able to bend and finesse the right notes out of the crap bass to make it work. I think the more skilled you are the less it matters which bass you play.
 
#84
I disagree totally. Certain basses will lend themselves to bringing out different parts of your playing based on how you interact with it. My 4-string Laklands are 'home' to me, but I find that certain things are easier to play on my 5-string Lakland because the spacing is a little closer together. Conversely, my '75 Jazz makes me go into a different 'head space' because the vibe and geometry is so different.... same for my fretless P-Bass. Your playing overall shouldn't change from bass to bass, but the 'color' and nuances of your playing may change because of each individual bass's characteristic(s).

Also, ask any successful, in-demand studio player if having more than one bass means they aren't as skilled as 'the other guy' who plays only one bass. If you only have one tonal palette to bring to a session, you won't work much. It's all about options. That said, everyone seems to have one bass that is 'home'... and you compare all your other basses to that one.
 
#85
I have wondered about this too.

Part of the reason I have a fretless Fender Jazz is because my fretted bass is also a Fender Jazz and I need all the help I can get to minimize the transition.

When I pick up my P bass or another sometimes I find it inspires me to play something or some way different than I would with the Jazz bass ( rationalizing?)

I do feel that reading about other basses and stuff you guys post gets in the way of discipline with practice time but I would also have to say some posts inspire me too to get in there and try harder..... Two sides of the same coin?:cool:
 
#86
Sorry for the brief reply I'm at a hockey game. I'll give a longer one tomorrow. Hes a recording engineer. He dosnt play bass for her. Mb on phrasing. the reason for this thread is I enjoy playing my 3 completely different basses. I was wondering if I played one exclusivly if it would help my playing as both of the previously mentioned bassist claim.
 
#87
Unless you're a hobbyist, as opposed to a serious musician, you should have at least two basses, so you always have a back-up instrument. Obviously, some can't afford a second, for financial reasons, and I'm not ragging on you guys. But, I recently found out how important it is to have a good back-up, when my main squeeze had electronic problems and had to go out to the luthier. Not a happy time, and on my birthday, as well. I'll never go through that again.
 
#89
more basses = less skill?

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NOPE more basses = more money

gp-jaecoll02.jpg
 
#92
I will admit there is a short time getting used to a new instrument but your knowledge is what counts your abilities whatever mojo you already have going for you.I have owned maybe about 60 bass's by now and they all have kicked it for me. I like different body styles and colors and pickup configurations
 
#93
Ric5 said:
more basses = less skill?

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NOPE more basses = more money

gp-jaecoll02.jpg
Click to expand...

Ha...love that picture...but didn't he go bankrupt and lose a majority of his collection?

I know a guy who used to work in a music shop in the UK, and he said that back in the Who's peak, they needed warehouse to store all their equipment. He said he got to see the inside, and was amazed!!
 
#94
Munjibunga said:
I have less skill, but not because I have more basses. I just have less skill. All my basses are 5-strings, but they have varying scale lengths. I play just as poorly on a 34-inch Sadowsky as on a 35-inch Lakland. So no, having more basses does not affect how well you play. Or how poorly.
Click to expand...

I love the honesty of your response!:D:p

I should just practice more, and spend less time on TB!!
 
#95
Ric5 said:
more basses = less skill?

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NOPE more basses = more money

gp-jaecoll02.jpg
Click to expand...

And I believe that Entwistle became more awesome the more basses he acquired. His playing became legendary.

I think what the original post was trying to say is that it may be better to really learn a particular bass- its strong points and limitations- and this takes time and patience and a lot of practicing among other things- to reveal this.
But then it's time for a new bass that doesn't have these limitations!
So if you start on beginner basses and end up on great basses you had better get rid of the bad ones because according to the guys "who record for Esperanza" :help:you wont be any better,

I only have one bass right now and I'm afraid to get another one because I've heard that more basses are like Kryptonite!:D
 
#97
RaginRog said:
Ha...love that picture...but didn't he go bankrupt and lose a majority of his collection?

I know a guy who used to work in a music shop in the UK, and he said that back in the Who's peak, they needed warehouse to store all their equipment. He said he got to see the inside, and was amazed!!
Click to expand...

I thought most of the basses got sold after his death.
 

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