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Moving - how many basses do you really need?

#61
mcrawfordmusic said:
Yes, it was!

I have had more come and go over the years, but 13 was the most I had at any one time. I sold these because they weren't getting played:

'73 Fender P
'78 Fender P
'73 Fender Musicmaster
'66 Gibson EBO
'05 Gibson Thunderbird
'22 Gibson LPJR DC Bass
'71 Ibanez EB3
'79 Yamaha BB2000
'98 G&L L5500

I kept these:
'69 Fender PJ - my workhorse and #1
'07 Fender Marcus Miller Jazz
'07 Fender Jaguar Bass - my dad bought this and the MM Jazz on my 16th birthday...very lucky kid!
'98 Yamaha TRB5II - my first good bass when I was 14 and the only 5 string I have loved.

Then I used the funds from the basses I sold to by a '65 Fender P in Lake Placid Blue, which is my #2 :) I keep the Jazz, Jag and Yamaha stored in a safe place and they do get played from time to time. The Yamaha more so, because it's a killer bass. I was playing in an afro-peruvian/salsa band for a while and it was perfect, but now I'm mostly doing blues, rock, country and Soul...the P basses rule supreme!

I feel so much lighter mentally not having to decide what bass to bring and trying to keep up with the maintenance to keep them all playable. I do miss some of them, particularly the Musicmaster and the EBO, but I don't regret flipping them to buy the '65...it's a special bass.
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30.
 
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#63
I think if you stick with the instrument, you will go through a life cycle that looks something like:

Phase 1: buy the bass that you imagine would cover everything you need.

Phase 2: get a second bass to get those sounds you have found aren't in the first one.

Phase 3: get a third bass because it's a cool color, and you haven't bought anything in a while.

Phase 4: sell the basses from 1 & 2 to get an "upgraded" version of #1, maybe getting rid of an import bass to buy an American made one for example.

Phase 5: realize you actually liked bass #2 the best, sell the one from #3 to help fund the purchase.

Phase 6: decide you actually only ever needed the one from #1, go to Phase 1...
 
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#64
I really only need 2, and I have about 40, so this is what I'm thinking of whittling it down to;

Main 6, backup 6, cheapo 6, electronics project 6, modern 5 and 4 others that have little monetary value, but I'll keep because, why not? Also my XL2 and my first 4, which I'm restoring and my 5 string Steinberger clone simply because it's easier to carry on my pushbike. Spirit guitar for the same reason. That leaves 5 basses I'll be loathe to sell, the rest of them, much less so.

So, 8 basses, 3 EG, 3 AG (2x6 + 1x12) and 1 CG.

I think I'll give my Ibanez SR300 and my PRS SE24 to my Church, but the rest should go. I live in a small, rural town, so I think I might set them all up, and move them to my friend's house in the city and pay his teenage daughter to be my reverb and shipping agent (she suggested it a while back).
 
#67
Anjohl said:
I think if you stick with the instrument, you will go through a life cycle that looks something like:

Phase 1: buy the bass that you imagine would cover everything you need.

Phase 2: get a second bass to get those sounds you have found aren't in the first one.

Phase 3: get a third bass because it's a cool color, and you haven't bought anything in a while.

Phase 4: sell the basses from 1 & 2 to get an "upgraded" version of #1, maybe getting rid of an import bass to buy an American made one for example.

Phase 5: realize you actually liked bass #2 the best, sell the one from #3 to help fund the purchase.

Phase 6: decide you actually only ever needed the one from #1, go to Phase 1...
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OMG, this describes my process perfectly! So freaking true!!! :roflmao: :roflmao::D:)
 
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#71
You only need one🤪 this one and that one and this other one and another one and one more and that's a good one and how about that one and oh yeah I like this one too and I love that one and gotta keep this one and that's the best one and look at that one and I must keep this one and that's a great one, etc.… One is the loneliest number. 🥰
The only time I ever sold basses are when I needed the money.
 
#72
I have 2 and shopping around for a 3rd, and that feels like something of a luxury. I live in a fairly small house and can’t imagine finding space to store more than a handful of basses. Too many competing interests to dedicate all the spare space to music.
 
#73
All I can say from experience is that if you live somewhere where there isn’t a vibrant local scene to sell instruments into, best to keep it to a couple of basses. I live where there is no market and now that I’m thinking of reducing my collection it’s almost depressing on how little I’ll get for my prized possessions due to no market access. But if you live in a densely populated area with a lively scene, go ahead and have your fun.
 
#74
ElectricBass72 said:
I have 19.....but I want 50. :roflmao:
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I too had 19, until this morning. Now I have 20. The black Sterling Joe Dart 3 that I pre-ordered back in May showed up this morning, 3 days early! It shipped from L.A. on Tuesday and then traveled through Oakland, Memphis, Paris, Bordeaux and then to me in Arcachon today, Friday. Nice job, FedEx!!! It came with flats installed on it which I wasn't expecting. Saved me 50 € and the work of restringing it. :bassist:
 
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#75

Moving - how many basses do you really need?​


Me personally? A 74 yr old "fart" that doesn't play in a band? HA! One! My 1953 P Bass.

But, basses for me are more than just an instrument for playing. It's a "collector's hobby? So darn it! Too many! 15!!!!!

I'd like to sell down to 7 or 8.

Right now is a "buyer's market" and trying to sell a bass is for the most part, very difficult and a big money looser. So? Keep 'em!!!!!!!!
 

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#76
bassdude51 said:

Moving - how many basses do you really need?​


Me personally? A 74 yr old "fart" that doesn't play in a band? HA! One! My 1953 P Bass.

But, basses for me are more than just an instrument for playing. It's a "collector's hobby? So darn it! Too many! 15!!!!!

I'd like to sell down to 7 or 8.

Right now is a "buyer's market" and trying to sell a bass is for the most part, very difficult and a big money looser. So? Keep 'em!!!!!!!!
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See my post just above yours. I'm also 74. I reached the 20 bass plateau this morning. I am now, and will always be, one bass short of the optimal number. :smug:
 
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#80
Deleted member 268085 said:
I too had 19, until this morning. Now I have 20. The black Sterling Joe Dart 3 that I pre-ordered back in May showed up this morning, 3 days early! It shipped from L.A. on Tuesday and then traveled through Oakland, Memphis, Paris, Bordeaux and then to me in Arcachon today, Friday. Nice job, FedEx!!! It came with flats installed on it which I wasn't expecting. Saved me 50 € and the work of restringing it. :bassist:
Click to expand...

I have a rare Squire 70's Vibe Antigua Precision on backorder. Ships on January 6th. That will get me to 20! Gonna install HiMass bridge on it and Ernie Ball Cobalt Flats. :bassist:
 
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