• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

One great bass or multiple good basses???

One great bass or multiple good basses??

  • One great bass

    Votes: 120 32.4%

  • Multiple good basses

    Votes: 209 56.5%

  • carrots

    Votes: 41 11.1%
  • Total voters
    370
#101
All depends on what gets your goat, what you want out of the hobby, budget, etc. some guys can do it all with one bass, others want more than one. Others collect, while others gig, are session musicians, hobbyists, etc.

I used to own a lot of guitars. It actually stressed me out deciding which to play! (First world problem, right?) Is spend more time going back and forth between guitars second guessing myself and less time actually playing and practicing. Sold most of them, kept two electrics that are polar opposites (Tele and an SG). Same with basses. Had two Precisions up until yesterday when I sold one of the P’s because I wanted something hung different instead of two of the same. Looking for a J or J-type where I’ll have thump with the P and growl with the J. For me that works. I like the simplicity of passive basses, a couple knobs and nothing crazy. Other players may feel super limited with just those options.
 
#102
40Hz said:
I do believe, based on my own experience, that within reason you can take just about any bass and make it a great bass. You just need to put the time into it. The greatness in a musical instrument mainly comes from us. People who are constantly chasing after “the perfect instrument” learn that sooner or later. Usually after spending a lot of time and money switching horses.
Click to expand...

I didn't know much when I started out. I chased after the perfect bass for years. Spending lots of time and money. I won't say it was all a waste. I learned a lot and had a lot of nice basses. That said, I am happy to have the bass I have. It was built for me. It has been my main bass for almost 6 years. I know a lot of what it can do. I learn more all the time. I don't have to think too much. It feels very natural to me and I love to play it.

I still look, but the urge isn't as great. I would maybe like a fretless to match, but I can easily play any gig around here with this bass.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Helix
#104
mrjim123 said:
Give up a Lakland and a G&L to get an MM? Ouch!
Click to expand...
Exactly. In things like sail boats and basses the one that costs 10x more is actually just 1-2% better. And actually the quirks of "lesser" instruments (or a funky boat) are often what makes them enjoyable, sometimes they are more likable than the more expensive version. I would call my Lakland Skyline a great bass because of it's fundamental and midrange tone, it's a fine piece of stable ash / maple, new Aguilar preamp cured any brittle tone issue, so that was a $900 bass and it fits me perfectly. You can't just buy that, you have to let it find you.
 
#105
i never quit buying gear, regardless of playing out. each bass and amp have their own personalities, and I play them when my personality fits at that time! I don't go crazy, and I don't own really expensive basses, but each has something great about it!
 
#106
I have a Wal fretless, which is the only bass I play as after getting it I gradually sold all the rest. I bought a very cheap fretless P copy as a backup and something to take to places I wouldn't feel a Wal was safe in, hardly touch it though.
 
#107
schietschijfje said:
...
Would you rather have one great bass or multiple good basses (in terms of sound build quality)? IMO the Lakland and G&L are good basses.
Click to expand...

schietschijfje said:
No gigs for me, so no need for a backup bass.
I also own a Squier P, fretless jazz and MTD Kinston 5 but don't consider these quality basses.
Click to expand...

I vote for multiple good basses, even if you aren't currently gigging. It gives you variety and helps you evolve as a musician. That being said, I don't see a problem selling off some instruments to pursue a great bass if you're really sure about what it will do for you and why you want it! Part of the evolution.

Where you're at, I'd think selling off one of the good basses (probably the G&L if you're going Stingray) and two of the lower end basses would be the way to go. Then you'd still have a great wide range of playing options.
 
#108
the last several years , i prefer building or modding parts basses ...

leaving the boutique stuff in my past ... been there / done that .. done showing off , thanks

i find all my favorite parts that i learned to love on the expensive basses , and use them in my builds ...
favorite stuff , great playing basses , money in pocket ... ( recently addicted to pedals .. ha )
DSC01489.JPG
 
#114
i dont see why you necessarily think that the stingray will be sooooo much better than your other basses. what we think we want and whats actually amazing are usually 2 different things.

that being said . . . if you dont need different tunings or dont play live and need a back up, i'd totally be happy with just one bass that i liked more than other basses. i personally play in multiple bands, none of them play in the same tuning. plus i love jazz basses, but i love p basses too, couldnt live with just one or the other.
 
#115
i dont see why you necessarily think that the stingray will be sooooo much better than your other basses. what we think we want and whats actually amazing are usually 2 different things.

that being said . . . if you dont need different tunings or dont play live and need a back up, i'd totally be happy with just one bass that i liked more than other basses. i personally play in multiple bands, none of them play in the same tuning. plus i love jazz basses, but i love p basses too, couldnt live with just one or the other.
 
#116
i dont see why you necessarily think that the stingray will be sooooo much better than your other basses. what we think we want and whats actually amazing are usually 2 different things.

that being said . . . if you dont need different tunings or dont play live and need a back up, i'd totally be happy with just one bass that i liked more than other basses. i personally play in multiple bands, none of them play in the same tuning. plus i love jazz basses, but i love p basses too, couldnt live with just one or the other.
 
#117
As someone in the process of trying to properly maintain and store all my basses (in the rotation or otherwise)... more is more!

And yes, the path to one awesome bass leads through a whole bunch of very good ones. And some not-so-good ones.

Which can lead to some very tough decisions. Do you keep all the really good ones? I find that the more good ones you get, the harder they are to get rid of.

That said, sometimes the bass that is just sitting around is just waiting for the right project to come along!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back