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One to rule them all... OK, maybe two.

BassJuju

BassJuju

Jul 9, 2016
2,860
7,985
Texas
#1
I am not going to discuss brands or models in this thread because I don't want to raise that level of partiality. Certainly everyone has preferences and that's why there is more than one option.

So, I have multiple basses. 3 different brands as well. A couple are specialty, fretless and hollow body, but the others are similar in as many ways as they are different. I have been playing two basses from one manufacturer a lot. Like 2 gigs, all practice, and every chance I get for the past few months. Other than picking up the hollow body for a bluegrass number at church and playing a little fretless, it has been these two particular basses. I had a practice/jam session last night and due to the number of factors I took a different bass. After the session I felt like I had been wrestling for a few hours. The tone was fine, but the playability just isn't the same. The others play, or at least my perception is that play, easier. Now, I am wondering if I will ever play it again. So, is this normal? Personally, I think this might be a good thing, but I am curious what others think and if the have similar feelings.
 
#2
Lots of great players play only one bass for years. Nothing wrong with toys, and buying them, but whoever can't live with only one bass is kidding themself. When I was younger, I gigged the same one bass for over two decades (jazz, rock, pit bands, church, concert band in high school as well) - never felt I was missing anything.
 
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#3
buldog5151bass said:
Lots of great players play only one bass for years. Nothing wrong with toys, and buying them, but whoever can't live with only one bass is kidding themself. When I was younger, I gigged the same one bass for over two decades (jazz, rock, pit bands, church, concert band in high school as well) - never felt I was missing anything.
Click to expand...

I agree - and struggle - with this all the time. I have had as many as 9 basses at once (chump change to some people eon TB I know but a lot for me) and now have just one. I have gone thru all kinds of gear. Some in the "quest" for tone, some for fun. I have spent (and lost) a bunch of money. I have also learned (I think) a lot in the process.

I currently have what I NEED to do any gig I could possibly have in the foreseeable future around here. I have a really nice active 5 string "custom" bass, a nice little combo amp/cab rig and a DI/IEM board.

If you have the urge and can afford toys and swapping gear, great. I did it for a long time. I am glad that I am basically off the gear train/revolving door days. I like having a reduced amount of gear and knowing what it will do an that I can play it in any situation and get a useable tone for the gig. Would I like a 2nd bass? Sure. I have my eye on a couple but I also can live just fine with what I have.

People know what they are getting when they book me for a gig. They may not know what bass I'll bring (not as much an issue these days) but they know it'll be appropriate for the gig and I'll play appropriate lines with a good tone. I will listen and do my best to "lock in" and give the best effort that I can.
 
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#4
I think 2 is the sweet spot for me. I can do everything I need to do with a Pbass wearing flats and a Jazz bass wearing rounds with both active/ passive options.

I did have to go through a lot of gear , time and money to find out what I need , prefer, and what fits for me.
I'm not into collecting. I'm more into playing.

Less is more for me. I can concentrate on getting the most out of my playing. However I do understand that this approach might not be what is best for others .
 
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#5
I do every gig with two basses and a backup of both. The key is finding a tone that works for you, and is likely flexible enough to handle a lot of gigs. I could probably do everything with my two fivers, but I really prefer the feel of my fours and I have them set up for a slightly different sound.

One bass to rule them all would be an active P/J strung with Rotosound steel roundwound strings. If you roll off the top, I think a lot of people would be surprised at how "old school" it sounds.
 
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#7
If I ruled out unique basses ... like my ABG and my 6 I guess I could break it down to one if I had to. I have 4 5s which is what I play most and I could go down to two if I had to. As it stands now I would be hard pressed to pick one of 3 to get rid of ... but the Cirrus 5 stays. I could actually see me selling off all 3 of the others and just getting another Cirrus and calling it a day but I would keep the 6 (a Cirrus also) and the ABG which is a 4. I could in a pinch if pressed sell off my other basses including my 78 Jazz.
 
#11
I have two main players. Really, I have one that I prefer to play because it plays so well. But, while the bandmates like that one, they really like the sound of the other one better. The issue is, while I wouldn't say i have to fight it, it definitely does not play as easily as my favorite.

Do you use the same strings on them? I find that every bass has strings that it likes best and it is always a quest to find the set that matches perfectly.
 
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#12
mdogs said:
I have two main players. Really, I have one that I prefer to play because it plays so well. But, while the bandmates like that one, they really like the sound of the other one better. The issue is, while I wouldn't say i have to fight it, it definitely does not play as easily as my favorite.

Do you use the same strings on them? I find that every bass has strings that it likes best and it is always a quest to find the set that matches perfectly.
Click to expand...

i had that thought because of the intimacy of playing a bass through the strings. They are a different set, but all of my basses are different sets. I can say that I am not liking this set and have tried to change them once. I like TI flats, but costs makes me proceed with caution. Still cheaper than a new bass or taking a loss on a current one.
 
#13
Strings do make a huge difference. Can be a little expensive (5 string over 4) to do a lot of experimenting - still cheaper than a new bass) but I seem to have settled on DR High Beams for my Roscoe with Barts. When I get new bass G.A.S. it usually means I need to change strings. Amazing what that does - for me anyway.
 
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#14
BassJuju said:
The others play, or at least my perception is that play, easier. Now, I am wondering if I will ever play it again. So, is this normal? Personally, I think this might be a good thing, but I am curious what others think and if the have similar feelings.
Click to expand...

i've slowly modified/altered my instruments so that they all are in the same 'ballpark' when it comes to feel: any one of them is good to go, for me. they have different electronics (some passive, some active), different hardware, different weights, yada yada: but they all feel about the same (really talking about the neck and fb, here). so: no, i'm not experiencing your issue so much. i've done these mods (or had them done) just so my hands and little brain wouldn't have to do so much adjusting.

do you think that the feel of the neck/fb is your issue?
 

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