Whenever I add a project or just a one off gig, I decide which bass is going to fit that project the best and then also will select and change strings for the best sound for that gig. For me, having different basses is almost entirely so I can have different string options.
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Owners of multiple basses: anyone else do this?
- Thread starter birminghambass
- Start date
Well- I have a several- 2004 Fretless G&L 5 string (see my profile pic), 2004 Fretted G&L 5 String, 99 Warwick Corvette Pro 5 String, 78 Fender Jazz (Antigua- love the 70's avocado green), 64 Gretsch 6071, and my 2014 Upton upright. I play the upright mainly in a bluegrass band and sometimes in the Americana band when it fits. I mostly cycle between the fretted G&L and the Warwick. Each time I go away from the Warwick, when I pick it up, my hands just know it. The bass feels like home. But inevitably, I pick up another bass and play it for a while, always returning back to that Warwick. Can't explain why either- it's the feel more than the sound, which is why I tend to cycle through other basses.
I haven't bonded with my Gretsch yet. I like playing it, the sound is great, but the feel is off.
I haven't bonded with my Gretsch yet. I like playing it, the sound is great, but the feel is off.
I did not check any box because I do a bit of boxes 1 and 3.
All of my basses sound different from each other so I take the bass ( or basses) which fit what we are playing that week.
However...I do try to get each bass post time in a reasonable cycle
All of my basses sound different from each other so I take the bass ( or basses) which fit what we are playing that week.
However...I do try to get each bass post time in a reasonable cycle
Depends. I'm usually "stuck" with a few basses when I'm in a band. In between bands, I get to grab what I want, which is often something I have neglected.
This is why everything is connected... I was actually eating carrots when I read the post...
I rotated basses constantly for nearly 17 years until I got my current main bass, which has become my all-time favorite and it's the first bass I've ever had where I feel like I'll never let myself be without one again. It's almost odd being so happy with one instrument.
I choose between whether I want a four with rounds, a four with flats, or a 5+ stringer, depending on what would work best for the week's songs (church gig). But for each of those categories, I have multiples that I rotate through pretty regularly. "Oh, I played this one last time, so now I'll use that one" sort of thing.
I've been in 2 originals bands for something like 5 years now. I have 5 Ricks that are all set up very differently,a P,a J,a fretless,an 8-string,a Yamaha bb,and a Guild SB. (Hmmm,missing a hollowbody!)
I like to rotate them all (mostly) equally, just to hear how the differences in sound might affect the group sound. I typically only take one bass to practice,so if i choose the fretless,or the 8 string,every song gets that treatment that night. Fortunately,i've learned how to de-accentuate the overt characteristics of those,so every song isn't all mwahy or guitartwang when i choose them.
I like to rotate them all (mostly) equally, just to hear how the differences in sound might affect the group sound. I typically only take one bass to practice,so if i choose the fretless,or the 8 string,every song gets that treatment that night. Fortunately,i've learned how to de-accentuate the overt characteristics of those,so every song isn't all mwahy or guitartwang when i choose them.
When I was gigging, all of the above. Now a bedroom player and, uh, all of the above!
I have some on cases in my closet and some out on the wall on hangers. There's a Jazz bass I've owned since 2003 that is my go-to bass. My benchmark. Then I have "flavor of the month" basses - either new ones I've bought or an old one I rotated out and did a setup a string change.
There are some basses I grab when I just want a good slap bass, while others when I want a different sound. Sometimes I will reach for a fretless.
When I gigged, I will change up which bass I brought to practice and see how differently in sits in the mix. If I were running late, I'd grab my Jazz bass. Dependable, always ready, stays "set up".
I think its important to have that one bass you can always count on. Feels like home. You know the controls without looking down. The feel of the neck profile. It might not be your most expensive or best sounding bass, but its your comfort zone. You can focus on the gig instead of fiddling with the bass. After that, everything else is gravy.
I have some on cases in my closet and some out on the wall on hangers. There's a Jazz bass I've owned since 2003 that is my go-to bass. My benchmark. Then I have "flavor of the month" basses - either new ones I've bought or an old one I rotated out and did a setup a string change.
There are some basses I grab when I just want a good slap bass, while others when I want a different sound. Sometimes I will reach for a fretless.
When I gigged, I will change up which bass I brought to practice and see how differently in sits in the mix. If I were running late, I'd grab my Jazz bass. Dependable, always ready, stays "set up".
I think its important to have that one bass you can always count on. Feels like home. You know the controls without looking down. The feel of the neck profile. It might not be your most expensive or best sounding bass, but its your comfort zone. You can focus on the gig instead of fiddling with the bass. After that, everything else is gravy.
I love my Ric 4003 so much that I am a bad man when it comes to my wonderful Fenders. I do so love both of them, however I tend to get everything I want out of the Ric, and so the Fenders just don't get the attention they deserve. Do I love them? Oh yes. Especially the 4-string Jazz Frankenfender. That bass has gotten me through a lot of gigs, and it feels comfortable and sounds great. If I didn't have the Ric, I would play it all the time. The 5-string Jazz was always more of a specialty item, but I do love it.
I am a bad Talkbasser anyway, as I do own more guitars than basses. In my defense, most of them are acoustic, and I am a far better bass player than guitar player. Which means don't ever hire me as your guitar player.
I am a bad Talkbasser anyway, as I do own more guitars than basses. In my defense, most of them are acoustic, and I am a far better bass player than guitar player. Which means don't ever hire me as your guitar player.
I have one bass I take to almost all my gigs... one for backup and a few select gigs... and one for practice.
Every once in a while I get the yearning to play a particular bass. Usually one that's been locked away in its case for a while. I'll play it for a while and try to remember what it was that made this instrument appealing. Most times, it's evident from the start. I'll pick up my '68 P bass and "Yeah!". Or the trusty '76 P. Lately I've had a crush on the fretless 4001 (see avatar). When it comes time to record, whatever bass fits the circumstances is the one employed. For some odd reason I can get all of my basses to sound almost alike (maybe it's because I stink). With EQ and a little diligence you'd be surprised at the results, tone wood be damned.
I've been telling my wife for 40 years. The last bass I'll ever need is the next one.
