• 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.

Owning mutiple basses drives me nuts.

neo 7

neo 7

The bass player doesn't get a sandwich
Aug 22, 2011
2,747
3,413
Erie, PA
#1
I own 4 basses, which may be 3 too many. I never get any real serious practice time in, I always try to decide which bass I like best. I usually bounce back and forth between my Mustang and MusicMaster, only occasionally play my Precision.

3 days ago I would have sworn that I would keep the Mustang forever and ever; but I got a bit tired of the muddy, muffled sound of the open E. So I picked up the MusicMaster, and I'm loving it as much as I ever did.

I often think that any of my basses will sound the same to the average Joe in the audience, and I should sell all but one, only I know I'll regret it later. I guess what it comes down to is my minimalist nature has a desire for my one and only bass. Can anyone relate?
 
#2
I own probably 8 or 10 basses. I have most of them in cases. My Ric is my main player and often it is the only one I pull out on a gig. I will pull out the Traben for some songs though, if I feel like it ( It is always on the stand at a gig, just in case).

If I were you, I would hide the other basses and play your favorite exclusively for awhile. Then put it away and play the next one exclusively for awhile. Etcetera.
 
#4
The way I see it, if you keep pondering at it, you'll never settle down on one bass. I've got two ways to sure it:

1) Get another occupation which takes your attention away a little from these so you're not continuously pondering which one is *best*, like you said the average Joe will not notice any difference (most will not even know what you do in the band because they *can't hear* you).

2) Sell all 4 and buy one which is well over your budget, this will help stop you from thinking about another bass because you simply will not be able to afford any in the near future.


These tricks work for me all the time. If I start pondering deeply, then I know it's time to take a break and back off, until I come to my senses, it's a bit like having a crush on a girl, once you get out of it you realize she's actually not THAT desirable after all ;)
 
#9
Ah, the paradox of choice. Yes I can relate.

When I was a kid in the 70s, I had one bass. I couldn't afford another one. But I didn't want another one, and there were only really two you could get..Precision, or Jazz.

I have alot more money now, and alot more basses, and not happy with any of them the way I was with "the one". (It was stolen).

That's the way it goes I guess. While you'll get a million people saying you 'need' more than one bass, that's just not true, "they" need more than one. Pretty much every GREAT bassist made their mark on music history on ONE kind of instrument, regardless of it's quirks.

Being married to one bass or one person for that matter is hard work,..the commitment is worth it, or not!

Yeah I can relate. I don't think there's a good answer, damned if I could find one.
 
#13
I've been playing just a year and I've got three, which I know seems a bit overboard. Though my go to bass is my VM Jazz. I picked up a $40 Jay Turser Scarabe off CL to learn repair, maintenance, and modding on so I wouldn't mess up my VM. The third and newest is my Washburn AB10, I picked her up for a pretty decent price last week. the Wash is really growing on me, I've only touched my VM for tone comparison during a jam session. I'm sure once I get some decent strings on the Washburn it will turn into my main player. I'll probably never sell the VM as it holds a special place in my heart as my first bass, and has gotten many compliments from my friends who have been playing 10+ years, saying that it has great action, good tone, and plays like butter (which may be because they had never played on flats before.)I don't think I could give the Scarabe away.
 
#14
I have 4 basses also, but all perform different functions (or at least do the same function differently), so I have justified keeping them.

I do play them all, but it's really just 2 that get the most play time lately. However, in the past, it was a different 2 of the 4 that saw the most time.
Things change.

wraub
 
#18
agent77 said:
I own 4 basses, which may be 3 too many. I never get any real serious practice time in, I always try to decide which bass I like best. I usually bounce back and forth between my Mustang and MusicMaster, only occasionally play my Precision.

3 days ago I would have sworn that I would keep the Mustang forever and ever; but I got a bit tired of the muddy, muffled sound of the open E. So I picked up the MusicMaster, and I'm loving it as much as I ever did.

I often think that any of my basses will sound the same to the average Joe in the audience, and I should sell all but one, only I know I'll regret it later. I guess what it comes down to is my minimalist nature has a desire for my one and only bass. Can anyone relate?
Click to expand...

Wait until you get GAS!!
 
#19
I used to have 20, now I have 8 and I am going down to 4-5 real giggable basses.

My Fodera is getting much of my love these days, but my MTD is right up there. Beyond them, I always have Fenders to play as I just love P & J basses. I am keeping my '70s P & J and I have a new active American Deluxe Jazz 5er on the way. If I can't cover everything with these 5, I need to pick up a different hobby.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back