Owning mutiple basses drives me nuts.

[::::BASSIST::::]

I have two basses. My Stambaugh J shortscale (around $2000) and my Squire Jag ss (around $170). The Stammie is hands down better but I do like my Jag quite a bit too.

As a minimalist (trying to own only a few quality possessions) I am quite tempted to sell the Jag, but then I think do I need a backup? I never bring two basses to a gig and I have never had an issue with a bass so I guess I don't but I'm still on the fence.

 

[Marko 1]

I think I’d get bored with one bass. I play one for a while, maybe weeks, then think about what the other offers, switch to that ‘till I get bored with it, then on to whichever other one I choose.

I have three that are different enough, but each can cover whatever I need to do.

 

[chivsjawn]

I also play Ibanez Roadstar 2, 1983. I have Fender fretless jazz, but I never use it. I've used a Warwick corvette for three years in the army, I like it, but every time I bring my Ibanez to a gig my friends compliment my Ibanez tone not the Warwick tone... Guess that's why I've never felt a need for another bass.

 

[Bubba Ghanoosh]

Of my basses, my favorite is the one I'm playing at that particular moment.

 

[diamond]

dear bass gentlemen you all have great valid points and i know we will not reach a conclusion. but please realize we are fortunate to have the burden of making a choice. each bass you may own has a sentiment you put into to it. when you play it it comes alive.

 

[Britbonic]

I had 8 basses until last fall when I decided it didn't make any sense to keep the basses I wasn't playing or didn't love. It also helped me better understand what I liked and didn't like in a bass.

Narrowed my collection down to 3, 2 pbasses and 1 jazz. My AVRI 57 PBass has TI flats and is perfect for jazz or old school r&b and blues. The other is a 2008/11 AM Std with a Dave Allen pickup. These 2 basses cover everything I need a PBass to do and I love playing them. Only way I would get a different one is if I found a deal on a vintage one that spoke to me or decided I needed to have one of the new Fender vintage series. Jazz is an 83 Fullerton AVRI 62 Jazz. Feel like I'm still learning things about this bass. 2012 PDN Stingray 5 is recent purchase. My 3rd 5er to date and def a keeper. Still learning about the nuances of Stingrays.

I like different basses for different projects but since they are always on stands in my home studio they all get played. Sometimes you grab one and it feels great and you get inspired. Other times none of them feel quite right. Love having the variety but won't keep a bass that I don't play.

Having multiple basses and playing through different basses till you find the ones you like is like playing with multiple drummers. You know a good one when you find one and you get a better understanding for why the others aren't quite right.

 

[sj_bass]

I play boring Fender Precisions.
...

Boring Fenders rule.

+1

With +/- 8 Fenders in the stable, it's overkill. But, what a way to go!

 

[atomicdog]

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?

Analogous to high-end stereo speakers. No pair does everything. Each has a sweet spot, maybe acoustic jazz or orchestral music or rock sounds best. You use them a while and then start to pick up on their limitations. Basses are like that, too. Each ahs its strong point. And the sound of an individual bass can fluctuate: strings settle in and the tone morphs, or humidity flexes the neck. Whatever. I'm weeding mine out (I have 10) but I'd rather have too many than (dare I say it without sounding like a spoiled child) not enough.

 

[Catbuster]

I have a lot of essentially the same thing... P basses with roundwounds. And the only reason is that outside of keys, I don't like to transpose and like to have a backup. Oh, and I have that jazz bass thing for... I dunno right now...

 

[ProgRocker]

I had 6 basses ('97 Fender Am/Dlx fretless, Stu Hamm "Urge", Schecter Elete 5 string, Yamaha BB300, Takaminie Jasmine dreadnaught acoustic, and a Michael Kelly "dragonfly" 5 string acoustic fretless). I sold all but the Yamaha and the Schecter. Broke my heart to sell the Jasmine, I'd had it 12 years and enjoyed playing it.

But we fell on tough times and needed the money. I don't miss the other three. Last Christmas, my wife bought me a Dean EABC acoustic 4 string. Love it! Sounds and plays better than my Jasmine did.

So, I guess it depends on what you want to do. If you never really play the other basses, or they have issues (my Urge bass had a lot of pup noise, the Michael Kelly 5 string acoustic, while beautiful across the board, I just didn't play very often) I'd sell those. The sale of which can fund other musical purchases.

 

[bigmoosepi]

I think I’d get bored with one bass. I play one for a while, maybe weeks, then think about what the other offers, switch to that ‘till I get bored with it, then on to whichever other one I choose.

I have three that are different enough, but each can cover whatever I need to do.

If you have basses you "get bored of" then you haven't found the right bass

 

[tbplayer59]

Maybe the boredom comes from playing one type of music. Different styles require different tools.

 

[Jolt De Bolt]

Yes, anyone with more than 1 bass can totally relate to your dilemma. I own 11 basses (yes, it started with one) and the way it is for me, i wanted to have variety while i was developing a style, that is not restricted to one bass only. However, you can master one specific instrument if, that what you desire.
Imagine, if you are a Ninja, then you don't only throw ninja stars exclusively. You gotta be good at other styles of fighting, ultimately you want apply of every style there is.
So, the point is that, having versatility when you playing or practicing it can add a different style to your approach as how to play bass in a more creative way. That's right, switching from a Rickenbacker 4003 to a Fender Precision will give you a different prospective about the instrument itself and of course different feel, sound, plays different.
Having more than bass is OK, as long as they have been played. Let's not forget, an instrument meant to be played, overall.
Ultimately, it is up to personal taste and wallet. If you don't have to sell then, please don't. Keep it, keep'm all...and play!!

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?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

OP, you might just enjoy owning and collecting basses more than practicing.

 

[theevilplankton]

I'm with the OP on this one.

Currently down to two basses (US Precision, Ric 4003). In the last couple of years I've become a P-lover....it does everything so easily. It's also light, which the Ric isn't.

I've constantly thought about selling the Ric - I find it heavy, but it sounds great in my originals band....and it looks great in the pictures!

I think seeing things like the 'Bass Of Doom' haven't helped - I love the idea of just bonding with an instrument to that extent....always a problem when you have more than one.

But then you have the whole 'do you need a backup.....'?

 

[spiritbass]

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?

Accept the reality that for you, as a minimalist bassist, the minimum number of basses is four.

 

[bassbully]

Since I know how to shop/buy and do not own an expensive bass anymore having 9 basses is not an issue. Three are
Short scale and when the mood strikes I choose one .The others are all P basses but diffent necks ect and i just pick one for the gig when I'm getting ready. It's not a big deal sine I don't feel I have any expensive basses just sitting at home and most were paid for long ago with gig money.

 

[SteveHeissner]

Agent77, your dilemma reminds me of the single guy with too many girlfriends. He can't decide which one he likes boning the best. It's a great problem to have in this life. Enjoy.

 

[adk teleman]

I have 3 basses a 92 Fender P, and a 2011Fender Fretless J and a 2011 Fender Jazz. I have found that I really enjoy having the 2 fretted and 1 fretless. It gives me all the tonal options I want and also just enough variety to keep me interested and keep the GAS away.