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Playing bass for one year - anything wrong having already 8 instruments?

M

mitzache

Jan 14, 2013
30
0
#1
Hi guys, I am not sure what's a "normal" rate of buying new instruments but after almost one year picking up on playing bass I already have one Fodera NYC Empire, one Alembic Epic, one American Jazz, one 1975 P-Bass, one Modulus Q5, one Acoustic Ibanez, one parkland acoustic guitar and one ESP LTD electric guitar.

Is this something normal? I have been playing pretty much every day since I started and already play in a band but to this point I think I might be a bit of a bass ho...
 

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#6
electracoyote said:
People collect stamps that are otherwise useless.

Why should collecting instruments, regardless of you skill level, be considered so strange?
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Yeah! That's what I always say. Also, from a business perspective, these things barely loose value. Not that I plan to sell any ever but feels good to have something that at any point in time if things go wrong I can sell and get some good value back.
 
#8
I've been playing bass almost 30 times as long as you have, and have purchased approximately one-third of the basses you have in the time we have been playing. So normal? Absolutely not (although I know I'm at the low end of the spectrum). Wrong? Absolutely not. Although I'd personally prefer to get used to an instrument for a year or so before I'd consider moving onto another, YMMV.
 
#11
Something a pro friend of mine told me years ago ... any time you think you want/need a new bass go learn to do something new on the one(s) you already own. Anyone with the $$$ can buy an instrument. Nothing wrong with having more than one or two instruments, but in the end, it's the woodsman NOT the axe.
 
#12
mitzache said:
Hi guys, I am not sure what's a "normal" rate of buying new instruments but after almost one year picking up on playing bass I already have one Fodera NYC Empire, one Alembic Epic, one American Jazz, one 1975 P-Bass, one Modulus Q5, one Acoustic Ibanez, one parkland acoustic guitar and one ESP LTD electric guitar.

Is this something normal? I have been playing pretty much every day since I started and already play in a band but to this point I think I might be a bit of a bass ho...
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Nothing wrong at all with having many instruments.
It also is no where near as interesting as it would be to hear what you actually do with them. :)
 
#13
cnltb said:
Nothing wrong at all with having many instruments.
It also is no where near as interesting as it would be to hear what you actually do with them. :)
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I know I know... My skills probably don't deserve these beautiful instruments. I do play every day pretty much though, and to this end I can play a large amount of stuff out there. I definitely lack in being fast enough. Something I need to improve. On the other hand, I find a huge motivational factor changing the instrument I play almost every week on a rotational basis. It's like keeping in check and not letting me getting too comfortable with one single style/ instrument. It feels like that at least.
 
#16
I have been playing for over two years and i am working on my 5th axe.

Whatever inspires me to play, be it another bass, then so be it.

Eventually you'll grow into it.

Don't you buy a house wishing that someday you will fill it?

My ability will fill my collection,,,,,be it at a different rate.
 
#17
While I have to admit some gear envy, I don't see anything wrong with it. If you're passionate about something, go whole hog. Sometimes the feel and tone of an instrument will inspire you to play or compose something completely differently than if you had attempted it with another instrument.
 
#19
Batman! said:
While I have to admit some gear envy, I don't see anything wrong with it. If you're passionate about something, go whole hog. Sometimes the feel and tone of an instrument will inspire you to play or compose something completely differently than if you had attempted it with another instrument.
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Ah. I could not say this better. I wish it could be different for the sake of my pocket and marriage but it feels just as you said.
 
#20
RustyAxe said:
Something a pro friend of mine told me years ago ... any time you think you want/need a new bass go learn to do something new on the one(s) you already own. Anyone with the $$$ can buy an instrument. Nothing wrong with having more than one or two instruments, but in the end, it's the woodsman NOT the axe.
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+1

Anyway, it's your money, and you can do what you want with it.
I'm a pro, I had my first paid gig back in 1986, and I only have seven basses, the more expensive is an 80's Ibanez Musician.

Have fun, it's the first thing.
 

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