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Poll: 5 "Twos" or 1 "Ten"

5 "Twos" or 1 "Ten"

  • The more the merrier

    Votes: 15 16.3%

  • Gimme' the knockout

    Votes: 77 83.7%
  • Total voters
    92
  • Poll closed .
Porksicle

Porksicle

May 16, 2008
83
1
48
Taylor, MI
#1
I've been looking at my bass collection, and I'm wondering if I should sell off a few of the lesser instruments I own (MIM Jazz, Ibanez 4XX series SDG and BTB, etc.) and push for one kickass bass (really gassing for a Sadowsky NYC Vintage 4).

Keep in mind, these "twos" are basses that I use and play, both live and in recording, and most are modified with better hardware, electronics, etc, so it's not really a question of whether to trade a bunch of junk basses.

So what would you rather have, a few mediocre basses or one kickin' gem?
 
#6
I vote less quantity, more quality. I just did that actually. I sold off several electric guitars, an acoustic 12 string, and a heavily modded Lakland 5501 for a custom Valenti J5 and I must say I'm very happy about my decision. Although I miss my Lakland, I'm glad I have my Valenti. It has everything I want in one bass and is such a nice bass. I'd tell anyone in your position to do the same thing. Quality beats quantity IMO.
 
#8
Ha! I thought this thread would be a poll on what kind of ten string bass you should get (five string in octaves or ten separate strings). XP Anyhow, I would personally get the one really good bass; well that is, if it's a really good versatile bass.
 
#10
Dave Muscato said:
A few mediocre basses here, if I had to choose. I play live often and always bring a backup, and for recording, I either use one of my Line6 Variax basses, or rent on the rare occasions that the producer doesn't like the sound of the Variax (hasn't happened yet!).
Click to expand...

I'd forgotten all about the Variax...

Let's say I decide to go with the gusto and grab up a real hottie - would you think a Variax + POD combination could take care of any versatility issues as a backup
 
#12
I wouldn't really judge most of those as a two, more of 5s. I voted for the one 10, but that's just because for me a 2 would be something very sup-par. A 5 would be the average bass, which is still of decent quality, and a 10 would be the type of bass that I could never justify no matter how much money I had.
 
#15
For me it's about the love, not the quantity.
I'd rather have one bass that just DOES it for me, every time I pick it up, than 3 or 5 or 10 that are like "yeah, that's pretty cool".
 
#18
Depends how varied your playing can be. If I was playing in a Jazz band, a Thrash Metal band, a Rock band and a Funk band, I certainly wouldn't wanna play the same bass for all of them. No matter how versatile a bass can be, I reckon a bass specifically made for Metal is going to sound alot more metal then adding a little grind to a Jazz bass etc.

I just like to have a little variation though, I like the idea of having a bass for each project I do. Especially when it comes to using my ATK for stuff (not had to yet) since it has such a signature sound, and is definitely part of our bands overall sound. Don't know how awful some of those Ibanezes might be though, only had experience with my ATK and a few high-end ergodynes.
 
#20
waynobass said:
With the modifications, I'd say more like: 5 "fives" or 1 "nine."
Click to expand...

I would agree with "waynobass". The poll should have been presented with a more accurate portrayal of the status quo.

I already have one 10 (or perhaps a 9.5). It would be fun to have several #5's for novelty sake but for the real show the 9-10 should be reliable enough to handle anything and provide a better overall sound and response for the performance. I'd purchase a used 2-5 for backup only. It'd be rarely played. I've never seen the need to take a "backup". My Sadowsky has active pickups with passive override if needed. I've never seen a broken string on a bass (not my style). With one guitar I am more in tune with its maintenance level and potential breakdowns.
 

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