Question for the Collectors - 6+ basses

[kodiakblair]

@NOVAX
Thanks for that description. I too have a collection of player basses Most of them are Peaveys so both affordable and varied.

 

[crossthestyx]

Personally, I think that I really only truly need 3 reliable s, and I prefer to focus on pushing myself to be a better player on those instruments that I feel really comfortable on. "Do you guys consider your collection complete?" F#%& NO! "Are you GASsing for another?" ALWAYS! I didn't realize there was a limit.

 

[mikewalker]

... Lots of times I have seen musicians change instruments, and delay negatively affected the pace of the gig. I have never played at, or seen, a gig where someone said "that would be better if he changed instruments".

...

Yet weekend warriors "need" multiple instruments. Multiple shiny things are nice, but they not a need.

I'll tell ya... for me - Hitting mute, pulling the plug out, and swapping on a new bass is a LOT faster than re-tuning the old one (which isn't properly set up for it, anyway...)

 

[buldog5151bass]

I'll tell ya... for me - Hitting mute, pulling the plug out, and swapping on a new bass is a LOT faster than re-tuning the old one (which isn't properly set up for it, anyway...)

. Then it sounds like you need to work on the basses you have. I have several nice basses, which makes me happy. I gigged one used bass alone for over two decades (30+ years later and I still have it), and I was happy.

 

[mikewalker]

. Then it sounds like you need to work on the basses you have. I have several nice basses, which makes me happy. I gigged one used bass alone for over two decades (30+ years later and I still have it), and I was happy.

Not sure what I could "work on"... down-tuning four semitones requires a change of string gauges, and possibly also a trussrod tweak and even slight nudges to the bridge saddles. I like my basses to be extremely "playable"!

 

[buldog5151bass]

You didn't say you were playing in tunings that for different. I just get a grin from the people who "need" to change basses during a set to get the "right" tone, etc.

Peace.

 

[BaltBass5]

I have 4-5 that never go anywhere and that get played very regularly. Outside of those I’m constantly trying new things and searching for something else that I’ll fall in love with.

 

[Gaolee]

I don't think of myself as a collector. Maybe a pack rat? I have nine bass guitars right now. Five Thunderbirds, an EB-2, an EB, a Precision, and a Fenderbird that's under construction. I like 'em all and don't have any urge or reason to sell one or more. They mostly get played, although the EB-2 is semi-retired at this point. All have battle scars, all have been played in front of an audience, and all will probably get played in front of an audience again. It just depends on my mood. They are all different.

My kid is a self-supporting adult and my wife is a patient saint. I probably won't go to double digits, though, because my luck has been pushed far enough. Besides, the rotation is big enough that a couple of them only rarely get played, which is bad.

 

[monsterthompson]

Nash P
Nash J
StingRay
Ric 4003
Spector J/MM Fretless
Spector Euro 5

Feeling pretty solid, with my tone choices available, and I love how they each play.

I occasionally lust for a Dingwall NG-2, or a Thumb (used to own a 5-er). I sometimes think of another P to have a flat/round pair. I sometimes want another Ric, just for a second, pretty color. I sometimes think about something uber-exotic or boutique like and F Bass, or Jerzy Drozd. My J gets played the least, so I've considered flipping it for another purchase, but I haven't done it yet.

Otherwise, I'm content.

 

[Big Shrek]

From the thread title, it seems you consider a “collector” to be anyone with more than 6 basses.

I disagree with that particular concept being what constitutes a “collector.” I would more tend to define a collector as anyone with three or more basses that never get out on the gig nor even get played, and were purchased with no intent to ever go out on a gig or be played. They just get taken out, polished, and put back in the case. That’s a collection.

For some collections, that's all that ever happens to 'em...New In Box, never played with...
YUKK!!!

Which is why my collections tend to be PLAYABLE!!
Or at least play-with-able
Like my oddball hand-to-hand weapons collection...what good is a sword if you never
take it out an swing it?? How lousy a swordsman would you be if you never practiced with
your best weapon?? Or practiced with the Tiger Hook swords?? (because if you don't
keep current with those, you'll cut the bleep outta yourself )
And let's not even discuss what happens if you get sloppy with an antique 3-section staff!
*braindamage/nutcracker*

Also take that same methodology with my toy collection...doled out year by year to my kids ,
They're meant to be played with by the appropriate age kids...so yeah, I've handed over
an $800 set of Super Joe's with Darkon Enemy to a pair of 6-yr old twins...who play with 'em!
Since they like to take care of what toys they have, they may last another 30 years

 

[GreyBeard]

Yeah, one last thing I would add regarding auditions.

Don’t show up with multiple basses. I think that generally confuses people. Unless I have some clue that a particular instrument is sought, I always just show up with a Fender style instrument that is capable of doing all the audition material. And, preferably a 4. And, having Fender on the headstock is also preferable. You can adapt later on to whatever actually fits best after you get the gig. At least, that’s how I roll.

What my P-bass is for.

 

[xnewyorka]

Do you guys consider your collection complete? Are you GASsing for another? What are some must haves in the collection? Any other advice?

I thought my collection was pretty complete when I had 12 basses.
Then I somehow ended up acquiring about 15 more.
I guess I feel like the 'collection' is not even remotely close to complete, since I don't have a Wal and I don't have an Alembic. Once I get at least one of each of those, it would be closer to complete. But to truly be complete, I would want to own at least one specimen of every make and model of bass that has ever been produced. (Except the el cheapos.) That will have to wait until I win the lottery.

Who can say what are the must haves? Depends what music you play. There are several basses that could truly be sufficient if you were allowed to own only one bass. Something that accurately nails both a P and a J sound would be a good start. Of course, if you can have multiple basses, then at least a P and a J and something with a humbucker or two would be the minimum starting point. Beyond that, the sky is the limit. Even having two of the same bass, but with completely different strings, will open new doors of tonal flexibility.

 

[gelinas666]

I have a collection.. More than 20 .. But not as many as John.. And if he was still was with us,he would still be finding the "next one"...

 

[iamoldschool]

I have nine: US Fender P5, US Fender J5, MM Stingray 5, Clement Kim J5, US Reverend RL5, Wishbass Hipper FL 5, US Peavey Dynabass 5, Chinese Rickenbacker 5, Chinese SR5 HH. I honestly do not have bass gas at all and have gigged all except the Chinese SR5(a friend has it trying to make it playable). Don't want to get rid of any and don't want any more. Now amps, that's another story. I only have four.

 

[GreyBeard]

I have 6 basses but I play them all and they see an occasional gig. p-bass, SR5, SR5 fretless, Sire v7, ATK 305, and SX jazz with flats. I have a collection but I don't consider myself a collector.

 

[telecopy]

Do you guys consider your collection complete? Are you GASsing for another? What are some must haves in the collection? Any other advice?

I never had anything but a four. Never needed more.

 

[Admiral Akbar]

I was never a collector, because to me a collection implies some rhyme or reason to it. Like one of each Fender bass model from a particular year in matching colors, a Gibson Thunderbird in every available color, one of every variation of the 1980s P Elite (I, II, gold, chrome, walnut), etc.

I just bought basses I wanted to play, some got used on gigs and those that didn't were sold off over time. At this point in my life I don't plan on ever buying another bass and will possibly sell off.

/\ this /\

 

[wysiwyg248]

Collecting? no way, I'm still missing a Modulus 5 string, a nice MM Stingray and a Ken Smith

'89 Tobias Basic Pre-Gibson basic 6-String
'08 MTD 535-24 Red
'85 Pearl White Fender Jazz Bass Special
'07 Fender Marcus Miller, MIJ natural 4 Strings
'02 Fender Jazz Burgundy Mist, CS masterbuilt Mark Kendrick
'03 Warwick Thumb NT
'02 Fender 1959 Precision Custom Shop
'98 Fender Sunburst Precision MIA
'08 Fender Jaguar Red, MIJ
'01 Fender Jazz, Olympic white relic CS with retrofitted 2TEK bridge
?? Sadowsky 4 String Jazz, AAAA maple top
'97 Fender Jazz, CS Sunburst (Cunetto?)
'04 Fender Jazz, CS Sherwood Green, body & neck masterbuilt Jason Smith
'91 Fender Bass Center Jazz fretless Jaco Bass, number 1 of 100
'07 Fender Cunetto Fretless Jazz, special order Sam Ash 03 of 17

Please, do not let my wife know. LOL

 

[BurnOut]

I'm not really a collector, it's more like good deals just magically appear and end up in my house.
I am gassing hard for a nice Squier P right now rather hard. I don't think I've ever gassed for a certain bass. I've always bought different ones that have appeared. So I'm a wreck dealing with this new overwhelming emotion.

 

[Gizmot]

I don’t see the purpose in buying any instrument and just keep it laying around in the case. Instruments are made to be played.

I have 5 basses and I switch them every few weeks ( I play every week). So - I’m only using each of these basses about a dozen times a year.

I’d like to have a Dingwall, but I would be using my basses even less if I had it.