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Resurrection Thread- Anyone own only ONE bass?
- Thread starter FishDub
- Start date
I did the same. Then discovered that my 4-string fretless and my 5-string fretted had different scale lengths. Too hard to get used to. Gave away the fretless.
"American Performer" Precision. It's actually a PJ, love it, no need for anything else. Unless.....
Bought a Fender Mustang back in 2005 which is my only bass. Tried a few others and they didn’t play or sound as good for some reason. Maybe one day I’ll find one I like better.
Just one. I'm dirt poor, on SSDI.
I have a Gretsch Electromatic Junior Jet II G2220 short scale 4 string, black. I love it! But I didn't consider strings when I bought it. Heavy gauge short scale strings just don't exist, when they should be more common because shorts have less tension.
I play drop-D, so I usually get a DR Hi Beams set of 45 65 85 105 stainless steel, then I got a 110 nps from Stringjoy. It's close, but I wish I could use Blue Steel on it.
I got a Schecter Stiletto Stealth 5 recently but it arrived damaged and had severe fret buzz and a back-bow, so I returned it. Still just have one bass, and although I've had 4 in my life, I've only had one at a time since 1999.
I have a Gretsch Electromatic Junior Jet II G2220 short scale 4 string, black. I love it! But I didn't consider strings when I bought it. Heavy gauge short scale strings just don't exist, when they should be more common because shorts have less tension.
I play drop-D, so I usually get a DR Hi Beams set of 45 65 85 105 stainless steel, then I got a 110 nps from Stringjoy. It's close, but I wish I could use Blue Steel on it.
I got a Schecter Stiletto Stealth 5 recently but it arrived damaged and had severe fret buzz and a back-bow, so I returned it. Still just have one bass, and although I've had 4 in my life, I've only had one at a time since 1999.
One Epi T-bird pro, pimped with EMG CS + DC and Kahler whammy.
That's all I need.
That's all I need.
I have one and only one bass, a 1965 Jazz. Bought used around 1979. Probably played close to 1000 gigs with it. When I play someone elses bass, it feels odd. A P-bass neck feels like a 2x4. -- Been thinking about getting something "less valuable", to use for rehearsals etc.
If you're playing mostly for fun, having just one bass is fine. But you aren't stuck with that particular bass forever; it's okay to trade it in on another if your tastes or interests change.
If you're seriously playing for money, you really should consider a backup instrument; doesn't have to be a twin of the first, as long as it plays bass noes you'll be able to finish the gig. The backup can be a less expensive bass (a Squier or MIM Fender as backup to MIA Fender, or example). It just has to play and sound "good enough", whatever that means to you. A second bass sitting on a stand behind you looks impressive, too.
What bass should be your "only" or "Primary"? That's entirely up to you.
If you're seriously playing for money, you really should consider a backup instrument; doesn't have to be a twin of the first, as long as it plays bass noes you'll be able to finish the gig. The backup can be a less expensive bass (a Squier or MIM Fender as backup to MIA Fender, or example). It just has to play and sound "good enough", whatever that means to you. A second bass sitting on a stand behind you looks impressive, too.
What bass should be your "only" or "Primary"? That's entirely up to you.
I'm an old timer that played Precision and Jazz basses for many years. Played several other brands and styles briefly over the years mostly because someone said "here try this to see if you like it" or sitting in at someone's gig and playing the bass player's instrument. I now have one bass and I'm pleased with it. That said would I have Dingwall build a multi scale 5 or 6 string bass for me if I had a bunch of disposable income - Yes. Here's my "parts" bass. Warmoth swamp-ash body and maple Tele bass neck (J-bass nut width) w/Indian Rosewood Fingerboard. Duncan 1/4 pounders P-neck, J-bridge. Hipshot 4 String Vintage Bass Bridge. CTS Stacked/Concentric Pots with treble bleed on each volume. CTS Jack. Cloth push back wiring. Schaller old style tuners. Satin nitro finish on the neck done by Warmoth and true oil finish on the body by me (lots of hand rubbing and sanding with Micro-Mesh).
I had an Ibanez, sold it to buy a saxophone, found out I didn’t have enough air to play it. So I traded it for a Yamaha 4 string.
This one I’ve had about 5/6 years.
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I never had more than three at a time. But for the past 11 years I've owned only one at a time. First one was a MIG Warwick Fortress One 5-string with J pups. I saved up, sold the Fortress and bought a used 2008 Warwick MIG Corvette $$ 5-string. For the past 6 years it's been played daily, giged several hundred times, and enjoyed every time. 10 lbs but I got used to it. No complaints here.
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