I would like to hear the situations were one needed a back up bass. Fifty years of playing and never needed a backup bass on a gig. I do own more than one bass for various reasons and love them all.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Sell surplus bass...... Or don't
- Thread starter Billyears IV
- Start date
Sell it and get a cheap backup that you actually like, or at least can live with. Overall end up with some needed $ in your pocket and no worries about being without a bass.
The concept of having a second bass wasn’t something I could afford to have, when I was gigging
in clubs. Hard cases were the order of the day, so basses were better protected in transport to
and from gigs. At the time, the Fender Jazz Bass I owned was well built and substantially heavier
than my current basses. I really only have one bass that I frequently gig with. So, essentially
I have one bass.
in clubs. Hard cases were the order of the day, so basses were better protected in transport to
and from gigs. At the time, the Fender Jazz Bass I owned was well built and substantially heavier
than my current basses. I really only have one bass that I frequently gig with. So, essentially
I have one bass.
Well, you told us that you dont like the J, and you need the money, so...what was your question again? Seems like a no-brainer to me. If you find that you need a 2nd bass down the road, buy one that you do like. In the meantime, sell it and use the $$.
What is this "sell" thing you are talking about? ;-)
You know you can sell that bass, and then buy another bass that suits you better to be your backup, right?
Sell it. If you don't use something, it just takes up space. You're better off with money. As much as we can trick ourselves into thinking otherwise, it's pretty unlikely you need multiple basses, especially beyond two, and if you REALLY need two, you might as well get a backup that you actually like.
I have two - my 'main' and my 'backup' that ends up getting more use because I try to protect the main one by keeping it home. As soon as the main one gets dinged up a bit .... I could easily go down to one.
Extra stuff just takes up space and gets dusty. Maybe some kid could use it.
Do you have people who depend on you playing a bass for food, shelter, etc. etc.? If you do not - then you, IMO, are simply procrastinating. Yeah, the Stirling might fall apart in your hands - or aliens might take it and you into their ship; do whatever aliens do to you; and then keep your favorite bass - just to be mean. Honestly, though; if it hasn't let you down yet? It probably isn't going to...
However... if you play to make a living? Well, that's a different thing. A fair number of people here - who do play for a living - have a backup bass, and nobody says they shouldn't. Still, there are also a fair number of people who play for a living - who do it with just one bass. And, nobody says they shouldn't... So... I suppose it simply boils down to "do you feel lucky?". Nobody can - or should - decide for you. I haven't played for money (mostly just free beer, TBH - but the principle applies) in decades. Not only was there only one bass - it wasn't even mine. Now, I own have a couple dozen basses, so I definitely wouldn't have to worry about needing a backup bass... I'm not really qualified to tell you yes or no; so I won't...
However... if you play to make a living? Well, that's a different thing. A fair number of people here - who do play for a living - have a backup bass, and nobody says they shouldn't. Still, there are also a fair number of people who play for a living - who do it with just one bass. And, nobody says they shouldn't... So... I suppose it simply boils down to "do you feel lucky?". Nobody can - or should - decide for you. I haven't played for money (mostly just free beer, TBH - but the principle applies) in decades. Not only was there only one bass - it wasn't even mine. Now, I own have a couple dozen basses, so I definitely wouldn't have to worry about needing a backup bass... I'm not really qualified to tell you yes or no; so I won't...
Last edited:
An affinity squier is like 200 bucks and a remarkable bass. Sell the one you don't like and if you feel you need a backup grab a cheap as **** p bass. Heck I've seen them on Craigslist for 75 bucks or less.
Do you have a lamp or something else you could put in the corner. If not, I'd keep the bass and just dust it occasionally.
You will need it 2 minutes before going on stage for the biggest gig of you life, of course.
It is wise and prudent have a spare. It’s paid for, I assume. What does it cost you to keep it?
I’m pretty ruthless about selling gear, but I wouldn’t rush into selling this jazz. I’d throw strings and a few set ups at it, then give it some time.
Sand the neck. Take it down to the wood. After that, cleaning and occasional wax will be fine.
My reasons for keeping it:
Did I read that this was a gift? From the wife? I think there are rules about this kind of thing.
it’s a mim jazz, it’s not going to bring in a lot of cash
it’s perfect for a few mods, pickups in particular, maybe a drop in preamp like the Audere.
and it just needs the right strings and set up. Strings are cheap, and even expensive sets like TI jazz flats are economical. They last forever.
With the Fender 4 in line headstock, any strings you buy can go onto the Ray. Try lots of strings, check out the classifieds for used sets. Try light sets, try stainless vs nickel, try building sets for down tuning, heck try BEAD, or set it up as a tenor.
Use it to find out what you really like in strings, and set ups. Dial in your set up skills. Then, if it’s still not rocking ya, maybe, then let it go. (Gift?) You’ll have plenty of strings for the next one. You tried.
Sand the neck. Take it down to the wood. After that, cleaning and occasional wax will be fine.
My reasons for keeping it:
Did I read that this was a gift? From the wife? I think there are rules about this kind of thing.
it’s a mim jazz, it’s not going to bring in a lot of cash
it’s perfect for a few mods, pickups in particular, maybe a drop in preamp like the Audere.
and it just needs the right strings and set up. Strings are cheap, and even expensive sets like TI jazz flats are economical. They last forever.
With the Fender 4 in line headstock, any strings you buy can go onto the Ray. Try lots of strings, check out the classifieds for used sets. Try light sets, try stainless vs nickel, try building sets for down tuning, heck try BEAD, or set it up as a tenor.
Use it to find out what you really like in strings, and set ups. Dial in your set up skills. Then, if it’s still not rocking ya, maybe, then let it go. (Gift?) You’ll have plenty of strings for the next one. You tried.
Unfortunately, any of the following:
Stolen right off the bandstand before start/between sets
Pickups/electronics/jack fail
Knocked over and broken neck, upper horn, headstock/tuning key(s)
Tuning key strips while tuning and just spins like weathervane
Active bass battery(s) die with no passive switch or spare batteries
I bounced around early on, trying different style basses. Now I always try to have keepers only. If something needs to go, I try to trade up. Slowly everything becomes better and indispensable. Short answer…you need more than one bass.
Sell it. If you feel the need for a backup, buy a bass that you enjoy instead.
Your hubris has now angered the bass gods. I predict an awkward gear failure in your future. When you least expect it, of course. ;-)
In my case, it was a Rick that got dropped on its face - the nut broke at the slot for the E string (on a 4). Try playing a set of rock music without an E string some time.....
Last edited:
Flip a coin. How you feel after the toss will help you know where you really stand.
