So how do you guys with multiple basses do it?

[B String]

I've had periods when I owned several basses at once. I go through phases where I think I need different flavors and such but the truth is there really is only one tone that gets my juices flowing: alder bodied jazz basses. I like the sound of the modern basses but when I own them I get tired of them pretty quick. I think a lot of us have a specific tone in our heads that if we don't get we don't play as well or enjoy it as much. When you have that one bass or in your case Adrian that one kind of bass(jazz style, ash/maple) it tends to become our go to bass leaving the others collecting dust. Some don't mind having dust collectors, others can't stand the clutter.

Y'know Peter... I happen to agree about the alder body jazz
thing too, (thanks again for the bass) I also prefer rosewood
boards usually too. My ear and hands like that combo.

 

[B String]

I mean, how do you justify keeping a stable of basses ? I seem to always find one that stands above or just fits the bill play IT. That means others go unplayed and eventually get sold.
Right now, my Nordy vj5 is killin' and the go to bass. I have thinned the herd . I thought about 6 ( even bought on ) to have a different flavor or something completely part from the J bass thing , such as MTD, etc.. but I get used to the feel of a bass and keep going back to it and like I said, I see no reason to go to anything other than the Nordy.
So should i go for another Nordy, or try something completely different?

Adrian
I do have to say just from my experiences with the Nordy
jv5's I played at NAMM. If I had one, it would be my "go
to" bass as well. A very special "working" bass.
It kind of had the vibe of both my Fender jazz V and my
James Tyler 5. I actually haven't stopped thinking about
it ever since the show. I may need to get one. The problem
is.... what do I sell?
If you get anything else, it better be very different, or you'll
always play the Nordy anyway. jmho

 

[Dr. Eagle]

I went into a high end bass shop a few weeks ago and played everything. Smiths, Zons, Modulus?, MTD etc...

).

Funny I have had the same experience. I have gone to some of the high end bass shops... Bass Northwest, The Bass Place in Scottsdale and others and could never find one off the rack that felt like one of my Carvin 6 strings. Its all what feels good to you and works for you.

 

[fretlessspence]

Funny I have had the same experience. I have gone to some of the high end bass shops... Bass Northwest, The Bass Place in Scottsdale and others and could never find one off the rack that felt like one of my Carvin 6 strings. Its all what feels good to you and works for you.

After all this time weeding out what I don't like, I have really settled on what I love. Sometimes a bass just fits.

 

[Andrew Jones]

I resently bought a bass that I completly fell in love with.

It's the first five string fender like axe that I've ever had that just plays and sounds even.


Guess what Adrian? It's your old Sadowsky Tokyo

 

[Gegatso]

Mine are all just drastically different in tone and sound. They all get played a LOT, too, so that's good. I have 7 which seems like a lot to some and a few to others, but I'm totally happy. I was happy with 2, though. I never want to be a collector, though, and can't seem to justify having more than one of a kind unless there is some *good* reason like alternate tunings, massively different string guages, etc. I know guitar players who have 2 or 3 identical guitars (as backups) but I have yet to switch out to a backup in 28 years. Normally, I bring two to a gig, but am getting to the point that I feel one will work with no problems -- of course, that's probably when I'll have my problem.
I guess I just concentrate more on playing the instrument than anything else. They sure don't do much on their own.

 

[benthughes]

I've got 6 basses and have cycled through dozens. Currently I've got a Spector Euro 5 NT, Fender P/J special (modified), Warwick Thumb NT, G/L L-2500 and a Status with a Bartolini setup. Each sounds significantly different, I practice with each but when show time rolls around the G/L is what's on stage. It really covers anything. I need them all though......even if they're just future trade bait for 6 G/L's.

 

[Kronos]

I've got 5 currently. 2 5 stringers (my Halo GVK5 and my Schecter Stiletto Custom 5) that I practice with the band/gig with that's left at the practice place (my guitarist's basement), which is a good half hour ride from my apartment. The other 3 are here with me-my oldest bass [B.C. Rich Virgin] (I've had it for a good 15 years, and it was used when I bought it), my first 6 string (carlo robelli-the bass that started me playing again), and my first "old school jazz" bass-a fretless SX 5 string Jazz from Rondo. As it stands right now, if I had to pull a Sophie's Choice, I'd go with the Schecter, specifically for its feel, sound, and playability. I wouldn't like the idea of retuning on the fly during our shows though...

 

[adrian garcia]

I resently bought a bass that I completly fell in love with.

It's the first five string fender like axe that I've ever had that just play and sound even.


Guess what Adrian? It's your old Sadowsky Tokyo

I can believe that, that was an amazing bass!

 

[drumsnbass]

I mean, how do you justify keeping a stable of basses ? I seem to always find one that stands above or just fits the bill play IT. That means others go unplayed and eventually get sold.
Right now, my Nordy vj5 is killin' and the go to bass. I have thinned the herd . I thought about 6 ( even bought on ) to have a different flavor or something completely part from the J bass thing , such as MTD, etc.. but I get used to the feel of a bass and keep going back to it and like I said, I see no reason to go to anything other than the Nordy.
So should i go for another Nordy, or try something completely different?

Probably harder for me than the guys here who can really play, as I am learning late in life but here's my story:

• Roscoe Fretted LG-3005 (my first "boutique" bass): my only fretted
  
• Roscoe Fretless LG-3005F: the twin "feel good" sister of above
  
• Zon Sonus 519 fretless: my "learner" bass as it has half-frets to guide me. not sure when i get "good" if this will be the main axe or the LG-3005F
  
• NS Designs EUB 5 string: whim purchase

Then again, I don't have a "monster" gear setup, just some Nemesis gear.

BTW, EVERYTHING I buy is used, so my three electric basses cost me less than two new ones. Add in all my geat, cables, etc, and I am still under the cost of three basses (excluding the EUB).

I play the 519 at home, the fretted occasionally, and the fretless Roscoe at work at times.

As bizarre as it sounds, I think I am GAS-less at the present. I have learned what I like most:

• Fretless over fretted
• Flatter necks over rounder necks
• 35" over 34" scale
• 5 string over 4 string
• flatwounds or half rounds over full-rounds
• generally thinner string spacing

I have all the above in the basses above. So I guess I can say I am happy! (for now... )

 

[darthplagis]

well here is my justification

i have my 1st bass (maison pre owned thing that i defretted and sprayed white/st george flag) never sell it but never use it.

my 1st new bass, tanglewood MM copy with a retro fitted P in neck pos, still sounds ok my bro has it for 4track demo's

my main bass Yamaha BBG5a, i bought it when we started gigging properly and LOVE its feel the only change would be MM P set up......which i did when i bought my last bass

my epi tbird wedding present from the wife (we were skint but she still got it.......she said it would have been a buzzard if we had the cash ) so it will NEVER leave me.

my jaguar bass, my 1st fender and i ALWAYS wanted a jaguar shaped bass......so i got one as soon as they released them, sounds great wonderful neck, its going no where

my 2nd fender, pink paisley RI i LOVE these so much it too is going no where, flats for jamerson style

my xmas present last year, a cheap semi les paul style bass, flats for that mccartney/lane sound. this one is in the practice room that we share

and my last bass, a yamaha BBG5a this time with a QMT top, its just gorgeous to look at and sounds great for those funky jazz like sounds and the B is great (not the best but not muddy or flat)

now apart from the 2 yamahas each bass has its own distinct voice yet i will always pick up my modded yamaha BBG5a when it comes to a regular sound (the MM and P is great together), and my jaguar is usually on standby

 

[Rakie]

Awhile ago, i had 5 basses.

Rogue fretless (Defretted myself, was a POS knockaround bass)
Lakland 55-01
***Cirrus 6
BTB 406QM
Fender Jazz MIM.

Now, I played them all equally (except the cirrus, see below) and they all were fun to pick up, often time's id be playing with my friends, and put down my Lakland and pick up his Fender, then drop taht and pick up the BTB. All different basses, all fun to use.

***I used this equally till my hands decided FOR ME that i cant play anything without a 19mm String spacing at the bridge.

 

[dcr]

I'm married.

Me too! With two kids, and numerous cats and dogs.

I don't have to justify them, so I don't think about it much. It's taken me 25 year+ of playing, gigging , and working to get here. I like what I like and I intend to have what I want. Even if it takes a while to get there.

But in truth, I'm beginning to find it hard to justify any more than I have now. Ten is enough, simply because I'm running out of room. But they're all different or particularly special or serve a specific purpose.

1.) '69 Fender P in 8.5/10 condition or better. Can't ever sell it. My first Fender and first real bass. Haven't played it on a gig in years.

2.) StingRay 5. I'd sell it in a minute, but my son would hate me for it. He loves it. Destined for him.

3.) Tacoma ABG. Gotta have that sound.

4.) Epiphone Jack Casady. Gotta have that sound.

5.) Azola Original BugBass. Gotta have that sound.

6.) High-end bass (Skjold now, but insert flavor of the week here). I always plan on keeping at lest one high-end, eye-candy bass. Call it vanity.

7.) MTD Z5. So I can get the "high-end modern" sound and not take my high-end modern bass to the local VFW.

8.) Lakland 55-02. Filling my Jazz bass role at this time. Front pickup "J" sounds, mostly.

9.) Dearmond Pilot. Jazz bass -- actually it's for sale.

And my "go-to" bass.....

10.) Franken P/J-5. Squire body, Benavente neck (thanks BigJoe!), loaded with a Nordie P5 pickup. Eventually to get a Nordie stacked J5, but with a DiMarzio UltraJazz (?) now. Big, fat "P" sound. Gotta have that!

No fretless, 'cause the Azola is more than enough fretless for me!

If I weren't married, I don't know if I'd own many more, just probably better basses. The Z5 would be replaced with a 535, the 55-02 replaced with a 55-94, Franken P/J-5 replaced with a Sadowsky P/J-5, the Casady replaced with a US Lakland Hollowbody, the Azola with an Eminence removable neck model...well, you get the idea. I have every tone I've ever wanted or needed at my disposal.

But I could probably get by with 3-4 max. A P/J-5, an EUB, a nice Jazz, and a modern bass of some sort.


dcr

 

[ptidwell]

Pastor, I have not been as active in the last year as i have been before for health reasons ( preservation, perhaps? )
But I have seen my share thru the years. Let's se , in the last year or so.. A Lakland DJ5, the Fender Custom Classic. the Nordy I will keep until I am called home. I sold the Custom Nordy to Tony, not the Jazz.
Now I have the Fender which is way cool, but I keep going to the Nordy for J bass needs.
The search never ends- do you think there is a bass specialty shop in the Kingdom that we can someday hang out in?

Yea, sounds like you have slowed down the action a bit, but still lickin' the chops, and you do have chops my friend. Well He said "occupy till I come" so if we can at least hold down the Low end (The Bass and the devil) we will come out with the victory and some joy. It is such a blessing to be able to be able to something like this that brings you so much joy.
Adrian, a Pastor friend of mine in NC died recently while preaching his Sunday morning service. I was at the funeral and some people were talking, didn't know that I knew him personally, the comment was made "I wonder what he was doing in his life that died in the pulpit on a Sunday morning"
I politely said, "preaching" because he loved to speak for God. My greatest hope is that He would allow me to go doing what I love to do while He get the glory.
So, it would be nice to checkout a bass specialty shop in the Kingdom. That's probably why we are both fond of J's down here we think it stands for jazz, in the kingdom it stands for Jesus. I could hear it now, "you got any of those vintage Jesus basses with the thunderous lowend and the holy Ghost preamp. Adrian, forgive my rant you are yet in my prayers, enjoy your life, your wife and your daughter. Life is short no matter how much time we have here.

Blessings

 

[Gullix]

I've spent 25 years getting my gear and I'll hope they will last me another 25. I do not buy a lot of basses, but the ones I buy I tend to keep. Why buy them if you don't? I mean, if it's not for financial reasons you buy and sell basses?

’68 Kawai (VS-180?). Beatle-type crap copy-bass. Just came across it by accident and for no money at all. Nothing special, but I get a good feeling playing it so I keep it.

’69 Fender Jazz Bass. You don't sell basses like this one. And I love it.

’73 Fender Tele Bass. You don't sell basses like this one. And I love it.

’81 Aria Pro II SB-1000 Fretless. It's my only fretless.

’82 Squire Precision 1957 Reissue JV-series. My first bass and my best friend.

’82 Squire Precision 1962 Reissue JV-series. These are great basses so when I was offered this one I could'nt help myself.

‘93 Fender Precision Pink Paisley 1954 Reissue. It's a Pink Pailsey for Christ sake.

’95 Dvorak 4/4 Double bass. My first dog-house.

'01 Morgan 3/4 Double Bass. When you gig a lot with double basses you need to have one as a back-up. There is always something wrong with at least one of mines.

 

[Rano Bass]

The search never ends- do you think there is a bass specialty shop in the Kingdom that we can someday hang out in?

We are very lucky to have the great Leo Fender building customs in heaven, i do believe that
Blessings to all!

 

[kserg]

Now now kids, don't fight, there are plenty of basses to go around...

 

[Fathand]

I play in different tunings such as B, C, Drop D, etc. in different bands so I need different basses for them in addition to a different sound which each bass will provide.

(Before any "but you can play in C with a B-tuned bass..." appear: Yes, but when playing songs that require a lot of open string notes e.g in C, a straight C-tuning makes things easier)

And yes, these are valid reasons and not excuses for GAS.

 

[T-MOST]

I know how you feel. I can never justify having a bunch of basses to myself. Two is fine, three is ok. Past that, I really feel wasteful. The good thing is no has to fill your shoes but you. Do what feels comfortable to you.

+1 two maybe three is all "I" would ever really be able to justify.

 

[Carlo Tanori]

Hey come on!! You NEED to have loads of basses!! None of my instruments are an indulgence!

After all, if girls need hundreds of shoes to match their outfits, why can't we use the "this one matches my pants" line for our basses? hahahaha

Okay, maybe not!! But you know how it goes, sometimes you feel drawn to a certain instrument and play it solid for ages, then pick up one of your others and it makes you play in a different way - just renews the inspiration in your playing

+1. You rock man!

Carlo