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So how do you guys with multiple basses do it?

#121
I only have two - a fretted Strangeberger and a fretless Strangeberger - they are identical other than the frets. I don't feel like I need anything else, because nothing else has spoken to me in the way these do. I find that the more familiar I am with a single bass, the better I am on it. If I owned a bunch of different basses, I don't think I'd be as good of a player on each of them.
 
#122
To each his own but for me 3 is ideal. 2 fretted (1 main and 1 back up) and a fretless.Beyond that when I see guys with a large stable of basses I think of:

The wealthy middle-age collector (hey, it's cheaper than a lot of other hobbies).

The ever-present "I can't pay my bills so I'm selling this bass I bought 1 month ago" seller on TB.

The pro who has a practical reason for all those basses.

edit: Regardless of finances I don't think I could ever actually play several basses. Meaning, I like to get the feel of a bass and stick with it. When I pick up my Spector, which I rarely play, it feels almost alien. My fretless B Quad feels "warm".
 
#123
perfektspace6 said:
To each his own but for me 3 is ideal. 2 fretted (1 main and 1 back up) and a fretless.Beyond that when I see guys with a large stable of basses I think of:

The wealthy middle-age collector (hey, it's cheaper than a lot of other hobbies).

The ever-present "I can't pay my bills so I'm selling this bass I bought 1 month ago" seller on TB.

The pro who has a practical reason for all those basses.

edit: Regardless of finances I don't think I could ever actually play several basses. Meaning, I like to get the feel of a bass and stick with it. When I pick up my Spector, which I rarely play, it feels almost alien. My fretless B Quad feels "warm".
Click to expand...

There are other reasons for owning lots of instruments but you basically hit on all of the assumptions. Problem is, why assume?
:hmm:

I talked to some guys recently who assumed I bought everything I have brand new. Strike one. One assumed I must like sevens ( I have no idea where that came from). Strike two. I was then asked my opinion on MTDs, prefaced by:

"I already know what you're going to say"
Me: "What am I going to say?"
Him: "That you don't like MTDs". Strike three.
Me: "Because I have a Brubaker? Okay. Wrong".
At which point a friend of mine went on to tell him about my 635 aka World's Greatest MTD (According to that reknowned authority... me).
Me: "A good bass is a good bass"

This weekend I might play 4-6 different basses. I might not. I have those options because I own some amazing basses. I have them not because I'm wealthy (people think I am... probably just don't have much of an imagination I guess) but instead because I have a passion for the instrument and take advantage of the market whenever I can. I prioritize what I do and it costs no more than many other hobbies that mainly non-wealthy folks indulge in.

Then again I do use $100 bills to shim the neck on my Jazz bass. Doesn't everyone?
:hiding:
 
#124
How can I justify owning a bunch of killer basses? Quite honestly, I can't. :rollno: I have absolutely zero need to own more than a handful of basses (if that). Even counting the varying types of bands I have played in and the varying needs within each setting, I really could 'get by' with just a few instruments (and be very, very well-equipped and happy). But... I do own a bunch. So, why?

Well, a number of reasons, but the main one is that I genuinely enjoy going back and forth with these various instruments and comparing/contrasting the 'various flavors of excellent.' For a luthier, their artistry is reflected in their instruments, and beyond these instruments serving my given needs, I also enjoy them as functional works of artistic expression.

Of course, the other thing is that I am just a freakin' nut, and I have very little self control. Okay, that may be the main reason, in truth. :p

Let me just say that I should be no one's role model in this regard! :help:
 
#125
SMASH said:
Same here. I've only played my Hotwire since I got it, so some very fine basses go unsused.

I certainly don't need the others, despite using them occasionally I could more easily borrow or rent, say, a fretless when a studio track calls for it. Live I only bring & use one bass. It makes zero difference in any of my increasingly varied gigs whether I have a P or J or ash or blue or rosewood or expensive or high mass or magic bass/amp/cab/cable/modification. Not to say I don't really enjoy fooling with all that stuff - I do very much, but that's not enough to justify it for me.

I can partly justify it because my bills are paid, I can and do afford whatever I want to do - vacations and such - and I bought nearly all my gear for the same or less than I could/will sell it for, and I've been pretty good about selling more stuff than I buy lately. I've sold old Fenders I loved and some fancy amps, and I don't miss them at all.

But, it's truly a waste. Even if I don't "need" that money, I could be growing it by investing it or doing more patronizing of the arts. I think housing a lot of material posessions is a bit of a character flaw that I'm getting over in time.

People will think I am talking about them, but to be blunt I don't give a #### what other people do with their money. I'm talking about me here, answering the question from my point of view.

I'll read the thread now, as I'm curious to know if anyone else answered similarly. I expect it'd be an unpopular view, which kinda reassures me I'm on the right track. Again, that's how *I* see it in relation to *my* goals in life - one of which is to reduce clutter and not amass it so easily. I'd rather collect lessons and practice time, if anything.
Click to expand...


Well. I was going to add something profound, but I think you've said it all.
 
#128
Every bass has a different tone for types of music. My Oddesy bass is neck through birdeye maple with bartolinis, my Murdoch bass is an alder body with a graphite neck, and my 5001 5stringer is solid black walnut with 18v emgs.....all are diff, lovem all. im almost up to an amp rig for every day of the week. Ampeg 8x8's with svt, carvin 600 with a 15 and 2 8's, a swr 750x with goliath 3 4x10's and i just got a hartke 5000 to throw in the mix.... cant get enough..... love the fodera 2....lol
 
#133
I only have (need) 2 basses. Each one has it's own voice which I may want to hear from time to time. In addition, I make every dime I spend on gear from playing music. However, If had 10 basses I still wouldn't have to "justify" anything. I'm a grown A$$ man...I guess you could call that "justification" enough. :D
 
#134
I have way more basses than I need, but it's ok because collecting, buying, selling, trading, is a hobby. I've never tried to convince myself or anyone else this many instruments is truly necessary. IMHO, all I'd really "need" is one good fretted bass and one good fretless, and right now, I can't even use a fretless, so it's even simpler. :)
 
#139
They mesmerize you and have that siren song to your ears.....You wonder what maple and rosewood together are like....active....passive.....mahoghany........ash......flats...rounds.....light.....heavy.....5 strings......the dude who opens the show has a killing bass tone.....how did he do THAT??
It never ends.....

I'm still unmarried cause I like different women too. I liken basses to women. Sometimes I get tired of hearing one and just want to feel another. Then when I am tired of the new one I get the old one back. I don't keep women in cases in the closet though.

I used to make fun of my guitarist, the "tone chaser". Why do you keep buying more guitars??? I'm a hypocrite. I just got my 21st bass and I think I have my GAS under control. Damn you Ebay!!
 

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