The more basses I own...

[Rayjay]

My personal rules:

-Don't buy anything you don't use
-Don't buy anything you don't think you'll make your money back on gigging
-Don't buy anything you don't feel comfortable walking into the "fine establishments" I play at

 

[Ewo]

Whether I have a First Act or Fodera, nobody cares but me.

But y' see, good buddy--you're the only person who matters, with regard to how many basses you own!

 

[Sixgunn]

Ha, I sat here mulling over buying another used bass today.
The only thing it would give me over what I have now is a prettier finish & a neck-thru design.

Finally I convinced myself that I can suffice with the 2 electrics & 1 u-bass that I have

Your restraint is disappointing.

 

[David Sutkin]

-Don't buy anything you don't feel comfortable walking into the "fine establishments" I play at

How about this beauty?

 

[Watchootognbout]

How do you like your Wolf bass? They are really very reasonably priced and while I have never had an inclination to buy a 6 string as I'm 99% a 4 string player ..... the cosmetics and price of the Wolf line is very enticing. I've never been able to demo one as I can't find a local dealer here in NYC. Do you you love yours?

I do like my Wolf better that most basses that I've had.

There's something about the preamp in this bass that triggers the subwoofer circuitry in my amp that no other bass has done.
The neck pickup puts out a big beefy,grindy tone.
And with a turn of a few knobs I get the "Jaco burp"from the bridge.
I upgraded the pickups to Delano SBC HE/S duo coils.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

But y' see, good buddy--you're the only person who matters, with regard to how many basses you own!

But y' see, good buddy--you're the only person who matters, with regard to how many basses you own!

You are right, and I also would bet money that if I ever thought I had a really bad sound, the audience would notice that too!

As it stands now, my sound may be different, but it is always good, and that is what matters.

 

[Brad Johnson]

You got that right, I'm not that far from sixty, and I am grateful to be able walk and wipe my own butt, let alone buy basses! I don't feel guilt over what I own, I just try to have perspective.

I have perspective... and a bunch of cool stuff.

 

[Brad Johnson]

The audience doesn't even enter into the equation.

True... but it's not a hobby for either of us. I think that weighs heavily in the attitudes displayed.

 

[Rayjay]

How about this beauty?

That looks ideal in every way. I don't care if it's gets stolen, you'll never get vibed by drunk trouble-seeking bar patrons for looking rich, and you can use it as a weapon and not have to worry about destroying the resale value because it's already $0. Win win win win situation!

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

You a bass and play music in front of people, or to be heard by people after you record. You are using that bass to create music that you hope people will like. If the bass falls apart or sounds horrible, it will affect how successful you are in reaching your goal. At least indirectly, you want people to like your purchase.

In some cases musicians buy basses with odd shapes or different colors because they will noticed by the crowd.

I understand what you're saying, but, I wouldn't buy anything that outrageous to begin with. I have a MIM Precision & I don't have a doubt that it wouldn't sound as as good as my MIA especially to a bunch of drunken bar patrons.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I understand what you're saying, but, I wouldn't buy anything that outrageous to begin with. I have a MIM Precision & I don't have a doubt that it wouldn't sound as as good as my MIA especially to a bunch of drunken bar patrons.

P-basses and Jazzes pretty much sound the same regardless of price. Money gives you great improvements in feel and playability. The improvement in tone is usually modest.

 

[fakeneckplate'65]

P-basses and Jazzes pretty much sound the same regardless of price. Money gives you great improvements in feel and playability. The improvement in tone is usually modest.

I tend to feel that the price has far less to do with it than if it's set up to my specifications. I'm not saying there's not a difference between low end import & higher end USA made gear. There's just not enough of one for me to care to impress the drunkard @ the local dive bar.

 

[Nightman]

How about this beauty?

I honestly don't think I've ever seen anything uglier than this!!!
Is this a photo shop bomb?

I have to go flush my eyes out after seeing this!!

 

[Badwater]

I come from the guitar world where there many brands of guitars and the difference between most of them are minimal. Over the decades, I've owned many electrics and acoustics. 10 years ago, I sold off a lot of gear. And gravitated to the simplicity of the Strat and a Acoustic. However, Bass world is different, with many choices: acoustic bass, 4 string, 5 string, 6 string or more, and fretless. All of these are significantly different in the way they play, sound, and feel. If I started out playing Bass I would have needed more basses than guitars.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Zen minimalism?
I'm going for
Zon maximalism!

That's a good one!

 

[Ooba Tooba]

I come from the guitar world where there many brands of guitars and the difference between most of them are minimal. Over the decades, I've owned many electrics and acoustics. 10 years ago, I sold off a lot of gear. And gravitated to the simplicity of the Strat and a Acoustic. However, Bass world is different, with many choices: acoustic bass, 4 string, 5 string, 6 string or more, and fretless. All of these are significantly different in the way they play, sound, and feel. If I started out playing Bass I would have needed more basses than guitars.

I agree with this. Mostly. I chose the Peavey T60 because it can do both Strat and Les Paul and also has a neck like greased lightning. However, I still have need for my acoustic, my steel resonator, and my hollow body electric. I currently have 2 basses but want 3 or 4 more (including a fretless to round out the arsenal).

 

[Brad Johnson]

"What do you need" is always an interesting question. I spent some time today photographing some basses I plan to sell because I don't really play them anymore...but made the mistake of playing them, and falling in love yet again.

I almost always play 5-string...but I have deep affection for old Yamaha BB-2000, so I have fretted and fretless examples in the house, and will not likely let them go. But to the extent I have other 4-strings in the house? Pretty much useless - I can imagine scenes in which they would work quite well, but I'm not doing that, so who am I kidding?

And I'm going through a 34"/35" exploration right now...not sure how this will resolve, but thinking that at the end of the day I should have no more than a fretted 5 with rounds, a fretted 5 with flats, and a fretless 5. But I'll probably end up with more than that...

I made the mistake/great move of playing a couple of basses I had been asked repeatedly about, even gave a couple of guys prices on them. Then I tweaked them and played them and realized that I'd rather keep them and play them again at this point.

 

[chris_b]

...the less reason I see in having so many.

+1000

I'm currently selling my extra basses (1 down and 2 to go) so I can get back to 2, a P bass and a J type as a backup.

I've taken various basses to gigs for a few months now so I can evaluate them during the sound check and 1st set. I nearly always end up finishing the gig using my Mike Lull P bass. . . . and wondering why I didn't start the evening with it.

 

[schietschijfje]

Do I need more basses? No.
Do I want more basses? Yes.

I think I'm good with the four basses I currently own. I have 3 basses at home and one at work. They all get regular playtime and cover most sound needs.

Lakland Skyline DJ4 - Labella Flats - Sadowsky Preamp & PUs
G&L L2000 trib - DR LoRider
Squire P - Fender Chrome Flats - Seymour Duncan SPB1
Harley Benton fretless Jazz - Labella flats

 

[1stnamebassist]

I haven't even touched a bass in a couple months. I sold an acoustic bass I had, and right now I have my silverburst Jack Casady bass for sale, but not on this forum. That will leave me with 2, a Rickenbacker 4003s and a Classic Vibe pbass. That should be enough if I decide to play again.