Thinking about downsizing…seeking advice

[eastcoasteddie]

I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time, and have even written about it here a few times.

I currently have my #1 - 1996 L2500, which is my forever bass.

I also have a pair of fraternal twin 5-string Parts Jazz basses, made of Squier bodies and Warmoth necks.

I have been collecting parts here and there to build another Warmoth bass, 5-string Stingray inspired. I have collected enough to make the purchase of the body and neck.

But then I started to think about my bass-playing situation and have 2nd thoughts about having FOUR basses that I rarely play. I don’t gig and don’t have all that much time on my hands these days, so I’m confined to a bit of noodling for a few minutes every chance I get.

I started thinking that if I sell the Twins, I’ll have enough to buy one brand spankin’ new USA G&L, to have a companion to my L2500.

my question is this…since I like the idea of having Fraternal Twin basses, fretted and fretless (back in 1994-1997 before I got the L2500, I had Twin Stingray 4’s, fretted and fretless), would you advise on getting a Blueburst/natural edge-bound Fretless L2500?

Or since I’ve been wanting to build a Stingray-inspired bass, would you advise on a similarly styled fretted Kiloton 5 ?

What to do…what to do…first-world problems….

 

[bherman]

My advice (you may not want to hear this, but....) - since you say that you don't play much, and already have a bass that you love; sell the twins and just keep the L2500. It looks like a killer bass and all that you'd ever need. I play alot and manage just fine with one top-notch P bass and an upright.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Perhaps this thread needs a poll. I vote Fretless version your current #1 forever bass.

 

[neo 7]

I say sell the twins and bank the money. Go down to one bass. You can always buy another bass if the need arises.

 

[chris_b]

Two comments. . . .

If you want to sell some basses and don't know where to start, begin with the ones you play the least.

IMO the best use of my money, and for my playing, is to have 1 great bass rather than 2, 3 or more OK/good basses.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

I find it easier to go between fretted and Fretless on the same exact bass design due to the feel and familiarity . You are so aquatinted with the bass already. That’s one hurdle you don’t have to jump . And you will have the perfect back up if your main fretted bass is unplayable for some reason.
Think Jaco, Tony Franklin , Tony Levin, and Marcus Miller.

Save the single pickup bass for that long lost StingRay you sold. Don’t give up. If it’s meant to be , it will find its way back to you.

 

[ebo]

Sounds like you like twins. Doesn’t mean you have to stick to that. Maybe building your Stingray for fun is more important and more meaningful than having two similar basses. Selling the J’s, downsizing, that’s blasphemy on TB. Doesn’t sound like you need the money and you can have your twins and the new build. Win win. Maybe pick up the L2500 fretless someday later for symmetry. The market for the J’s will always be there.

 

[Matthew_84]

I feel like you should sell your fretted twin. Keep the fretless twin until you take possession of a fretless L2500 (then sell the Jazz), and build your stingray bass. You’ll have the same basses have now, but I think you’ll like them more collectively

 

[GreyBeard]

Keep them all.

 

[MikePlaysBass]

You could face a dilemma here between keeping your favorites and the ones that work best for your live playing use. You may be able to reach that compromise with keeping just two, though.

 

[Kaa]

Sell the twins, sell the parts, buy a fretless identical twin to your forever bass. As for the kiloton/stingray vibe, won't the 2500 do that as well? Looks like the same location of the bridge P/U.

 

[Runlikegregg]

Sell the twins.
Get the Fretless G&L.
Then you have everything you want and need.
It's probably fun to have a fretted and fretless.
Even if you're not playing much right now that doesn't mean you won't play more in the future.
They say life is short, but they're wrong. It's really long!

 

[TDR1138]

I’d say sell the twins and get that fretless L-2500. That sounds like the best idea on paper, at least.

I’m in a similar boat - hardly ever gig, not enough time dedicated to playing, just noodle around the house. I often wonder about clearing out a few basses and just getting one or two really nice basses to have. But I can’t bring myself to do that. So I have a few nice basses squirreled away that I wish got more play time.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Sell the twins, sell the parts, buy a fretless identical twin to your forever bass. As for the kiloton/stingray vibe, won't the 2500 do that as well? Looks like the same location of the bridge P/U.

The L2500 bridge pickup is situated to where the center of the pickup is where a traditional Jazz pickup would be (bridge side coil is where 70s Jazz would be). So it’s kind of there, but not really. Kiloton pickup is where a Stingray pickup would be.

 

[jeff62]

Many of us would say that you’re already downsized with only 3 basses.

 

[Kaa]

The L2500 bridge pickup is situated to where the center of the pickup is where a traditional Jazz pickup would be (bridge side coil is where 70s Jazz would be). So it’s kind of there, but not really. Kiloton pickup is where a Stingray pickup would be.

Close enough for government work?

 

[Jason Hollar]

I’d say keep the no. 1, sell everything else including parts, keep the new cash in the kitty so you can enjoy the GAS and jump on a matching (or complementary style) fretless if/when one comes up.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

My advice (you may not want to hear this, but....) - since you say that you don't play much, and already have a bass that you love; sell the twins and just keep the L2500. It looks like a killer bass and all that you'd ever need. I play alot and manage just fine with one top-notch P bass and an upright.

I agree. I have a 4 string and a 5 string.pretty much handles anything I run into.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time, and have even written about it here a few times.

I currently have my #1 - 1996 L2500, which is my forever bass.
View attachment 4934408
I also have a pair of fraternal twin 5-string Parts Jazz basses, made of Squier bodies and Warmoth necks.
View attachment 4934410

I have been collecting parts here and there to build another Warmoth bass, 5-string Stingray inspired. I have collected enough to make the purchase of the body and neck.

But then I started to think about my bass-playing situation and have 2nd thoughts about having FOUR basses that I rarely play. I don’t gig and don’t have all that much time on my hands these days, so I’m confined to a bit of noodling for a few minutes every chance I get.

I started thinking that if I sell the Twins, I’ll have enough to buy one brand spankin’ new USA G&L, to have a companion to my L2500.

my question is this…since I like the idea of having Fraternal Twin basses, fretted and fretless (back in 1994-1997 before I got the L2500, I had Twin Stingray 4’s, fretted and fretless), would you advise on getting a Blueburst/natural edge-bound Fretless L2500?

View attachment 4934416

View attachment 4934414

Or since I’ve been wanting to build a Stingray-inspired bass, would you advise on a similarly styled fretted Kiloton 5 ?

View attachment 4934439

View attachment 4934429

What to do…what to do…first-world problems….

Generally speaking, musical “tools” have a short shelf life with me if they are not used and not like to be used for a while. I don’t have much sentimentality over them.

But that is me. The only value a tool has is it’s utitility. The only way to experience its utility is to utilize it. Doesn’t sound like you are experiencing their utility much.

 

[Mr_O'B]

I’ve been thinking about this for quite some time, and have even written about it here a few times.

I currently have my #1 - 1996 L2500, which is my forever bass.
View attachment 4934408
I also have a pair of fraternal twin 5-string Parts Jazz basses, made of Squier bodies and Warmoth necks.
View attachment 4934410

I have been collecting parts here and there to build another Warmoth bass, 5-string Stingray inspired. I have collected enough to make the purchase of the body and neck.

But then I started to think about my bass-playing situation and have 2nd thoughts about having FOUR basses that I rarely play. I don’t gig and don’t have all that much time on my hands these days, so I’m confined to a bit of noodling for a few minutes every chance I get.

I started thinking that if I sell the Twins, I’ll have enough to buy one brand spankin’ new USA G&L, to have a companion to my L2500.

my question is this…since I like the idea of having Fraternal Twin basses, fretted and fretless (back in 1994-1997 before I got the L2500, I had Twin Stingray 4’s, fretted and fretless), would you advise on getting a Blueburst/natural edge-bound Fretless L2500?

View attachment 4934416

View attachment 4934414

Or since I’ve been wanting to build a Stingray-inspired bass, would you advise on a similarly styled fretted Kiloton 5 ?

View attachment 4934439

View attachment 4934429

What to do…what to do…first-world problems….

The Kiloton doesn’t sound better than an actual Music Man bass, so why not buy an Ernie Ball Music Man!