Thinking about selling all my basses.

[tb-player]

I've been buying & selling guitars and basses for a couple of years now. Sometimes I make money on them. Sometimes I don't. But the fun has been the ability to try out all different sorts of basses. I've learned a lot about what I like and had a lot of fun along the way.

Right now, I have a lineup of 4 very nice basses. My #1 is my 4-string Elrick NJS. It is a gorgeous bass. I doubt I could part with it. It's kind of ruined most basses for me, because it plays so well and sounds so good. Because of that bass, the other three don't get played much. So I'm considering unloaded all of them and using the money to buy a nice 5-string Elrick or maybe a high-end Sadowsky fiver... and just have 2 bass guitars.

The outgoing basses would be my Sandberg MarloweDK 5-string, my Nash PB-57, and my Bluesman Vintage Deville 2T... all phenomenal basses that deserve more attention that what I give them.

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

 

[Jason Stock]

Yes, I can relate...over the years I went from 1 up to 7 or 8 and then back to 2.
The mood and urge come and go to buy more, try more, but I keep my main 4 always now and will try to stick with them (for a while, till the urge to buy and sell hits again)

 

[MD]

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

Nope!
However, if that's the extent of your problems, you're at a good place in life.

 

[luciens]

If the resale is good on them, I'd say go for it. I play exclusively fretless these days, though, so whatever I buy I'm stuck with it until I die or it dies or gets stolen. Though fretlesses tend not to be coveted by thieves, so even the robbers often won't take old basses that I don't play anymore....

But if nobody will give you a dime for them, I'd say keep them and just save up for the 5-holer. There's nothing more corrosive to the soul than having to give away a valued instrument for a song....

L

 

[groove pump]

I've been buying & selling guitars and basses for a couple of years now. Sometimes I make money on them. Sometimes I don't. But the fun has been the ability to try out all different sorts of basses. I've learned a lot about what I like and had a lot of fun along the way.

Right now, I have a lineup of 4 very nice basses. My #1 is my 4-string Elrick NJS. It is a gorgeous bass. I doubt I could part with it. It's kind of ruined most basses for me, because it plays so well and sounds so good. Because of that bass, the other three don't get played much. So I'm considering unloaded all of them and using the money to buy a nice 5-string Elrick or maybe a high-end Sadowsky fiver... and just have 2 bass guitars.

The outgoing basses would be my Sandberg MarloweDK 5-string, my Nash PB-57, and my Bluesman Vintage Deville 2T... all phenomenal basses that deserve more attention that what I give them.

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

View attachment 3968225

I haven't compiled a lineup of instruments that's as nice as yours, but I can relate a little bit. I've agonized for way too long over whether or not to move on from a bass that I didn't play and that I knew I wouldn't much play down the road. Craziness... But then in those couple of cases where I did find a new home for those basses, I was a happy camper and wondered why I waited for so long to make a move. Maybe just knowing that once it's sold or traded, that's usually a bell that I can't un-ring.

In other news, my unofficial prediction is that you might feel like you've got things covered with the addition of a nice 5-string...

...but the chances of having just two basses and NOT wanting to pick up this or that further down the road? It seems impossible to completely squash that itch forever.

 

[RattleSnack]

I've been with 2 bass guitars for a long time. One is always main player (Fender AVRI 75 Jazz), and I flip backup for the same reason as you - to try out different stuff.
For me, as a live player, and not some studio cat, it's hard to see the point in having more than main player and backup. I don't need more flavours - this is my voice, my expression. Fellow musicians know my sound and style and call me because of it, not because I am chameleon and can bring any of 10 guitars.
I say go for it. Have one main player, the best you can own, and closest to the sound you have in your head. Plus a backup, that's all you need.

 

[HearNoStevil]

If you don't play them, how did the three on the left get so beat up?

 

[sleddogn]

I hear ya, i too went from 2 to 21 in less than 4 years..., crazy i know, i'm down to 5, and have number 6 on the way. am headed wrong direction again, lol

 

[PWRL]

Yes. I had 5 at one point. I gave one away, and left another at my friend's studio in another state so I'd have something to play at the times I make it out there. So, although I "own" it, it is still outside of my possession. That leaves me with 3, and sometimes I think about selling two of those and only keeping one. Fortunately, I can't figure out which 2 that would be, so I keep all 3.

 

[wraub]

I was happier and more productive, musically, when I had only one bass.

These days, I've been playing only one bass, and leaving the others in their cases. Discovering what I can do (or not do) with one bass is pretty cool, and every now and then I get to rediscover another bass.

Maybe embrace yours for their differences and approach each as distinct things to be appreciated for their differences. Maybe one does something your Elrick doesn't, but the Elrick dominates your attention so the others have charms that get noticed less... I'd suggest putting the Elrick aside, consciously, and playing the others with the focus and attention you typically give elsewhere.

You'll likely either re-bond, or realize your true love is with another.

 

[B-Mac]

I've been buying & selling guitars and basses for a couple of years now. Sometimes I make money on them. Sometimes I don't. But the fun has been the ability to try out all different sorts of basses. I've learned a lot about what I like and had a lot of fun along the way.

Right now, I have a lineup of 4 very nice basses. My #1 is my 4-string Elrick NJS. It is a gorgeous bass. I doubt I could part with it. It's kind of ruined most basses for me, because it plays so well and sounds so good. Because of that bass, the other three don't get played much. So I'm considering unloaded all of them and using the money to buy a nice 5-string Elrick or maybe a high-end Sadowsky fiver... and just have 2 bass guitars.

The outgoing basses would be my Sandberg MarloweDK 5-string, my Nash PB-57, and my Bluesman Vintage Deville 2T... all phenomenal basses that deserve more attention that what I give them.

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

View attachment 3968225

That’s what this club is for
Bass Hoarding Personality Disorder (BHPD) - You are not alone.

 

[Leonid Nidis]

I never keep anything thats not getting played,cant stand it when a good bass just sitting.
2 basses is my perfect number,play one,wnat something different switch to the other.
A pro might really need a bunch of options(most pros I know dont have many instruments) but thats not me.

 

[woodyng2]

I also don’t like to keep basses i’m not playing regularly.
I do like trying new bassses out,and quite often they become “keepers”,and they get play rotation regularly.
I’ve gone from 1-2/5-6,currently up to 12,with 2 basses floating in the “exit” box...

 

[Razman]

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

Yes, amps, cabs, etc. Totally relate. I'm trying to move towards more practice now, but still a gearhead at heart.

I like the variety and learning that comes with it, and getting something new (to me) every now and then. I seldom own the same gear twice. The GK 800rb and the Henry 8x8 I just got are exceptions to that rule.

Raz

 

[woodyng2]

I've been buying & selling guitars and basses for a couple of years now. Sometimes I make money on them. Sometimes I don't. But the fun has been the ability to try out all different sorts of basses. I've learned a lot about what I like and had a lot of fun along the way.

Right now, I have a lineup of 4 very nice basses. My #1 is my 4-string Elrick NJS. It is a gorgeous bass. I doubt I could part with it. It's kind of ruined most basses for me, because it plays so well and sounds so good. Because of that bass, the other three don't get played much. So I'm considering unloaded all of them and using the money to buy a nice 5-string Elrick or maybe a high-end Sadowsky fiver... and just have 2 bass guitars.

The outgoing basses would be my Sandberg MarloweDK 5-string, my Nash PB-57, and my Bluesman Vintage Deville 2T... all phenomenal basses that deserve more attention that what I give them.

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

View attachment 3968225

So, the blue bass with the tbird pickups is the Deville 2T? That is very cool.

 

[pappabass]

Yes, I see one on craigslist & I want it !! but I do refrain. You have nice basses. My addiction is cheap basses!

If you don't play them, how did the three on the left get so beat up?

HAA!! I work so hard to keep all my basses scratchless, even my cheap bass!!

 

[Killing Floor]

I threw up in my mouth a little when I read this OP.
Science has shown us the exact number of basses you need is N=n+1 where n is any number you have. In these turbulent times it is imperative that we embrace science. If you sell almost all of your basses you will be net negative in ownership of basses and there will be a void that you will probably need to fill with cocaine.

 

[Wesley R]

I've been buying & selling guitars and basses for a couple of years now. Sometimes I make money on them. Sometimes I don't. But the fun has been the ability to try out all different sorts of basses. I've learned a lot about what I like and had a lot of fun along the way.

Right now, I have a lineup of 4 very nice basses. My #1 is my 4-string Elrick NJS. It is a gorgeous bass. I doubt I could part with it. It's kind of ruined most basses for me, because it plays so well and sounds so good. Because of that bass, the other three don't get played much. So I'm considering unloaded all of them and using the money to buy a nice 5-string Elrick or maybe a high-end Sadowsky fiver... and just have 2 bass guitars.

The outgoing basses would be my Sandberg MarloweDK 5-string, my Nash PB-57, and my Bluesman Vintage Deville 2T... all phenomenal basses that deserve more attention that what I give them.

If I'm being honest, I think I like shopping for basses as much as I like playing them. If I'm being really honest... I think I have a problem.

(Can anyone else relate???)

View attachment 3968225

Looking is great sport as my father would have said. He hd two levels of guitars and amps. Keepers and Trading Stock.

 

[darkinners]

Can relate. When I see a good deal on the internet, the mentality is always "Hey, I have no way to lose money if I don't like it and flip it"

The problem is, I never sell it once I bought it, mostly too lazy to deal with low balling and annoying "buyers" or I genuinely love the guitar/bass.

Gear piling up real quick, I think I bought at least 5 or 6 this year and my total arsenal is approaching 30 guitars and basses.

 

[Stewie]

This year, I've sold my old Jazz Bass and my first upright. That leaves me with three. I'd love to cut it down to 2, or even one, but they are so different that I just can't decide who should go.