Where did all the basses go?

[40Hz]

Wikipedia: Global human population growthamounts to around 83 million annually. 83 million people a year. It's down a bit, thankfully... but...moar basses needed!!!

Interesting. Even if 1/10th of 1% (0.001) on average end up playing bass, that’s 83,000 new players annually. You’d need to offset it against the annual death rate of 6.5% per 1000 and do some extrapolation and say .065x.001 or .000065 x 1000 or 0.065 lost bass players per thousand and then map the population growth and death rates by bass buying countries to see if you get a net gain or loss.

Raw averages can be deceptive so it’s important not to read too much into them. Especially when a number gets pulled out of the air since I have absolutely no way of actually knowing if 1/10th of 1% of the population owns or will eventually acquire a bass. But it’s an interesting enough exercise to strongly suggest the demand is still very much out there.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

Many bassists have several basses though.

 

[armybass]

My friend @armybass has yet another load of basses steaming towards his secret offshore storage facility.....
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I’ve probably had that many over the years but I’d say between you and I alone we have Virginia well stocked.

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

If you talk to instrument retailers, many will tell you that basses are not selling because there are too many of them out there.

So this applies to guitars then too, right?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Interesting. Even if 1/10th of 1% (0.001) on average end up playing bass, that’s 83,000 new players annually. You’d need to offset it against the annual death rate of 6.5% per 1000 and do some extrapolation and say .065x.001 or .000065 x 1000 or 0.065 lost bass players per thousand and then map the population growth and death rates by bass buying countries to see if you get a net gain or loss.

Raw averages can be deceptive so it’s important not to read too much into them. Especially when a number gets pulled out of the air since I have absolutely no way of actually knowing if 1/10th of 1% of the population owns or will eventually acquire a bass. But it’s an interesting enough exercise to strongly suggest the demand is still very much out there.

You would also need to calculate how many instruments are lost per year to accidental damage, complete loss (fire, flood), manufacture defect and intentional destruction. But, likely we are thinking too hard about a blanket statement that really doesn't need to be analyzed. The point is, population growth assures that there are plenty of people. Enough that supply and demand warrants all the crap being made.

 

[Spent]

A lot of them somehow make it to my house.

 

[matti777]

Most are sitting with their owners and many unused I suspect. Just try selling one. Unless you want to give it away it is very difficult. Hopefully your collection is full of rare and desirable basses because those are the only ones that seem to sell.

 

[Cree]

I often wonder, when watching movies or TV shows that feature a “band”, how many of those instruments are now just sitting in some Hollywood prop house.

 

[40Hz]

You would also need to calculate how many instruments are lost per year to accidental damage, complete loss (fire, flood), manufacture defect and intentional destruction. But, likely we are thinking too hard about a blanket statement that really doesn't need to be analyzed. The point is, population growth assures that there are plenty of people. Enough that supply and demand warrants all the crap being made.

Absolutely. But playing around with math is fun. And even a casual exercise like my earlier one often provides some interesting insights. It’s not something that keeps me up at night, that’s for sure.

 

[mikeswals]

I often wonder, when watching movies or TV shows that feature a “band”, how many of those instruments are now just sitting in some Hollywood prop house.

I'd say only a few (like the bass always hanging on the wall on Bernie Mac show). While most were likely rentals since there would usually be amp rigs as well.

 

[Davbassdude]

Lawyers and doctors who have a blues band on the side maybe?

Urban Dictionary: Blues Lawyer

And don't forget nurses and paralegals!!!

 

[Davbassdude]

I'd say only a few (like the bass always hanging on the wall on Bernie Mac show). While most were likely rentals since there would usually be amp rigs as well.

LOL! I always wondered about that red Precision Bass hanging on his wall and... did it have a 1.5 inch neck at the nut?

 

[edenwarrior5]

I’ve managed to acquire 6