Why do folks have multiple basses from the same maker?

[bassbenj]

I've owned 3 Saturn cars. After I bought the first one (which is the only one I still have after 12 years, a divorce, and a second marriage), I noticed the following things about it:

I liked how it was made.
I liked how it drove.
I liked dealing with the manufacturer.

So I bought a second Saturn. When we sold that one, I replaced it with another Saturn.

I think this answers your question, albeit indirectly.

I owned 3 baby Cadillacs and Van once. Of baby caddies: One was almost dead, one was the one I was mostly driving and the last was backup. The van obviously had totally different purpose. People would get on my case about one guy with four cars. Hey, I'd tell them. THIS IS AMERICA! I don't think 4 cars is too many!

And I own 3 G&L L2500 basses. Two USA in blue burst, one in natural. Why? Well, first because this is America, and second because one Blue bass is fretless and the other one fretted. And the natural one is my Tribby which I've had forever, and I'm sorry, but it's just too cool to get rid of. So I keep it for backup.

And I own six SX jazz basses! Three 5 string and three 6 string! The 5ers are a fretted, fretless and one with both fretted and fretless necks I can change out as needed. The 6ers started as what was to be a fretted and fretless, but then almost by accident I discovered the utility of having one bass with flats and another with rounds! So I had to buy a third to convert to fretless. OK? The cool thing about SX was I bought ALL these basses for about the cost of ONE decent bass. So I always just think of them as ONE BASS!

 

[Mystic Michael]

Is it a collector's mentality, or do the basses come with various pickups, woods, etcetera that doesn't necessarily pop out in a photo? And, if this is the case, do various woods from the same maker sound really different?

Look, it takes a lot of time and a lot of playing of different makes & models to find one that really suits me. I'm picky that way. And when I (finally) find one that works for me, I'm not inclined to turn my back on it, and go buy something else instead. That approach seems exceedingly reasonable to me. I'm surprised that it's apparently such a mystery to some.

• 2011 Carvin LB75 bass - fretted
• 2011 Carvin B25PF bass - fretless
• 2010 Carvin Icon 5 bass - fretted
• 2010 Carvin Icon 5 bass - fretless
• 2010 Carvin SB5000 bass - fretted
• 2005 Carvin LB70F bass - fretless
• 2004 Carvin LB70 bass - fretted

I buy Carvin, because I'm sold on the consistently high level of construction, of materials, of options, and to an extent, of components as well. That said, my Carvins are by no means interchangeable. I have a couple that are four-strings, but the other five are five-strings. Four of my instruments are fretted, while the other three are fretless.

Four of my instruments have the stock Carvin bridge, but the other three have premium aftermarket bridges. One of my Carvins has the stock pickups, the other six have premium aftermarket pickups (SGDs, Nordstrands, Delanos, and DiMarzios).

One of my instruments is a bolt-on with 22 frets, the other six are neck-through with 24 frets. Two of my instruments have the standard one-piece maple neck, the other five have a five-piece maple/walnut laminated neck. Five of my instruments have a walnut body, the other two have a swamp ash body. And each instrument has its own distinct sound, feel and personality.

Is that enough variety and diversity for you?

MM

 

[amimbari]

all i can think of is, why not?

ya.... JohnK is right except I prefer my multiples EXACT opposites. Gives the twins the chance to look at each other

.

 

[slagbass]

Look, it takes a lot of time and a lot of playing of different makes & models to find one that really suits me. I'm picky that way. And when I (finally) find one that works for me, I'm not inclined to turn my back on it, and go buy something else instead. That approach seems exceedingly reasonable to me. I'm surprised that it's apparently such a mystery to some.

+1

 

[JdoubleH]

ya.... JohnK is right except I prefer my multiples EXACT opposites. Gives the twins the chance to look at each other

I've known plenty of drummers who could play right or left handed kits, but never met a bass player who could!

 

[J Gold]

My Ken Smith basically plays itself, so now I want to get a bolt-on version of the same bass...

 

[trailerpark]

I take 2 Fender Precisions and 2 Fender Jazz to every show. They are all fretless and each one has a different sound. If I had the time and money I'm pretty sure I could find the perfect bass for each song. I've been told the crowd can't hear the difference but I play for myself. I have 12 Fender P and J total and no two sound alike to me even though some look like twins. Just my personal 2¢.