Why do you have multiple Jazz Basses?

[jim777]

I could get by with my pic Jazz bass to be honest. I use it almost all the time.
The first good bass I played was a Gibson EB3 that a friend would let me use when we played out in a group. I always liked that subtle brown color. I like being a background player and blending in behind the scenes with the drummer and the Ash/Maple sticks out more than I'd like though I love the natural wood look.

Now many years later, I just got this Fender JB62wal and its a Jazz with that brown EB3 look! I got it as a back up for when my bass goes in for an adjustment or something... One man Luthier shop does take a while...

that's really sweet - is it a current model?

 

[elgranluis]

If i like the bass and can afford it, hell why not? If this were a case where i were playing for bread on the table, id hace only one bass, the cheapest i could get that still gets the job done.

 

[Jack Butler]

Although I'm a one bass guy, fretted and fretless seems like the most obvious reason to own 2 basses that are similar. As a guy that plays a decent amount of blues, I've often thought about getting a second bass for Eb tuning.

 

[Marial]

Yep. One fretted, one fretless. That said, I'm so happy with my Mustang I may let the fretted one go. Probably not, though. It's been my go-to bass for years and that's only changed recently.

 

[birminghambass]

I've got three.
1. A 72 jazz that never leaves the house. Bought it 20 years ago for $700. Never play it, will hopefully never sell it.
2. A 2006 MIA. Maple neck, Nordstrand pickups and Audere preamp.
3. A 74 reissue. Rosewood neck, Fralin pickups run passive.

The 2 that I play sound very different and fit better in different situations. Neck wood, pickups, electronics, and pickup spacing help to offer a very different set of available tones.

 

[eban3]

Well...ya got more than one pair of shoes right ?

 

[ManicMarvin]

Why more then one bass period? Simple, GAS

 

[KickingBass]

• some are 4 string, some are 5
• some are fretted, some are fretless
• some are 34" scale, some are 35"
• some have stock pickups, some don't
• some are one color, others are different colors
• or not!

"Why" is such a subjective thing, everyone's logic is different, and it's often utterly inexplicable. Why ask why?

Why not?

 

[Paul M]

Why do I have multiple Jazz Basses?

I wish I knew. It just happened.

Why? I don't know. I don't need them but they look good, sound good and feel great.

I have five now and I'm in the process of selling one. They are just so comfortable but I rarely play them because they are all 4-stringers.

I have:
1982 Fender Fullerton Reissue 1962 Jazz Bass
1994 Fender MIJ 75 Reissue Jazz Bass
2007 Squire Vintage Modified Fretless
2007 Dingwall Super J

I'm selling a Fender 2005 American Standard

I used to have a 2002 American Deluxe five string

And I still want a old Japanese Geddy, a new American Geddy, maybe a Marcus Miller.

Most of all I want the discontinued Steve Bailey fretted six-string Fender Jazz.

 

[bholder]

Why not?

Exactly!

 

[tonemachine]

Well, give me some sound reasons

I know, it's like having two same-shaped girlfriends. Crazy!!!

I was going on a vacation and didn't want to check one of my costly and/or sentimental basses in the airplane cargo so I bought a $250 squire, making my Fender Jazz count 2. This was two weeks ago. [Un]fortunately, the Squier is ridiculously awesome and even at "only" $250, I don't want to lose it. I'm going to have to pick up a real $50 dog next time.

To answer your questions: Now that I have 2 Jazz that sound the same and have the same output, I keep one tuned to Eb, the best key for metal.

 

[VWbug]

that's really sweet - is it a current model?

Thanks. I just ordered it from Japan.

 

[deste]

Why not?

I own (beside 5 more basses):
- MiM fretted, active (Fender s55 pups, EMG btc) - main overall player
- MIJ fretless (tepewound) - main fretless player
- Squier cv60 (modded wiring, DiMarzio Area J) - backup
- Squier KV (stock) - backup's backup
(plus a MIM lined fretless, now for sale)

They all play fine, and all different. So... Why not?

After all, I'm a J-guy...

 

[progrockbass]

Because I'm ill... very very ill... seriously one fretted and one fretless. Picked up a Squier CV in Inca Silver recently while I was waiting for my others to come out of storage and be shipped.

 

[waynobass]

The more basses you have, the less fretwear you will have to deal with.

At least that's my rationalization.

 

[mark beem]

Because I like 'em!!

 

[Rapisme]

Different characteristics each of them have! Sounds crazy but every Frankenstein Jazz I own has a distinctive sonic quality..and I Love it..

 

[wideload]

Oh, those? Those aren't mine. I'm just, ahh, storing them for a friend. Yeah, that's it- storing them for a friend!

 

[Jughead6]

Because I think most Precision basses are characterless (hopefully the TB P bass police aren't listening). Jazz basses are generally more diverse and interesting, both to play and to listen to. My three Jazzes are all different:

• Sandberg TM4 - 4 string fretted (active/passive) (custom built... so no modifications)
• Fender Standard Jazz - 4 string fretless (slightly modified from stock)
• Fender Standard Jazz - 5 string fretted (heavily modified from stock)

 

[static0verdrive]

I have a fretless Jazz, a fretted Jazz (both passive 4 strings) and an active 5 string jazz. All different sounding basses to say the least.

SAME for me (but my 5 is passive).