Why do you own more then one bass?

[JimmyM]

Why do I have more than one bass? Because it's fun. No other reason, not even going to try to couch it in practicality. It's fun. BAM.

 

[Mossmatic]

Because no single bass can do everything I want it to do.

 

[hsech]

Each one has a different tone and character.

 

[jaibeau]

Why am I answering this?

 

[Munjibunga]

I own 4.
Started playing bass with a Squier Affinity P-Bass.
Then found a deal on a used Fender MIM P-Bass. I wanted the Fender name.
I then wanted to try a Jazz so I bought a Squier 77 VM Jazz.
I received some inheritance money recently and treated myself to a brand new Fender AM standard P-Bass. This bass is truly Kick Ass!

so I guess I don't have a reason why I have 4 basses... it just ended up that way.
Now I am thinking I should maybe sell off my MIM Fender P-Bass because I don't need 3 P-Basses and perhaps justifying a reason not to sell it. Why not sell the Affinity Squier you may ask? because in all honestly it plays just as good as my Fender MIM P-bass and it was my first bass so it has sentimental value.

Keep it up and someday you will have "enough" basses.

 

[malicant]

I own several basses but I find that only my fretted 4-strings get a lot of use. The advantage for me comes down to tone and the massive advantage of having a backup instrument on standby. I I were to play a gig, I would have at least two basses with me because you just never know.

Otherwise, the reasons for owning more than one bass is purely because I like having a collection of instruments. Different basses have different things to offer the player and to me, a high quality bass is a great way to spend some cash.

 

[Chans]

To make my wife more jealous

 

[Chirro]

I have 5 basses.

1- A Hofner Beatle bass only for my Beatles tribute band.
2- A Yamaha BBNEII as my main axe to play everything else.
3- Another good 5 string (Yamaha TRB5) as a second choice for playing or if my main bass has any problem (never happened). It's at work, this way I can transcript new songs and try new things after my eating time.
4- A Yamaha Attitude Standard 5. A 5 string passive one configured like a Pbass + a second bridge pickup. It's in my bedroom so I can take it and play at every moment. It's also a backup for my main bass.
5- A Ibanez GWB35. A good inexpensive 5 string fretless bass.

I think this is the right number and configuration of basses for me. Each one has its own different sound and function.

See you.

 

[bigfellow]

Second bass works (live) as a backup, third, forth, fifth are .. lovely ...

 

[marchone]

One passive; one active. Both are 4-strings. Everything else is different: sound, feel, appearance.

 

[sillyfabe]

Got 2 myself:

Fender Geddy Lee J-Bass: use this for those growly jazz tones, use it with roundwounds and tuned GDAE.

Fender Roger Waters P-Bass: used for deep low-end, used with flatwounds, tuned FCGC.

 

[Korladis]

differnt tones?
different tunings?
for keeping them at different locations?
other?

Just looking for reasons you have more then one bass.

One's in a different tuning.

Another is a backup to my main. Because two is one and one is none. At least for me. I've gigged without a backup before, but I don't like to do so.

 

[Beano_z]

Mostly because I'm evloving as a musician (if I can call myself that) and looking for a new sound, combined with the fact I'm not able to sell any instruments (I get attached to them), I've ended up with every single guitar / bass I've ever bought. I only once gave a Les Paul away to my cousin (who's a guitarist) because I simply couldn't play the thing.

But since I'm not such a big gear head, I don't have that many instruments.

 

[lbbc]

My wife asked me the same question. The best answer I came up with...the Alembic--because I always wanted one and a custom Pushic--because I always wanted a bass made "just for me to my specifications".
After playing for 37+ years, and buying and selling more than 20 different basses, I know what I like and what best suits my playing style...which is why I waited so long to have a custom bass built. So, I only have 2...and I'm perfectly content with them!

 

[KISSbestfan]

Mostle because I bought it cheap, and every single one is different

My Fernandes - jb pickups, good strings, long scale and the shape makes it perfect for playin heavy music
My Stamar - acoustic bass, can play unplugged
My Lotos#1 - single coil like in tele bass, short scale, good for oldies
My Lotos#2 - washburn p pickup, medium scale, will be good for rock music
My (jb) jazzmaster - long scale, two oldschool pickups, great for oldies
My Luna - two humbuckers, medium scale, great for rock
My (not yet made) DIY Rick - get off me, I love the shape of Rick !

Every single one will get its usage, and I havent finished with basses yet !

 

[Salamenster]

IMHO you only need 3 (maybe 4 basses):

A 4-string P with flats
A 4-string J with rounds
A 5-string Ray with rounds
(A 4-string fretless)

(And one guitar: A strat )

 

[MrLenny1]

Because I can & it's fun to play different basses every night.

 

[vin*tone]

They sound different.

 

[lpdeluxe]

A number of reasons listed above.

1) Because I can now. There was a long stretch in my life where owning a second was unthinkable.

2) Different tones and feel.

3) Because while I feel that every single bass player should own at least one P bass, the sun doesn't rise and set in it's control cavity. Man does not live on P Bass alone.

4) Because I have been lucky enough to find more than one bass that speaks to my soul. While I continue to downsize, I am getting to a point where I would have a nervous breakdown trying to decide which must go.

5) 5 Strings rock and make playing more fun for certain arrangements.

6) While anything played on a four can be played on a fiver, there are just some arrangements that flat rock on a four without the big fat B in the way.

Best answer yet. I have five: a Fender Classic '51 P, a Classic '50s P, an AVRI '57 P, a Godin A5 fretless and the new one, a '99 StingRay5. Whichever one is in my hands is my favorite. I love them all equally, but right now I'm playing the StingRay because it's new and the Godin will be sold just because I promised myself that, every time I buy an instrument, I'll sell or trade another one off.

 

[Up the dose]

Why would anybody want the same bass night after night? Variety keeps it fresh and sparks creativity. I need a harem of basses.