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Why do you (we) have so many basses???

J

JMBassist

Jun 17, 2010
120
1
Portugal
#1
This is a question I’m always doing to myself!

I have some basses and maybe some of you have much more, but usually we just take 1, 2 or, in the worst case 3, to play on stage. So why do we need to have more and more basses?
I have 6 and most of time I just play with one or two…but every time I see a good and nice bass (or just different) in a shop I’ll update my GAS list and make my best effort to buy another one!

My wife is always asking: “why another bass? You have only two arms…!”

It’s true, but I always have the need to have more and more basses. Is this just a need to buy and have the satisfaction of having a large choice, or is just me that I’m crazy? :hyper:

Actually at this moment I’m focused on buying a Fodera…what for?...

Give your thoughts on this. Have you the same feeling?:help:
 
#2
Two reasons: the first is GAS

The second is for practicality. In a perfect world, I would have a jazz, a 'modern' bass, a fretless, one 4 banger, and a 5er.

In the real world I own a 5er (Lakland 5502) which covers a hell of alot of tones. And I own a sterling 4 H (classic).

Still want to add a jazz bass (Lakland JO)..Then I will be ok with my mini collection.

My wife put a limit of two on me. We are separated now, so there goes that limit!

In a fantasy world, I just want GAS to take over! But I need a job first! This recession is killing my GAS.
 
#3
I really don't have any basses I don't use in a reasonable capacity. My first question to myself before I buy a bass is, will it pay for itself?If I don't think it will, no go. Tons of basses I'd love to have but cant justify the price.
 
#4
Yes, GAS is a real thing, but PRACTICALITY killed my gas. (for now). I used to have 10 or 12 basses at a time, modern to vintage, cheap to boutique. I've been in a blues band for a few years now, and I'm down to a couple Js and a P. They do the job, and I'm happy with them.
 
#6
I keep backups (at home) for the models I"m gigging.

Why so many.. my passive tape BEAD Pbass.. doesn't sound like my active hifi 5.. that doesn't sound like my graphite fretless 5.. that doesn't sound like my electric upright.. that doesn't sound like ashbory.. that doesn't sound like my 7 string.. that doesn't sound like my fretted piezo graphite
 
#7
I only have one. I sold everything I had to buy a my Sadowsky. Ideally, I would have a second, and if I start playing longer gigs again, I probably will buy something else as a backup.

Although, For 20 years, I always took a backup. Not once have I ever actually had to have it.
 
#8
I have seven. None of them do what the others can do. There are only two basses in my collection which overlap functionality-wise, but they have very different tones. My stable includes:

Three four string fretted basses, three very different configurations: one with soapbars, one P-J, one single coil P-bass style.
One Acoustic Bass Guitar
One Six String fretted bass
One Six String fretless bass
One four string fretless bass
 
#10
I currently have eight. Honestly, I only really play a few of 'em, but they all look so damn cool hanging on my wall in my home office! :D:D:D

I have sold off all my expensive ones, so it's not like I have thousands and thousands tied up in basses as I did before when I had my custom Conklins. Realistically, the resale value of all my currently hanging basses put together is probably less than what I sold my last Conklin for! :p
 
#12
Why do you (we) have so many basses???

Because we can!

Actually because I sold my expensive basses that were $7000, and $3500, and $2000. Now I own several parts and frankensteined basses where most of them are worth under $1000.
 
#14
You are soooo wrong!

First off, I don't play on ANY stages (church doesn't count as a stage 'cause I basically play from the floor), and I dabble with them all. ;)

Actually electracoyote's answer pretty well covered me and to be sure, for me, having a bunch of different configs/materials is a never-ending education in what I like in what situation. If I was a pro (read, if I had any real talent) and a signature sound, I probably would primarily play only one or two, but as it is, I simply play out whatever I think will work best, and when I'm home, I just play them in rotation.

I admit it, I'm a gear whore, but I really do like being able to see how a particular song or genre would be on my fretless, maple board instead of rosewood board Jazz or whatever. But then again, all of my instruments are value instruments and can be had for relatively little money. Everybody spends (wastes) money on something. But I can make music with what I waste my money on! :hyper:
 
#15
My Ibanez BTB I got 'cos it was on special.....and I still love it. My Cort acoustic I got for practice, and it makes for a very tone change when the set calms down. The Warwick I got because the soundengineer can be a dweeb sometimes and not push the bass....I figure this with a nice 4x10" cab will make him obsolete in the bass area. I am building a project bass to see if I can, and because I want a fretless, and because I cannot find a bass that looks the way I like and be affordable....

That said......I wonder if I should build a headless next....plus there are some very semi-hollow bodies around which inspires me....
 
#17
mkandolf said:
You know, I just answered my wife's "Why do you need so many basses? question last night with a question of my own.

"Why do you need so many earrings or shoes?"

...silence...
Click to expand...

Your wife is being nice, or maybe she really IS nice.

MY wife would probably have said, "To make people think YOU have some class!" OR she would have sid, "OK", for every dollar I spend on earrings or shoes, let that be your budget for music gear." Consequently, I NEVER question the number of shoes (or anything else) my wife has! :rollno:
 
#19
Many that I've purchased were because they were way below market value. I sell them when I feel like it and make money. My wife has yet to sell a pair of shoes so the two arms conversation never happens... it's dumb. No offense.

I play many of my basses so that's why I have them. I have several more that I don't intend to sell but push come to shove I might. I could've spent the $125 I have in my 68 Jazz bass on something else at the time and I could've sold it many times since then too. Same with my $500 78 Jazz. And so on. Instead I just hang onto it. It makes sense to me. Matter of fact that's why I have everything I own... it makes sense to me.
:cool:
 
#20
dabbler said:
Your wife is being nice, or maybe she really IS nice.

MY wife would probably have said, "To make people think YOU have some class!" OR she would have sid, "OK", for every dollar I spend on earrings or shoes, let that be your budget for music gear." Consequently, I NEVER question the number of shoes (or anything else) my wife has! :rollno:
Click to expand...

If that ever happened with my wife I'd point out the profit I've made on my gear... ultimately I've pretty much paid for everything I own through trades, sales or gigs. Then we can compare that to any profit she's turned on any of her stuff and then we can decide if either of us is a drain on us.

;)
 

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