How many do you need? Zero. Mind you, I have 7 giggable axes & several that are too fragile or just plain suck but make a nice wall decoration. 
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Why have multiple basses?
- Thread starter ZUR13L
- Start date
One four-string, one five-string, and an ABG.
That's about all I need unless I have the opportunity to pick up a cool-looking one.
That's about all I need unless I have the opportunity to pick up a cool-looking one.
For me it is having a variety, every bass sounds, plays and feels different and in some cases that difference makes me a different player.
If you are giging you need atleast 2. One to play and one as a backup. I have only two now, but looking to get number 3. I will never sell another bass unless it is absolutly necessary. I just have a hard time selling something for less than half of what I paid for it.
I figure it's because most bass players are men...And we know that most men are afraid of commitment.
say primary bass is being repaired, or a string broke, and you don't have an extra pack, or modding it. the backup is for when your regular bass is unusable. some people need an extra low b for what there playing, but don't like the 5 string feel, so they only use the 5 when they have to. a freind has a 6 string he made tunning is flat f, low b e a d g (he showed me a string lower than the f, and its thickness was huge), with a tight spacing. he uses it for its low range, but can't slap on it, so he uses a 4 for that. he also has a 3 string tuned in 5ths he made.
All those apply to me. Plus, when I was young, I couldn't afford a Fender, I had a cheap P-bass copy. (Which did serve me well.)
Now that I'm in my second "go-round" as a bassist, I can afford some reasonably nice gear, and I want to try some different tones. Now if only I had the time to practice as much as I did back then!
Because I like basses....playing them....working on them...and buying them.
I hate having to choose when trying to thin the herd.
Guitars, on the other hand are nothing more than trading stock to me. I've had some nice Les Pauls, Strats, Hamers, etc. that I've traded for P.A. systems, amps, basses, and other such items.
I hate having to choose when trying to thin the herd.
Guitars, on the other hand are nothing more than trading stock to me. I've had some nice Les Pauls, Strats, Hamers, etc. that I've traded for P.A. systems, amps, basses, and other such items.
I am new to bass, but I have plenty of experience from guns. I hope I'm not too off topic.
They serve different purposes, they serve as backups, they are there when you need them, some are more fun to shoot than others, some are just cheap, they were on sale, and of course... great to collect. The list can go on and on and on.
Many of these things can be applied to basses.
They serve different purposes, they serve as backups, they are there when you need them, some are more fun to shoot than others, some are just cheap, they were on sale, and of course... great to collect. The list can go on and on and on.
Many of these things can be applied to basses.
By definition, man is polygamist.
Society requires that we have but one wife.
There is no such rule when it comes to bass guitars.
Enjoy!
Society requires that we have but one wife.
There is no such rule when it comes to bass guitars.
Enjoy!
I've got an SX jazz fiver that's like a pair of favorite old shoes - smooth, comfortable, reliable. That's my regular worship band bass.
Then there's the Dean Bromberg B2 fiver that's my only
"quality" mid-range bass, with great sound and playability for that occasional gig.
The other four fall into the category of inexpensive, uncommon, great value for the money (< $150) that have a particular sound I like. They aren't going to win any awards, but they are too good to give up for the little money I'd receive for them.
But there's also the delusion that "someday" I may need one for if I get an opportunity in a particular kind of band.
Then there's the Dean Bromberg B2 fiver that's my only
"quality" mid-range bass, with great sound and playability for that occasional gig.
The other four fall into the category of inexpensive, uncommon, great value for the money (< $150) that have a particular sound I like. They aren't going to win any awards, but they are too good to give up for the little money I'd receive for them.
But there's also the delusion that "someday" I may need one for if I get an opportunity in a particular kind of band.
well having multiple 4 strings could be great in my opinion for anywere being from breaking a string live for instance a back up would be great , differant tones is always a plus like and active electronic s bass or passive, umm every bass has a different feel. just my thoughts
Love the way my OLP mm32 sounds. Plays very nice, though I still haven't gotten it's action to be quite where my Schecters is.
Love the way my Schecter Studio5 plays. But I've never "loved" the sound of it's EMG HZ pickups. (Surprise gift from wife after 15 years of not playing)
Now, due to being an older fart with no kids, I'm in a position where rather then buy yet another different bass I'm going to put money into the Schecter which I love to play, to make it sound much much better, and hopefully be a viable alternative sound to my SR5 knockoff which is more then close enough for me needs to the real thing.
So I go for the route of cheaper basses for my more casual needs, and put extra money toward adapting them as I feel they warrant. My goal is to have two very adaptable and different sounding basses that will suit majority of my needs. More then 2 and I start feeling like I'm ignoring the unused ones... odd... but it happens.
Love the way my Schecter Studio5 plays. But I've never "loved" the sound of it's EMG HZ pickups. (Surprise gift from wife after 15 years of not playing)
Now, due to being an older fart with no kids, I'm in a position where rather then buy yet another different bass I'm going to put money into the Schecter which I love to play, to make it sound much much better, and hopefully be a viable alternative sound to my SR5 knockoff which is more then close enough for me needs to the real thing.
So I go for the route of cheaper basses for my more casual needs, and put extra money toward adapting them as I feel they warrant. My goal is to have two very adaptable and different sounding basses that will suit majority of my needs. More then 2 and I start feeling like I'm ignoring the unused ones... odd... but it happens.
Weird question, I know.
Try not to jump on my head too much, but, how many basses do you really need?
A fretless? A fretted? An upright? 4, 5, 6 string?
I'm really not trying to flame, just understand. Why have multiple 4 string fretted basses, for example?
Thanks.
Dang it !!! I didnt know my ex-girlfriend was on Talk Bass!!! You hardly ever came to my gigs, but now you wanna stalk me on the forum!!!??
What the!!!! 
Yeah, multiple reasons. As someone who has owned over 20 basses (and 14 at one point last year) - well, I guess it's always up to what you want. Like CTbass & Birdsong says "never enough, if you want them".
I have three main basses right now. they're all different sounding and playing. And I'm pretty satisfied with these. Fender Jazz (which I built from parts), an EBMM Bongo and a Spector Euro - all four strings. I have a five which I built, but don't play it. It's tucked away under the stairs. Of course, I might buy others I see on here if I had extra cash.
If I was playing, I'd take two of em to the show. I can't see performing without having a backup bass. That's just asking for trouble.
as far as different styles - well, yeah, you could have 5's, 6's 7's and on up to somthing like that 14 stringer that Dusty is building...
there's 12 string and 8 string basses - which are doubled on each string with a higher octave string matched along side it like a 12 string guitar.
acoustic basses - well, you've got your Acoustic Bass Guitars and Double basses (having never have had the pleasure of playing a stand up - I can't speak to that - perhaps someday), and don't forget the mexican guitarron - a mariachi's bass.
fretless - I bought a few, and frankly, I found that it wasn't my thing. I didn't have the patience to really get the inntonation down on them - so I sold them.
I guess I would say that it's great that there is a variety to choose from - and as long as it works for you - that's all that matters.
I have three main basses right now. they're all different sounding and playing. And I'm pretty satisfied with these. Fender Jazz (which I built from parts), an EBMM Bongo and a Spector Euro - all four strings. I have a five which I built, but don't play it. It's tucked away under the stairs. Of course, I might buy others I see on here if I had extra cash.
If I was playing, I'd take two of em to the show. I can't see performing without having a backup bass. That's just asking for trouble.
as far as different styles - well, yeah, you could have 5's, 6's 7's and on up to somthing like that 14 stringer that Dusty is building...
there's 12 string and 8 string basses - which are doubled on each string with a higher octave string matched along side it like a 12 string guitar.
acoustic basses - well, you've got your Acoustic Bass Guitars and Double basses (having never have had the pleasure of playing a stand up - I can't speak to that - perhaps someday), and don't forget the mexican guitarron - a mariachi's bass.
fretless - I bought a few, and frankly, I found that it wasn't my thing. I didn't have the patience to really get the inntonation down on them - so I sold them.
I guess I would say that it's great that there is a variety to choose from - and as long as it works for you - that's all that matters.
