Why have multiple basses?

[Clef_de_fa]

I have three basses and I think about a duo of basses that would cover all my needs so I'll be up at 5 if that happen. I won't ever seel my 5 strings, my 6 fretted is good and it was my first 1500$ bass and it was also the first bass I bought with my job money. Then I have a fretless 6 that I like but I which I got an unlined neck and the piezo option. This is why I want an unlined 6 strings fretless with piezo and probably a 4 strings bass fretted for when I have that slap bug or to play some music that I feel is kinda silly on the big 6 strings.

 

[ben23c]

I've recently thought about selling off two of my mid range basses to buy a really nice bass that will feel absolutely perfect everything I pick it up. I think it'd be beneficial towards both my playing and my pocket haha. I'd have a back up jazz but I just want that one bass that really feels right, you know?

 

[Johnny Crab]

1) how many basses do you really need?

2) A fretless? A fretted? An upright? 4, 5, 6 string?

3) Why have multiple 4 string fretted basses, for example?

1) Three. Triple redundant anything is very hard to get to FAIL.

2) No upright or 6 strings here.

3) Fun, audience eye-candy, sound different, play different, etc.

 

[secretdonkey]

I bet I'm not the only one who plays a beater bass around the house and keeps hands off the gig bass to keep her strings fresh as possible. Surprised I didn't see any similar responses when I skimmed the thread... hmm.

Also, I thought I only needed one "nice" bass but after playing an important gig with a preamp cutting out I decided having two is a reasonable luxury. I also have the usual near-and-dear bass I keep for nostalgia and a cheap fretless that I can't rationalize selling for the $150 it might be worth. There's another I just need to get around to selling, but its value's gonna be fairly stable, so no rush...

 

[lmfreeman9]

flats, rounds, tapes, etc.

 

[benthughes]

After owning a ton of basses I've found that I generally keep my herd to around 5 or 6 basses, mostly Fender style as they're the most comfortable for me and flexible when playing out. I own multiples for the different flavors of awesome they provide. My G&L l-2500 is my main player and I'd be satisfied with just that bass, honestly. It's nice having a backup though. I also like simply owning a couple 4 strings for the feel and use them for straight up rocking out. I recently picked up a MTD 535 which is dramatically different from my other basses and has a great , clear , hi-fi tone that my other basses simply don't do. It's nice to have variety and I find it inspiring when I practice.

 

[Milk]

After 17 years i'm finally getting a second bass. The main reason? Cause it looks good and i need a good looking bass. Sound? I have no idea how it sounds like. I'm a little nervous about it truth be told but there's a lot of things that can be done to fix a tone and if everything fails and i end up still not liking the sound...well i'll sell it. Probably at a loss but shouldn't be too big. Though if i'm only mildly disatisfied with the tone i'll keep it. Because it's more important to have a bass that looks good than sounds good. You think i'm joking, but not really.

 

[Gaolee]

Because I can and I like 'em.

 

[Lesfunk]

Because I can and I like 'em.

Yes and afford them. Next question

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Holy Zombie thread!

 

[fourstringbliss]

I just need one...

 

[thunderstation]

Because I like a lot of different basses - right now I have a fender precision - a Specter Legend - a Martin acoustic and an Epiphone Thunderbird. they each sound different obviously, but each has a different feel- and each is fun to play.

 

[nozkcb]

Why have more than one screwdriver? Or more than one wrench? Etc..

Different tools for different jobs/sound.

At least that's the rationale I use

 

[lbbc]

I have had owned over 30 basses in the past 37 years and have whittled down to 3:

80's Peavey Koa RSB (first "serious" bass) will never get rid of (new pickups/electronics and re-fretted)
1986 32" Alembic Cocobolo Persuader (always wanted one...plays and feels fantastic)
2012 32" Dave Pushic Walnut Custom (took the best of all basses I've ever owned and put into one custom complete w/wedding anniversary on the 12th fret) The BEST playing and feeling bass ever IMHO

 

[msact]

I never try to rationalize my buying habits. I enjoy collecting basses and I can afford it. I get a big kick out of having a bunch of basses lying around.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Backup basses, in case something goes wrong.. Different tunings, soundwise

 

[remainthesame]

I don't mean to hijack the thread, but i have a similar question. I know a lot of people like to have more than one bass, and I am one of them.

But what I don't get is when somebody buys like 5 versions of the same exact same bass. for example, somebody with 5 fender P basses, all with the tug bar, all with the pickup cover, all with the same color body and pick guard. and sometimes its even all the same year. thats what makes me scratch my head. if anybody can help me out on that one id appreciate it.

 

[FretNoMore]

We just added a song to the set list that is originally played using a fretless and an octaver ... I could do it on my usual fretted bass, even without effects, but it wouldn't sound the same and it wouldn't be as fun and challenging for me.

 

[Limo]

Because I can't slap on my 78 Telecaster bass with flatwounds and I can't get my 6 string Sukop to sound like my 78 Telecaster bass.

 

[LanEvo]

Started with one bass (fretted 4) in the '80s. Had 18-20 basses and guitars by last year. Just kept buying stuff that excited me and couldn't let go of anything once I had it.

Moving into a small apartment forced me to change that. I realized that all I "need" is one fretted and one fretless bass. Decided to keep just my '72 Jazz and a 5-string fretless. The Ibanez GWB1 made the cut. Everything else is being sold off.

It's been painful...