Why have so many basses?

[MattB88]

This is my profession as a studio musician and engineer. So having many tonal palettes available for a session call is important especially in the competitive world of Nashville.

 

[Wisebass]

I don' t like collectors!!!

but i like....

Of course like most of us, I will never buy such a bass. But maaaan!!! drooldrooldrool

Collectors do and that' s why these basses exist.

Wise(b)ass

 

[overit]

I'm finally back to one and it feels really good. I've never had more than three at one time - one served as a backup and the other a change of pace/tone/# of strings. For my needs, the only sacrifice I'm making is not having a backup when playing live, though I've never had to use my backup. Obviously others have their own reasons for owning more than one - some for necessity, some for luxury and everything else in between. I"m not one into collecting anything, so bonding with one instrument is best for me.

 

[warrplayer]

to simplify my original thought. this was not directed toward people who can actually play. it was about those who can't play that buy a fleet of guitars.

I can play. at least people tell me I can. I have done a few professional recordings with musicians who have been on numerous magazine covers for instance. I don’t mention this to brag, but merely to produce my bonafides. Your concern strikes me as very odd. Do professional car drivers go on and on about all the wealthy individuals that may own a fleet of high performance automobiles that they use only to drive to the shopping center or restaurant? I honestly don’t know for sure but seriously doubt those who make their living driving spend anytime worrying about it at all.

If you have procured yourself a few nice basses that work for you why would you be worried about the effect on the market these amateurs are having?or what their motivations might be? Are you perhaps feeling your are more deserving of numerous fine instruments and jealous of others’ abilities to afford them? Not being judgmental. Simply asking.

I would assume the market is more robust if more people are in it, but I am not an economist.

 

[bassstrangler]

Not absurd. i have been playing since the late 80s professionally. have been in many types of bands from here in PA to Northridge, and Hollywood ca. Played spring break Daytona in the 90s. just so much. i remember a time when musicians were serious and there were not a lot of hobby people. Gibson quality is going down? Music man. i have had to send a stingray back because of fret problems. i could go on about quality control issues. and not just about basses. i also play guitar. had quality control issues. pa system issues . expensive home studio monitors issues. "quality control" is a problem when too many people are buying . not absurd at all.

Seems absurd to me.

 

[bassstrangler]

as is stated several times. it is about quality control. is it not true when too many people want the same thing eventually the integrity of a certain thing begins to decline? i believe so.

I don't think that is true.

 

[Bassbeater]

I'll put don't my snark for a second...
I used to use lot's of different guitars, borderline hoarder, until I got a Godin session plus. It's not the best guitar made, but it has so many tonal options and records so well that I really don't play any of the others anymore. Polyvalent!

 

[Adhesive_X]

I love how some people want to decide what gear other players deserve. (I mean some people in general, not
directed at the OP)

If i didn't average 60-70 hours weeks for the last 2 decades I'd have more time to practice,
but I wouldn't be able to afford my gear.

Oh, wise sage please evaluate my abilities and tell what gear wont offend you.
I have nice gear...get over it.

 

[PaulReside]

This being America and all... cause I can

 

[Savagehenry]

An even scarier thought - maybe the OP DID think this through and still made this thread!

Posing the question - Is the OP either deliberately playing with us, purposely being rude, or just severely obtuse?

It's been a long time since we've had someone deserving of a good ole' fashioned TB beat down.

We're in before the lock.

Better safe than sorry though.

One of life’s greatest pleasures is an unexpected genuine gut laugh. You just made me blow coffee on my screen.
Thank you for that, Gentlemen. You made my morning!

 

[alembicbones]

Certainly not to be judgemental or come across superior in any way.other but i often wonder why do so many people own so many expensive basses when they can hardly play one? maybe i am missing something here, but it just seems pointless and a waste. is it perhaps an insecurity thing . you know the more great basses you have will make you a better player? also it would stand to reason that a serious player would want to "bond" with one instrument and get to know it intimately. i would think that is important. in my first years i had one good 80s fender precision bass that was with me for many bands clubs and gigs. i didn't need 10 basses. was just wondering what others thought.

You start out by saying you are not trying to be judgmental but your post goes on to be highly judgmental.

I own many great basses and use them all. They are fun to play. Period.

Bones

 

[40Hz]

When it comes to music, I just focus on what I’m doing and what I’m trying to accomplish, and don’t worry at all about what my bass brethren and sisthren are getting up to on their own time and paycheck. It’s all good AFAIC.

One good rule of thumb in the music world: If you’re not being directly affected by what someone else is doing, don’t go around peeing on their pop tarts.

tl:dr - M.Y.O.B.

 

[Trouztrouz]

His rage over us not good players with to many basses blinded him to the reply button.

 

[57pbass]

They’re like spices..

 

[mcarp555]

This being America and all... cause I can

I think people in lots of other countries can as well.

 

[Dogbertday]

I have 5 basses including my upright. I'll have 6 sometime this year (custom build... will post NBD thread when it comes home)

I wish I had 20 basses... cause it'd be awesome.

 

[gln1955]

The OP sounds like a 5-year-old crying to mama because the neighbor kid got a new toy and won't let him play with it.

Ticked about bad bass players on Youtube? Really, is this a thing?

Bad players buying so many basses it drops the quality? Maybe the worst understanding of bussines that I've seen in a while.

 

[Fat Freddy]

I have a fretted four, a piezo-only fretless four, and a fretless five. So they're all different. I'd like to add a fretless 5, and a fretted and fretless pair of 6s...because I want to.

But I really don't understand the folks with 17 fretted 4 string tobacco sunburst P-basses. Seems more like a neurosis than anything else.

The secret is not to try to understand....Just accept....maaan....

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

to simplify my original thought. this was not directed toward people who can actually play. it was about those who can't play that buy a fleet of guitars.

The people who make a living playing bass, are too busy playing to hang around here and get G.A.S. over everything that comes along. Players play, hobbyist collect. It's the same with any hobby. You always want the newest/bestest/coolest golf clubs, ham radio, camera, or bass. Not that I have any hobbies like that.

 

[DavC]

why ..? because shopping is much more fun than practicing .. !