Why have so many basses?

[Wisebass]

Because when the tone dragon calls we must answer.

Yep!!! And we also need a never played one for the blood offerings!!!!

Wise(b)ass

 

[Whitenoise17]

I think it’s good to have a few, maybe 3 or 4, for different uses and sounds. Sometimes you might want something that sounds warm and subdued, so you pick up your 60s-style jazz bass.
Sometimes you want something that’ll melt faces, so you grab your Stingray. Also good to have a 4 and 5 string. Some times you need a wider range of notes.

 

[Mike Sorr]

Geddy Lee is now a semi-retired bass player. He has a whole section of his house dedicated to his bass collection. He admits to having 24 Fender Jazz basses alone. Does he really need all those basses? Why would anyone want 24 Jazz Basses? He also has an insane wine cellar. I mean, who can drink all that wine? AND he has an enormous collection of baseball memorabilia...he doesn't even play baseball.

 

[Toddcaster64]

I’m not that great, and I own 5 basses, which hasn’t changed for some time. But for some reason I kind of wish I owned about 100 basses right now.

 

[flam]

We're sort of bringing into question excess of anything here. Pretty much everybody has something that either doesn't get regularly used, or isn't used to its full potential (if that can be quantified). Heck, why do basses have more than one string? You can play all the notes on one, it would be arrogant of you to use the other 3+ until you master the first.

 

[Lefty4string]

I agree with you. i have no problem with players who have a few instruments to round out a a toolkit. think my problem is with just less than mediocre players who compensate buy hoarding . just pointing out a truth.

 

[Mike Sorr]

I can see your point. also I was not aware that this question was often posted often here on T.B. after watching Youtube and seeing a number of truly bad players with an armada of Fenders and really nice expensive basses i was just like what the hell. why not learn to play one before you buy 20 more?. just seemed rather crazy.

Here's a whole TB group dedicated to the subject.
Official Crappy Bassist with Expensive Gear Club

 

[b_carville]

Well...the collectors & investors have driven the prices up. I used to buy basses in the 70's for $50-150 that go for thousands now. Even in the 80's when I was on the road you could find cool stuff for $150-400. Now everything 's a "collectable". Even late 70's ,early 80's Fender's.Even 60's budget stuff like Kay,Harmony,Danelectro,Supro,Silver
tone,etc.gets close to,if not,four figures. I'm even seeing prices like $300-700 for god awful 60's made in Japan dreck like Audition,Crown,Kingston,Sekova and so on.

 

[Lefty4string]

When you first begin playing you do only focus on one string at a time.

 

[Lefty4string]

Man i completely agree with you.

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

I owned 53 basses up until 2 years ago.

WOW! According to the OP's criteria for owning basses, you must be the Jimi Hendrix of the lower register?

 

[DigitalMan]

again. my opinion is that you only need one or two basses to become good or great.

Why do you assume the purpose of having more than two basses has anything to do with player development? Your opinion is irrelevant to the question of why people buy more than one or two basses.

I don’t view a bass player any differently whether they have one or one hundred basses. You seem to be making the point that there is an inverse relationship to the talent a player has and the number of basses they acquire with the hope that the world will notice you are doing things the right way and are therefore a great bass player. Or perhaps you are trying to signal virtue, but it’s just coming across as sour grapes.

 

[Bassbeater]

again. my opinion is that you only need one or two basses to become good or great.

-Much nicer assertion. Take a hot shower. Exfoliate the hate.

 

[Killed_by_Death]

my problem is with just less than mediocre players who compensate buy hoarding

You don't have to keep explaining that you have a disdain for players who aren't as skilled as you are, but it's reading more & more like envy.

 

[James Collins]

I agree with you. i have no problem with players who have a few instruments to round out a a toolkit. think my problem is with just less than mediocre players who compensate buy hoarding . just pointing out a truth.

Why do you have a problem with mediocre players having more basses than they need? It really sounds like the problem is your problem. The number of basses others own is not a problem. The fact that you cannot get over it is your problem.

 

[jd56hawk]

I'm sure many people here remember the thread from a few days ago regarding Quincy Jones thinking Paul McCartney was the worst bassist he'd ever seen.

Anyone want to let Paul know he should not own so many instruments? I know he's got at least three Hofners, a Ric, a Jazz, a Yamaha, a Kay, a Wal, an upright... Geez, no-talent bum! There are more deserving left-handers out there who could benefit from owning those. And of course, the fact that the newest of his bunch is probably twenty years old (at least) has contributed to the decline in quality of newer basses.

And I'd have to think he really bonded his favorite Hofner and his Ric, but I hope he doesn't give away the rest if he reads this thread.

 

[Bassbeater]

my problem is with just less than mediocre players who compensate buy hoarding

If that's not "First world problems" I don't know what is!
Chill out, grab yourself a Puppers. Things are good!

 

[Perrygoround]

I have 3 in this moment. I wish I could have more. Just because. Having options is not hurting.
Yes, I should stop posting and going back to playing until I am good enough to deserve having just one of them...

 

[Killed_by_Death]

If that's not "First world problems" I don't know what is!

People in developing countries definitely get upset or envious over someone else owning a lot more things than they do.

 

[Wisebass]

I do have a handmade custom set of clubs

What do you mean with "a set"? More than one club?

When you can' t play, one should be enough!!!

greetings

Wise