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Why have so many basses?

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#44
Lefty4string said:
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.
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I get this mentality. was a one-bass guy for a very long time. Well, one bass, plus a duplicate backup in case one had an issue live and needed to be swapped. That was back when I played live a lot.

One of the reasons was because thats all I could afford. Another is as you say, its good to become very familiar with one instrument, so muscle memory becomes mapped tightly to that one instrument. The Billy Sheehan mindset, which makes a lot if sense to me.

But now that I mostly just compose and record, I like to have a range of different basses on hand for different tones, textures and vibes.

For example, my short scale SG with 4 year old flats sounds waaaay different than my ibanez 5 with fresh rounds, which in turn sounds completely different from my 4 string short scale muck, with all its midrange complexity. And my long scale Basses Loaded six string with its bartolinis and baseball bat neck (an oddball prototype bass from the 80s) sounds different than all of them.

TL; DR - why have more than one bass? To have a broader palette for recording.
 
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#53
Lefty4string said:
Also i have been playing seriously since the age of 17. early 40s now. i think i have "earned" the right to have 5 basses if i so choose.
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I totally agree. You have the right to own as many basses as you want and should not be judged for your collection. Clearly I don't need to convince you of the benefits of owning more than one bass, so :sleep:

Have a good night.
 
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#56
Lefty4string said:
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.
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If you really want to know, why not just ask the people you're referring to on YouTube? They have a comment section... and by virtue of posting video of themselves playing, they are inviting critique.
 
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#58
Lefty4string said:
Well collecting is fine. but when it affects a serious players ability to get an instrument he truly needs or would do justice by owning. well then i just don't agree with collectors. guitars were meant to be played.
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Not to be a dick, but it seems that you are frustrated because you can’t afford the bass you want. And maybe a bit jealous when you see somebody who you think isn’t as good as you playing basses you can’t afford.

“They aren’t as good as me, why should they have better instruments?”

I totally get that.

Its like somebody who can’t afford a decent car for work being mad at someone owning a vanity car collection.

Feels unfair. It is. That’s the world, my friend.

But blaming the “hobbyists,” (while sort of insulting them) for driving up the prices is pretty absurd.

I would say, if you want a nicer bass, find a way to make some money and buy one instead of being mad at the way the world works, which will get you nowhere.
 
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#60
Lefty4string said:
You can't be a good showman with no ego. i am a very modest person. truth be known. but not going to downplay what i have accomplished either.
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Can't be a good showman with no ego? Have you met Victor Wooten? Most down to earth player you will ever meet.

Modest but will show your accomplishments? Contradict much?

Attacking players whose skills don't live up to your standards so they don't deserve what they have?

Your not winning any friends on here.
 
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