Why have so many basses?

[Lefty4string]

What can i say. i have seen a lot of of them. my searches are probably different then yours.

 

[jd56hawk]

BS again.
I know it, most others know it, but you are obviously totally unaware.

 

[Lefty4string]

You have got to be kidding. are you saying there is no limited ability Bass players with a bunch of expensive basses around them on Youtube? ok then believe what you want.

 

[jd56hawk]

&& 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

Define "so many" and we'll see if there's a difference between that and "some" and then we can argue semantics.

 

[mcnach]

I understand that. I am just a person that does not relate to having so many basses or guitars. just what is necessary. i asked for an explanation from people here. but most are just really defensive and are saying crazy things to me. no problem.

Because what you say does sound a little crazy and judgemental, even if you haven't noticed.

My own personal trip has taken me through vsrious phases. I started out on a very cheap terrible thing, and it took me a while (my first real job) until I was able to buy anything decent. I bought a beautiful guitar, used, from a small British manufacturer. A very simple one-humbucker guitar, hand made, that was a joy to play. I bought a Stratocaster 4 years later, and those two were my main guitars for many years. I did buy a few other cheap things along the way because they were pretty, or different, but I only had those two 'players'... Some people put paintings on the wall, I liked having a couple of unusual guitars on the wall, in addition to the two 'players' on my guitar stand.

Then my finances got better. At one point I owned around 20-25 guitars. Because I could and because I like them as objects. And it was fun for me to modify them and mess with them etc.

Then I met someone who was pretty special and a single mum, and I decided to use my money in a different way, so I sold the vast majority of my instruments and kept 3 guitars, so I could have extra space and I didn't buy more guitars for a while. It was around the same time when I 'discovered' bass. I used to always have one bass around to add to my song ideas that I'd record etc, but I didn't do much with it. But one day at a jam session I ended up on bass all night and fell in love. I kept two guitars and bought a better bass. Eventually a couple more... because the PJ bass I had was nice, but for some things a Stingray style bass was more fitting. Then I sold the PJ and got a Jazz... then a 5 string... then a fretless... and again at one point I owned close to 20 instruments between guitars and basses.

And why not?

Today, I have 3 guitars: a P90-equipped Les Paul, a Stratocaster, and a Stratocaster with a humbucker at the bridge and a Floyd Rose for heavier stuff. I have around 8 basses, I think. I only gig on bass these days, in three different bands. I mostly use one bass, my Stingray. It's the bass I have spent most of my time on and the one instrument I feel most comfortable with. If I need to play with a band I'm not very comfortable with, it'll always be the Stingray. But I still like to have a Precision and a Jazz around, and a fretless, and a couple of other hybrid things (like a Precision I turned into a double J, with the two J pickups close to the bridge... I do like messing with things, I said )
If I needed the space, I'd probably just keep the Stingray and would not even miss the others all that much. But if I can have them, why not?

Money plays no part in this. It just so happens that my current 'stable' does not contain anything particularly expensive... but at one point I was curious and I did spend a bit of cash on more upmarket instruments, because I could... but the price tag has no relevance on whether I like to own multiple instruments or not. Only a couple of days ago I saw a guy posting about his huge collection of MusicMan basses. It's not something I'd do... but if you have the disposable income and the space, what's wrong with that? And what has got ability to do with anything?

 

[mcnach]

You have got to be kidding. are you saying there is no limited ability Bass players with a bunch of expensive basses around them on Youtube? ok then believe what you want.

and that bothers you because...

 

[Lefty4string]

explained it already on other comments. just done.

 

[mcnach]

You have got to be kidding. are you saying there is no limited ability Bass players with a bunch of expensive basses around them on Youtube? ok then believe what you want.

For someone who posts a 'non-judgemental' first post, interested in hearing other people's views, you don't seem to be very willing to explain your own views, and feel pretty upset that others don't agree with you.

I'm really curious to know why you think that ability and ownership of expensive instruments should somehow be linked.

 

[mcnach]

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.

Mind boggles.

What?

Is this really the issue? Is there a shortage of quality instruments and serious players cannot buy the right instruments because low-ability players with a bigger wallet buy them all?

Are you serious?

1) If you are a serious player (whatever that is), there is no problem whatsoever to go out there and buy a superb instrument that will allow you to express yourself in the best possible way

2) If you are a serious player, you would also be able to play wonderfully on a Squier or a SX (which you'll also know how to set up and adjust to perfection)

So, I am sorry, I fail to see the problem, and to me this thread looks prompted not by an problem that serious players face, but by a serious envy problem.

I hope you find peace.

 

[mcnach]

-Sounds like somebody got outbid on ebay.

!!!!!

 

[Lefty4string]

Yea crazy. if you say so.

 

[Lefty4string]

Left handed people have little competition on ebay. i already said that to some other person here. just done.

 

[Hand slap]

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.

Speaking for me, I have never been concerned with why people have the equipment they have, it’s a personal choice, I do inquire, although if it is something that is a particular interest.

 

[mcnach]

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.

*if* that is even true, you must remember how much things cost now compared to then, in relative terms. Equipment is vastly more abundant today and cheaper. Back in the 80s I could not really consider getting a custom instrument made. Now there are makers out there who do a fantastic job and will get you an amazing instrument at a fraction of what it would have cost back then. Now it's easier than ever before to get a great instrument. If you are happy to spend today the kind of money you had to spend 40 years ago to get a quality instrument, you'll still get quality, and a 'fret issue' is a non-issue.

 

[gelinas666]

Different sounds,feel,looks.. Many to try and many to keep..

 

[mcnach]

I feel i was very humble and politically correct about how i posted my dislike of collectors who can't play well and put Youtube videos up showing their 20 guitars that they can't play. you only need one to get good.

who are you to tell anybody what they *need*?
Sounds like you'd love a place in the politburo in the old USSR or something...

 

[mcnach]

ego check brother

The Ego Has Landed

 

[Bassbeater]

Left handed people have little competition on ebay. i already said that to some other person here. just done.

It was me you said that to. In case you forget who I am again, I'm the guy owning you on the internets, buying up all the basses.

 

[ruju]

Why have so many basses? Why not...?
If your happy with having one or twenty or whatever. That’s none of my business. I personally owned four and I’m happy with that. Who am I to judge ones ability on an instrument or how many the keep in their stable.

 

[mcnach]

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.

I think that is one of the problems: you don't *earn* the right to have anything. It's not like each new instrument is a gold star you attach to your shirt or something. And you don't need to justify to anyone why you own what you do. It's cool to talk about your reasons etc, this is TALKbass after all... but when you start from the view that somebody's reasons are more valid than others'... things get messy.