Why multiple basses?

[Smooth_bass88]

I play 150-200 gigs a year with about a half dozen or so different artist/groups and there are different requirements for each gig- a p bass with rounds, a p bass with flats, standard tuned, tuned down a half step, a five string, a jazz bass, vintage, modern etc, and always a back up for everything. That's why I have about a dozen basses.

Plus if I see a great deal on something I like, I buy it. Or if something falls into my lap like my 1962 jazz bass

 

[Groove Doctor]

Because I want to and I can.

In most cases, it's an excuse to have more pretty shiny objects.

This.

I have 8 basses and they are all different. I play multiple genres of music from Big Band to Rock, Disco to Gospel, and various Tribute Shows.

I’ve developed my technique and ability as a player that necessitates different basses for different contexts/ sound/ techniques.

The first 14 years playing bass I played a fretted Jazz and a Fretless PJ. I’ve expanded from there and I bought different basses to “grow into”.

 

[KenD]

I have three basses. I ordered them and have them to have three DIFFERENT tonalities to be used in different situations: a 5 string fretless (B>G), a 5 string fretted short scale (E>C) and a 6 string fretted multi-scale (B>C).

 

[Todd Hamby]

I like walking into a room full of Bass guitars

 

[Clark W]

Why?

Short Answer...
Cause I want them / can.
I enjoy them, nothing more. As far as feel, playability, and sound, I could get by with just one and be fine, except for the acoustic. If you have ever gigged an acoustic bass on two feet for 4 hours you know, not the most comfortable thing in the world to deal with.


The long drawn out answer or what the different basses mean to and/or do for me...
While all my basses are 4 stringers and fretted, they are all distinct in their own ways. They either look, sound, or feel different or some combination thereof.

As far as tunings, I'm involved in different things and I might be tuning to D, D#, or E and I never know which bass I'm going to be using except for my E stuff. So far the CIJ GL has been getting all of the E tuned duty so it's neck setup is for E. The rest are all setup and tuned to D# leaving them in the middle between D and E to tune up or down if need be. Occasionally one(green jazz with rounds) will get tuned down to C as well.

The closest in sound, feel, and looks, to each other two would be my "twins".
2021 blue flame top jazz & 2022 green flame top jazz. I have them strung with rounds and half rounds, so the biggest difference to me in them would be feel, and the half rounds are a little darker sounding.

Then there's my 2006 - 2008 CIJ GL signature jazz. Just feels different, sounds different. Raised pickup poles, thinnest neck of all my basses, has its own distinct sound and grit while being the most comfortable of all my basses to play. It just feels fast when you put your hand on the neck.





The rest of my basses...

2019 Am Performer strung with tapewounds and upgraded with a new control circuit(no greasebucket tone circuit) and Aguilar's hum cancelling PJ pup set. The bass can go from very tubular (think bells or chimes) type of sound because of the strings, to a very vintage gritty type sound when digging in hard due to the Aguilar PJ pup set. Neck doesn't feel fast, not like my CIJ GL, but the neck does project a feel that gives me the confidence and the desire to try new songs / bass lines I didn't think I could play without some extended practicing.

2019 Player Precision strung with rounds and has a FCS '62 P Pup, just a straight up thick P bass sound that can easily get gritty and vintage when wanted. For classic rock and blues the bass has the sound and the looks for it. Sounds great playing grunge too, but doesn't look the part IMO.





2019 California Series Kingman V2 JTB, it's an acoustic with a Jazz spec'd short scale neck and strung with flats. Definitely different than any of the electrics in look, feel, and sound. For that plugged in "MTV Unplugged" look and feel gig, it fits the bill.

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I do have multiples for no reason. Most of them are even identicals down to the strings, some are even the same color.

I don't need them all though.. I was a full-time bassist for seven years with three basses only, a P a J, and a fretless J. When I became a part time musician, I could actually afford more basses. I got over 20 basses at the moment.

 

[GnarwhalNick]

If you look at my avatar you can see 3 p basses. They're all different but i love them all:

Black P-Bass - my #1. Had it for 16 years, my first bass, learned everything to this point with this workhorse. I have modded it to hell, new pickups (Seymour Duncan QPs), a stacked knob, badass bridge II, as well as cosmetic decisions. I plan on being buried with this bass as it's literally an extension of me.

Red P-Bass - I wanted to create a replica of the black bass but with a few tweaks. The major one was a new neck with a maple fretboard ilo the original rosewood. It has all the same electronics and bridge as the black, and its red on red bc red is my favorite color

White/blue P-Bass - I recently had the itch to customize a new bass but to do something a little different from the others. I plan on putting Fender 63 pups in, keep 2 knobs, considering the badass II bride but may do another high-mass bridge to really differentiate it from the others, switch out the neck for another rosewood (this one came with the truss rod stripped and I can't adjust, it's bowed more than Legolas's weapon of choice) and new electronics for the knobs and input jack, as well as some other cosmetic choices with the knobs and strap

Not pictured is a jaguar bass, which I got because I wanted a completely different sound to the p basses. I switched out the pups for QPs but didn't really like how it sounded as a jag so I'm switching back. It's also black on black which I was excited for when I first got it but regretted it as I wanted some color variation. That has seen been aleviated with the 2 others on the list haha

I have multiple because I get different sounds and vibes from each one. On my last album I switched between the black and red between songs (much to the chagrin of my guitarist who was mixing the album lol) When I go to play shows I just pick 1 to limit the amount im hauling, but its fun to have some variation. They also all play differently (black has higher action, red is a little faster, the jaguar has a j bass neck so some string jumping basslines are easier, white/blue one is yet to be seen as its a WIP) so theres variation in that too. Also, my vanity likes the different looks of them. The all black is my go to but if I feel like bringing out a really unique and badass looking bass I'll bust out the red one since it stands out.


*EDIT: Also not pictured is my Fender Kingman acoustic V2, which I love playing on the couch or at the beach/lake or jammign acoustically with my buddies, which also was a replacement for the original Fender Kingman that was unplayable. Also I have a Squier Bass VI which is so fun and unique. All for different reasons and occasions!

 

[Clark Westfield]

It’s exactly like having more than one 3/8” ratchet in your toolbox.

One tool may not fully fulfill the needs of the operator, for a given situation.

Plus for me, having 5 to choose from is inspirational for me to play and practice.

 

[smatanovic]

I currently own 4 basses and each one has a role in my arsenal:
1. 2012 Ric 4003 - main bass for rounds
2. 2022 Ric 4003 - main bass for flats
3. 2021 7ender MIA P Bass - FSO tones
4. 2008 Squier Jazz Bass - piccolo bass (my first ever bass, so it will always be with me)

A while back, I said that the most basses I would want to own at one time is 6. So that means I have 2 slots open:
5. I would love to acquire a 4 string fretless bass
6. I have no idea what I would put in the last slot

Multiple Ric’s = life goals.

 

[Heiwa]

Lol.

---
It's interesting how different bassists are from how some guitar players seem to be. Many people who have guitars seem to want every, say, telecaster that has a different finish. Same make and model, same everything but the color sometimes yet they say it's so different! Uh huh.
I mean, I guess it's nice having such disposable income and the space to have guitars as decoration! I admit that I rather enjoy looking at my "furniture finish" basses and pretty, black guitars.

Some guys like bikes, they have more than one bike.
Some people like cars, they have more than one car.
Some people like shoes and hats, they have many…

So what? Money is meant to be spent

 

[SteveC]

I could get by with one fretted 5 string. I have a “matching” fretless 5 that gives another tone, style and playing option. But I could live without it, or it could be my one bass. They can be played without sounding too fretless. I have a P with flats. Could also be my only bass but would have to make octave choices with some songs. Also have a j bass with rounds. I have them because of the variety of sounds and playing options they give me. I could pick on, but I’m glad I don’t have to.

 

[retslock]

For everyone out there who has, had, or plans to have more than one bass... Why?
What do / will you / have you done with them?
Do you want them to sound the same or different?

I could get by with one. I did for many years but I don't have to. I like them so I have a selection.

 

[mr80htz]

Polyamourous desires...and it's fun. If your a working musician it's a good idea to be able to satisfy the needs of certain band leaders. If you want to get real nerdy, certain songs may need a different sound. I love being able to experience different playing experiences. Different necks, pickups, strings, and fretted/fretless versions are all fun. I love picking up a bass and thinking of the experiences and the people I played with while in a group that instrument was being used in.

 

[smatanovic]

Honestly, because I can.

As well, because I use 'em.

I feel the same way. I am a relative noob and started playing a couple of years ago so that I could make music with my guitar-playing daughter. It’s become a really engaging hobby for me, and a terrific creative outlet that has improved my life in tangible ways. I do not gig, but play for myself and with my kid.

I’m fortunate in that I have been able to acquire four basses:

P with flats
P with rounds
P with rounds that lives at my office
J currently wearing rounds

I play each of these bases at least a couple of times per week. None of these instruments is particularly expensive or precious, but all four are set up nicely and play really well. Each one feels like a unique, living thing (which makes sense given that they’re mostly made of wood) and each one inspires me in its own way.

 

[2thAche]

I have seemingly too many, but all very different animals (like fretless, JJ, PJ, P, non-Fender), or a similar animal in different tuning (Eb, Dstd with corresponding setups so i can just pick it up as needed). One is really old, which is just gratifying.

Not for me to have, say, 7 P basses but I understand why people like variation on their favorite thing.

 

[Geri O]

Where is the "report" button on this updated page?

It’s plainly on the page. I’ve actually hit it accidentally

When you find something report-worthy, look again. And harder.

 

[DuluthDank]

I'm pretty sure the maximum number of bass guitars I can justify owning is two, maybe three. I find that if I have 3 or 4, it's pretty much a guarantee that 1 or 2 of those instruments are being neglected for months or more. Then if I do actually want to play it at some point, it's a guarantee that it will need a setup to play well, do to humidity changes. Right now I have a J and a P, and a fretless Ibanez. As it stands, the fretless barely gets played.

 

[fishdude101101]

Should we be content to do this for our whole life?
View attachment 6979706

This is more or less what most of the population does.

 

[Killing Floor]

No matter how you might wish, fretted doesn’t do fretless. Rounds don’t do flats.

 

[socialleper]

Back ups for your main.
Different tones.
Different number of strings.
Different looks.