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Why multiple basses?
- Thread starter Mister_GothFrak
- Start date
I have 6.
1) My main bass, a custom 6 string Marusczcyk. Rotosound Steel strings, MM style humbucker + neck single coil, 2 band EQ but in passive mode 99% of the time.
2) Custom fretless 6 string Marusczcyk. Very similar to no. 1, but without the frets and passive.
3) Acoustic 6 string Warwick RB.
4) 4 string Ibanez ATK, the first bass I really bonded with .
5) Another custom 6 string Marusczcyk, built when my son was born.
6) Another custom 6 string Marusczcyk, built when my daughter was born.
No. 1 is the only one I really need.
2-3 allow me to do something completely different, though they get played way less.
4-6 are there for sentimental reasons, though still get played as well.
1) My main bass, a custom 6 string Marusczcyk. Rotosound Steel strings, MM style humbucker + neck single coil, 2 band EQ but in passive mode 99% of the time.
2) Custom fretless 6 string Marusczcyk. Very similar to no. 1, but without the frets and passive.
3) Acoustic 6 string Warwick RB.
4) 4 string Ibanez ATK, the first bass I really bonded with .
5) Another custom 6 string Marusczcyk, built when my son was born.
6) Another custom 6 string Marusczcyk, built when my daughter was born.
No. 1 is the only one I really need.
2-3 allow me to do something completely different, though they get played way less.
4-6 are there for sentimental reasons, though still get played as well.
PJ with flats
-- empty slot --
PJ with rounds that lives at my office
J currently wearing rounds
It seems I need another bass... !?
It really is kinda fun to have a bunch of different basses that sound and play differently. It’s cool to have basses with different pickups and strings too. It’s amazing what difference that makes.
All MusicMan StingRay Specials
1. Fretted 5H
2. Fretless 5H
3. Fretted 5 HH
4. Old Smoothie 4 string 2band (flats)
5. Short Scale 4 Active ( Rounds)
6. Short Scale 4 Passive ( Flats)
7. Sandberg 5 J/MM active / passive ( rounds)
They all bring something different to the table .
1. Fretted 5H
2. Fretless 5H
3. Fretted 5 HH
4. Old Smoothie 4 string 2band (flats)
5. Short Scale 4 Active ( Rounds)
6. Short Scale 4 Passive ( Flats)
7. Sandberg 5 J/MM active / passive ( rounds)
They all bring something different to the table .
I have three basses and I feel that's all I really need. I have two fretted five strings (SBMM Ray35 and G&L Tribute L-2500) and a fretless five string (Maruszczyk Jake L 5a-24). For about 10 years, I just had my Ray35; but, in 2021, I joined a band and started gigging more, so I got the G&L as a backup and for some other tonal options. The fretless was indulgent but I really like how it plays and sounds -- it'll definitely make an appearance on my band's next album. I'm not interested in duplicate basses and I don't play around with alternate tunings, so I don't foresee any changes to my collection for a long time.
However, I've only got one amp and speaker cab, so maybe I should get a backup for those.
However, I've only got one amp and speaker cab, so maybe I should get a backup for those.
I have gone through periods with only a single bass, and I could see getting back to that at some point. Right now I'm playing my new 5-string exclusively, both to get used to it and because it does everything I need in my current project. I'm keeping my 4 because I would prefer for ergonomic reasons to use it for picking and slapping, should the need arise. I'm also keeping my fretless 4 around in case I need it, but that's pretty iffy at the moment, so I wouldn't be surprised if it made its way to the Sell pile at some point.
So to answer your question, it's not really about different sounds (except the fretless) so much as ergonomics and playability, and preferably using them actively rather than having them sit around looking pretty.
So to answer your question, it's not really about different sounds (except the fretless) so much as ergonomics and playability, and preferably using them actively rather than having them sit around looking pretty.
Well, okay...
First of all; I currently have 28 of the things; down from 32. But, I fully intend to keep the 28 I have. So...
- Why?
For many of the same reasons that other folks have mentioned, I imagine. But, mainly because 30-some years ago, I made a list of all the different basses I'd like to have, if I could. Being left handed, some of them took me a very long time to find; some of them I had to wait a long time for the company to decide to make a lefty (like Gibson, Epiphone, and EB Music Man); and, some of them I had to have made. Including a couple of "extra" basses - with no official spot in the herd - and one perennial project bass? That makes 28...
- What do ....... with them?
Oh, that's easy. I PLAY them. Every single one of them - well, not the project bass (yet), but every one that has strings and can be played. The logistics are kind of a pain, 'cause my house is really small, but; I rotate 3 of them out of "storage" every month, up to my living/movie/music room - and play the snot out of them. Next month? I put those 3 away, and replace them with 3 more - in an endless cycle...
- Do I want them to sound the same - or different?
Well, since only two of them are the same bass (but, strung with very different strings) - unless you think a Rick 4001 is the same as a 4003 (I assure you - they are not)? Yeah, the whole idea is for them to sound different - sometimes, VERY different. One of the things I like to do, is play the music I like, on the same - or a similar - bass that was used to record it originally, or that it was performed with live. No, it's not necessary; I can play the Beatle's Love Me Do on my Alembic just as easily as I can on my violin bass. But, that wouldn't be nearly as much fun...
So... aside from all that? I have so many basses because I like them; because I'm an old, retired bachelor with a pretty hefty disposable income - and because there's no hookers or blow where I'm living now. I don't have to feed or clothe them; they don't give me too much grief; and, they keep me amused whenever I don't want to watch old movies, or the weather's too crappy to ride my Harley....
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I have a 4 and 5 string basses. the 4 string is a Fender PBj for that classic sound, My 5 string which I’m in the process of replacing mainlynformsongs written in the century that require and extended pitch range. I also want a more modern sound out of it as well.
I guess I ended up with multiple basses because I had extra cash on hand. Nowadays I pretty much try to make all my basses sound the same, but I do appreciate how they all feel different.
Precision , jazz , ric , Jack Cassidy , Gibson eb3, they all look different but they are all basses.
Precision , jazz , ric , Jack Cassidy , Gibson eb3, they all look different but they are all basses.
I have 3 4's and 1 5 string. They are all wildly different in feel and tone so it's like different tools for different Jobs. My main band(Nu Metal and early 2000's/90's Alt rock) gets my Maruszczak active 5 string. I bring my '75 P bass to country gigs and my Lull yxb4(Jazz) is an all around player with it's drop D tuner. My 80's Japanese Elektra(4) is on my wall as the home bass.
I'm grateful to have the collection I do. Acquired it over a few decades and it meets all of my needs!
I'm grateful to have the collection I do. Acquired it over a few decades and it meets all of my needs!
These two answers basically state the reasons I have 21 basses myself.
I would only add that if you're a working musician, you need more than one bass because if anything happens to it and it gets damaged, you have another one to replaced it and you get to keep working.
And some basses are a better fit to certain genres or certain songs.
1. One Fretless
2. One hollow/semi-hollow
3. One short scale
4. One upright
They all sound different. Variety is the spice of life. Don't get me started on the pedal collection.
For everyone out there who has, had, or plans to have more than one bass... Why?
I currently have 3 electrics (2 are for sale) and 2 uprights (1 is for sale).
Main electric for reggae gig, main upright for jazz gig. The second electric ideally would be a backup for both gigs but not sure what that is yet.
What do / will you / have you done with them?
2 electrics are for sale, 1 upright is on consignment
Do you want them to sound the same or different?
I have 2 gigs right now - reggae and jazz. I want the bass that I sound best playing on for each gig.
I currently have 3 electrics (2 are for sale) and 2 uprights (1 is for sale).
Main electric for reggae gig, main upright for jazz gig. The second electric ideally would be a backup for both gigs but not sure what that is yet.
What do / will you / have you done with them?
2 electrics are for sale, 1 upright is on consignment
Do you want them to sound the same or different?
I have 2 gigs right now - reggae and jazz. I want the bass that I sound best playing on for each gig.
I only have 4, pretty small selection by most TB standards. I had 2 for a long time, one main and one backup. The main player is my avatar bass, painted by my son. A couple years ago our daughter wanted to use her new craft room in their new house and asked to paint one for me, that made 3. And since those 2 had a lot of work into them, they are the most valuable to me and get to all the gigs. I bought one Squier CV Mustang and left it stock. That's the one take to play outdoor gigs where if the rain caught us off guard it wouldn't be a "sentimental" loss.
All short scales, 2 Musicmasters and 2 Mustangs, I like them to be as similar as possible in terms of playability and sound. That works for me.
All short scales, 2 Musicmasters and 2 Mustangs, I like them to be as similar as possible in terms of playability and sound. That works for me.
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I used to believe in multiple basses for different sounds. But after selling every fender p bass and jazz, p/j basses and only keeping my Sterling Ray4 and a EBMM sub I am down to only 1 style.
I only have 2 and prob gonna try my p-bass and other old gear for a short scale.
Don't let TB sway you, for most bassist having like 2 to 3 is normal depending on income and living situation, also I feel people will own 4 basses that differ crazy from each other.
Most users on here are older, got some cash to spend so use what you like and can afford.
Don't let TB sway you, for most bassist having like 2 to 3 is normal depending on income and living situation, also I feel people will own 4 basses that differ crazy from each other.
Most users on here are older, got some cash to spend so use what you like and can afford.
