Why multiple basses?

[Mister_GothFrak]

Yeah. I never really asked but, back when I was playing hardcore (punk) shows semi-regularly and running sound, I don't recall too many people having multiple instruments. Nobody cared too much about being flashy or having fancy gear. They were more concerned with making and playing good music and having a good time than nerding out or showing off. Lol

 

[eweise2]

getting one more bass because playing out live and my alembic doesn't have any fingerboard dots. Getting old so need some dots. Also, have a bit of fear of it getting stolen.

 

[MAJOR METAL]

Because some nights you want something a little different from the night before.

 

[dvdtlsn]

3 and not desiring more at this point.

1. 65 J with P neck...only American made bass I found that I could afford in high school. don't gig it much and don't want to sell or have stolen
2. GL SB2. Replaced above as gigging bass at the point I could afford 2.
3. Schecter Stiletto - needed a 5 for church/more modern stuff.

 

[iwearpumas]

I own a bunch because im an American.

 

[Aussie Player]

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?

They are usually made to sound similar but different basses sound better and more defined in different rooms or outdoor gigs.

 

[fjbolebruch]

I own 5 basses at the moment, but I really only play 3 of them. But I also can’t turn down a deal when I see one, so a lot of basses have come and gone over the years, some I’ve bought out of necessity, others out of curiosity, others I’ve built with parts I’ve got great deals on. Here’s the list and explanations

#1 - 2012 Fender American Standard Jazz bass limited edition. My #1 bass, I’ll never part with it
#2 - 1972 Fender Telecaster Bass. Was literally found in a pile of trash after a hurricane, couldn’t find the owner (small town) so I fixed her up. Pretty much my couch bass.
#3 - 2006 Lakland Dude Pit, bought I from my tech who was the original owner and love the story behind these, but I weighs a ton so I hate gigging with it, probably won’t hold onto it much longer.
#4 - Fender parts bass. Got a killer deal on a Tony Franklin body (fretted version with amber finish) that a put a MIA p bass neck on it, it’s my #2 if the Jazz needs work or I just feel like playing with something different.
#5 - Fender Mexican parts bass PJ body with a classic series 70s P neck. Pretty much a cheap backup for my backup. I experiment with different pickups in this one a lot, still looking for the perfect set

 

[Neon Blues]

I have never been one to own too many basses. For a long time, I had one with flats, one with rounds.

Used to have a bass for more old school Jamerson/Blues Brothers sound, one for slap and Funk.

I mainly play Blues, Funk, Soul, Rock and Hard Rock. I now own a bass with a hugely flexible preamp and have learnt to love rounds and play a 5.

I only need 1 bass. I don't really have GAS to own lots or buy more basses.

 

[MrAB4003]

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

Update - I still have 4 basses:
1. 2012 RIC 4003 - main bass for rounds
2. 2022 RIC 4003 - main bass for flats
3. 2025 Sire P5 Fretless - fretless and FSO tones
4. 2021 7ender MIA P Bass - currently for sale

I have since donated my Squier Jazz Bass and acquired my first fretless bass, my Sire P5 fretless.

I'm revisiting and reviving this thread as I'm thinking about getting something different once I sell my Fender. I have established my main sound on fretted and fretless bass with the three basses that I'm keeping. But I would like to have something else just for fun. Variety of tones, strings, string numbers (4 vs 5 for me), and frets (or lack thereof) is why I have multiple basses.

 

[Gopherbassist]

Why does anyone have more than one pair of pants? More than one place setting? More than one video game? More than one door inside their house? When we get down to it, does a bass really need more than one string?

 

[crazycloud]

I've got a handful.

I have 5x that many, and I'm beginning to wonder why. Plus I have another on order (7mo).

For the small amount of gigging I do, and can see me doing in the future, I'm not really seeing the need for them all.

back when I was playing hardcore (punk) shows semi-regularly and running sound, I don't recall too many people having multiple instruments. Nobody cared too much about being flashy or having fancy gear. They were more concerned with making and playing good music and having a good time than nerding out or showing off.

I ran one bass for many years, with the same simple Peavey head and cab (old school concrete and lead versions).

 

[ics1974]

Currently own one bass right now. No plans to get another anytime soon

 

[Solipsistik]

I have four. One's a backup for the gig bass (Spectra Pro or Corvette $$, I choose one or the other based on age of strings etc. and the other sits on stage), and I have a short scale Gretsch that I just recently bought and like to play for practice. Then there's the acoustic Ibanez, which comes out with me during ball games etc. for some practice doing scales or chords when the family's there.

 

[DrBnz]

Well collecting cars takes up too much room and collecting women is way too expensive. So I settled on the bass.

 

[SteveC]

I have multiples because I went insane years ago and bought and sold basses like trading cards. After the fallout, I currently have a precision, a couple 5 string "modern" soapbar actives, and a jazz. I mostly play the P these days, and also one of the 5's when I need something different than the "P with flats" sound - which works for a lot of stuff - or the low range of the B string. The jazz comes out once in a while. Sounds great but the neck doesn't quite have the right feel for me. It was a gift from my wife (as was the P) so it stays. For what I do on a regular basis, the P and 5 are all I need. It was fun to try almost 100 different basses throughout the years.

I play whichever i feel like or what will best cover the gig. I usually bring 2 just in case and sometimes for variety or necessity depending on the set.

 

[Solipsistik]

Well collecting cars takes up too much room and collecting women is way too expensive. So I settled on the bass.

I feel attacked.

 

[morrisonhendrix]

Do you have more than one pair of shoes? Why? It's analogous to having more than one bass.

 

[sve33]

It is a hobby for me, and I just like to collect certain things. Guitars and basses are one of those things. Although, I have whittled down the collection quite a bit recently, opting for quality over quantity.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I like an occasional "sparkly" thing and a new bass fulfills that need...at least temporarily. Face it: a new bass is sometimes cheaper than a boat / vehicle repair if that's your thing. I have a bass for every situation...basic black for the classier affairs, etc.

Riis

 

[Metal Sombreros]

If you are on the road you 100% need a backup plus its just FUN. Bass is my hobby, my passion, and my lifes work and I simply love having a few basses to play. And thirdly if you need quick cash you can always dump it fast