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Why own SO many basses?

How many basses do YOU own?

  • Just 1!

    Votes: 30 7.8%
  • 2-4

    Votes: 169 44.1%
  • 5-8

    Votes: 96 25.1%
  • 9+

    Votes: 88 23.0%

  • Total voters
    383
  • Poll closed .
I've a lot of basses and for the reasons most have given here already.

Different setups,tuning,colours,prices, cause they look good or play well. Every one of them was bought at good price then
worked on by me to get it playing and sounding the best it can. These are well used basses and I know how I'd react to
tyre kickers if I wanted to sell any.

T.K " I don't know £150 is a bit much,see it's got a scratch ! "

Me " Get Out before I kick your A$$ you cheap B*****d "

I've said this many times I like basses and all they are. If I wanted to sell things I'd work in a grocery store.
 
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I own 5 basses. 4 electric (1 fretless) and an acoustic. I've been playing since 8 or 9 years old and gig full time, so I suppose it's mostly due to natural progress necessity. At some point, you're just ready for a newer/better bass!
I still have my first bass, an Ibanez CT serious 4string from '92-93. Learned on and played that for a good long while. Got my first 5er in my mid teens. ESP LTD B-205. I sold that to a friend who had his bass stolen. Used that money to get my MM SR5. The MM was my main work horse for 12 straight years (those things are built like tanks. ~200 shows a year and not one problem). A few years ago, I ordered my custom Warwick Thumb NT5 Broadneck for my 29th birthday. It's currently my main bass with the MM being my backup (not a shabby stage arsenal, if I may say so).
I have 2 basses that were gifts. A Squier P 5 string that I converted to fretless simply cuz I wanted one and the bass wasn't getting much love. I was given an Ibanez acoustic/electric 4 string about 8 years ago for Xmas (thanks mom!).
In summation of my pointless rambling, between 3 fretted, 1 fretless, and 1 acoustic I can cover pretty much any bass related sonic ground (except DB. Perhaps I'll own one in the future).
 
I went from 9 basses, to 5 basses this year and will be at 7 basses shortly (double necks count as one, right?). Like many TBers, I have a specific reason for each one.
Sometimes, I feel a little guilty for being so spoiled. Happily, it's only sometimes...:).

1. Rickenbacker 4001CS - #365 of 1000
2. EBMM Stingray - fretless 5
3. Washburn T-25 - 5 string fretted
4. Zeta - fretless 4 electric upright bass
5. Ibanez TR-5 - 5 string fretted
(6). Logical Guitars - double neck (4 string/12 string) Mike Rutherford tribute -see my Avatar- 'The Rutherford' (under construction - Due 01/15).
(7). Logical Guitars - double neck body-less/headless (5 string/12 string) currently in design phase.

Neal.
 
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I have this ritual I go through every few years. It's called binge and purge. I acquire lots of basses and then one day I ask myself why I own so many and sell almost all of them off. "Hi, my name is Mike and I'm a bassaholic". I never get below one Precision, one Jazz and some kind of 5 string, because I can justify having three distinct basses. Currently I'm in purge mode and I'm down to three...even sold off most of my rig this time. Now I'm trying to figure out if I want to keep the 5 or get something else. It never ends. By the spring I'll have another four 5 strings before I decide which one I'm keeping...and the cycle continues.
 
Started playing in the 70's. Purchased a used Fender 68 Jazz and that was it until 2001. Stopped playing for about 10yrs, Then BAM! Three new ones in three years.
Thinking about another now. TB and the classifieds strikes again.
 
Simple pleasure. Some people collect clockwork toys or fishing rods, I collect basses. They give me pleasure, I am fascinated by the different tones of each and every one gets gigged at some time during the year.
As I pointed out to my wife, some people have a 30K Harley or boat outside, I have a few basses.
Heck yeah. My music collection is MUCH cheaper than a vintage sports car or a boat. :lol:

I have this ritual I go through every few years. It's called binge and purge. I acquire lots of basses and then one day I ask myself why I own so many and sell almost all of them off. "Hi, my name is Mike and I'm a bassaholic".
I went from 4 basses to 13 basses in the last few years - it felt like a binge actually. I've started a purge now.
I never used to understood why people bought and sold so many basses, but now I do..... If something grabs your eye or pulls a heart string.... GO FOR IT !! You can always sell it again.

I reckon it's associated with a primal hunting instinct, trophies on the wall, with stories of victories and 'the one that got away'.
 
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gotta catch 'em all!

tumblr_mxaadrHoPn1qf2y2ko4_250.gif



You are clearly from the same generation as me, Sir :)
 
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