MikanHannille Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Don't forget you need rosewood and maple versions of each basses that you decide on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted March 24, 2015 Author Share Posted March 24, 2015 [quote name='MikanHannille' timestamp='1427205092' post='2727095'] Don't forget you need rosewood and maple versions of each basses that you decide on. [/quote] Ah yes, because they sound so different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 For the last 20 + years I have covered everything you've listed with just one of my fretted 5 string basses. IMO anything else does not come under the heading "need". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I guess only need "a" bass to get you through the job lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikanHannille Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1427205503' post='2727107'] For the last 20 + years I have covered everything you've listed with just one of my fretted 5 string basses. IMO anything else does not come under the heading "need". [/quote] This, in all seriousness. I've recently got my 5 string US Lakland and that killed my GAS and "needs". It covers everything I need except for a fretless which I don't currently have the need for. So I suppose a 5 stringer will suffice for most if not all circumstances. Edited March 24, 2015 by MikanHannille Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I bought a 5 string recently with a view that it would flex the little grey cells learning my way around it and pretty much do everything i need from a bass.....however i find myself drawn back to wanting a 4 Precision.....perhaps the keyword is "Wanting" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 I'm very happy to say 2... If I had a new one made, I'm pretty sure it would mean I would sell a current one. They are pretty versatile as far as I am concerned and so is my playing style. Both are 5's and both are strung with wounds. I don't have any call to change them around but if I did, I would. I'd likely change them back pretty quickly tho.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chiliwailer Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Always been 3 for me. A Precision Bass A Jazz Bass An active bass Any more would be indulgence for my needs so that keeps the GAS away. But of course, if I had more space and money there'd be a fretless Jazz, a 5 string Mike Lull PJ and a 1978 Music Man Sabre. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 Mmm,well... Gas is soooo dangerous ! We already know that. TBH , if you're gigging or just recording sound cloud stuff etc.I would say you only need 2 ( 3 if you want a 5 or 6'er). You have your main bass which is either fretted or fretless. Then you get the sister of that bsss.then if you're lucky enough to get a 5/ 6 string of that,you should be well catered for. There is (yet another ) debate for some folk who have multi string basses, and that one seems like their only bass as they can play virtually anything on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1427223552' post='2727563'] Mmm,well... Gas is soooo dangerous ! We already know that. TBH , if you're gigging or just recording sound cloud stuff etc.I would say you only need 2 ( 3 if you want a 5 or 6'er). You have your main bass which is either fretted or fretless. Then you get the sister of that bsss.then if you're lucky enough to get a 5/ 6 string of that,you should be well catered for. There is (yet another ) debate for some folk who have multi string basses, and that one seems like their only bass as they can play virtually anything on it. [/quote] I would add to this that i like short scales too.....so extra gas 😨 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanEly Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 3... Precision Jazz and a P/J...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 (edited) The answer to the question is of course "None". You don't [i]need[/i] any basses; as far as I'm aware playing bass isn't mandatory.... Edited March 24, 2015 by RhysP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scalpy Posted March 24, 2015 Share Posted March 24, 2015 1, and play it well! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colgraff Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I have always only ever had one bass I find that any sound tweaks needed can be done via onboard controls. preamp, pedals or amp perfectly well. Of course, I am not a pro player so my standards in this regard may be a bit lower than most. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ubit Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I've got 14 and I "need" more ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrammeFriday Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) All I 'need' is: Two 5-string basses Identical make and model One fretted, one fretless Roundwounds on both 24 frets (i.e. 2 octaves for the fretless) Bridge and neck pups 3 band eq with active/passive switching. Everything else is just 'want'. (And I do want ...) Edited March 25, 2015 by GrammeFriday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M@23 Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I always have two so that I've got a backup. Both Precisions with flats, as that's what I'm into. Would like more options and choice, but not a neccesity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pasco Jacorius Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 (edited) What do you need ? I always have ONE bass , a back-up and a frankenstein (un-fretted). But my main is my main. Bringing 5 basses on stage often means constant need to set your amp to try to find a sound. I have a main bass and I almost never plug it when at home. IME if you can make it sound good unplugged there's nothing you can't do when plugged..Knowing that you have just one amp on stage most of the time. It saves a lot of time setting up tone when you know an instrument. When you have like 20 basses you don't really know them.. Now , depending on what you do , sometimes you need more than one but in order to avoid extra-time trying to find a sound maybe you should have like the same bass with different setting ie : jazz bass 4 with flats, jazz bass 5 with rounds , jazz bass fretless. You have the same pickup configuration almost same neck so you might find it easier to get the tone you want without looking constantly at the head like "hey homie that not how you sounded at home". But after a years and many many shows you really need one bass...If you can make it do what you want unplugged yu'll make it will do what you want on stage, but if it sounds good plugged and you put your trust in big amps head and baffles , when on stage it could be different and but will always stay constant is the relationship with your instrument, it will dictate all the rest. I feel like Yoda now... Edited March 25, 2015 by Pasco Jacorius Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierreganseman Posted March 25, 2015 Share Posted March 25, 2015 I think its cool to own a lot of stuff for sure. I'm the first to admit. Wondering how many of them do i actually NEED : probably 4.... 1 P with rounds / one with flats / jazz with rounds / Fretless something Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 (edited) What about pickup configurations? One P, one P/J, one Jazz, one twin humbucker... ermm... a kazoo... [quote name='Pasco Jacorius' timestamp='1427319998' post='2728975'] I feel like Yoda now... [/quote] He usually turns up around 6.30. Edited March 26, 2015 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted March 26, 2015 Author Share Posted March 26, 2015 [quote name='pierreganseman' timestamp='1427324308' post='2729041'] I think its cool to own a lot of stuff for sure. I'm the first to admit. Wondering how many of them do i actually NEED : probably 4.... 1 P with rounds / one with flats / jazz with rounds / Fretless something [/quote] Why P with flats but not J with flats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badboy1984 Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 I remember I watch a interview of Slash. He said he got 99+ guitars but he only use 2x for gig 90% of the time. I think is cool to own alot but most of the time they will just gather dust. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 26, 2015 Share Posted March 26, 2015 [quote name='badboy1984' timestamp='1427382937' post='2729707'] I think is cool to own a lot but most of the time they will just gather dust. [/quote] I can quite well gather dust just sitting here without the aid of 99+ guitars and save myself a fortune! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted March 27, 2015 Share Posted March 27, 2015 If you're recording then you may need a few different ones for certain sounds but live I think it all gets lost to an extent. But then think about the number of arguments there have been about what bass Geddy played on what songs recorded Unless you're in a Paul Young or Weather Report tribute band I don't think many punters would hear the difference between fretted, fretless, active, passive etc. I've lost count the number of big gigs I've been to where the bass player could've been playing anything. The answer for me has always been 1 but I've mainly played wedding/corporate/function stuff and there is very rarely the chance to check the tuning between songs never mind change basses I've just temporarily retired my Precision as I need the 5 string for the new band. I won't sell it but it's there for the next time I need it. I spent far too much time and money getting it as close to perfection as I want it just to sell it on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Cloud Posted March 28, 2015 Share Posted March 28, 2015 Difficult question to answer. A bass that is "needed" is a bass that can be classified as essential ...rather than merely desirable. Your essential bass playing activities will determine your essential bass needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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