Holy Grail Basses: Perspective

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I spend time scrolling classifieds like most of us here. But I had a moment the other day when I realized I already have more basses than I need, and the basses I have are all I ever really wanted:

Grail one: Good jazz bass. Got a G&L jb with a j-tone pre.
Grail two: Good fretless jazz bass. Got a jb with a j-tone pre.
Grail three: Fretless with an acoustic vibe. Got Rob Allen MB-2, 1998, #089.

I'm posting because I sorta realized the drive to look for:

A backup fretted
Another RA
Some random cool hollowbody

Is really more driven by advertising and unhealthy consumerism, i.e. looking for more when I have more than enough.

Anyways!

Thoughts for a Sunday, curious to hear any of your thoughts, or not.

 

[DionClassic]

Interesting. I used to have tons of basses... With the thought that I needed them all. I've since downsized to one (pbass with a jazz neck), and it does everything I need. I would classify an upright as a different instrument, so I could understand getting one of those if it was something I would use. I could see the need for a fretless if that's something you use, but I don't really think I understand the need for a "backup" or random/weird bass. I've never had a bass go down mid gig, and I wouldn't ever have a second one in line waiting for that to happen. I also have one bass sound in my head and only try to emulate that. So when I play anything, it sounds like me and not the record, though I'm sure cover guys would scoff at that thought.

 

[cataract]

I was on a similar line of thought the other evening. Currently sitting on a stable of SIX basses, more than I’ve ever had all at once. But I think, for me at least, the drive to peruse the classifieds is fear of missing out, whether it be something ultra rare & made available or a bargain too good to pass up. I’ve missed out on some great deals, but on the other hand have scored some awesome gear here.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

@DionClassic, yeah I play fretless with one group and fretted with another. About needing a backup, it's funny, because if for some reason my fretted bass had an issue and became temporarily unplayable, there would literally be no negative consequence for anyone, but I thought I needed one for whatever reason, and I really think the reason was to justify the chemical desire triggered by, well, ads and stuff. I pretty much have one sound too, and if someone wanted something different, I could just get a pedal.

 

[primussucks9126]

I agree with you, and I also think that for me, the concept of a holy grail doesn't exist. I used to believe that there was a theoretical perfect bass for me. I certainly have preferences, but I've played and owned enough stuff to know that I can make anything work.

I spent like $8000 on 2 custom basses during the pandemic. When I got them in hand, I had instant buyers remorse. Not that they were bad by any measurable metric, but they just didn't give me any "aha" moment. I had a studio session I brought them to, and the producer had a Squier P that sounded just as good, and honestly, I preferred the unplugged tone of the Squier (more resonant/open). I've bought basses for as cheap as $60 that I like as much as the custom basses (sound great, they get low action, they're reliable, etc)

These days, I struggle to quantify anything as "better." Everything is just different to me. That realization has allowed me to avoid some purchases, but has also made getting rid of the stuff I already have more difficult.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

@cataract tb-driven fomo is real! But for me it's not related to bass playing at all, because when I think about it, I'm already in grailandia.

 

[EddiePlaysBass]

I have a fretless Tony Franklin Precision (of the older line, not the newer) and that bass alone does everything I currently need

I'll never part with my 5-string Marcus Miller, cos it's a great bass and we've been through a lot. Also, it's a Jazz so not a P

Then there's my Classic Vibe 50s P. I wanted a Lake Placid Blue bass, so it covers that itch. And my dad made me a bass for my 40th B-day. For a first attempt, it's irritatingly good. He is that kind of person - just naturally good at anything he tries.

I'd like a fretless 6 - eyeing a Portamento. And a Talman just for the looks of it. And a short scale Jaguar. And a fretted Tony Franklin in Lake Placid Blue...

But I don't have a band, and I don't have the space.
Heck, I am considering selling off my electric upright (NS Design WAV 4) cos I only use it about 8 times a year, for my ukulele get-togethers.

So for the time being, I will stick with what I have. Although selling the Squier and the WAV would make room for a fretted TF ...

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I agree with you, and I also think that for me, the concept of a holy grail doesn't exist. I used to believe that there was a theoretical perfect bass for me. I certainly have preferences, but I've played and owned enough stuff to know that I can make anything work.

I spent like $8000 on 2 custom basses during the pandemic. When I got them in hand, I had instant buyers remorse. Not that they were bad by any measurable metric, but they just didn't give me any "aha" moment. I had a studio session I brought them to, and the producer had a Squier P that sounded just as good, and honestly, I preferred the unplugged tone of the Squier (more resonant/open). I've bought basses for as cheap as $60 that I like as much as the custom basses (sound great, they get low action, they're reliable, etc)

These days, I struggle to quantify anything as "better." Everything is just different to me. That realization has allowed me to avoid some purchases, but has also made getting rid of the stuff I already have more difficult.

All that makes total sense - it doesn't take an expensive bass to make good noise. And your new conundrum is just kinda funny-ironic.

 

[Swerve]

I feel ya. My drummer and best friend called me psycho recently for buying/selling/trading basses constantly. Said he never met anyone in his life that did that. He was mostly messing with me, as friends do, but it touched a nerve. I reminded him he is an alcoholic and has no right to judge me. We laughed and said we both have problems.

But I'm glad he said that. Even though I'm not hurting anyone this compulsive habit to buy the next bass thingy really isn't good for me.

The guitarists in my band have played the same guitars for 20 years and it never even occurs to them to try anything else. I envy that!

 

[primussucks9126]

I feel ya. My drummer and best friend called me psycho recently for buying/selling/trading basses constantly. Said he never met anyone in his life that did that. He was mostly messing with me, as friends do, but it touched a nerve. I reminded him he is an alcoholic and has no right to judge me. We laughed and said we both have problems.

But I'm glad he said that. Even though I'm not hurting anyone this compulsive habit to buy the next bass thingy really isn't good for me.

The guitarists in my band have played the same guitars for 20 years and it never even occurs to them to try anything else. I envy that!

That compulsion is real. Addiction runs in my family, and while I managed to avoid drugs and alcohol, I got hit hard with basses. I'm creeping towards 30.

 

[Swerve]

These days, I struggle to quantify anything as "better." Everything is just different to me. That realization has allowed me to avoid some purchases, but has also made getting rid of the stuff I already have more difficult.

Same. The price of an instrument may mean higher quality parts, but its never meant I would automatically prefer a $2k bass over a $200 one.

 

[LowendG]

There is one glaring omission in your quiver - "A backup fretted" should probably be a decent passive P. Just sayin'

 

[Thunderthumbs73]

I spend time scrolling classifieds like most of us here. But I had a moment the other day when I realized I already have more basses than I need, and the basses I have are all I ever really wanted:

Grail one: Good jazz bass. Got a G&L jb with a j-tone pre.
Grail two: Good fretless jazz bass. Got a jb with a j-tone pre.
Grail three: Fretless with an acoustic vibe. Got Rob Allen MB-2, 1998, #089.

I'm posting because I sorta realized the drive to look for:

A backup fretted
Another RA
Some random cool hollowbody

Is really more driven by advertising and unhealthy consumerism, i.e. looking for more when I have more than enough.

Anyways!

Thoughts for a Sunday, curious to hear any of your thoughts, or not.

I've had changes as a player, changes in band, changes in trends in music over 30+ years. Those things including admittedly some extra gig "play money" and tremendous unease in various sales options and their downsides, that leads me to the bass "collection" I have these days. I'm not sure advertising has a damn thing to do with it, in my case, or really unhealthy consumerism.

I can certainly admit having FOUR Sterling Ray 35s is wholly unnecessary, even beyond the approach of having a "Main" Stingray for a gig, and also having the "Backup" Stingray for the same sound, in case something goes awry, unpredictably with one. I've had a black one for 14 years. I bought a Natural one a few years ago as a backup when I started playing 5-strings almost exclusively for most gigs, out of necessity. There was no reason to have bought the Purple Sparkle one or the Blue Sparkle one. They're just pretty and they show so well on stages and bandstands in good light. I admit that. But... I can say I usually get compliments on these Sparkle Stingrays when I play them. Sometimes from musicians in the audience. Sometimes from people that aren't musicians.

I suppose I could enumerate ALL the basses and why I bought them, and why I still have them. Maybe it doesn't matter.

I'm not really searching for basses at this time, and really haven't been. I have quite enough, and for me to consider buying another, it's going to have to be VERY special, and a price I can afford.

Probably my most-searched bass-specific topic for many years is "Unlined Fretless Ernie Ball Stingray 5". For what seemed forever, EBMM seemed to literally have stopped making fretless basses, and as of this year, I can finally custom-order through their "Fender-like" online "Mod Shop" the Unlined Fretless Stingray I'd want. But this year, all money has been painfully tight, quite unlike any year, prior. Just my luck.

I certainly don't have all the basses I ever wanted. Among them is the AAAAA Maple Alembic Mark King Signature with all the LEDs in a 5 string version. I couldn't afford one when they came out for $8,000+ in the 1990s, and even used now, I still can't afford one, let alone find one for sale I could try before even thinking of trying to find the economic miracle and hoop-jumping to buy. Same with the Pedullas and Zons and Ken Smiths.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I feel ya. My drummer and best friend called me psycho recently for buying/selling/trading basses constantly. Said he never met anyone in his life that did that. He was mostly messing with me, as friends do, but it touched a nerve. I reminded him he is an alcoholic and has no right to judge me. We laughed and said we both have problems.

But I'm glad he said that. Even though I'm not hurting anyone this compulsive habit to buy the next bass thingy really isn't good for me.

The guitarists in my band have played the same guitars for 20 years and it never even occurs to them to try anything else. I envy that!

I totally dig the one guitar for life thing. Or not one but you know.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

Also, thought I'd just add, no shade to collectors meant here at all on this thread, that's a different thing altogether, and I love looking at all y'all's cool collections.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

I've had changes as a player, changes in band, changes in trends in music over 30+ years. Those things including admittedly some extra gig "play money" and tremendous unease in various sales options and their downsides, that leads me to the bass "collection" I have these days. I'm not sure advertising has a damn thing to do with it, in my case, or really unhealthy consumerism.

I can certainly admit having FOUR Sterling Ray 35s is wholly unnecessary, even beyond the approach of having a "Main" Stingray for a gig, and also having the "Backup" Stingray for the same sound, in case something goes awry, unpredictably with one. I've had a black one for 14 years. I bought a Natural one a few years ago as a backup when I started playing 5-strings almost exclusively for most gigs, out of necessity. There was no reason to have bought the Purple Sparkle one or the Blue Sparkle one. They're just pretty and they show so well on stages and bandstands in good light. I admit that. But... I can say I usually get compliments on these Sparkle Stingrays when I play them. Sometimes from musicians in the audience. Sometimes from people that aren't musicians.

I suppose I could enumerate ALL the basses and why I bought them, and why I still have them. Maybe it doesn't matter.

I'm not really searching for basses at this time, and really haven't been. I have quite enough, and for me to consider buying another, it's going to have to be VERY special, and a price I can afford.

Probably my most-searched bass-specific topic for many years is "Unlined Fretless Ernie Ball Stingray 5". For what seemed forever, EBMM seemed to literally have stopped making fretless basses, and as of this year, I can finally custom-order through their "Fender-like" online "Mod Shop" the Unlined Fretless Stingray I'd want. But this year, all money has been painfully tight, quite unlike any year, prior. Just my luck.

I certainly don't have all the basses I ever wanted. Among them is the AAAAA Maple Alembic Mark King Signature with all the LEDs in a 5 string version. I couldn't afford one when they came out for $8,000+ in the 1990s, and even used now, I still can't afford one, let alone find one for sale I could try before even thinking of trying to find the economic miracle and hoop-jumping to buy. Same with the Pedullas and Zons and Ken Smiths.

Yeah I don't have a history that led to any accumulation by default, which I can see just happening, and I have no reason now to contemplate any hoop jumping, which is a good thing.

 

[monsterthompson]

unhealthy consumerism

What’s healthy for one person might be unhealthy for another. Who is to say where the line is? I had money and I wanted an instrument and I exchanged one for the other. To my non musician friends I have “a lot” of gear. I also have food, shelter, clothing, and transportation covered, and my collection hasn’t prevented me from going to concerts or museums or traveling.

 

[Praise Bass]

I’ve had many many basses in my younger days but as you get older you realize all you need is a good jazz bass, p bass and for me, a good modern sounding 6-string. So from a total of 16 at one stage down to 3.

 

[ProbablyTooLoud]

What’s healthy for one person might be unhealthy for another. Who is to say where the line is? I had money and I wanted an instrument and I exchanged one for the other. To my non musician friends I have “a lot” of gear. I also have food, shelter, clothing, and transportation covered, and my collection hasn’t prevented me from going to concerts or museums or traveling.

Sure man, good points well taken.

 

[Swerve]

What’s healthy for one person might be unhealthy for another. Who is to say where the line is? I had money and I wanted an instrument and I exchanged one for the other. To my non musician friends I have “a lot” of gear. I also have food, shelter, clothing, and transportation covered, and my collection hasn’t prevented me from going to concerts or museums or traveling.

I think in my case it feels unhealthy because I'm basically a minimalist in all other aspects of my life. So the fact that I have this one area with a compulsive buying habit really bothers me.

I'd never judge anyone else for having a collection of anything. Usually when I meet someone who does I think its really cool. It's just never been a me thing.