Question: How many EB/MM Basses are too many?

[Auctopus]

I little back round....I've only been playing or should I say attempting to play bass for about two years. Of course this is in my basement and I've never been in a band nor played out anywhere. My skill level isn't even up to posting a video of myself on Youtube to give you all a good laugh, but I am better than I was two years ago. However, I own three Sterlings and as soon as I think I'm content with them I see another Sterling in another color and got to have it. Now, I'm looking at Bongo's in the same way. So realistically, do I have too many or not enough?

 

[MSilvers]

Never too many! Though it may time to go out and join a band, just for fun's sake, and it'll make you a better player faster than anything else (especially if you play with people who are better than you). As far as YouTube videos, I've been playing for about 4 years and consider myself a pretty good player when it comes to playing in bands, ensembles, etc; but whenever I've tried just making a video of me doing some crazy solo I always think it sucks! That's the great thing about bass, no need to sound awesome by yourself, sound awesome with others!

 

[Ray Salamon]

No such thing as too many. I just got my 3rd on Monday. While I don't have plans for another, that doesn't mean I won't get another

 

[Auctopus]

Hey, thanks for the advice. I'm a bit hesitant I think playing with others because when I started playing I was 45 and now am 47. So I think I kind of missed the boat, and where does someone my age who is new to playing meet others to play with. I've heard/read many people say start by finding a drummer to play with. Which does make sense. Who needs a guitar player

 

[Auctopus]

That's who needs a guitar player as long as you have a bass player and drummer.

 

[adouglas]

How many is too many?

How high is up?

What is north of the North Pole?

"Too many" is a personal thing. For me, "too many" of anything means I have stuff I don't use just sitting around. My rule of thumb is a year… If I don't use a thing for a year, don't pay any attention to it and don't even think about it, then it's just decoration.

Try bandmix.com to hook up with other musicians. Also hit up some open mics…. learn a couple of songs really well, go on out and be very up front about what you want to do, which is just get experience. Don't be apologetic… we were all beginners once.

You'll hear this a lot, but it's not about the equipment. It's about playing as much as you can.

Oh… and buy the Bongo. Seriously. Just do it.

 

[Runnerman]

I guarantee you there is a 47 year old guitarist and a 47 year old drummer in just the same situation as you within a 10 mile radius (unless you live in rural Northern Iowa or something). Put out the word...Craigs or on the bulletin board at GC/Sam Ash or even on a local community forum. Just do it and get involved, you won't regret it.

And no, you will never have enough gear.

 

[Holdsg]

+100 on what Runnerman and ADouglas have said. I started bass at 45 about 3 years and 4 bands ago and have never had someone question my age, its ability that counts. Of course, I have never answered any ads that say "post deathcore, 18-21, 420" I don't even know what those mean.

 

[adouglas]

I guarantee you there is a 47 year old guitarist and a 47 year old drummer in just the same situation as you within a 10 mile radius (unless you live in rural Northern Iowa or something).

Are you kidding? Rural northern Iowa is the EPICENTER of the middle aged-beginner-musician universe!

Or so I've been told.

 

[jim777]

Hey, thanks for the advice. I'm a bit hesitant I think playing with others because when I started playing I was 45 and now am 47. So I think I kind of missed the boat, and where does someone my age who is new to playing meet others to play with. I've heard/read many people say start by finding a drummer to play with. Which does make sense. Who needs a guitar player

One of your wife's friends is married to a guitarist, or a drummer, or a keyboard player, etc, in the same boat or similar. Ask her to ask her friends and you could a hook up in 2 weeks without even trying. Seriously! (and get the Bongo )

 

[Powman]

I started playing bass for the first time ever in my forties. I had some so-so basses. I took lessons, but did not really play too much. Until I got my first EBMM. The joy of playing such a well made and great sounding instrument inspired me to keep playing. I now play one hour daily. I have now done several public performances with several bands. No plans to ever quit my day job, but if it was not for my Sterling, then Bong, and then Big Al, i would not be playing at all today.

So...enjoy your EBMM bass guitars.

 

[Runnerman]

Are you kidding? Rural northern Iowa is the EPICENTER of the middle aged-beginner-musician universe!

Or so I've been told.

Haha! Well there you go then...should be no problem at all...start walking thru those cornfields! If you build it they will come.

 

[njhammer]

There are also some excellent online jamming sites out there (eJamming, for example). Some are free, some not. You'll find a lot of people from all over the planet in the same situation as you.

 

[Auctopus]

Wow! thanks for all of the kind words. You all have definitley built up my confidence.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

How many EBMM Basses are too many?

If you like them, can afford it and it doesn't upset your significant other too much, buy as many as you want! I stopped trying to justify my purchases a long time ago and just do what makes me happy.

I agree about finding some people that are in the same boat as you. Learn a few tunes, get together with similar skilled musicians and just have some fun. Who knows where it will lead?

 

[adouglas]

By the way….

No pics, no bass (your avatar doesn't count), and….


… we live for performance photos, even if they're at practice.

 

[Kirby]

I hope this is a rhetorical question. But seriously, it is a sickness, just when you think you have enough another comes along that finds its way home

 

[Jimmyb]

The correct number to own can be determined as:

n + 1 = n

Where, n = number of basses currently owned.

Therefore, too many would equal n + 2.

 

[five7]

Women and basses are alike. One is never enough!

 

[adouglas]

Women and basses are alike. One is never enough!

Don't let her hear you say that!