The Spice of Life

[bovinehost]

Just thinking about all these basses I own and which one does what and when, and maybe I've been hanging around TB too much.

But many of you regulars are multi-bass owners, too, so I'm curious about why.

When I look back over the years, I guess I've always had a few instruments around. Sometimes I was guitar-heavy, mostly not, but there were always more than 'a few', I guess.

Why do YOU have so many basses? That's my question. In a way, I wish I could dedicate myself to one bass and fall in love and make it mine and all that, but I really can't. As I look at what I have now, I also realize that I couldn't possibly replace certain instruments.

So I'll tell you about mine and you tell me about yours. Deal?

1. Black Sapphire Bongo 5 HH. Bought from Gard at BC, one of the first off the line and even Chuck Moses (not a fan of Bongos, generally) says that if I ever thought about offing this one, it's his. But it's too good, even if it is on the heavy side. My first Bongo and the bass I've had the longest. Nope, couldn't sell it.

2. The Flaming Biff Bongo. Logan Green with handpainted red flames, Bongo 4 HH presented to me by BP at the Open House. No brainer. It stays forever.

3. Blue Pearl Bongo 5 HS. Easily the best playing Bongo I've ever owned, which is why it's been around so long (November 2005). I've done a bunch of gigs with it, too, and it sounds as good as it looks. Why would I sell it? But it's the one that I think - maybe. If I had to, this is the one that would go. But it hasn't gone in almost two years, a long time for me.

4. The Big Poppa Bongo. Another no-brainer. Those of you who played it at the Open House know why. Plus, like numero dos, it was a gift from BP, so it's non-negotiable. "If you didn't have it, I'd still be playing it!" says BP.

5. Candy Red Bongo 5 single H. I have a few good basses, but this one is my security blanket. And now it's all effed up with signatures, so there ain't no way it's going anywhere.

6. 30th Anniversay Stingray 4. Well, everyone needs a good SR4, and you can't argue with this being a "good" Stingray 4.

7. Dargie Delight SR5 HH. My only multiple pickup Stingray! Plus, given the history of the Dargie Delights, this one has to stay. Non-negotiable, although in restrospect, I should have gone for a DD Bongo. Hey, I like Bongos.

8. 20th Stingray 5. Another one I don't even have to think about. Have you seen this thing? And it sounds even better than it looks, and it looks pretty good.

9. Dargie Delight SR4 single H. The Bass of Justice. Lightweight, responsive, resonant and easy to play, this is one I thought I might trade or sell, but it's been very popular lately and I'm now dedicated to it. Plus, it has that crazy sticker, thanks to Lisa.

So that's my collection of EBMMs and why I can't wheel and deal like I used to. I didn't expect to have so many, and I feel very fortunate, to be sure.

But what I really want to hear about from you multiple owners is - why? Why does Rex have so many 30ths? Why does Phatty have so many Sterlings?

Why do you keep them instead of being a whore like I used to be?

Let's talk.

Jack

 

[bassmonkey]

You're up late, Jack?

Good question. Something I've been asking myself a lot lately.

I think the answer for me is, because I can.

If I had to off a few then it would be the 20th SR4, fretless SR and Bongo 5H(Bearing in mind I have a Bongo 5HS CBP on the way).

I rarely pick up the 20th SR4, and am not playing much fretless these days, although it is nice to have around. The single H Bongo is nice, but I could live without it.

Truth be told, I could easily make do with either a Bongo 5HH or HS. The 30th SR4 stays, because it is so beautiful. The 20th SR5 likewise, but also plays and sounds so good. At the end of the day I am fortunate enough not to have to sell any, so they all stay.

I wish I was as articulate as you with the written word, Jack, but hopefully my reply makes some sort of sense.

 

[Aussie Mark]

+1 to the "because I can" theme, and if possible I'd be like Musicman Nut, but I can't see that happening.

Just over 6 months ago I was up to 21 basses, with 3 of those being EB/MM, and then I went on a soul-searching cull, and right now I have 10 basses, and 4 of those are EB/MM.

In all, I've owned 6 EB/MM basses over the years, so my turnover of EB/MMs has been far less drastic than the turnover of my Gibson, Fender and Fujigen Gakki hos, which says a lot for where EB/MM sits in my mind.

The four I have now are not going anywhere in the forseeable future -

1. pre-EB fretless SR - as comfortable as old workboots, but worth a lot more than old footwear. Very playable but also appreciating in value as each year goes by. Has some nice mojo and small-C celebrity history (Todd Hunter from Dragon)

2. Bongo HH rolls burgundy - the tone monster of my stable, first choice when I need a big sound at a rock gig or to make a sonic and visual statement

3. 30th Anniversary SR4 - Jack and BP are absolutely correct in their assessment of this truly great Stingray model. Keeper for sure

4. DD Bongo HP - 1 of 5 made, and I think the colour and pickup configuration go perfectly with the Bongo style, and is the sexiest of all DD models. Much more subtle than the Bongo HH

 

[Psycho Ward]

I’m up late too Jack, I can’t sleep… I’ve got my reasons, but anyway.

I have several EBMM’s, plus several others but they don’t mean very much to me anymore, I’m an EBMM guy from now on. Here’s mine in no particular order.

1. The Bongo 4 H/H ButterCream LE 05. It was one of the first lefty Bongo’s and is a life long keeper! A work of art in every way, tone to da bone and I feel lucky to own it!

2. The black Bongo 5 H. I ordered this bass to have waiting for me at the SOBII; everybody was getting basses for that. But I didn’t get to go, my Mom needed me more. I love this bass, the point and shoot simplicity and massive tone of this instrument will keep it in the collection forever.

3. The CandyRed Bongo 5 H/S. This bass came while my Mom was staying with us recovering from an unsuccessful surgery. Mom never really liked my bass fascination; she thought I should be out front being Boots Randolph, not standing in the back. But her favorite color was red and she really liked this one. I had her name inlayed in the fretboard by a family friend. She got teary eyed when she seen that, “Jewel” will never be sold! It also is the bass that made me a big fan of the EBMM single coil pickup.

4. The black Sterling. This is my first Sterling, I bought it used off eBay and it started my love for the Sterling line. The best neck in the business, nice weight and a killer tone. This one I’ve thought about selling because I have another one, but I’m going to keep it.

5. The Vintage Sunburst Sterling. I bought this for my birthday; I love the black one so much I thought I’d treat myself with one that was in the finish I like, a true classic.

6. The Dargie Delight Sterling H/S. BP broke all the rules on the Dargie project and anyone could order anything, this one became the rarest lefty Sterling ever! I won’t live long enough to thank him enough for this beautiful one off. Thanks one more time sir! (No brainer big time, a life long keeper!)

7. The BlueDawn 07 LE Sterling. I was going to pass on the BlueDawn’s; I was feeling broke at the time. But I didn’t have a maple fretboard Sterling and I’m a Sterling lover, plus Beaver already had one on order. He offered to put it on lay away till I had the cash, but when it came in I had the cash. I love this bass (ok so I love all of them…shoot me.) I often go in the studio and just look at it; it’s one of the most beautiful instruments I’ve ever seen. Keeper!

8. This one has not been built yet but the very generous BP approved this one and whenever they get around to it, it too will be a very rare, wonderful, keeper for life bass that will forever grace the Psycho farm. Sterling I can never thank you enough! (It’s a 20th Anniversary SR5 H/S)

It’s pretty easy to see I’m a “fanboy” and damn proud of it!

 

[MacD]

8. This one has not been built yet but the very generous BP approved this one and whenever they get around to it, it too will be a very rare, wonderful, keeper for life bass that will forever grace the Psycho farm. Sterling I can never thank you enough! (It’s a 20th Anniversary SR5 H/S)

Wha?? Aweee.... Remind me not to open the thread you make introducing it.


I have two basses at the moment. Many have come and gone, but for the moment i'm down to two.

Dargie Delight Lefty Stingray 4-My main bass. Used for everything that can be covered on a 4 string. I'm damn proud to have gotten this bass.

Carvin 6er- Used for anything that can't be covered on a 4 string. Basically, the Dream Theater bass

Now if the Bongo 6 is ever released as a lefty, the carvin is hitting ebay.

 

[phatduckk]

well ill mention all my basses given the fact that the 2 non MMs are no brand basses i put together.

1) Blue Dawn Sterling, single H - aka Joey

Years ago when i was 15 or so i got a "guitar buyers guide" thing from teh grocery store. i had 1 bass at the time and looked thru this thing during class a lot. I always thought SR4s looked great then i saw this thing called a Sterling. The magazine said it was a bit smaller and it had a switch which must make it better. so, from then on my dream bass was a Sterling. Never seen one in person much less played one.

Fast forward 8 years... i finally have a real job and a "good" band and it was time for a new bass. I read up a ton about these Sterlings and it was time to buy one but i was still a bit hesitant about spending the money. id just gotten out of college and the most expensive thing id ever paid for was a $75 DVD player. So anyways... one day iw as using the instrument builder and "built"a sterling in Blue Dawn w/ maple, non-matching and a black PG. I decided that after work i was going by GC and if they had that exact bass id buy it. so i walked in and it was the first thing i saw...

keeper. first sterling aint going anywhere

2) BC Sterling, single H - aka Rachel

I had an SG and a P bass i didnt like when the BC's came out. They looked really nice and i wanted one pretty bad. So one day I saw one at the local store and thought "hey ill trade some stuff in". A couple days later i called the shop asking if theyd take the 2 instruments and somehow they handed the phone to Shamus (James). Anywho... i went in later and came home with the BC. This thing is a bit beat up and its really quite a player so im keeping her.

3) HS Sterling - aka Kristen

When BP announced the 2 PUP SRs and Sterlings I knew right away that I wanted and HS Sterling. So I called Doug when he was at NAMM. I'd called right when the EB booth had opened so my HS Sterling is technically the first 2 PUP Sterling or SR ever ordered.

This is my fav bass.... never leaving

4) HH Sterling - aka Kate

Nothing romantic about the one... I thought i should have one of each pup combo Sterling. Anywho, i called Jack and ordered one. Honestly it took me till NOW to bond with this thing. I didnt really play it much and it turns out it was all due to me not liking the color combo. Now with the white ice PG im liking it.

Would i ever sell this? maybe - its scrathed up so id get a crappy price but I would like an HH Sterling with a maple board

5) White Sparkle Sterling (single H) - aka <no name yet>

i bought it cuz white sparkle kicks ass. Its a great player. She definately needs a name tho. I dont think id sell this one but its possible...

6) SR4 HH - aka Evengeline

I got this cuz Dargie posted pics of it on the forum. i guess it was shelf stock. Steve picked it up and i called him and bought it. This bass plays great! i love its playability. I won't sell this one

7) 30ths anniv SR4 - formerly known as Red

again, an impulse buy. they looked soooooo nice online that i had to buy one. so, again, called a dealer and got a great deal on it. This bass sounds great but i dunno if its me. surprisingly enough this would be the first one id sell

8) Bongo 4 HH

just got this bass and i like it a lot. so far this is staying... she also needs a name

9) Frankenstein PJ

This is the first bass i ever got. I got it for getting straight A's for the whole year. Ive had this thing since 1993 or 94. I've since replaced every single part on this thing except for the body. ill never let it go since its my first ever

10) Project J

I put together a J from parts cuz i wasnt to give anyone besides MM my money. true story. i just couldnt do it but i had GAS - so i bought parts and took em to my repair guy and its not too shabby honestly. one major reason for doing this is cuz i wanted a bass in trans white really bad.

so that's all my basses and their stories

really i gotta add how honored I am that being such a BIG Sterling fan and actually know the man who's name is on my fav bass ever made. i dont think the 15 year old phatty sitting in a classroom drooling over these basses EVER thought he'd be so warmly welcomed by Sterling.

ive always kinda liked being on the outside - always made more sense to me. a lot of the popularity stuff never sat right with me so i went my own way. not always the most socialble path but its on purpose and its more comfortable for me to have a close knit circle than go out and party with tons of people. so anyways - in some way every once in a while when i wanted a someone new to hang out with id just go out and buy a new buddy

 

[jasper383]

Waiting for Musicman Nut's reply.

 

[The Crow]

1. Jack Casady Sig Bass-I just have a soft spot for semi-hollowbody basses. If Ernie Ball Inc. made a semi or full hollow body bass, I'd be there.

2. 2005 LE Bongo 5 HH The only Music Man still currently in our home. Just wish it wasn't such a boat anchor as far as weight goes. I'm not a youngster anymore & after about half hour, gotta put it down.

3. Fender American Jazz Bass just to have one because they are.

4. Ibanez Artcore ASB140, the 34" scale one, again a semi-hollow body, well a semi wanna be. After getting it, I realized it's a glorified neck-thru-tone-block hollowed out piece of junk. Looks great sounds like crap.

 

[adouglas]

Desert Gold Bongo 5HHp, because it makes the sound in my head and does everything I need a bass to do except make fretless-like noises.

07 LE Bongo 5 Hp, because it makes the aforementioned fretless-like noises.

That is all. I think I'm covered.

At least until a BFR Bongo appears.

 

[Paul_C]

I've only got one "keeper" and that's my first Bongo, a 4HS in Egyptian Smoke (fitted with very light, stainless roundwounds), though I recently bought a 4HH/P which may well stick around for a long time (fitted with flats and intended to give a much fuller sound)

I had a Bongo 5HS which I probably should have kept (though it was a bit heavy for my taste), a black HH which I'd still have if it'd been an HS and a Lava Pearl H whch was nice but again, not an HS.

I've had many other basses, including 4 Stingrays, but nothing has ever matched that HS Bongo and I've stopped collecting for the sake of collecting these days, so anything that can't justify its place gets moved on.

 

[Eggman]

I bought my first EBMM on a whim on eBay. A Sterling H - thought it was cool but didn't warm up to it right away so I sold it (I was playing Sad***y basses at the time). Beaver talked me into ordering a Sterling HS instead of another S bass, When it arrived - the addicition began.

I am constantly searching for the tone I hear in my head (like adouglas said) and I keep finding it with these basses.

Sterlings: Blue Dawn H, Natural fretless H, Darge HS (inbound), Dargie HH. Black HS (for sale). Seems I wanted to get as many different p/u configurations as possible. I hear diifferent things from each of them each time I play them.

Bongos: Another whim - as I was really never taken by there looks - until I owned one. Got my first from James Hill in trade for an above mentioned S bass - a Medallion Gold 4H plus an SR4-30th. Nice trade. As with the first Sterling - I didn't warm up to the 4H right away - so I sold it and immediately started looking for another. Saw and heard Oldtoe play his 4HH in Dallas and knew that was it. Had one the next week.
DD 4HH, DD 5HSP, Candy Red 4H, Desert Gold 4HH (for sale)

Stingrays: SR430th recieved in trade as mentioned - a great bass - and I have tried to love it. Just doesn't feel right to me - so it is soon to be owned by Mr. Darling. SR5 HS Honeyburst - saw it online at The Perfect Bass and fell in love. Got rid of S bass 5ers and had the SR5 in my hands the next week. An amazing 5 string. SR520th HH is inbound - I am certain that after reading about everyones experiences with theirs that this will stay with me a long time.

I just enjoy being in the presence of all these great basses. Having only one would not be as fulfilling!

 

[leftymike]

Great thread Jack. It's very cool reading the stories behind all of your Basses.

Chuck, I teared up reading about yours. Seriously. Thanks.

Wha?? Aweee.... Remind me not to open the thread you make introducing it.

Dargie Delight Lefty Stingray 4-My main bass. Used for everything that can be covered on a 4 string. I'm damn proud to have gotten this bass.

.

Did you pick up that Lefty DD Stingray @ Drum City? I saw it the day it sold and it broke my heart. 6-7 days earlier and it would have been mine

 

[roballanson]

Only two in my stable at the mo.

The vintage white SR5 HS - one of the first of the multi pick ups in the UK. As dubbed as the birth bass - it arrived fairly close to when Izzie appeared too

The DD SR4 HS - one of not many, only one in the UK and to be honest now my workhorse. A beaut of a bass (will eventually post pics, honest - including the spare olive sent by Beth)

Two great basses at the moment I don't need anything else.

 

[midopa]

I'm really thankful that so early in my life I've found EBMM. They're great basses/guitars made by great people. I'm sort of a amateur collector/player/general bass guitar enthusiast so I like having a few basses around.

Black Bongo 4 HH: My first Bongo, second MM and I love it to death. It's got a few scars and such but it sounds and plays great so it ain't going nowhere. Keeper.

DD SR4 HS: Dargie. Delight. KEEPER

Stratus Blue Sparkle SR4: Stratus. Blue. Sparkle. KEEPER.

 

[T-bone]

In 1995 I turned 40 and my children felt I needed something completely different. They bought me my first bass (a Yamaha BB3300 - which really wasn't a bad instrument) and so began my love affair with the bass guitar.

Candy Apple Red Stingray 4 - My first Stingray and my first true love for an instrument. I was devastated when I walked out to my car to retrieve her before a gig, only to find my car broken into and that bad little girl stolen. Damn, I hate thieves.

I then tried a variety of basses, only of couple of which I've kept (not for any particular reason). The favorite probably being:

68 Rossmissel (sp?) - This is a well known German luthier whose son ended up coming to America and designing the Rickenbacher bass. I like her looks but never really play her. And certainly don't gig with her.

Michael Kelly acoustic - Surprisingly this gets played a fair amount. When neighbors come over with guitars we sit outside on the front porch, crack a beer, and play. Nothing better!

A couple of Fenders that really aren't worth mentioning (old jazz, p, and musicmaster) and again, never get played or gig'd.

The thing I found, after searching all these other basses, is I really missed the Stingray sound. What's more, all my friends missed it too. That sound became me as I developed my bass skills and nothing, short of another Stingray, could replace it.

Buttercream Stingray 4 - My wife bought this for my 50th birthday, and it was love at first sight. Have I told you guys how great my wife is?

30th Stingray 4 - When BP stated this was the best Stingray they've ever built, I knew I had to have one. So, I enlisted a few forum members to come up with a mathmatical equation my wife would understand (to justify yet another bass) and that shaweet bass was mine. The only problem is I haven't played the buttercream in a while. Oh well.....

Future purchases will begin with Sterlings. The comments from both BP and Phatty about the HS are just too tempting. They'll continue to be 4 strings only, although I loved the look of that 20th 5. And as of this note, I don't forsee ever becoming a Bongoloid.

As of this note......

tbone

 

[Big Poppa]

I have no idea where my basses are but I think i like them.

Let me explain something from my perspective...If collecting something makes you happy and it has residual value, then who cares?

I have too many acoustic guitars. But not for me each one makes me happy in a different way.

I have too many sports cars....But they arent going down and instead of worrying about the stock market I go driving. (sorry eggiem Im still in the market...rebalanced 4 weeks ago....I look smart today)

 

[muggsy]

I have three EBMMs and two "others." The EBMMs include

30th Anniversary Stingray -- the prettiest bass I own and the first Stingray I've ever really bonded with. Sounds huge, looks beautiful and won't be going anywhere.

Honeyburst lined fretless Sterling -- light as a feather with a killer birdseye neck and a Hipshot D-tuner. I bought it used probably five years ago. A previous owner tried to carve his initials in the back of the body below the face plate. The next owner took it to a well-known luthier to have that travesty buffed out, mostly successfully, though there's still some visible damage. He also had the pao ferro board coated with poly. It feels great and plays the same way, but I only know that from hearing it played by friends who can actually play fretless. I don't play it much, but I just feel like I should have a fretless on the off-chance that someday I'll get motivated to learn. It is fun to mess around with.

Stealth Bongo 4HH -- I love the stealth finish and the HH combo with the Bongo preamp gives me more flexibility than I'll ever need. I could see selling this one and some body parts to buy a BFR Bongo H someday.

So that's it, one Stingray, one Sterling, and one Bongo. I like having one of each, but the only reason I can offer with a straight face is "because I can." Need has nothing to do with it.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Here's my story


Trans red SR5-
The first EBMM I ever laid my hands on. Picked it up at a local music shop and automatically fell in love with. I currently had a SR5 ordered through Music123.com but it was 6 months and I still didn't have it. So my mom cancelled the order and bought me this one. It also has Sterling's sig. on the back of the headstock. Best bass i've ever owned and ever will own.

Carbon Blue Pearl HH SR5-
Another gift. My parents insisted that I ask for a graduation present. I had originally told them a honeyburst SR5 (fretless). Then the dual pickup SR5s were announced so I had to have one. It's the heaviest out of my SR5s but it was a graduation present and MAN does it sound good with EB flats.

Buttercream Fretless SR5-
I've always wanted a fretless. Don't know why but I have. I saw this one on eBay some time ago and never did have the money to purchase it. Then had a forum member come here and list it for sale. I didn't have all the cash at the time but my girlfriend insisted on loaning me the extra $400 to buy it. (Paid her back 3 days later). It's the growliest of my SR5s and has such a delicious sound that I could never get rid of it.

Dargie Delight HS SR5-
I was wanting a HS SR5 so I could posses the holy trinity. Saw this for sale from a dealer and worked out something with him and now this bass is usually my go to bass. Sure, it's a limited edition, 1 of 15, rare, yadda yadda yadaa. It's still a bass and it needs to be PLAYED. Sounds amazing and never going anywhere.

Heinz the Wonder Bass-
Many of you know the story of Heinz. For those of you that don't, look on Jack's site (bovinehost camp bovine what the hell are you looking for anyway?) Basically, I told Jack many, many times that I wanted this bass. The opportunity arose for me to purchase this fine machine and I jumped on it. You can NOT find a better sounding StingRay 5. This bass is a legend and will never leave.



There's my stories.

 

[slucas]

30th Stingray, keeper. '07 Honeyburst Sterling H Rosewood MHS, keeper. I can't answer anymore on this til my single H Bongo 4 LE gets here next month.

 

[Strangeglow]

I'm down to two EBMM basses right now. There's a blank plank 30th SR that's up for sale. I never really bonded with it and my main fretless basses are both 6's right now.

Metal green flake SR4. It's a keeper. Dead flats on it. When I need to play loud rock and roll, it just goes boom.