Outdoor Gig Question - Cold Weather

Bassguy61 · #1 11-10-2008, 10:25 AM

(Mods... feel free to move this if it's in the wrong place)

Earlier this year I had scottyd build me a custom bass. Since I really only play at church, this bass, like most of my others, has only gone from the house to church and then back again... Cliamated contolled wherever it goes. Well, as part of our Christmas program this year, we'll be doing an outdoor night perfomance on a Friday night. Obviously, even in Mississippi, it's going to be much colder than the bass is normally used to (say low 50's and dropping through the show). Are there any precautions that i should take, and are there any risks from the cold weather? I have perfomances the rest of the weekend indoors and no way to get to my tech. What could possibly happen?

John

Pilgrim · #2 11-10-2008, 04:24 PM

Just let it go through temperature changes slowly....but a change from a 70 degree house to a 50 degree stage shouldn't bother anything. If it gets into the 40's while you're playing, then when you're done playing I'd put it in a gig bag or case and leave it in that enclosure until it has sat in the house and warmed up for a few hours.

Low 50's sounds a lot like springtime to me...overall, I don't think you're talking about a very significant temperature diff.

If you were talking 20 degrees outside, 80 inside, I'd be more concerned.

JustDavid · #3 11-11-2008, 08:45 AM

Keep your hands warm bro. On cool outside gigs my bass is the least of my worries.

Gloves before & between playing. Hands in the pockets between songs.

kyral210 · #4 11-11-2008, 03:44 PM

Quote:

If it gets into the 40's while you're playing, then when you're done playing I'd put it in a gig bag or case and leave it in that enclosure until it has sat in the house and warmed up for a few hours

Indeed. It isn't the low and the high that causes damage, but the change between the two. As soon as you get to the gig, take your bass case out and let it cool down for an hour. Then take your bass out and let it acclimatize. This will not only cool it down slowly, but help the tuning stay in while your playing. Do this in reverse when your finished.

Alternatively, take a cheaper bass with you....

Phalex · #5 11-11-2008, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyral210

Alternatively, take a cheaper bass with you....

+1!

You're not going to be happy with the effects of the cold on your fingers, tone is the least of your worries.

Bassguy61 · #6 11-12-2008, 05:27 AM

Thanks, guys, that helps. One other time a few years back we did something similar. I had an el cheapo bass at the time so I wasn't worried about any impact on the guitar. I did get a pair of thin stretch gloves and cut off the fingertips to keep the hands warm. Actually worked pretty well. So sounds like it should be fine... I'll be there a couple of hours before the show setting up, so I can let it get adjusted to the temp slowly.

Stumbo · #7 11-12-2008, 11:53 PM

Put one of these on the top of your hand under your gloves.
http://www.warmers.com/ItemDetails.a...oryID%7Citemid

Cutty · #8 11-13-2008, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassguy61

(Mods... feel free to move this if it's in the wrong place)

Earlier this year I had scottyd build me a custom bass. Since I really only play at church, this bass, like most of my others, has only gone from the house to church and then back again... Cliamated contolled wherever it goes. Well, as part of our Christmas program this year, we'll be doing an outdoor night perfomance on a Friday night. Obviously, even in Mississippi, it's going to be much colder than the bass is normally used to (say low 50's and dropping through the show). Are there any precautions that i should take, and are there any risks from the cold weather? I have perfomances the rest of the weekend indoors and no way to get to my tech. What could possibly happen?

John

Use another cheaper bass,i'm sure your custom bass is to valuable to have the finish cracking under temprature changes

Tamochantern · #9 11-19-2008, 10:46 AM

Our town (also in Mississippi) has a street dance after its Chirstmas parade every year and my band(s) have played the last three years. The cold didn't affect my bass at all and one year it was wicked cold.

My hands? Now that was another story. I couldn't feel my fingers before the show was over.

Finally, I've always been told that after you play in "extreme" temperatures to open your guitar case when you get home to let it come back up to normal temp. If you leave the case closed, it could sweat - or so I've been told.

Good luck with your Christmas gig. I've got this year off!

JustDavid · #10 11-19-2008, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamochantern

. . . Finally, I've always been told that after you play in "extreme" temperatures to open your guitar case when you get home to let it come back up to normal temp. If you leave the case closed, it could sweat - or so I've been told. . .

Your bass will not sweat, not matter how hard you work it

What I believe you are guarding against is condensation; the 'beer bottle' effect. I'm inclined to do the opposite to what you do; I'll keep the case sealed until the interior has warmed up. Other than providing a more gradual temperature change, it reduces the introduction of moister indoor air & hence reduces the chance of condensation.