Outdoor gig in -16°C dergee cold

[swervy jervy]

Originally Posted by fdeck

Naturally the real question is what kind of rosin to use at -16 C.

Aunt Jemima.

[Schlyder]

The only kind of bass I would play in -16c is a washtub bass. or someone else's

[Nev375]

Yes, you're crazy. If your bass is worth anything, don't subject it to extreme temperatures.

[jnel]

i'm new here, but i have been reading talkbass for several years, and i have to say that this is the dumbest question that has been posted so farl

The fact that you asked the question, shows that your head is not completely frozen. Start with a hat and warm your brain up slowly

Sorry, but i thought that you would want some honest opinions-

Seems to me that any bass player who plays regularly, would have two basses, one for good weather and one for not so good.

anyway, good luck-hope you get enough info to make a good decision

[bejoyous]

Just say no.

[Andrew McGregor]

I've played in very cold conditions, an outdoor orchestra gig at the Queenstown Winter Festival (about -8°C, it was snowing). The bass was fine, I didn't take any particularly special precautions. Bear in mind, though, my bass is used to a pretty dry climate anyway.

However, playing in the cold really sucks... the strings will be at essentially ambient temperature and nothing you do will warm them up. You want gloves, really. Be very careful not to hurt yourself, as you won't be feeling things very well.

So, bass fine, player very uncomfortable. You're risking yourself more than the instrument.

[jeffbonny]

Originally Posted by Andrew McGregor

I've played in very cold conditions, an outdoor orchestra gig at the Queenstown Winter Festival (about -8°C, it was snowing). The bass was fine, I didn't take any particularly special precautions. Bear in mind, though, my bass is used to a pretty dry climate anyway.

However, playing in the cold really sucks... the strings will be at essentially ambient temperature and nothing you do will warm them up. You want gloves, really. Be very careful not to hurt yourself, as you won't be feeling things very well.

So, bass fine, player very uncomfortable. You're risking yourself more than the instrument.

A few years back I did some gigs at Blackcomb entertaining the long weekend liftline and I agree that your hands are at much higher risk of damage than the bass is. Propane heaters that might be provided will be be extremely tempting but be very careful of your cold instrument around them.

[Treyzer]

When you ask a question like this, you invite opinions like them or not! You probably won't get any luthier or seasoned player on this site to tell you that what you're doing is OK because, wait for it, IT ISN'T

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by Brian K

Am I crazy to play a carved bass at an outdoor gig next week in -16°C or so cold? The bass is pretty tough compared to others I've owned, is 2 years old with no cracks, and I plan to keep a wet dampit in it the whole time, and to slowly bring its temperature up and down on the gig day.

Originally Posted by Brian K

Sorry, I should have been more clear.
I'm looking for info on the potential for damage to the instrument, not opinions on anything else.

Thanks!

Yes, you should have been more clear.
I don't know why you're even here. If you want info on the potential for damage to the bass, you should be sending an email to Arnold Schnitzer, whose company made it.
In answer to the only question you asked, yes, I think you're crazy.

[longfinger]

Originally Posted by Brian K

Am I crazy to play a carved bass at an outdoor gig next week in -16°C or so cold? The bass is pretty tough compared to others I've owned, is 2 years old with no cracks, and I plan to keep a wet dampit in it the whole time, and to slowly bring its temperature up and down on the gig day.

A wet dampit seems to me to be a terrible idea. Keep the bass dry. Are you currently using non metal strings? Use gloves for your hands. When the short gig is done put the bass in the case and allow for several hours / to bring it back to room temperature.

Any festival / organization that has live performers playing outdoors during winter are usually prepared for this. There should be a heated stage with three sides and a roof, so the artists are kept somewhat warm to perform, while the audience in the full outdoors. Ask about the heating situation on the outdoor stage.

If possible, rent a plywood, or an EUB, with non-metal strings for the gig.

[Doner Designs]

If its not too late and/or if you will do this regularly, why not pick up an SX and use that? If it cracks, no big deal.

[SBsoundguy]

My fingers hurt just thinking about this.

[TroyK]

I triple dog dare you!

[skychief]

I wouldnt try that stunt with a carved bass. No matter what precautions were taken. A ply bass might survive the ordeal. Dont know, really.

If you do the gig, please post pics!

[jeffbonny]

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Yes, you should have been more clear.
I don't know why you're even here. If you want info on the potential for damage to the bass, you should be sending an email to Arnold Schnitzer, whose company made it.
In answer to the only question you asked, yes, I think you're crazy.

Of all the harshly judgmental, unnecessarily mean-spirited replies to an out of the ordinary question I will ever read on Talkbass this is one of them. When I lived in Whistler I did several cold outdoor gigs BECAUSE THEY PAYED REALLY WELL AND I NEEDED THE MONEY. So while the rest of you jeer from your armchairs it seems the two of us who've gone on record as having actually done cold gigs are saying our basses came through unscathed. Does this mean the OP's bass necessarily will too? No, but at least we've given honest, experience based answers to the question asked. Far from being nasty you should be pleased there are people who will do things like this. While the rest of you sit with the sitters and knit with the knitters someone is finding out where the limits are without you having to risk a thing.

[MR PC]

You know, this would be the perfect gig for Aluminum Bass usage....or one of those fiberglass ones.....

[Treyzer]

Originally Posted by jeffbonny

Of all the harshly judgmental, unnecessarily mean-spirited replies to an out of the ordinary question I will ever read on Talkbass this is one of them. When I lived in Whistler I did several cold outdoor gigs BECAUSE THEY PAYED REALLY WELL AND I NEEDED THE MONEY. So while the rest of you jeer from your armchairs it seems the two of us who've gone on record as having actually done cold gigs are saying our basses came through unscathed. Does this mean the OP's bass necessarily will too? No, but at least we've given honest, experience based answers to the question asked. Far from being nasty you should be pleased there are people who will do things like this. While the rest of you sit with the sitters and knit with the knitters someone is finding out where the limits are without you having to risk a thing.

I think this gets the humorless award for the month and is in contention for years end clueless awards; Playing in those conditions is not playing, it's enduring and/or surviving at best! Although the instrument may come out unscathed, it's pretty obvious that double basses are not intended for such abuse!

[BawanaRik]

Allow me to join those who urge you to say no. I'll bet you are young and feel you can endure this abuse. Your bass can't. And 40 years down the road you'll be paying for all the Superman stuff you did as a kid.

Then again the stupidest stuff I've down are the best memories even if there's no on else around that remembers them.

[MR PC]

There's an Awards Ceremony?

[Don Higdon]

Originally Posted by jeffbonny

So while the rest of you jeer from your armchairs it seems the two of us who've gone on record as having actually done cold gigs are saying our basses came through unscathed. Does this mean the OP's bass necessarily will too? No, but at least we've given honest, experience based answers to the question asked. Far from being nasty you should be pleased there are people who will do things like this. While the rest of you sit with the sitters and knit with the knitters someone is finding out where the limits are without you having to risk a thing.

I stand corrected. Obviously, you know more about the OP's New Standard bass than the guy who made it.
And your implicit advice, whatever it is, entails no risk on your part. At least I'm referring him to someone who knows more about basses than you or I will ever know. If you find that "harshly judgmental, unnecessarily mean-spirited", too bad.