I forgot to bring my bass to the gig :(

[DocPBlues]

Back in the 70's (before there was such a thing as a PC) I built a computer and programmed it to run the lights for the band. So I had to take a rather large computer and dumb terminal setup to the gig along with the rest of my equipment. One night I managed to forget to load my bass with the rest of the stuff. I didn't realize it until I got to the gig and got the computer setup. The keyboard player remarked "I guess we know where your head is" (referring to the fact that I was a geek before the word was invented). The band had to play most of the first set without a bass player while I raced home to get the bass. I'm lucky I didn't get a speeding ticket.

It has never happened since, and I'd be willing to bet it never does...

[Zappstorius]

Originally Posted by DocPBlues

Back in the 70's (before there was such a thing as a PC) I built a computer and programmed it to run the lights for the band. So I had to take a rather large computer and dumb terminal setup to the gig along with the rest of my equipment. One night I managed to forget to load my bass with the rest of the stuff. I didn't realize it until I got to the gig and got the computer setup. The keyboard player remarked "I guess we know where your head is" (referring to the fact that I was a geek before the word was invented). The band had to play most of the first set without a bass player while I raced home to get the bass. I'm lucky I didn't get a speeding ticket.

It has never happened since, and I'd be willing to bet it never does...

That's the greatest story I've ever heard!

[Jerry Ziarko]

Never got to a gig without it, but turned around a few times after remembering leaving it leaning against the wall on the way out the door. I set a rule for myself many years ago and it never fails. When I get in the vehicle to either go to or go home from a gig, the bass gets in with me, no exceptions! It is always the last piece of gear left. I have been teased about it through the years, but I can't count the times I have found other items left behind by band members when making a final "idiot" check.

[SBassman]

It's a scary thing. I'm very organized with my stuff, but I'm also having more senior moments, and I could see me someday showing to a gig forgetting something.

Last year, our drummer came, got deep into setup - as in, not a whole lot of time left - and discovered he did not pack a bass drum pedal. His son-in-law was there, and the son-in-law raced home to get it.

Also, this weekend was the First gigging weekend I didn't have a backup bass with me. I Always bring 2, but I just sold one, so I ran with one. I did not like the feeling, and there were extra prayers that night.

[metallicafan18]

one time i was studying science and i was packing up my bass for practice and ended up puting my science book in it and taking it to practice. guess you can't play metallica with a science book.

[bdeaux]

Growing up in Vegas, I did a gig at one of the state prisons in Jean, NV (Cal/Nev stateline area, just off I-15). So we get out there, about 60 miles from town and while loading in I realize I forgot my bass. So I tell the band to get setup, and I'll get the bass. When I hurry back, I hear the band already started, and there is bass. I get into the gym and there is an inmate playing an old bass sitting in the w/ the band. He had a big white beard and was just groovin'!!! Apparently they have a prison band there, and they get to play together after a certain amount of good behavior. So the guards got his bass for him and he joined in. I let him keep playing as much as he could follow. Oh and FWIW, we totally played "Jailhouse Rock" that day.

[atruedinguss]

Dang, forgetting your bass sucks. I haven't forgotten my bass for a GIG, but I've forgotten the key to my locked bass case. I forced the lock and it hasn't worked since. I also forgot to take my bass to a lesson once, but it was quite rewarding, because I got to play my teacher's old G&L 5, which was one of the ones from the Fender Lawsuit period. It was NICE. Now he's dead (car accident back in July). That's too bad. He was a good man.

[Disco_Gee]

Originally Posted by bdeaux

Growing up in Vegas, I did a gig at one of the state prisons in Jean, NV (Cal/Nev stateline area, just off I-15). So we get out there, about 60 miles from town and while loading in I realize I forgot my bass. So I tell the band to get setup, and I'll get the bass. When I hurry back, I hear the band already started, and there is bass. I get into the gym and there is an inmate playing an old bass sitting in the w/ the band. He had a big white beard and was just groovin'!!! Apparently they have a prison band there, and they get to play together after a certain amount of good behavior. So the guards got his bass for him and he joined in. I let him keep playing as much as he could follow. Oh and FWIW, we totally played "Jailhouse Rock" that day.

That's so cool. I bet you made his day by letting him fill in.

[JohnnyNelson]

Yes I too have forgotten my bass. Didn't realize until I got to the gig. Facing a 90 minute round trip drive I called my wife to drive my bass up to the town I was in (she didn't even complain - what a woman!). Since our gear was already set up from the previous night I got there just in time to tune up before we hit, so had to start playing 5 minutes after I realized no bass! Luckily the guitar player had a spare guitar - an incredibly ugly yellow B.C. Rich - I hijacked his Octaver pedal and ran the guitar through that in to my SWR rig. It worked OK, but man did I feel stupid with that Poison video prop strapped to my body.

And to all the guys ragging about the idea that someone could forget their instrument....just wait...your day is coming!

[atruedinguss]

That sux that you had to play a BC Rich anything. I'm assuming it was a Warlock. Those are horrendous eyesores, in my humble, biased opinion, especially the yellow ones. But hey, it was something.

[Rakie]

Originally Posted by Disco_Gee

I just got back from church. I was on the roster to play bass tonight. Yesterdays rehearsal went really well. We learned some new songs (including a really gospel one - usually we only do rock sorta stuff) and got them down. I practiced all the songs again this morning, brought all my other gear and even some stuff I was going to lend to our guitarist. I arrived at 3 O'clock (30 mins early). I sat in the car waiting for everyone else to show up to the 3:30pm pre-service rehearsal. After sitting in the car for 20 mins I realised that I had forgotten my bass. I brought everything except my bass!

It wouldn't be such a problem except that my house is a 40 minute drive from church (1 hour and 20 mins/105kms round trip). I didn't have enough time or fuel to drive home and get my bass and come back before the service started. Fortunately the other youth bassist lived about 10 mins away from the church. I tried calling him to see if I could borrow one of his basses but he wasn't answering his phone. So, I just went over to his house and took his old Yamaha... his brother is our guitarist and gave me permission so I figured it was ok He didn't mind which was cool.

I was pretty annoyed. I spent all morning making sure I had the right music, making sure I knew the songs, making sure I didn't forget to bring the gear that I had promised to lend to our guitarist. But I forgot my bass The worst thing was that 2 minutes after I left my house I had that feeling that I was forgetting something and should turn around and go back home to check... but I didn't

Anyone else ever forgotten to take their bass to a gig?

No, but once when i was going on an overnight trip fishing the islands in Southern California i was helping a lot of my friends rent gear, some would go buy stuff tackle and blah blah..

neways i forgot my fishing rods, and tackle so i didnt do anything except teach them how to fish, but it was cool cuz my friend hooked his hand so i still had fun

love rakie.