1 bass or 2 for gigs

[sleddogn]

past bad finances, there can't be a solid reason for a gigging bassist to only bring 1. Just indefensible in my world. Tuner breaking, pickup wire finally coming loose. Even strap button coming unthreaded finally.. just not worth it

Even restringing during gig means the bass player in the other band gets the hot girl that night, she ain't mess'n with that crap, no sir

 

[Tim Skaggs]

I take two or more basses to all paying gigs.

I also take two amps, two speaker cabinets, two effects pedal power supplies and multiple speaker, instrument, and mic cables.

 

[sleddogn]

anyone can "scale" this their own way to suit themselves, but in the real scheme, any extra anything just means closer to pro

 

[bucephylus]

I must be a lowlife. I only bring one bass, generally speaking; and one amp.

I did have a faux Speakon cable fail, maybe ca. 2012. And, my Eden VT.25 failed somewhere around 1999.

I did bring a second bass, a fretless, for a big NYE gig in 2019 / 2020, just before COVID hit. But, that was my pref to cover some of the tunes.

Come to think of it, I did have a weird shorting failure a couple years ago in the electronics of my parts Jazz 4, involving the onboard Sadowsky preamp. There were some tense few moments between sets while doing a reinstall. But, the bass was good the rest of the gig; and I spent a bunch of time the next day with teflon tape making sure it never happened again.

Perhaps, one day, I’ll have a life changing experience. Until then, I keep my gear in good order; and it takes care of me.

 

[sleddogn]

this topic lands here every once in a while, i just think everyone should just "do you" what works, works.... I've been a bit anxious my whole life, and being as prepared for any situation in life has helped me relax. That extra bass for the , just in case moment, is invaluable to me...

 

[Hurricane Jimmie]

So Anyway, one bass to a job. In 50 years of playing local gigs, I've never had a bass fail on the job....or even broken a string. I've had two amps fry on stage and simply went through the PA to finish the gig.

But I have arrived at a gig without my bass. Twice.

If I played on bigger stages and had roadie support, I'd probably bring more gear. But any band with high $$ work would hire someone besides me.

 

[sleddogn]

whats great about this topic? the fact that each of us only has to deal with our own failures... this topic never has anyone go...you know you're right and i was wrong... lol

 

[warptheory]

Yep, having a single point of failure anywhere in the signal chain is risk. How much risk each item contains and your contingency plan is up to you. As long as you've thought about the risk and your plan, you are in a good spot.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

At least 2 of everything I use onstage, except pedals. I can get by without those. I had an onboard preamp die just before downbeat. It didn't have a passive bypass. Backup saved the day! Just one example of many over the years.

BBB

 

[Swerve]

Met plenty of touring bassists that only bring one bass and amp.

I only bring one passive bass to my bands 1 hour set of mostly originals at Moe’s Tavern.

I’d only bring a 2nd bass if the stakes were high enough.

But as it is in 25 years I’ve never broken a string or had a bass die at a gig.

 

[DaveParker39]

Depends on the gig. I always have what I need to change a string.... I'd say I bring 2 basses to 50% of my gigs.

Sometimes I'll bring a specific bass for a specific song (like a wedding dance request or something) as well.

 

[pcake]

i no longer gig, but when i did, i brought 2 basses. while i've never had an issue on bass, i played a show on guitar in the early 90s and had a string break, which never happened to me before. unusually enough, i brought a tech to the show, and while i did some talking to the audience, he replaced the string. after that, i always brought a backup. sometimes things happen. it's easier to have a lightweight second bass and not need it than to need that second bass and not have it.

besides, i tend to have at least one bass tuned standard and one to drop D.

 

[jeff62]

Always 2. If something goes awry it’s an easy switch to keep things going. Why let the band and the crowd down?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I bring 2 to play. Not as a spare so much as a change up. Also usually one is a bass that I built, so a bit of SHAMELESS self promotion.
I have an outboard pre so I can go direct were my amp to fail.
I have spares of every kind of cable.
(I also run sound) a spare mic, 2 sets of guitar strings, drum sticks.
3 Tablets, laptop. WiFi router, extra IEC power and a 50 foot power cable.
Oh and a change of clothes.

 

[sleddogn]

but but but, it never happened to me so why should I, lol thats the tiring answer

 

[KimGT99]

I always bring a 2nd bass. Never needed it one in over 20 years of gigs, but you never know. Wether it's a bar or a 5000 people venue. I ALWAYS bring 2. Ready to go! Tuned, with strap. Just grab (or handed) and go.
You don't want to mess around on stage with strings, batteries or whatever is thrown at you.
Of course, that's me. Other folks do have their opinions and reasons why to bring 1.

 

[sleddogn]

I always bring a 2nd bass. Never needed it one in over 20 years of gigs, but you never know. Wether it's a bar or a 5000 people venue. I ALWAYS bring 2. Ready to go! Tuned, with strap. Just grab (or handed) and go.
You don't want to mess around on stage with strings, batteries or whatever is thrown at you.
Of course, that's me. Other folks do have their opinions and reasons why to bring 1.

but but, it never happened to me, so why should I .....

 

[mikeswals]

Depends on the gig.

If I'm being paid well, or a 3 1hr sets, I bring 2.

If its low pay (only $100), or if it's only a 45 to 60 minute slot, or a terrible location, im only bringing 1.

 

[JRA]

i generally take two axes to a 'normal' gig, but i don't "always" --- sometimes i just take one.

for a long time i had one ax = i took that one!

now a i have a bunch = so i generally take a handful (two)!

also, i take a fretless for the fretless stuff, and i take another fretless for the other stuff.

 

[HolmeBass]

I bring backups, bass and amp. I’ve used them both more than once.

But do what you are comfortable with.