I once had a strap button come out on stage. I had to finish the set kneeling. Luckily, I had a roll of gaffer's tape for a quick, down 'n' dirty repair job during the break!
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1 bass or 2 for gigs
- Thread starter Tj smith
- Start date
Yes: mine is a Gewa: cheaper than mono (119 euros) and not too heavyFurther question for those that bring two, because you all are making me paranoid
I try to have my setup built around one trip so that I can help the drummer and stand by any unloaded gear for the sake of preventing theft. Do you all have something similar to the Mono Dual Case to carry two at once, or two totally separate cases/gig bags and make multiple trips?
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Just had to add some foam bands around basses head and at basses botom to improve protection a little.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,013
- 1
- 31,725
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
If you're lucky you'll be old and grumpy one day - it's better than the alternative!
(By the way - I'm old, but I'm not old - I'm grumpy but I'm not grumpy)
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,902
- 142,297
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
Always at least two basses to every show 1= none, 2= 1.
No one ever wants to watch the bassist change a string - ever.
No one ever wants to watch the bassist change a string - ever.
You just have to stand still for a minute and let your tech or roadie (friend, SO, groupie, sycophant, whoever) change the string while you play. They can do this from in front or behind, as desired. (I'm envisioning a Spinal Tap situation where you break all 4 strings during one 7 minute song, keeping your someone busy changing those strings.) But this forces one to stay still - fine if you are the Ox, but for many of us anathema. So maybe just bring that extra bass!
I love my Urban gs!he shirojiro, love your avatar..... i have a 2018 urban g/s myself....go to the motorcycle thread in the off topic section if you haven't already..
I think I posted in that thread prior to getting it though…
I always bring two basses to a gig but only play one of them. The other stays in the case nearby my rig as a last resort. I always have a backup amp in the car. I also bring my Darkglass Element as the fallback option to go direct.
I never used to be this way. I only had one bass for a long time and would get my amp cleaned/service once a year as preventative maintenance. Never had an issue...............until I did. And boy did it all go wrong that night. I was playing a reunion show with an old band about an hour and a half away from my house. My amp started acting erratic going in and out until it stopped working all together. My bass at the time stopped working even with fresh batteries. It didn't have a passive bypass as the pickups were active as well. I had no other options. Luckily after some trouble shooting, the sound guy and I diagnosed a loose pre-amp wire in the cavity and were able to jump it to a battery terminal as a temporary fix. He also pulled out a GK 400RB amp from the back recesses of his trailer. I hooked that up to my cabinets and I was able to play the gig. Man alive, did he save my bacon and I learned a valuable lesson to at least have some backup options. Even if not setup, just have them nearby at the gig.
I never used to be this way. I only had one bass for a long time and would get my amp cleaned/service once a year as preventative maintenance. Never had an issue...............until I did. And boy did it all go wrong that night. I was playing a reunion show with an old band about an hour and a half away from my house. My amp started acting erratic going in and out until it stopped working all together. My bass at the time stopped working even with fresh batteries. It didn't have a passive bypass as the pickups were active as well. I had no other options. Luckily after some trouble shooting, the sound guy and I diagnosed a loose pre-amp wire in the cavity and were able to jump it to a battery terminal as a temporary fix. He also pulled out a GK 400RB amp from the back recesses of his trailer. I hooked that up to my cabinets and I was able to play the gig. Man alive, did he save my bacon and I learned a valuable lesson to at least have some backup options. Even if not setup, just have them nearby at the gig.
Guitar strings? I never left home without a set in my case. At some time one should expect a broken string. I don't remember having that when playing out. Speaking of guitar, I've been playing bass exclusively for months and I don't have guitar callouses any longer. I have bass fingers now. The last time I really played guitar was at my daughter's wedding in July.
hey sorry if i offended anyone, was only having fun. I too am old, at least feel it LOL, Just turned 55 back in december.. keep rock'n all the tunes
Presuming that you HAVE a "tech or roadie (friend, SO, groupie, sycophant, whoever)" to change the string. Not once in 40 years have I had that. Nor am I interested in trying to change a string in that situation. That is why I always have a backup bass.
Problem solved.
- Mar 13, 2008
- 18,902
- 142,297
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist Mike Lull T Bass pickups, The Bass Shop, Seattle WA.
hey sorry if i offended anyone, was only having fun. I too am old, at least feel it LOL, Just turned 55 back in december.. keep rock'n all the tunes
I wish I was 55.......
At least my spine didn't act like a rusty gate back then.
Although I've toured with only one bass I realise it wasn't a very responsible thing to do. All it takes is for a wire to come off mid-set, the bass dies and the gig stops. I now always take a spare and sods law, I've never needed it.
In 1999, I played with a cover band. None of us had any money or sense. I had an old crappy Memphis bass (P bass clone) and the electronics went bad during our first set. They played the rest of the set without me as I tried to figure out what was wrong. I fixed a faulty input jack with electrical tape and prayers. Somehow limped through the second set, cutting out intermittently. From that day on, I brought two basses to every gig, even if I had to borrow one. 26 years later and it still gives me anxiety.
Funny thing about me, i'm for the extra bass but back in early to mid 90's my band toured routinely about 30 states a year. I only had one bass, 
ironically i had 2 amps
. I only broke strings live, never had bass go down. Did have many cords go bye bye while on stage though.
ironically i had 2 amps. I only broke strings live, never had bass go down. Did have many cords go bye bye while on stage though.
I guess I should mention it was a Chevy Avalanche, totally sealed and not visible. I also had a tote with extra cables and emergency stuff that stayed in the truck.
D
Local regular gigs: I keep a backup in my trunk.
Local important gigs: I keep a backup nearby / on stage.
Abroad gigs: Depends, but I don't travel with my main basses.
Local important gigs: I keep a backup nearby / on stage.
Abroad gigs: Depends, but I don't travel with my main basses.
