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2 basses for one gig?
- Thread starter daveyo
- Start date
Exactly. I don't ever see this in NYC at local venues. Perhaps at ticketed events guys might have backup guitars or electric basses. I guess the majority of bassists on TB are playing higher profile gigs than local music venues. I remember one BL I did weddings with asked me and the guitar player to bring backup instruments, but when I started playing double bass and electric on those gigs, he didn't expect me to bring two electric basses, even though we essentially did two different band configurations. Electric would have covered the jazz set but upright would have been tough for the electric set.Do DBL bassists bring a backup?
Only had one for 25 years, couldn't bring two.
Now I've got seven! So I'll usually bring an extra. Certainly never needed it, but I've got one.
Now I've got seven! So I'll usually bring an extra. Certainly never needed it, but I've got one.
Mostly a P is all that is needed-but when I want an easy to manage burp tone, nothing beats a fat bridge pickup - so my answer is .. if it's a P/J with a fat J, yes but, who among us doesn't love a back up?
So, in closing, I always bring a double case with the main bass, and then a back-up bass, just in case, also in the case. The double case. Maybe it should be named:
THE JUSTIN CASE BASS
So, in closing, I always bring a double case with the main bass, and then a back-up bass, just in case, also in the case. The double case. Maybe it should be named:
THE JUSTIN CASE BASS
Last edited:
- Jul 7, 2010
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- Endorsing Artist for: Duncan Pickups; Line6, Hipshot, GHS Strings, Somnium Guitars
I bring extra strings and an extra set of batteries if it's an active bass. The more gear you bring, the more gear you need to keep an eye on and the more likely something is going to walk. I estimate the odds of something disappearing is greater than the odds of a bass failing on me. For some gigs I'll need a special bass, maybe fretless for a song or two. But a lot of times I'll just let those songs go fretted.
I have never heard of that being a "thing" that bass players do now. Its entirely dependent on the gig. For me its personally been just one bass, either the electric, the upright or both for doubling gigs.
For recording sessions its a bit different. I usually take 2 or more electric basses, one of them a 5 string. People usually dont tell you what kind of sound they want until you get to the session so its nice to be able to tell them that you have options with you. But also, taking care of 2+ basses in a recording studio is waaaaaaayy more stress-free than trying to take care of them at a gig.
For recording sessions its a bit different. I usually take 2 or more electric basses, one of them a 5 string. People usually dont tell you what kind of sound they want until you get to the session so its nice to be able to tell them that you have options with you. But also, taking care of 2+ basses in a recording studio is waaaaaaayy more stress-free than trying to take care of them at a gig.
I always take a spare bass, amp, leads, strings and yes, I've even taken a spare cab at times.. Best of all, take backup beer....
Is the soundman supposed to bring a backup board and/or a splitter box, just in case the band wants a special IEM submix?
Actually yes - I had a bridge snap mid-set once, fortunately we we nearby to a band members house who had an electric bass. I now bring a short-scale bass along. It'll probably never happen again but not worth the chance.Do DBL bassists bring a backup?
I'm always afraid to say it out loud for the jinx factor, but I only bring one too.I stopped bringing a backup after about 40 years of never needing to use it. Watch, this weekend I'll need it. I guess I better bring a backup.
I haven't had a need for a second bass at a gig. Amps are another story. Odds on a bass in good condition failing are slim. Amps/speakers can fail at any time. JMO.
I pretty much always take two: one standard scale with rounds and one shortie with flats. It's for sound and playability, not as a backup, but it would work if needed.
I take 2, but neither is a backup. They are set up for 2 different tones that are usually needed.
It doesn't hurt to have a backup but till Covid I was a working pro doing fairly high profile gigs and almost always took only one despite having a bunch.
