I'm thinking of selling my Precision to pay for rent, but that'll leave me just one bass. I'm asking cause I'm not sure if this'll be a problem down the road.
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Active bassists: Is a second bass necessary?
- Thread starter Amaru
- Start date
well you have to do what is necessary
i personally only have one bass
the main benefit of having a second bass is for if something happens to your main bass, you still have one
but do what is necessary
i personally only have one bass
the main benefit of having a second bass is for if something happens to your main bass, you still have one
but do what is necessary
I suppose it really depends on what kind of stuff you're playing.
If you're talking about bar band stuff - I can't recall the last time I saw a bassist play two (or more) different basses. Actually that's true for guitarists too from what I've seen.
Having a spare is nice in case you break a string but then again I can't remember the last time I broke a string either.
If you're talking about bar band stuff - I can't recall the last time I saw a bassist play two (or more) different basses. Actually that's true for guitarists too from what I've seen.
Having a spare is nice in case you break a string but then again I can't remember the last time I broke a string either.
- Aug 14, 2008
- 698
- 12
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- Owner and Operator, Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars
It's definitely not necessary. If you're gigging it's really nice to know that you have a backup in case something dies in the middle of the performance though.
With only one bass you're relying purely on your good karma.
With only one bass you're relying purely on your good karma.
If you are gigging and getting paid, you better either have a back-up or a full tool box so when something happens you can either switch or repair QUICKLY... because at some point, something WILL happen.
- Jul 8, 2007
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- Lead Designer, Zeibek Boutique Pedals
Not as much as people here believe it would be, but I always prefer to have several basses in my arsenal to expend my tonal versatility.
+1
I got to a point where I had zero basses and weekly gigs still. I had to borrow some till I got out of my financial rut. But on the other hand, I have done one barish gig once with no backup and of course, second song of the second set I broke the D string. I never broke a string live and I did not have a backup with me. Needless to say, i went to a music store (we were out of town) and bought me a KSD. But I have never needed to bust out the backup since.
In all, paying the rent is much more important.
Peace,
Chris
As many as you can afford!
All kidding aside, if you can sell it to some one you know, you may actually end up buying it back someday!...........
If by "active" you mean "professional", then yes, a second bass is very necessary. Would you ever rehire a carpenter that had to quit a job because he broke his hammer and didn't have a spare?
My band recently told our backup drummer his services would no longer be needed because, on his last gig, he broke his snare head and didn't have a spare. His excuse? He'd never needed one before.....
My band recently told our backup drummer his services would no longer be needed because, on his last gig, he broke his snare head and didn't have a spare. His excuse? He'd never needed one before.....
Hmmm . . ..what's your other bass? Clearly it's your main player, and the P doesn't get as much use, correct? What kind of P is it? If they're about even, I'd think seriously about which bass has the best potential to actually go up in value. Things that say "Fender" on the headstock usually do pretty well(whether they're truly better or not is another story . . )
I just remember years ago, late 80's, when I had just two basses. One was an early 70's P, mint, and the other was this crappy 80's white Ibanez "faux Spector" looking thing(of course, at the time I didn't think it was crap--I thought it made me look like Sting
. I sold the P for a song. Man, if I had that now . . .
I just remember years ago, late 80's, when I had just two basses. One was an early 70's P, mint, and the other was this crappy 80's white Ibanez "faux Spector" looking thing(of course, at the time I didn't think it was crap--I thought it made me look like Sting
. I sold the P for a song. Man, if I had that now . . .
Just so long as you don't have to sell your other bass for next month's rent. We've all been down that road, it sucks, but hopefully things will take a turn for the better. If you could avoid selling your P bass, and pay the rent, of course that would be better.
If you are gigging, you really ought to have a backup with you at all times.
Yup, I've been caught with my pants down, and I almost always have a back up with me.
Decided not to bring the back up two weeks ago, and guess what. Broke a string. Had to borrow a bass to finish the set. Played one song on 3 strings while someone dug up, and tuned another bass from another band. It was either that or stop the show to change a string, and that's just not cool IMO, nor did time really allow for that.
Lucky for me I was friends with the bass player in the other band.
Yup, I've been caught with my pants down, and I almost always have a back up with me.
Decided not to bring the back up two weeks ago, and guess what. Broke a string. Had to borrow a bass to finish the set. Played one song on 3 strings while someone dug up, and tuned another bass from another band. It was either that or stop the show to change a string, and that's just not cool IMO, nor did time really allow for that.
Lucky for me I was friends with the bass player in the other band.
I voted yes, but I guess I'm being kind of a hypocrite I only bring one bass at a time to my gigs; I'll bring extra strings in case I break one. Mainly, it's because I don't have the room or the desire to want to carry around an extra stick.
Honestly, I don't want to carry a spare with me either, but having been caught without a backup, and having had a backup on hand to bail me out, I'll always choose to have the backup.
I have a bad habit of breaking A strings. My back up has bailed me out of more than a few jams. I rarely go without. Last time I did, I got stung.
Oh def, it's happened to me where I needed a back up, but that was years ago. Since then, I just make sure my strings are not too old and if I do break a string, it's usually a G and I can play the whole night without a G.
