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Active bassists: Is a second bass necessary?

Second bass necessary

  • yes

    Votes: 90 61.6%

  • no

    Votes: 56 38.4%
  • Total voters
    146
  • Poll closed .
#21
I only have one bass. I'm down from 4 basses that I had but there were some that rarely got played so I sold all of them and invested in one good one.

In all honesty, you really don't need more than one bass but it does make sense to own another one, especially if you gig regularly or play a lot. Also, if you like to play a lot of fretless and fretted it would make sense to have at least one of each. I only play in church and in the studio so I really don't have need for more than one. My church has one in case mine quits on me and the studio has one also.
 
#25
I don't bring a spare for gigs when I'm just doing one set with a singer-songwriter. I give my bass the once over before I head out(including plugging it in and checking for any weirdness). I have sometimes left a beater in the car, which of course is useless if you're already on stage, but would be handy if something went screwy at soundcheck.

But I have to comment, that it really surprises me that folks are breaking bass strings as much as it sounds like! I've broken one string live in nearly 30 years, and it was because of a defective bridge. I'm talking rock, punk, slap funk---you-name-it, I've done it over the years, on all manner of basses--some great, some definitely not-so-great. How hard are you guys playing!?:confused:
 
#26
pbass2 said:
I don't bring a spare for gigs when I'm just doing one set with a singer-songwriter. I give my bass the once over before I head out(including plugging it in and checking for any weirdness). I have sometimes left a beater in the car, which of course is useless if you're already on stage, but would be handy if something went screwy at soundcheck.

But I have to comment, that it really surprises me that folks are breaking bass strings as much as it sounds like! I've broken one string live in nearly 30 years, and it was because of a defective bridge. I'm talking rock, punk, slap funk---you-name-it, I've done it over the years, on all manner of basses--some great, some definitely not-so-great. How hard are you guys playing!?:confused:
Click to expand...

How often do you change strings?
 
#27
There's simply no excuse for gigging without a backup. It doesn't have to be anything more than a Squier or SX, just something to keep going on until the end of the set.

I will personally beat to death with a boiled cauliflower any bassist I see holding up the show by changing a string (or battery) - we're supposed to be better than that!

c-
 
#30
pbass2 said:
But I have to comment, that it really surprises me that folks are breaking bass strings as much as it sounds like! I've broken one string live in nearly 30 years, and it was because of a defective bridge. I'm talking rock, punk, slap funk---you-name-it, I've done it over the years, on all manner of basses--some great, some definitely not-so-great. How hard are you guys playing!?:confused:
Click to expand...

How often were you playing out in those 30 years?

My strings get drenched with sweat every show, and I guess I'm fairly heavy handed as well . Only broke one playing fingerstyle, broke a bunch playing with a pick.

I actually broke an A stirng on a quiet acoustic type gig a couple of weeks ago.

I'd love to be able to throw a new set on every week, but I don't have the budget for that. I'm lucky to get a month or 2 at the most, out of a set , and that's soaking them in denatured alchol after every other show. If I don't they're shot after two shows, sometimes one. As in the E and A are completly dead and lifeless, like an old set of flats.

This happens with every bass I own as well, so it's not an issue with a bridge or anything. Usually after about a month or so, they're flapped out to the point where they break.
 
#31
It gives you options. If your main axe is getting so old as to be 'vintage' (like my Fullerton Jazz Bass), it pays to have a 's**t bass" to fall back on which is easier to transport and does not cause heartbreak if theft or damage happens.

There is such a bass (actually a pretty nice older ESP) in the trunk of my car right now, since I may not get to go home before this evening's gig. If I hit bad traffic on a Friday I want to be able to get there on time.
 
#32
I've never needed a backup, but it's one of those things that you'll rarely need one, unless you don't have one.

That being said, being active shouldn't be the determining factor, but if you must sell it, just be sure to check your batteries before gigs. Battery testers aren't expensive.


savit260 said:
Happens to me at least 5 or six times a year. :(
Click to expand...

Interesting, I've never heard of someone breaking strings that often. I'll assume you've had the saddles inspected? What kind of strings? Perhaps something with a thicker core might help. I once broke 4 strings, but that was when I was restringing my Kubicki with Dean Markley Blue Steels. They get brittle! I remember I could get them to unravel on demand before I'd restring 'em. I'm not gonna mention anything more in an effort to not jinx myself. Tuesday I thought to myself (didn't even say it out loud), "hmmmm, I've had decent luck riding with the team this year. no flats." Guess what? Got a flat. :eyebrow:
 
#33
I only have one bass at the moment, because I fell on hard times and had to pay off the IRS. I try and carry strings with me, and rarely have I actually brought two basses along on the road.

I don't LIKE having only one bass, but man...I'm in debt enough that buying another one would just be a stupid idea that would lead to more debts, or not being able to pay off the current ones fast enough.

However, once I pay off the debts...I'll have more than one bass again.
 
#34
I have 2 basses for the "variety" of tone. I have never brought a backup bass anywhere and have never needed to. I'm just not that paranoid. I played one bass through the 80's and half way thru the 90's without a single problem. So I wouldn't be too uptight about having one dependible bass if it came down to it.
 
#35
idoru said:
There's simply no excuse for gigging without a backup. It doesn't have to be anything more than a Squier or SX, just something to keep going on until the end of the set.

I will personally beat to death with a boiled cauliflower any bassist I see holding up the show by changing a string (or battery) - we're supposed to be better than that!

c-
Click to expand...

If your band can't play "something" without you for 2 minutes you should consider a new band. :hmm:
 
#36
I think you have all the advice you need in terms of the sale of your back-up instrument.

It sounds like you're in a sticky situation. With that being said; will selling this bass remove your financial issue altogether, or is it simply a band-aid to patch a financial problem until next month? You shouldn't try to cover a large wound, instead you need to take the steps necessary to repair the cause of the pain. Is there a way you can work a second job on a part time basis? I have to ask because you are likely only going to get around $500 - $600 for a used American P Bass that you are trying to sell quickly. It could be less than that.

I'm not trying to dissapoint you in any way. I want to encourage you. A part time job (not gigging) could give you a few hundred extra dollars a month you can place in a savings account or IRA that will grow interest. Then in the future you can look towards buying other people's basses that are in need rather than selling yours.
 

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