Always bring a backup bass!

[electracoyote]

Beyond that, just be cautious and always treat your instrument with a little TLC. If you know you're pretty hard on your stuff, or not diligent enough to keep your instrument performing at peak efficiency, then by all means, pack that 2nd bass and rock on

I go over my instruments with a fine-tooth comb routinely, and I have techs that do the same for me. Always have. There is nothing more I could possibly do in that department, yet over a 35-year performing career I've had basses fail at least three times, and they were issues that would have stopped the show cold in its tracks had I not had a backup sitting there tuned up and ready to roll. (And, though it's not happened to me, that would include broken strings; at my gigs, a string change in the middle of a set is huge no-no. I envy anyone who routinely has paying professional gigs that are so laid back you can stop and make everyone wait while you maintain your one bass. That has never been the case for me.)

And I think your suggestion that it's only people who don't take precautions and maintain their instruments are prone to failure is pretty short-sighted:

My horror story comes from when I was playing a show with my band in high school (Big Easy Concert House in Boise, Idaho). Got wrapped up in cables, tripped, and fell off center stage. Landed on the crowd fence sandwiching my bass between me and the fence. Broke the neck right in half. Thankfully it was our last song and the band just rolled with it. Silly metal kids and their onstage antics lol I was fine but obviously the bass wasn't. Now to this day I always bring a backup and have it ready to go in case something happens and I have to switch between songs.

I don't think there's any amount of gear maintainence that would have prevented that accident, nor do I believe it indicates that Chris is "hard on his stuff." Unpreventable things like this happen all the time, audience members, other band members causing accidents. I've seen and heard of all nature of weird random accidents befalling the most well-maintained basses on the planet.

It comes down to individual mentality. I will continue to label people who rely on one of just about anything in an important situation, when it's possible to bring two, as risk-takers. And I'll re-emphasize the fact that bad things happen to bass guitars everyday to someone somewhere in an important performance situation, and you have absolutely no way of knowing if and when your number is going to come up.

The dumb look on your face when you get burned is the same at the twenty-year mark as it is at the two-year mark, and if it only happens once in a lifetime, that warrants a backup for me. It's a small price to pay to avoid potential embarassment and for peace of mind.

Obviously, as in the case of an automobile or a double bass, it's not always practical to bring two. That really goes without saying. But when it's possible, and really not that hard, it seems prudent to me.

(Now that I think about it, if I were an upright bass player, I'd be packing a short-scale electric and a DI. Would it look silly? Maybe. Would it sound different? Probably. Would it be worse than leaving the group with no bass at all? Not in my mind.)

Let your conscience be your guide.

 

[HMZ]

I think bringing a back bass is a great idea but I rarely ever do it. I do bring one if I'm doing something like a wedding but for bar gigs not really. I did have a combo amp die on me one time. I dropped it as I was taking it out of my car. Good thing the keyboard player had an extra DI box. I went direct to the pa and got threw the gig.

 

[ChrisCassisi]

I go over my instruments with a fine-tooth comb routinely, and I have techs that do the same for me. Always have. There is nothing more I could possibly do in that department, yet over a 35-year performing career I've had basses fail at least three times, and they were issues that would have stopped the show cold in its tracks had I not had a backup sitting there tuned up and ready to roll. (And, though it's not happened to me, that would include broken strings; at my gigs, a string change in the middle of a set is huge no-no. I envy anyone who routinely has paying professional gigs that are so laid back you can stop and make everyone wait while you maintain your one bass. That has never been the case for me.)

And I think your suggestion that it's only people who don't take precautions and maintain their instruments are prone to failure is pretty short-sighted:



I don't think there's any amount of gear maintainence that would have prevented that accident, nor do I believe it indicates that Chris is "hard on his stuff." Unpreventable things like this happen all the time, audience members, other band members causing accidents. I've seen and heard of all nature of weird random accidents befalling the most well-maintained basses on the planet.

It comes down to individual mentality. I will continue to label people who rely on one of just about anything in an important situation, when it's possible to bring two, as risk-takers. And I'll re-emphasize the fact that bad things happen to bass guitars everyday to someone somewhere in an important performance situation, and you have absolutely no way of knowing if and when your number is going to come up.

The dumb look on your face when you get burned is the same at the twenty-year mark as it is at the two-year mark, and if it only happens once in a lifetime, that warrants a backup for me. It's a small price to pay to avoid potential embarassment and for peace of mind.

Obviously, as in the case of an automobile or a double bass, it's not always practical to bring two. That really goes without saying. But when it's possible, and really not that hard, it seems prudent to me.

(Now that I think about it, if I were an upright bass player, I'd be packing a short-scale electric and a DI. Would it look silly? Maybe. Would it sound different? Probably. Would it be worse than leaving the group with no bass at all? Not in my mind.)

Let your conscience be your guide.

I take extremely good care of my gear. I am an aggressive player but never abusive. But yes I agree being prepared so when something unexpected happens you don't get caught out in the open with your ass hanging in the wind. I bring a back up bass, strings, power cords, cables, etc. Not to mention my tool bag in case mine or someone elses instrument has a problem and need it fixed fast before they go on. Have done truss adjustments and other stuff for members of bands my band was playing with that had some problems prior to going on stage.

 

[johndough247]

I go over my instruments with a fine-tooth comb routinely, and I have techs that do the same for me. Always have. There is nothing more I could possibly do in that department, yet over a 35-year performing career I've had basses fail at least three times, and they were issues that would have stopped the show cold in its tracks had I not had a backup sitting there tuned up and ready to roll. (And, though it's not happened to me, that would include broken strings; at my gigs, a string change in the middle of a set is huge no-no. I envy anyone who routinely has paying professional gigs that are so laid back you can stop and make everyone wait while you maintain your one bass. That has never been the case for me.)

And I think your suggestion that it's only people who don't take precautions and maintain their instruments are prone to failure is pretty short-sighted:

Are you willing to share what basses failed and exactly how they failed? It's not that I don't believe you, but I'm genuinely curious (as a learning experience) as to what could go wrong on a well-built bass, aside from strings breaking and batteries dying, that could stop you from playing completely and that:

a) wasn't caused by you falling down and hitting the bass
b) wasn't caused by something/someone else striking the bass
c) wasn't caused by you or anyone exposing it to extremes in temperature several times
d) wasn't apparent/no warning signs shown/heard during usual maintenance by both you and your tech at any point prior to that performance


Also, here's a key part you may have missed from my post:

My mode of thinking is if you fear something going wrong with your bass in the middle of a gig besides a string breaking or battery dying...then, like a car or anything mechanical, it USUALLY says one (or all) of the following:

As I said: usually, not always. I'm not totally oblivious to the fact that $#!^ happens...However, even then, lots (again...lots, not all) of those things can be avoided. Do I bring extra cables, strings and batteries...sure! Those are easy to walk with on a daily basis. Walking with 2 basses to every gig on your back (not everyone has the luxury of a car large enough to fit 2 basses with hardshell cases, because, let's face it: you could get in a car accident but what matters most is that your two guitars are safe from harm, right? ) can be damaging over time: I spent 4 years in college walking to and from school with my 10+ lb bass in a gigbag with accessories, and a backpack with my laptop and notebooks/textbooks nearly every day...by year 3, my back wasn't very happy.

If you have a car or the means to cart this around effortlessly all the time, then walk with a 2nd bass, better safe than sorry: I get that...but it's not very practical for a lot of us. If I have a very serious gig then sure, I'll sometimes try to bring a 2nd bass (mostly for tone) or, even easier, make sure I'm on good terms with at least one other bassist there (and I normally do that anyways just because)....but in most cases, I would rather avoid the very real eventuality of hurting myself in the long run from walking with 2 of everything every night (regardless of the gig, dive bar or stadium), than embrace the very remote possibility of inconveniencing a few ppl for a minute or two during a smaller performance.

 

[mcnach]

I never bring a "backup bass". I don't believe in it.

what do you mean you don't believe in a back up bass? They exist, I have seen them!

 

[Shardik]

Orchestral players are some of the most prideful and professional players you'll ever come across...how many strings/brass/woodwind players you see going to the concert halls with more than one instrument? They don't; not because they're tempting fate like many of you suggest, but because they're so invested in their craft and their instrument that they take care it like it's their first born child...and as such it's as healthy as can possibly be for each performance. (hmmm...maybe that's why some ppl have more than one kid )

[....snip...]

Beyond that, just be cautious and always treat your instrument with a little TLC. If you know you're pretty hard on your stuff, or not diligent enough to keep your instrument performing at peak efficiency, then by all means, pack that 2nd bass and rock on

Well, if you are a really careful driver, keeping all maintenance intervals and taking care of your car, does that mean you don't have to use your safety belt?

First, the orchestral "gigs" are usually really controlled environments. Each player has his/her seat, all movement happen in a controlled and systematic fashion. The audience is kept at a safe distance in their chairs.

Now, enter the band situation gig in your average pub. The stage is often a confined space in the corner, somewhat elevated if you are lucky. The audience is usually close, and so are your band mates. People are drinking and moving around.

You may be as careful as you wish, but just like the careful driver meeting a reckless driver, you may meet an accident in your gig. Something/-one may knock over your bass in the break. A cable may be tugged so your jack input socked is destroyed. Electronics may fail even if it is passive (a soldering is solid all the time until it's not, being vibrated one time too much, a volume control may be bumped to destroy the potentiometer etc.) Something may happen to a tuner to render it useless. And these examples are not the worst. The worst are those you didn't foresee could happen. Someone spilling a beer over your instrument, shorting something....anything, really.

All I am saying is that a cheap backup bass is a simple insurance for all those cases of Murphys law.

 

[vin*tone]

Haven't used a backup bass in 23 years. Not once.

 

[Smaz]

I played a gig at my local pub last month. I thought to myself 'Shall I take another bass?' & I thought nah - I won't need it, it'll just take up space & means I have to carry more/make more trips (though I only live 30 seconds walk from the pub!).

Playing the last song in the first set, I broke a string, something I've not done (whilst playing) before. I think I'll be taking that second bass from now on... Fortunately I could just pop & grab another one!

 

[electracoyote]

If you have a car or the means to cart this around effortlessly all the time, then walk with a 2nd bass, better safe than sorry: I get that...but it's not very practical for a lot of us

I realize bringing two basses to a gig is not a possiblity for some, but I put them in the small minority.

If I have a very serious gig then sure, I'll sometimes try to bring a 2nd bass (mostly for tone)...If you have the means to cart this around effortlessly all the time, then walk with a 2nd bass, better safe than sorry

Much more reasonable and tempered statements than some of your previous. And I believe the majority of us performing bassists would rather not spoil the show, and I believe the majority of us performing bassists would not really be all that inconvenienced by bringing a back up.

or, even easier, make sure I'm on good terms with at least one other bassist there

At nearly all of my gigs, I'm the only bass player there. But if hoping for and relying on the kindness and generosity of strangers gets you through the day rather than self-reliance, go for it. And I'm not sure I like the idea of playing someone else's bass that isn't configured to my tastes and needs. But to each his own.

2 of everything every night

I don't see anyone suggesting "two of everything." That would be kind of ridiculous. Keeping it real, two of the most important thing(s) (such as your instrument), and within the parameters of what's practical, is all that's being suggested here.

I'm not totally oblivious to the fact that $#!^ happens...However, even then, lots (again...lots, not all) of those things can be avoided.

Heh heh, yep, "not all." I guess that's what we're talking about here, right? Those "not all" moments, when some unfortunate, unforseen, and unpreventable accident befalls someone's bass?

Once on a small stage I had a drummer accidently knock his cymbal stand over, which knocked my bass over, breaking a tuner.

I was watching a band at a local club one night, and some jackass drunk spontaneously jumps up on stage between sets, grabs the bass off it's stand and starts wanking away on it like a spastic idiot, to impress his drunk friends.

I think it's reasonable and easy to acknowledge that, no matter how we try to avoid and prevent them, bad things still happen to some of us on a daily basis.

I find it amusing that you require proof that even well-maintained basses can potentially fail. I mean, there are some conspiracy theories out there worth believing, but this can't possibly qualify. You can do some searches here on TB and read about it all day if you want more proof.

But since you asked, just a couple of years ago, the output jack failed on my custom-finished modified Gibson T-Bird. This bass had just be re-finished and new electronics installed by one of the best techs in the Denver-Metro area (Ross at Drum City Guitarland). The jack didn't become disconnected; it just failed in the most ugly noisy disgusting way imaginable. Ross couldn't believe it; he had just gone over the electronics and they functioned flawlessly, and I had just rehearsed with this bass. Not even the first clue that it was about to fail. He said he'd only seen that a couple of times before. I'm the lucky guy who got the bad output jack that slipped through QC!

This was a VERY important high-paying corporate gig, we had a dance floor full of high rollers, and I was the only bass player in the room. Even if another bass player had been in the room, the time it would have taken me to get him to uncase his bass and tune it up would have been absolutely unacceptable to me, my band, the venue and the audience. Thank god I only had to unplug, grab backup, plug and go. It took 5 seconds.

I'd never have it any other way, regardless of the nature of the performance (and I'll re-iterate: For some of us, they're ALL important gigs, even the dirtiest stinkiest dive in town. You never know who may be listening and watching.)

You're free to continue to rely on your good fortune, your uncanny powers of foresight and accident avoidance, and the generosity of strangers, and my hat is off to you sir. I hope you never have to worry about a backup bass at a gig.

The bass that failed, after getting the most intense make-over TLC and check-up possible:

 

[Orpheus55]

I've been following this thread from the beginning, off and on, and admit to feeling somewhat guilty that I seldom bring a backup to gigs. Electracoyote's cogent posts (the ones before today) hit home though; this Saturday, I loaded up my trusty Sting bass (in my avatar) and, at the last minute, threw it and my shortie Ibanez into a World Tour double bag. The gig, a political fundraiser, was at a local event center, was full of high rollers (including the governor of Florida), and was good-paying. Anyway, during the third number, the rhythm guitarist steps on my cord as I was heading to the microphone and out comes my football-socket jack (those with Sting or '50s replicas know this is refequently an achuilles heel). There was a moment of panic and then indescribable relief as I grabbed my little Ibanez shortie and carried on. I should probably send Electracoyote and maybe some others a share of my take. Suffice it to say, I will now always bring a backup!

 

[electracoyote]

I've been following this thread from the beginning, off and on, and admit to feeling somewhat guilty that I seldom bring a backup to gigs. Electracoyote's cogent posts (the ones before today) hit home though; this Saturday, I loaded up my trusty Sting bass (in my avatar) and, at the last minute, threw it and my shortie Ibanez into a World Tour double bag. The gig, a political fundraiser, was at a local event center, was full of high rollers (including the governor of Florida), and was good-paying. Anyway, during the third number, the rhythm guitarist steps on my cord as I was heading to the microphone and out comes my football-socket jack (those with Sting or '50s replicas know this is refequently an achuilles heel). There was a moment of panic and then indescribable relief as I grabbed my little Ibanez shortie and carried on. I should probably send Electracoyote and maybe some others a share of my take. Suffice it to say, I will now always bring a backup!

Great story, thanks for sharing.

Knowing you got through the gig in style without spoiling the show is payment enough for me. Congrats.

 

[JimmyM]

I've been following this thread from the beginning, off and on, and admit to feeling somewhat guilty that I seldom bring a backup to gigs. Electracoyote's cogent posts (the ones before today) hit home though; this Saturday, I loaded up my trusty Sting bass (in my avatar) and, at the last minute, threw it and my shortie Ibanez into a World Tour double bag. The gig, a political fundraiser, was at a local event center, was full of high rollers (including the governor of Florida), and was good-paying. Anyway, during the third number, the rhythm guitarist steps on my cord as I was heading to the microphone and out comes my football-socket jack (those with Sting or '50s replicas know this is refequently an achuilles heel). There was a moment of panic and then indescribable relief as I grabbed my little Ibanez shortie and carried on. I should probably send Electracoyote and maybe some others a share of my take. Suffice it to say, I will now always bring a backup!

Oh man, I hope I get to play a fundraiser for Governor Skeletor one day!

But seriously, you just scared me with that story. OK, so I use a wireless, but still... these stories are bumming me out and making me think maybe it wouldn't hurt to bring a backup. But why do they have to be so heavy?

 

[godofthunder59]

I always carry a backup! If it can go wrong it will go wrong, it's only a matter of time.

 

[Baird6869]

You guys that don't bring a backup to a paid gig are nuts.

If you buy an inexpensive gig bag that holds 2 basses, it is no extra effort.

 

[Shardik]

Buy a cheap, light backup. Doesn't have to be heavy or fancy.

 

[mcnach]

One individual runs past the stage, trips and nose-dives into a guitar and takes it out of commission. There's no controlling that sort of situation and luckily the guitarist was someone who brought a backup.

why would you leave your guitar unattended somewhere that can be knocked?
If I am off that stage, my bass goes in the case, or somewhere safe.
Prevention and maintenance is more important than backups, although backups can be nice to have if not inconvenient or it's a very important gig.

I have had one "failure": a broken G string.
The band jammed for the 3 minutes that takes me to grab a new string and fit it, with the singer improvising funny lyrics about me breaking a G string. The audience laughed, and we carried on.

 

[JimmyM]

You guys that don't bring a backup to a paid gig are nuts.

If you buy an inexpensive gig bag that holds 2 basses, it is no extra effort.

Ever had to hustle through Hartsfield or O'Hare with two basses strapped to your back trying vainly to make a connection? If you haven't, come back and tell me it's no extra effort after you do.

 

[mcnach]

they had the exact same failure mode. Based on the design SX uses to secure their jacks from rotating internally. They are allowed to rotate just enough to compromise the solder.
[*]Both basses failed with no warning. One day they worked fine, the next day they were silent.

no warning?

if they could rotate, they were loose. Nobody noticed that???

Output sockets are one of the main things I check in an instrument, and my observation is they do not fail suddenly. They warn in advance by being noisy, being loose and people just finger tightening them... then again... and again... and the socket rotates until it's at tension and one day it breaks.

There is somebody I know whose guitar strap button has failed several times on stage. He just does not fix it properly. So it keeps happening.
Another guy, his output socket would misbehave and come loose. Never really fixed it properly. In his defence, it was an Epiphone Casino, those are a bit of a pain to have access to the insides, but still. One day it finally broke. Normal.
This last guy has had issues with his amplifier's input socket for quite some time. Has he fixed it? No. One day, it will stop working.
Warnings? Plenty. And my observation is that these guy's attitudes are fairly common.

 

[mcnach]

Never had to rely on a backup but lugging it to gigs just isn't whine-worthy.

ha ha, I would subscribe to this sentiment

 

[mcnach]

But one thing to remember is if you play actives, bring batteries!

Totally!

But that's not a substitute for replacing the battery from time to time *before* it fails. Especially if you have a nice gig coming up. I mean, how expensive are those things and how long do they last? Don't wait till they fail!