I'm sure many here have worked with keyboard players. How many times have you seen them bring a redundant board? Just asking??
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Always bring a backup bass!
- Thread starter Stinsok
- Start date
I'm sure many here have worked with keyboard players. How many times have you seen them bring a redundant board? Just asking??
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Bass I blew an E string was also a passive jazz. I'd had the saddles professionally deburred at least a year prior and hadn't had a string break on me since then. Sometimes, **** happens, even to low tech stuff that "should be fine."
I agree that calling someone unprofessional for not bringing a backup is unfair. But by the same token assuming that individuals who do bring a backup do so because they don't own a high quality bass or can't maintain their equipment is also a heaping load of crap. I'm more than confident in my equipment and that I maintain it properly, but I don't tempt fate because not all things are under my control... like drunk people in the audience, clumsy people working on or around the stage... whatever. Also, I'm not going to whine about having to transport an additional ~10lbs of wood even if it proves to be useful only once in my life.
Basically if you don't feel that it's worth the effort to bring a back up, then don't. But don't be patronizing to those individuals who do.
I was glad to read your post, because in 35 years of playing guitar and bass I have never broken a bass string either... even when I was playing in a punk band! I guess I don't get how this happens.
I always go over my bass a day or two before a gig, check the strings and controls and jack, etc. Maybe it's because we play pretty mellow music, generally in places where the stage is too tiny for any jumping around... but I never have problems with my bass on a gig. I think it has a lot to do with the bass you play and how you treat it. If you've got quality gear and care for it well, you can probably get by without a BU. I've never once needed one.
But, given the stories in this thread, maybe I'll toss my Ashbory under the seat and just leave it there!
I have checked my 5 string 3 days before a gig, get there and the strings are against the neck, !@#$ happens. I bring a backup bass, amp, and repair kit to every gig. I have saved the guitarist butt by bringing a backup guitar too, even though I was playing bass. You can't trust a guitarist to be prepared.
Seems like most of the issues in these threads about backup basses are at least indirectly related to maintenance. Yeah, I can see going on tour would require a backup in the van (don't even really need it on stage), but if it's just a Friday night downtown that's different.
It is to me.
Why not?
Having one guitar or bass to gigs is just playing with destiny. "It will never happen to me." Famous last words. Has nothing to do with the quality of the instrument, even good ones break down of unforeseen circumstances, especially the active electronics could cause interesting problems excluding batteries of course.
As for the cost of a backup bass and it's too expensive, get an SX for $100 or less.
Or then just let the band play without the bass and act 'professional' -- that's of course another option.
PS: I've seen enough strange things on stage for the last 30 years so be prepared for just anything.
As for the cost of a backup bass and it's too expensive, get an SX for $100 or less.
Or then just let the band play without the bass and act 'professional' -- that's of course another option.
PS: I've seen enough strange things on stage for the last 30 years so be prepared for just anything.
Things happen, no doubt. But in thirty seven years I have broken one string, and that's counting home practice, rehearsals, jams, studio sessions and gigs. I have never had any other problem with my basses other than minor intonation issues due to neck changes. Oh, my 65 Fender Jazz finish went gummy in a large spot on the back, had my tech put removeable mylar over it, no more problem. Broke an E string on a gig in about 1980 (Rotosound). I carry an extra set of strings, no extra bass unless I (rarely) bring my fretless. I have only played Fender Jazz basses. I use DR Sunbeams these days. Amp problems are much more common than bass problems, but I can always go into the PA with my Line 6 POD so that's not a problem either. I think a spare PA head is the most valuable backup to carry around.
No assuming here. There are more than a few in this thread right now who easily validate my belief that they don't maintain their instrument properly. I have no proof...but I've been around common musicians more than enough and know their habits all too well. Old strings break. Throwing instruments around and slinging them around like battering rams breaks stuff. Bad solders almost never just go in one minute. They involve hours, days, and weeks of popping sounds coming from jacks...to the point where either deafness or just plain ignorance leads to their subsequent failure. Wireless systems can eliminate any chance of stomping on cords and wrecking jacks. Even better, not flying around like a banshee can too. Brass nuts don't break.
Either way, I have no issue with bring backups. Cool with me, do what you need. I DO have issue with people who somehow think its wrong that I walk into a gig with one instrument. I DO have issue with people who think I'm "unprofessional" because I don't rely on backups, but rely on simple maintenance and the occasional upgrade to prevent nearly all issues that can be caused at a gig.
If there's a drunk guy on stage hovering over your gear, you might want to reevaluate why you accepted the $70 paycheck to play at that place to begin with.
Besides, I don't have to worry about fate because I don't believe in it.
I think there's FAR MORE patronizing going on around here against people who don't. Reread the thread, please. Somehow hearing that some 18 year old kid with his one un-backed Fender is somehow "unprofessional" is far more patronizing than I could ever dole out.
There is no earthly reason to take a backup cabinet. That's just silly.[/QUOTE]
One of the reasons that I like having 2 Aguilar GS-112's is that if one goes down, and that has happened to me twice with OEM drivers going bad without warning, I can finish the night with one cab. I also had a voice coil in a 10 inch Fender driver that was in a 4x10 cab, catch on fire one night on a gig. It was a 2 AM club and we were playing our last set and the place was packed and of course we we smokin'....no pun intended. All,of a sudden my bass sound is starting to get really distorted...I look around at my rig and there's smoke pouring out of the ports in my bass cab... That's a sight I hope none of you ever see. And BTW, I ALWAYS bring two amps to every gig... A Markbass LM II and an LM III.
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One of the reasons that I like having 2 Aguilar GS-112's is that if one goes down, and that has happened to me twice with OEM drivers going bad without warning, I can finish the night with one cab. I also had a voice coil in a 10 inch Fender driver that was in a 4x10 cab, catch on fire one night on a gig. It was a 2 AM club and we were playing our last set and the place was packed and of course we we smokin'....no pun intended. All,of a sudden my bass sound is starting to get really distorted...I look around at my rig and there's smoke pouring out of the ports in my bass cab... That's a sight I hope none of you ever see. And BTW, I ALWAYS bring two amps to every gig... A Markbass LM II and an LM III.
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It's all about probabilities. Bringing two basses is fine, especially if the stage is big enough so you can store the backup on stage where it's safer. Bringing two basses increases the chance of losing one to a thief. Which brings up this question:
How many of you insure your basses? My 65 Jazz is insured for $15k on a specific rider policy. Your homeowner/renter insurance will not cover a bass stolen from at a paying gig. A bass stolen from your home or vehicle is usually only covered up to $2k unless you add a rider policy. I bet more good quality basses are stolen than break at gigs.
How many of you insure your basses? My 65 Jazz is insured for $15k on a specific rider policy. Your homeowner/renter insurance will not cover a bass stolen from at a paying gig. A bass stolen from your home or vehicle is usually only covered up to $2k unless you add a rider policy. I bet more good quality basses are stolen than break at gigs.
I gotsta say I love having that active/passive pull knob on my Warwicks. That's saved me twice now in the middle of a song.
Keys are different. While it's great to play exact sounds for cover tunes, the audience is rarely upset by piano and organ renditions in a band context. I always bring more than one that can cover piano and organ just in case. You can't prevent things coming apart internally on a keybed or inside the case. Sh*&#%t happens!
I'm a little strange when it comes to being prepared but I wouldn't consider someone unprofessional just because they came with one axe, but when someone shows up with a spare I make a mental note because it gives the impression that they may be more professional than many others.
I always have a backup bass or guitar, and I carry a Tone Hammer as a backup pre/direct box plus a tuner in case my amp fries. Also bring a backup cable, strap, speakon jumper, 1/4" jumper, set of strings, leatherman, butane soldering iron, multi-meter, cable checker, adapters, duct tape, etc. My little briefcase carries a lot of stuff. Chock it up to to many years mixing sound, and maybe augmented by a little paranoia being lefty 'cause I can't borrow an axe to cover.
I've been able to lend a drummer a drum key, tools and neck stand to guitarists, and even a strap to a guitarist more than once. I've probably sold 100+ 9-v batteries for $2US each over the years. So I carry that briefcase to most gigs even though I almost never have to open it.
Mark
Hovering over my gear? That's a very narrow sighted assumption of a possible scenario. I've played a few 'wharf' gigs... a very laid back family oriented atmosphere of boaters stopping off for a bite to eat and enjoy some music. 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.
That doesn't make your statements any more true. It only proves that you're as judgemental as the people you're angry with.
I will take issue with this one, since I think I was the first to describe a jack failure. Here are the additional details......
- This was my 2nd encounter with a jack failure in 18 months.
- Both were with SX basses I bought NEW and donated (one to my kids' school, one to a church I play at twice a month)
- Although the 1st failure could possibly be attributed to having multiple kids plugging and unplugging, it was there amongst other Squire guitars and basses that had been played under the same conditions for MUCH longer.
- The bass at the church had been played once by me and twice by an orchestral musician who was available to sit in for two of the weeks that I'm playing at my own church. This guy knows how to treat instruments and did not abuse the bass.
- The same tech diagnosed and fixed both basses and said 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.
Basically, this thread is no different than the question we all face at Best Buy. When you buy that TV / washer - dryer / computer / Blu-Ray player, do you buy the extra insurance?
Some do some don't. Who's right and who's wrong? All situations vary. If buying it makes you more comfortable, do it. If you're comfortable without it, don't buy it. If you feel better taking a back-up instrument, do it. If you are happy without, don't take one.
Some do some don't. Who's right and who's wrong? All situations vary. If buying it makes you more comfortable, do it. If you're comfortable without it, don't buy it. If you feel better taking a back-up instrument, do it. If you are happy without, don't take one.
My narrow sighted assumption of a scenario was eclipsed by your once-in-a-decade hypothetical scenario. I'd like to get a poll of everyone here to see how much that insanely ridiculous event happens. Besides, stop taking what I say so literally. "Hovering over someone's gear" was not a literal scenario, but a more satirical one.
Criticism and judgment are two different things. Judgment would be me saying to a specific person, "hey, _____, you are lazy with maintaining your instrument because your string broke at a gig last week". Or, judgment would be me making a generalization saying "all of you who are having problems with gear at gigs are cheap, lazy, etc." Criticizing would be exactly what I did, saying that SOME people in here have issues because they don't maintain their gear. In fact, in those cases those people are far less professional than the guy practicing strict maintenance on his one unbacked bass.
However, you are correct when people accusing one-bass giggers are being judgmental. I will give you that.
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