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Always bring a backup bass!

#161
So I'm sure that you folks deriding those of us who usually don't bring backups also bring a spare car to your gigs in case your car breaks down, too. Hey man, what happens if you show up late? That could ruin a gig! Better tow a second car next time, just in case.
 
#162
JimmyM said:
So I'm sure that you folks deriding those of us who usually don't bring backups also bring a spare car to your gigs in case your car breaks down, too. Hey man, what happens if you show up late? That could ruin a gig! Better tow a second car next time, just in case.
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Now that is just being silly. We're not belittling you, we're just pointing out the risks you're taking. You keep doing things your way, and I'll do them mine. ^_^

I've seen too many gigs fail because people have instrument troubles to not have a backup.
 
#165
Mastermold said:
the worst thing that could happen I guess is a string breaks.
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You don't say. My bad. The coast is clear. Nothing can possibly go wrong with a bass other than a broken string. I stand corrected.

Mastermold said:
Maybe it's luck.
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You bet your ass it's luck. And, unfortunately for many, it's a kind of luck that is not shared by all.

Lemme think: Rub the rabbit's foot or bring an el-cheapo to the gig so I can switch instantly and not look like a noob if/when something goes wrong with my Number One?

It's a no-brainer for me.

Mastermold said:
Jeff Berlin once posted here that he only has one bass. Guess he likes living life on the edge.
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I wouldn't mind you subtantiating this with a link, but for the sake of discussion, yup, that's exactly what it is: Living on the edge. And for every pro who only brings one bass to important gigs (and what pros play "unimportant gigs?"), there are hundreds or thousands of pros who do bring at least one spare.
 
#166
Any gig that pays well, deserves a back-up, or 2nd instrument... IMO (Keys and drums excepted, of course).

Not sure I'd agree when it comes to the $30-$50 bar gig... Hope I never have to find out!!

For my first 25 years or so of gigging, I could barely afford 1 decent bass, let alone having a back-up! Same goes for amps (although, as PAs got better, that problem went away).

Now, I take a 2nd bass just for a change. Some gigs NEED a boost! Haha!!
 
#167
ScottTunes said:
Any gig that pays well, deserves a back-up, or 2nd instrument... IMO (Keys and drums excepted, of course).

Not sure I'd agree when it comes to the $30-$50 bar gig... Hope I never have to find out!!

For my first 25 years or so of gigging, I could barely afford 1 decent bass, let alone having a back-up! Same goes for amps (although, as PAs got better, that problem went away).

Now, I take a 2nd bass just for a change. Some gigs NEED a boost! Haha!!
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Good post, good points.

But for the record, three $50.00 bar gigs and you can afford a nice backup from a variety of reputable manufacturers and have enough change for a steak dinner.

As for "important gigs" versus "unimportant gigs" like a dive bar, I can't relate to that mentality. I have booked multi-thousand $$$ upscale gigs (corporate, weddings, etc.) with clients who saw my band in the stinkiest dive in town. To me, they're all important. You never know who may be listening to you. ;)
 
#168
electracoyote said:
I wouldn't mind you subtantiating this with a link, but for the sake of discussion, yup, that's exactly what it is: Living on the edge. And for every pro who only brings one bass to important gigs (and what pros play "unimportant gigs?"), there are hundreds or thousands of pros who do bring at least one spare.
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You're welcome to use the search function to track it down. As I recall it was in a thread where he was talking about his Dean signature bass. He said it was his only bass and also mentioned something about thinking he should probably get another just in case. So maybe he's not so crazy after all. But at the time I was surprised he said he only had the one.
 
#169
Mastermold said:
You're welcome to use the search function to track it down. As I recall it was in a thread where he was talking about his Dean signature bass. He said it was his only bass and also mentioned something about thinking he should probably get another just in case. So maybe he's not so crazy after all. But at the time I was surprised he said he only had the one.
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So, because a pro only uses one (and admits that this is probably a bad idea) we should only need 1 bass?
 
#171
Mastermold said:
You're welcome to use the search function to track it down. As I recall it was in a thread where he was talking about his Dean signature bass. He said it was his only bass and also mentioned something about thinking he should probably get another just in case. So maybe he's not so crazy after all. But at the time I was surprised he said he only had the one.
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It's a rather silly debate if you ask me. People practice risky behavior all the time and get away with it, I'll easily concede this. Is it smart? Well, for those whose number comes up and they get bit in the ass, you can bet it won't be their proudest moment.

Evidently, Jeff Berlin is willing to admit he'd be doing well to have a second bass along for the ride.
 
#172
In 35 years I have broken a lot of strings but only once have I had a bass "break down". I don't think it has anything to do with luck. Is it luck every time I walk to the store and don't get hit by a bus? Every time I fly and a wing doesn't snap off the plane? Poppycock.

I always have strings and a charged batteries in my gig bag but, unless the song list calls for a change I only take 1 bass.
 
#173
This is a silly debate. I brought a backup bass and backup amp to gigs for years. Never needed either. When it comes to "bring an extra bass that I won't use or an extra cab that I will use" then it's obvious to me.
Then again, I've also never broken a string in 20 years of playing. Yet I do bring backup strings and backup batteries.

Listen, if u bring a backup bass, that's super awesome for you. For anyone trying to suggest all pros brig multiple basses to high paying gigs... You are dead wrong. My dad is a professional trumpet player, has toured with lots of big names and played with many different bassists. Some bring two basses, some bring one. It's closer to 50-50 than most people think, from my experience.

If I bring two basses, it's because I know I'm going to use a certain one for a certain song. Not just for it to sit on a stand as a backup. I have three basses and none of them are backups. But that's just me. I try to keep my set up and my load-in and load-out as minimal as I can get away with.
 
#175
HypersoulRocks said:
I always bring one extra bass, and lately have added an extra amp into my rack. Soon an extra cabinet will come along too. Why get caught with your pants down?
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Good question.

Well, some people smoke their entire lives and don't contract a lung ailment, so smoking must be okay.

And some people use dirty needles and don't get infected, so it must be okay.

And some pros tour the world over a hundred times with only one bass, so it must be okay.

Right?

I mean, if it's good enough for them, it pretty much gaurantees your number won't come up and leave you standing there with your dick in your hand.

Right?
 
#177
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 :hiding: )

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:

  • You don't do regular thorough inspections and maintenance of your bass
  • You bought your bass used and inherited unknown issues from the previous owner/s...extreme heat and cold can do interesting things over time, for starters
  • You bought cheap, looking for a good bargain, and without doing proper research...sometimes you get what you paid for

I'm not saying you have to buy a Fodera, Sadowsky, etc to have an instrument last a long time, but like my Mom once said (paraphrasing): better to research and buy quality once than go back to the shop 2 weeks later, after the cheap one failed you the 1st time.

  • If you're afraid of a battery dying? Get a batt-o-meter and check before the gig. Walk with a spare 9V and/or get a bass with an active/passive switch.
  • Strings breaking? Always walk with a spare set (much easier than a 2nd bass) and I would hope that you're proficient enough to get through a song with 1 string broken (because really, the odds are astronomical that 2 strings will break in the middle of a set, let alone the middle of a song)

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 :bassist:
 
#178
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.
 
#180
ChrisCassisi said:
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.
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Wow, scarred at an early age. Can't say I blame you for bringing backups with that kind of history.
 

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