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Are two basses REALLY needed to bring to gigs?

Alex Huddleston

Alex Huddleston

Aug 10, 2009
300
84
Portland, OR
#1
I currently have three basses... a modded Squier VM jazz, a MIM jazz and an ibanez srx2ex2. Being a 16 year old with no job or other constant flow of income, I was thinking of selling off the two basses that I use the least and like the least (the MIM and ibanez) to fund making my gigging rig more reliable, seeing as my band may start looking for gigs in the near future. I feel my VM jazz is a solid enough bass with my mods to be used for gigging for the time being. A few things I'm considering getting are

A hardshell case. I currently use gigbags for all my basses and I just don't feel comfortable taking these to a gig. with my experience, whenever I put a bass in a gig bag and pull it out to get ready to play, the tuning pegs always seem to get knocked out of tune and a decent hardcase would be way more solid IMO

A new cab. The cab I'm using now is fairly solid, but I feel like I need a decent 4x10 for my setup to be complete.

Sansamp BDDI. The ability to DI right into the soundboard seems almost like a necessity if something unexpected happens with your amp.

I could probably get enough money to get all of these If I sell off the MIM and ibanez, but my bandmates keep telling me "Oh, you need a backup bass you can't just gig with one". Personally, I've never broken a bass string, I don't see how you could and if I did, the string could be changed in about a minute. I don't really see how anything else could go wrong with the bass either, but then again I have no gigging experience so I could use some help with this decision. What's the better choice, what would you do in my situation?
 
#3
Get an amp for rehearsals and as a monitor for gigs, quality doesn't matter too much as long as it's loud enough. When playing a gig, go straight to the soundboard and use your amp as a monitor. You really don't NEED a 4x10 if you don't have the money for it (yet).

A hardshell case is great for transporting your bass. A well padded gigbag would be acceptable aswell.

The DI is a good idea, get it!

I say sell the MIM jazz, as you already have a jazz and the MIM will get you the most money back out of the 3. Keep the Ibanez as a backup, you don't want to be in the situation where you don't have anything to play!
 
#4
I'd say you're safer as a bassist since guitar strings can break at the worst possible times, but you're still not immune to problems. Still, be very careful what you say because you migth jinx yourself. I know it sounds crazy, but it's always the times you're unprepared that you need it. You use backups for many years and never end up needing it. That's usually how it works.
 
#5
I only own two basses, I have only every brought 1 bass to gigs. At a point. I only owned a VM jazz, that's all I brought and I never thought twice. I wouldn't worry, but I would buy a hardcase for sure. I have had people step on my case at shows so the case is a must.

If something goes wrong at a show one of the other bassists will mst likely let you borrow.
 
#7
I always have two at a show. I like to bring the most similar ones so I dont have to mess with the EQ much. Strings break, input jacks go bad, necks need tweaked, etc. Anything can happen. If you gig on a consistant basis I think two is the way to go.
 
#8
A back-up is a good idea, eventually....BUT....if you don't have a gig worthy rig it doesn't matter how many basses you bring. Having a rig that's able to at least keep-up with your drummer is way more important than a back-up bass, IMO.
 
#9
I've been bringing one bass, unless I get the little nervous feeling-then I bring two. Listen to the little nervous feeling.... Also, if the gig is more than 20 minutes from my or my guitarists house, I bring 2 (guitarist has one of my basses at his house I could go get). If the gig is important (re: high paying), I bring 2.

In your situation, I'd sell the two you don't use, buy a cheap bass as a backup (can get a doable one for $200 if you're a 4 stringer), and get your other stuff you want :). This is assuming you can get a decent price out of your other bases.

Keep in mind a hardshell case does take up more room than a gig bag.......
 
#10
I thought that once. Broke an E string. Had to play the remaining 3.5 sets without it. I was about 17, playing at a bar in another town, figured one bass was fine. Man, was I wrong. Never again. Always be prepared and have a backup.
 
#11
In twelve years of playing professionally and probably more than a few thousand gigs I have never broken a string. In fact, I have never had a problem with a bass in all that time. Never needed a second bass.

Amp? Yeah, more than once my head has shelled out and I've been saved by the backup head I carry.

Get a second small amp to bring to gigs and a set of strings. No need to carry bass #2.
 
#12
There was a whole thread on the "backup bass" issue a while ago. One group said they always bring a backup, one group said they never do, and each group thought the other was unprofessional. :rolleyes:

So, without wishing to restart that flame war, let me just say that I, personally, do not bring a backup bass. I bring batteries, strings, cables, and a few small tools. That's more than I've ever needed.

IMHO, I've always thought "gig bag" is a misnomer, because a gig is usually the one place I want my instrument in a good solid case! With all your band's (and any other bands') equipment being moved around, I like the peace of mind that comes from having my bass in a hard case.

Good luck to you whatever you do.
 
#13
Generally, no as long as you take good care of your axe. Breaking strings is rare (although it does happen) and the only other damage you could have is maybe an input jack issue if it is dropped or mishandled.

I do recommend that you bring two if you own them, as then there are no worries. Also, sometimes some basses cut through or vibrate rooms differently. My shortscale JJs normally sound muddy in the small rooms I play but rock in the larger rooms. My Hartke or Kramer sing in smaller spaces but sometimes just don't sound good in some larger rooms. Go figure.

So, bring two. Bring your whole collection if you can use them as costume changes.
 
#15
I would keep both J basses as when you do need a back up, you dont have to re-eq your whole set up in the middle of the show. J basses are versatile, simple and reliable, you have two good ones, keep them as you will take a bath on either one if you sell it.
Honestly your amp and 2 15s that you have now seems fine. I see so much overkill at gigs...
I agree whole heartedly that you should get a hardshell case and a DI. Those items would be what I would want if I had your set up to gig with.
Good luck with all that.
 
#18
the output jack has crapped out on me once at a recording, but i fixed it with a screw driver. a tiny piece broke off the nut and i fixed it with some super glue, really thats the worst which has ever happened to my bass at a gig or something. now it got stolen later but thats another story all together
 
#19
Murphy's law/ Anything that can happen will, at the worst possible time. I always carry a spare bass, set of strings (used ok) some basic tools. I will usually carry a spare head and cab unless it's a very small room and/or I'm not comfortable leaving them in the parked car. I want to pick up a DI so I can ditch the spare head/cab for most gigs. Most people will understand if you take 2 minutes to get a new bass or head because something goes. An easy way not to be asked back to a club is to have an equipment failure end a show early.
 
#20
Nothing terrible will happen to you if you take a backup bass, a backup head, spare batteries, fuses, cables, strings, tools, etc. to every gig and never use them. Yes, it's a nuisance. But if you ever need one of them, you're prepared, so you don't have to worry.

It just doesn't look professional if you need one and don't have it.

Be a good Boy Scout - Be Prepared!
 

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