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Are two basses REALLY needed to bring to gigs?

#21
Get the most solid gear you can find and then pay attention to it and take good care of it. As far as what can hapopen on a gig... anything. Strings break, batteries die, controls fall off, screws loosen, hoardes of angry gerbils could nest in your cab, etc.

Until recently I pretty much always took two basses but not as a main/backup thing, just that I might feel like playing one more than the other. Recently I've started travelling really light, taking one bass. I check my basses out often so a potential problem isn't likely to go undetected. I haven't broken a string since the Carter administration. Because of how I play the chances of one breaking are extremely negligible. In any event I'm ready if it does.

Always have spare strings, strap, batteries if you have an active bass, cables, a simple set of tools and learn how to set up your bass. If you take your bass from one temperature/humidity extreme to another it can make your neck move to a point where it becomes unplayable. If you know how to adjust your trussrod, no sweat.

Be prepared is still great advice.
 
#24
Brad Johnson said:
Get the most solid gear you can find and then pay attention to it and take good care of it. I check my basses out often so a potential problem isn't likely to go undetected.

Always have spare strings, strap, batteries if you have an active bass, cables, a simple set of tools and learn how to set up your bass.

Be prepared is still great advice.
Click to expand...

Thats all you need right there ;)
Unless you play like an animal nothing extreme will happen to your Squier, those are very solid basses.
 
#26
I never have. I have always had an extra set of strings, and yes, I have had to replace strings. Only takes a couple minutes. Sometimes I play an active bass on gigs so I carry some 9vdc batteries. Haven't had to change batteries yet during a show.
Anything can happen with dependent events, I.E. you drop the bass and break the headstock. But the probability is slim.

Most of my gigs are in "dives" and I really never thought of leaving an extra bass in my car or around the stage.

Now I am sure the recording artists that tour bring a few extras with them, but that is not me. (yet)
 
#27
Two basses is always a must bring.

Once I was playing a local gig when my bass stopped working.

Before the gig I did all the checks to make sure everything was is the correct working order and even used the bass in soundcheck where it was working absolutely perfectly yet when it came to playing the gig the bass stopped producing sound.

I later found out that the wire connected to the jack had snapped sometime between soundcheck and the gig. Now at the time I only brought one bass but thankfully my guitarist brought his bass with him (which is now mine) so I was able to continue the gig.
Too this day it remains the worst gig I have ever done.

Moral to the story.
Always bring two basses!!!

Mark
 
#29
I bring two basses to every gig. In fact, at almost every gig, I have both basses tuned and hooked up to an ABY footswitch. If a bass ever breaks a string, gets hit and goes wildly out of tune, has a battery die, or a solder connection go, I'm about 7 seconds away from being back in the groove with a different instrument. For alot of gigs, a couple minutes to change a string is a couple minutes too long.

In the last hundred gigs or so, I've only had a bass go bad twice, but it's worth it for the peace of mind. I also enjoy switching basses mid-set to get a feel for the live performance of each of my basses.

Also, simplify things by getting yourself a 2-bass gig bag. None of your basses are expensive enought that I'd worry about a hardshell case.
 
#31
I've been in lots of situations where carrying two basses simply hasn't been a viable option (there are times when I've been lucky enough to fit one bass in a tightly packed car). As has already been mentioned, a basic tool kit/strings/strap, etc. coupled with the knowledge of how to set up your bass will get you through most of the problems you're likely to encounter on a gig. I've never needed a backup on an actual gig (I check out my basses before the gig and bring whatever's likely to be most appropriate).
 
#32
Gig bags work fine. Get a tuner. Sell only one bass, or all of them and buy two more. Bring two basses to a gig, unless you don't care. You have a responsibility to the gig and the other band members. Always be prepared for any and all problems. Make a list. Learn how to fix your own gear too. Start by upgrading the substandard parts on your basses that will surely fail at some point.
 
#34
I'll add my vote to the "be overprepared" camp: backup bass, gizmo bag with flashlight, simple tools, extra set of strings, extra cables for instrument > head and amp > speaker, backup amp head (if you have one) pretty much everything you use, except for speaker cab.

Better to haul some extra gear, than to find out you (or someone in the band) has a malfunction, and no one can lend some help. That's when you (all) look like a bunch of rank amateurs.
 
#35
:cool:

I always bring two.
I played an out-door gig last week. ( Sunshine, hot)
And neck shifted on my fender.
I could have pulled out a wrench and fiddled with neck.
But, I just went into my double gig bag, and pull out my back up.
Problem solved in five seconds.
Better safe than sorry.
 
#36
I cant believe so many people carry more than one bass to a gig. For me and my band its just not a viable opinion most of the time. And if something goes wrong there are always other bands that can lend their gear if needed.

Carrying around two basses would be so much more trouble than its worth for me. I have played bass since 1997/98 and I never had a bass fail on me ever. The things that has happened have been batteries that has run out or string that have been broken. No need for an actual extra bass to fix those things.

Extra cables, strings, batteries are all good though.
 
#37
I only have one bass, a old Squier Jazz.

I've transported it in the hardcase before, but it's heavy and too long to fit easily in my car (a Toyota Rav4). So it travels in my padded gig bag. It don't throw it about so not too worried about that. If I had a more compact and lightweight case I'd use that.

When at the gig, I unpack it last, pack it up first and make sure I don't leave it where people can sit on it or knock it.

If the tuners get turned out of tune no problem, I expect to tune up anyway - doesn't everyone??

If you are playing small/medium non-metal type gigs I think that a smaller amp can be just fine. I only ever use a 2x10 and I've seen 12" combos used, with a DI/mic to PA working just great too.

If I had 2 basses, for most pub/small venue gigs I'd still only bring one, just because it's more to break/lose/transport.

Having lived in Liverpool, England I have an aversion to leaving gear in the car too.

Keep your gear maintained. At the first sniff of trouble, get it fixed, better still learn how to fix it yourself. A small toolkit is always good to have, just in case. I leave mine in the car. I haven't needed it for my gear yet, but I've helped many other bands out with a dodgy connection!

I do carry spare strings, but last time I broke a string was about 6 years ago (TI flats! Expensive!!! :bawl:)

Personally I hate seeing spare guitars or basses on stage. It's annoying and distracting from the performance, it's like "look how many guitars I have!". But that's just me, I'm not a gear-head.
 
#38
When you show up to your biggest gig to date and your bass suddenly goes dead in the middle of the first song for no apparent reason (passive bass btw).........you'll begin to bring two basses to every gig. Live and burn, live and learn.

BTW, I had to play a bass from the headlining group---a nice bass but super high action. My hands ACHED for days after that gig. LOL
 
#39
bass12 said:
He's right - you might as well have two basses with broken tuning pegs at the gig, just to be safe. :p
Click to expand...

If you carry your own bass and don't load it in places where it can get damaged, besides being clumsy there isn't much reason to use a hardshell. I just did a ten hour back and forth trip for a gig and loaded my gigbag in with some other gear. It was easy to find a place where it wouldn't get damaged unless the vehicle rolled over. No problem. Or dragon attack. Even hardshell cases don't stand much of a chance with dragons.

Be prepared. Anticipate. If you can't then yeah, you-proof your gear as best you can.
;)

BTW my basses usually come out of the bag in tune. Like I said, get good gear... that includes getting a good bag.
:cool:
 
#40
chubrocker said:
When you show up to your biggest gig to date and your bass suddenly goes dead in the middle of the first song for no apparent reason (passive bass btw).........you'll begin to bring two basses to every gig. Live and burn, live and learn.

BTW, I had to play a bass from the headlining group---a nice bass but super high action. My hands ACHED for days after that gig. LOL
Click to expand...

What was the cause of the problem?
 

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