Backup bass or extra strings?

[superheavyfunk]

Saw a thread about backup basses and figured I'd ask other ppls thoughts on the matter. For me, I'd rather just bring a pack of strings. I've only broken two strings during a performance in my entire life, so I'm not super worried about it but it's better to be safe than sorry (like I was the first time I broke one - it was at a wedding gig ).

How about you? Strings or an extra bass?

 

[Elmstreet]

I've been lugging around two basses for awhile but I recently went to a pack of strings.

Side note, will leaving strings in a hot car ruin them over time?

 

[dune]

I did not carry a backup bass when I was on the road, and I broke a lot of strings, largely because of the Kahler trem I had on it.
Since the Kahler is quick release, string changes were very fast, and I always kept some used strings hanging of the side of my amp. Since they were used, there was no wrapping required, just slapped it on, and tuned it up. These days though, I would have a backup, especially since strings aren't the only potential issue.

 

[buldog5151bass]

When I replace my strings, I keep the old set in the case/bag. But in 45 years of playing, I've never broken a string.

 

[JTNuney]

Ask yourself this: Would I rather change a broken string in a panic during a gig… or buy a new bass?

Seems obvious to me.

 

[bassfran]

I would never have time to change a string during a set w/my current band. I could, however, get the BL to blab for 20 seconds while I grabbed my other bass. Double gig bag FTW.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I depends on the gig, but most of the time these days it is extra strings. I am playing bar gigs and could get a replacement on there in a minute or so. The singer and guitar player also have a duo version of the band, so they could easily play something on their own.

In the case of my bar gigs, I feel like I am more likely to get a second bass stolen than break a string. Plus, the stages I play are so small, I don't really have room for a backup to be quickly available.

 

[J Wilson]

I did break strings years ago during The Angry Young Man days, but never a bass. So I'd say strings.

 

[Five or Six]

A second bass! Strings do no good when a bass gets dropped, knocked over or, the electronics take a dump. Maybe all 3? Faster to grab a tuned second on stage than change a string. One of the above happens and the bass doesn't function, how's the gig going to go? Especially when you are 50-100 miles from home? Doesn't matter to me, To each their own.

 

[NickLidstrom]

Saw a thread about backup basses and figured I'd ask other ppls thoughts on the matter. For me, I'd rather just bring a pack of strings. I've only broken two strings during a performance in my entire life, so I'm not super worried about it but it's better to be safe than sorry (like I was the first time I broke one - it was at a wedding gig ).

How about you? Strings or an extra bass?

I keep backup strings with me (along with backup everything else) but to me being safe than sorry means having a backup bass. Even if I can replace a string in a couple minutes that's a big interruption to a set.
I've only broken a string once over the last couple years (I guess I was popping too hard during Dua Lipa) but I was able to finish the song, unplug, plug the backup in and tune up before the audience even knew what was going on.

Forgot to mention what a few others have already said- a broken string isn't the only thing that can go wrong with the bass and then you're really out of luck without a backup.

 

[GreyBeard]

New Years gig the electronics crapped out in my Ibanez ATK805. Glad I had a backup bass that night.

 

[Bass4ThePublic]

Strings arent the only things that break during gigs… you can have backup strings all you want but if your pickup goes down youre really SOL without another bass. bring a backup.

 

[cataract]

Spoiler: The backup bass also has strings on it ie: a twofer

 

[Muttleybass]

Twice in 40+ years I've had a bass go down. Strings wouldn't have helped (and take too long anyway, IMO) easier just to have another bass behind my amp.

But I have strings as well.

 

[poochiecheeks]

Bass- in the past 6 months alone I've had basses set up wrong on stage that I couldn't correct on break, I had a bass with recessed strap buttons and I forgot one of the strap locks making it unplayable standing, and not 2 days ago I had a strap button rip out of the upper horn and crash to the ground 3 songs in. I was so dissapointed with that last one that I traded it in today just to be rid of it. No problems at all with breaking strings, as long as your nut and bridge saddles don't have any badly cut sharp edges it's less likely to break. I kept breaking the D string on one bass I had because the brass nut slot was cut with a sharp leading edge. Backup bass every day

 

[trseal]

Oh, please..! That's easy. Backup bass. Everyday! Some might call it a New York reload. Extra strings is like a few more bullets. Another bass is like another Gun. With bullets.

Tim

 

[Gervais Cote]

Back up bass for serious stuff and strings when playing with friends only ……………. with a few beers.

 

[superheavyfunk]

Side note, will leaving strings in a hot car ruin them over time?

Doubtful. They sit in containers for however long, depending on your location and where they're made, and those things get super hot in the sun travelling across oceans and continents. If they're damaged by the relatively short times they'd be in a hot car, then it's probably best to change brands imo.

 

[mikopita]

I always bring a backup bass. I had the push/pull pot on my Roscoe Beck V get glitchy recently. I just pulled out my jazz bass and kept right on going.

 

[Gervais Cote]

I've been lugging around two basses for awhile but I recently went to a pack of strings.

Side note, will leaving strings in a hot car ruin them over time?

If the strings are EB Cobalt flats, they tend to get rusty easily. That won't ruin them but they will look ugly.
Better keep them in the pocket of your gig bag.