backup basses

[BrianVengeance]

What is your gig load out?

 

[retslock]

These days usually the two 5 stringers that I built plus my 2x10 Genzler cabinet and a kit bag containing amp, pedals, mic and cables.

 

[Dabndug]

Depending on the nature of the gig, my primary bass will be a J (rock, R&B, or funk) or a Hofner (Jazz standards - an injury precludes me from playing an upright). Backup will usually be a Musicmaster or Longhorn. I can get a good usable tone out of both of the backup basses, and they're light and compact. There's no other rationale than simple utility.

 

[chris_b]

I take 2 basses to every gig, usually a P bass and a Jazz. I'll try both at the sound check and choose the one that sounds best.

 

[JC BASS 91]

I built a bass from a kit and use it as my backup. It's my Sidechick. LOL

 

[crazycloud]

My fave 6 at the moment, plus the GSR206 as backup, or sometimes the Steinberger Spirit 5.

 

[Jeff Scott]

Didn't I just recently post these in a similar (exact?) thread?

 

[ryco]

For two bands pretty much use a '75 P for one, and a Jackson Concert V Pro for the other.
Use an '04 EBMM Sterling 4 banger as back up for both basses.

 

[IronSpatula]

Any of my fretted basses with rounds can generally be made to work on a gig that calls for a fretted bass with rounds, even though they are all fairly different. There will probably be one that is the best fit, but I can bring any of the others as backup without much worry.

Harder (but not impossible) to cover for with my others: P with flats, electric upright.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Main bass: 4 string passive Warmoth P Bass with DiMarzio pickups
Backup bass: 4 string active/pass Schecter P Bass with Coils Boutique pickups and a custom Nordstrand preamp

 

[Gecko 5]

Active J as main bass. A, just 3-4d active PJ as backup. 1, 5 string bass for 3-4 songs

 

[fdeck]

One bass, upright or electric. In almost 50 years of playing, I've never had a bass fail, not even a broken string. I don't know of anybody outside of rock bands who brings a spare instrument, or much by way of spare gear at all. They tend to rely on a high quality instrument, keep a very close eye on its condition, and have a relationship with a good repair tech.

I'm realistic. I've kept track of my gear failures over the years. I keep a spare amp head and some cables in a bag that stays in my car.

 

[Pings Bass]

I used to gig with a fretless and a fretted, and could do the whole gig on either. But I never needed to. Now I'm only gigging on upright, and there's no way I'm hauling two of those. If the bridge explodes I'm out for the night, unless I can borrow an electric from the opener.

 

[darwin-bass]

I never bring a backup. Never needed one. My basses are in top physical shape and not probe to suddenly having issues.

 

[Bar Band Bassman]

It really depends on the gig and my mood. Always bring 2, though. One failure with no backup was one too many.

BBB

 

[InhumanResource]

What is your gig load out?

Couldn’t vote for any of these options!

One bass in a gig bag. HX stomp, two instrument cables, one xlr, one power cable, cheap passive DI box, victorinox swisstool. Horrible guitar stand that I should replace.

If charts are needed, mic stand with an iPad holder thing.

If an amp is needed, GK 212MB combo.

 

[gtirard]

I've never ever brought 2 basses on a gig, and I've never had any issue (or any need to change in the middle of a gig).

I choose one bass for each gig, not always the same - depending on the mood of the day.

All my basses have in common to have 2 humbuckers, but they are very different in feel (string tension, weight, scale length…).

I choose my instrument like I choose my shoes:

• Some days I feel like wearing very soft and comfy shoes ("chill" day, feeling relax). I will play my Nordstrand Acinonyx (short scale, low string tension)
• Some days I prefer wearing tight and rigid shoes (feeling dynamic, with a "rock" tension). I will play my L2000 or my Brooks with higher string tension

 

[logdrum]

Current originals band prefers fretless and a few songs requires fretted slap. So I just carry 2 5-string basses now for other bands and jams since both reside in a 2-bass gig bag. I do not play them at home curiously - 6 and 4 strings is what I practice and play at home Upright gigs means just one bass unless there are tunes that require an EB

 

[pb9717]

Every bass I own is pretty different from the others. I have a double bag. I rotate my #1’s between my Warwick Streamer & my Sadowsky modern. My #2 is the sire fretless. I swap it in for ballads and “Sledgehammer”. All 4’s. My 5 string never leaves the house anymore.

 

[woodyng2]

When I was playing multiple set gigs, I generally played the first 2 sets with my main Rickenbacker 4004.
It’s pretty lightweight, but I would sometimes switch to my featherweight GL L-1000 for 3rd/4th sets, if I was tiring.
(And also for a different sound).